THE STREAM-GARDEN 69 



the stream itself; for though seeds will fall and ger- 

 minate in shallow water, planted roots do better just 

 out of it, but always with their heads in the full sun- 

 shine. This is one of the many cases where the 

 natural ways of a plant cannot be followed in our 

 gardens, for in Japan they commonly grow with the 

 roots submerged. Some plants of bright green foliage, 

 such as the handsome branched Bur-reed (Sparganium 

 ramosum) will fittingly accompany groups of this noble 

 Water Iris. 



The yellow Mimulus (M. luteus) is a capital thing 

 for the stream-side ; once planted it will take care of 

 itself; indeed it has become naturalised by many 

 streams in England. Another interesting and pretty 

 plant that would do well in its company is the 

 only English representative of the Balsams, Impatiens 

 Noli- me-tangere ; it is an annual, but will sow itself 

 again. 



It should be noted that in such a stream-garden it 

 will usually be the opposite side that is best seen, and 

 this should be borne in mind while composing the 

 pictures and setting out the path. 



It is well worth while to consider some pleasant 

 arrangement of colour in the way the varied flower- 

 pictures will present themselves in the course of a 

 walk ; thus, after the blue Forget-me-not with the 

 white Spiraeas might come the pink and rosy colour- 

 ings of Spircea venusta and S. palmata. 



As the stream leads further away we begin to forget 



