196 GARDEN PLANNING 



chosen, will spread over the rims and hide 

 their outline, without unduly excluding light 

 and air from the water plants. 



If possible rain-water should be used. The 

 nympheas particularly are intolerant of hard 

 water. When introducing fresh water it should 

 be run in slowly if it is sensibly colder than the 

 atmosphere, otherwise the plants may be chilled 

 and checked in their growth. 



It is quite easy for the supply to dribble 

 in from a hose, the waste plug being loosened 

 to permit the foul water to escape slowly at 

 the same time. Besides the nympheas there 

 are many other interesting if not as conspicu- 

 ously beautiful plants that may be grown 

 in the water garden. The calla has already 

 been mentioned, and is perhaps best kept 

 in the water garden. The lotus has a rich 

 tropical effect, and is best planted in a tile con- 

 tainer as its roots spread through the soil, into 

 the surrounding ground. The English arrow- 

 head is a bold, handsome, and desirable plant. 

 Typha — the reed-mace (commonly called "bull- 

 rush") — is easily estabhshed, and the native 

 yellow flag, though only semiaquatic, will thrive 

 in shallow water on a deep bed of soil. 



