Water-lilies and Other Aquatic Plants 



53 



short-lived. Their season is on the wane by the Fourth of July. Although 

 the European varieties hold out longer, the flowers are much smaller, and 

 colours begin to fade. But by Independence Day the nelumbiums in many 

 shades of colour attract our attention, as do also the tender nymphseas. 

 From July until September the tender nymph^as, with their gorgeous colours 

 and gigantic size, dominate the water garden, and the hardy ones still remain- 

 ing in blossom are almost totally 

 eclipsed by their Oriental brethren. 



An aquatic basin twenty by fifty 

 feet will afford a superficial space 

 of one thousand feet. The soil in 

 which the nymphceas are to be 

 planted may be placed directly on 

 the bottom, or, better still, boxes 

 three to four feet square and one 

 foot deep may be used instead. The 

 soil should be a moderately stiff, 

 fibrous loam, and thoroughly rotten 

 manure, one part manure to two of 

 loam, the whole bemg composted, if 

 possible, in the fall for spring use. 

 In a pond of the above dimensions 

 ten plants of tender nymphasas will 

 cover the whole surface. It is not 

 unusual, in the region of Philadel- 

 phia, for a single plant of the night - 

 flowering varieties to measure twelve 

 feet across. Thus, allowing each 

 plant its individuality, six plants 

 of tender nymph^as will suffice for such a pond. But supposing the pond 

 is planted with hardy nymphaeas, it would require three of the latter in place 

 of one tender nymph^a — at least for the first season, if immediate effect is 

 desired. Instead of planting in clumps of three, any one who prefers variety 

 may set one plant each of twelve distinct varieties. Hardy and tender 

 nymphaeas may be grown in the same pond, if desired; also lotus in variety. 

 The latter must necessarily be confined to a given space, being grown either 

 in a large tub or in a walled-in section. 



Pitcher plant in flower (Sarracenia purpurea). This plant 

 may be naturalised at the side of a pond 



