SMALL PONDS AND POOLS 119 



whole shows against a background of Spruce Fir, 

 it will probably be as noble a use of these grand 

 flowers as could be combined in a half wild place. 



Here, even more than in a garden, where also it 

 is often seen and always to be regretted, an uncon- 

 sidered mixture of the various colours of the many 

 Rhododendron hybrids should be carefully avoided; 

 moreover, the foliage in individuals differs so much 

 in character, that in grouping kinds together this 

 should be considered as well as the colour of the 

 bloom. There is perfect safety in the group as ad- 

 vised above, its constituents all having the handsome 

 dark-green long-shaped leaves that is so good an 

 attribute of R. ponticum and its nearest relations. 



The ponderous masses of Rhododendrons near 

 water are much improved by good groupings of 

 Silver Birches, an association always to be advised ; 

 indeed a shallow valley of rather damp peaty soil 

 leading to water, where the wild Birches are thor- 

 oughly at home, is the very place for Rhododendrons. 

 When both come down to the water's edge, and the 

 dark evergreen masses with the graceful silver-backed 

 stems are reflected in the still water, it shows about 

 as good a picture of wild gardening with shrub and 

 tree as may well be, and one that is scarcely less 

 beautiful in winter than it is in summer. 



Of other trees and bushes of the water-side. Willows 

 and Poplars are the most important. The White 

 Willow {Salix alba) becomes a good-sized tree. There 

 are occasionally places where the Weeping Willow 

 can be planted with good effect, perhaps for pre- 



