Plants for Gunneras, Cordylines, Spirseas palmata and gigantica 

 the Water Bamboos, Ailanthus glandulosa, and groups of Eoccoma cor data 

 Edge an ^ other strong herbaceous plants; the whole effect, though 

 backed by native Oak and Elm, is almost tropical. 



A streamlet, which enters the river, has the upper part of 

 its course, where it meanders through a little dell, fringed by 

 Primula japonica^ making in the spring sunlight a brilliant 

 patch of crimson. The streamlet is further utilised for the 

 formation of sunny pools, where the newer Nympheas flourish. 

 Here in August are to be found gorgeous groups of Lobelia 

 cardinal'iS) looking particularly splendid against a background 

 of grey Willows, and at successive bends of the stream grow 

 clumps of Lobelia sypbilitica, white, pink, and magenta, which 

 are far prettier when sorted into their different shades a group 

 of salmon pink stands well against cream Monkshood and 

 the early Pampas grass, Arundo conspicua, and a rosy pink 

 variety, against variegated green and white plants. Deep red 

 Fuchsias bend over the water to meet white Water Lilies, and 

 Spirseas of many sorts flourish the flat, brick-red heads of 

 palmata^ when in seed, look very effective against a background 

 of New Zealand Flax, Bamboo, and the tall white flowers of 

 Spiraa gigantea. Montbretias, too, make brilliant groups for 

 reflection in the water. These useful autumn plants seem to 

 flourish everywhere, piercing the banks of ferns in the shade 

 of the wood, or growing on the rock wall of the river, or in 

 groups in the open with grey-leaved foliage plants, such as 

 many of the Senecios. These Senecios with leaves like silver 

 make soft effective clumps a few feet high, and blend 

 charmingly with many flowers. 



Of small plants to fringe the water's edge there were also 



28 



