IN MY LADY'S GARDEN 



the plant is altogether taller and very vigorous. N. pul- 

 cherrima is probably a hybrid of American origin, with 

 flowers of a darker shade of violet-blue than that of N. 

 stellata ; and is a strong and robust plant, well suited for a 

 first trial in growing these difficult subjects. 



Besides these water-lilies there are other aquatic plants 

 which may well be added to a water garden, one of the best 

 of which is the new and fine form of Aponogeton distachyon 

 (the Cape pond-flower), which has been introduced by M. 

 Latour-Marliac. This is handsome and distinct, with frag- 

 rant white flowers of singular form, which are produced for 

 many months in succession, and oblong leaves floating on 

 the surface of the water. It should have a separate place 

 from the water-lilies, if possible, as it is apt to smother them 

 with its rampant foliage. Arum lilies (Richardia asthiopica) 

 may be grown in water, and will blossom in the summer, 

 when they have had time to accommodate themselves to the 

 change of seasons. Sagittaria sagittifolia (the arrow-head) 

 has handsome three-cornered leaves and pale pink flowers ; 

 and Butomus umbellatus (the flowering rush) is a strong- 

 growing plant with rosy lilac blossoms. These plants are, 

 however, too large and too vigorous in the work of repro- 

 ducing themselves to be safe neighbours for the smaller 

 water-lilies, although they associate well with our own fine 

 white Nymphaea (syn. Castalia) speciosa, a plant which may 

 be trusted to hold its own with any other rampant aquatic. 

 In fact, it is not desirable to add this fine water-lily to a 

 collection of hybrid nymphaeas, except in a separate position, 

 as it will quickly seize the whole available space, and increase 

 so rapidly that it has been known to choke the waterway of 

 a canal within a few years from the time of planting. For 

 a lake or a large pond it is most effective, the flowers being 

 10 inches across. N. lutea, the yellow water-lily of Britain, 

 is also handsome, but both are most suitable for wide spaces 

 and positions in which extra robust plants are necessary. 



The surroundings of a water garden should be made as 

 beautiful as possible. Small ponds, tanks, or tubs can be 

 sunk in the grass when in a garden, and many beautiful 



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