i8 2 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



noticeable is this with the Liliums I have noted previously. In the 

 early part of the year the bog garden should be aglow with such 

 things as Marsh Marigolds, in single and double forms. In the wet 

 mud in the lower parts and about the stepping-stones these would 

 appear quite natural, and in like places Ficaria grandiflora, a plant 

 too rarely seen, with its blossoms of shining gold ; then Senecio 

 Doronicum, with golden orange flowers, Dielytra eximia, Trollius : 

 any of the Dentarias and Dodecatheons likewise are all well suited 

 for the raised parts where the roots will touch the moisture. The 

 Dodecatheons in peat, loam, and leaf-soil in equal parts, particularly 

 D. Jeffreyanum, grow to a large size : Hepaticas, too, are greatly 

 improved in company with these last, while the charming effects that 

 may be produced are almost without end. Corydalis nobilis in peat 

 and loam, C. lutea, together with the Water Mimulus (M. luteus), all 

 provide rich masses of yellow. Gentiana asclepiadea, G. Andrewsi, 

 as well as G. verna, grow charmingly in the bog. 



Nor is the list of plants exhausted ; indeed, they are far too 



numerous to give in detail, but yet to be mentioned as among the 



grandest are many Irises, I. Kaempferi in 



Japanese Iris. particular. Meconopsis Wallichiana (the blue 



Poppy of the Himalayas) produces quite a unique 



effect in the moisture parts. Saxifraga peltata, S. Fortunei, S. 



Hirculus, S. granulata plena, Soldanellas, Senecio pulcher, 



Sisyrinchium grandiflorum and many more are all benefited by the 



varying degrees of moisture to be found in the bog garden. 



In gardens where no moist piece of ground exists, such as those 

 with gravel or sandy subsoils, it will be necessary to select a low part 

 and mark out an irregular outline. Next dig out the soil 18 inches 

 or 2 feet in depth, so as to allow of at least 6 inches of clay being 

 puddled in the bottom to retain the moisture. For bog plants clay 

 is far better than concrete, because it supplies food for many moisture- 

 loving plants. To keep the clay in position, sloping sides will be 

 best, and for the soils named it will scarcely be necessary to have 

 more than a small outlet for excessive moisture, and this at 

 about 12 inches high from the deepest part. For this a narrow 

 clinker or rough brick drain will suffice, so placed that the outlet may 

 be blocked, if necessary, for affording greater moisture. By digging 

 a shallow trench around the upper margin of the bog-bed, and 

 using Bamboos or Bocconia cordata these valuable for their 

 rapid annual growth such things would give the needful shade in 

 summer. 



In large gardens and cool, hilly districts the bog garden should 

 always be found. Some years ago I had charge of just such a 

 garden : in the flower garden was a fountain basin wherein water 



