THE BOG GARDEN. 181 



Cypripedium spectabile could easily be established, or a bed may be 

 devoted to the more showy hardy species, giving 6 inches of peat or 

 more, with leaf-soil added. The species named is rather late in 

 sending up its growth, and affords plenty of time for a carpet of 

 Trillium to flower before much headway is made. Other beautiful 

 carpeting plants for these would be found in the American Mayflower 

 (Epigaea repens or Pratia angulata), and if the position be shaded, as 

 it should be for the Cypripediums, a charming, yet delicate, fringe 

 may be found in Adiantum pedatum. Besides C. spectabile, C. 

 pubescens and C. parviflorum are well deserving attention, together 

 with Orchis foliosa, the beautiful " Madeira Orchis," and the 

 Habenarias, especially H. cilaris and fimbriata ; all delight in moisture 

 and require but little root room. Then if a glow of rich colour was 

 needed in such places it could be supplied in Spiraea venusta or S. 

 palmata, both delighting in moist soil. Another fine effect may be 

 had by grouping Lobelia fulgens, or indeed any of the scarlet 

 Lobelias and Sikkim Primrose. In wet parts may be planted 

 Osmunda regalis, Onoclea sensibilis, Struthiopteris germanica, and 

 Astilbe rivularis, allowing room for each. Groups 

 Scarlet Lobelias f tne herbaceous Phloxes in their best and most 

 and Sikkim distinct shades, particularly of salmon scarlet and 

 Primrose. the purest white, would find their natural wants 

 completely satisfied in the bog garden and give 

 fine colour. In English gardens it is only in a moist season that we 

 see the Phlox in even fair condition, for the reason that the original 

 species is a native of wet meadows. This condition we can best 

 imitate by deep digging and heavy manuring, and so much the 

 better if the beds of these be saturated with water. Only in the 

 constant cooling moisture of the bog can Primula japonica be seen 

 in perfection, for here will it produce rosettes of leaves 2\ feet across, 

 and giant whorls of its crimson flowers, attaining to nearly the same 

 height. Another charming Primrose is that from the swampy 

 mountain meadows of the Himalayas, P. sikkimensis, essentially 

 moisture-loving ; but to get the best results this must be treated as 

 a biennial, grown on quickly, and planted in the bog as soon as large 

 enough to handle. Other species of Primula suited to the higher 

 and drier parts of the bog would be found in P. cashmeriana, capitata, 

 denticulata, rosea, farinosa, involucrata, viscosa, and others, all alike 

 beautiful in their way, and attaining greater vigour with the 

 abundant moisture. Some of the smaller kinds of the viscosa type 

 are better for slight shade, such as may be provided by Dielytra 

 spectabilis (a really delightful plant in boggy ground) and various 

 Spiraeas. It should be noted that many shade-loving plants delight 

 in full sun when given abundant moisture at the root. Particularly 



