52 A GARDEN DIARY 



a bamboo, gives quite the same impression 

 of vigorous, of almost insolent energy as does 

 this one. It adapts itself moreover perfectly to 

 our sandy soil, and so long as one sees that 

 it receives a reasonable amount of moisture, 

 seems to ask for little else. Next follow two 

 or three plants of Arundinaria japonica, and 

 below these again Arundinaria, or Bambusa 

 palmata, skirting the edge of the pond, and 

 passing on into the so-called bog. This last 

 came from Kildare, where it has established 

 itself, and run practically wild along the edge 

 of a lake. Here it seems to do its growing 

 more slowly, but the plants are spreading, 

 and I think promise fairly. Below the other 

 bamboos, but above palmata come two large 

 plants of Astilbe rivularis, placed so that their 

 arching leaves will overhang their lower neigh- 

 bours, and all but touch the water. Next, 

 turning the corner of the pond, come various 

 low-growing bushes. Berberis Darwini below, 

 with the faithful Aquifolium, and the taller steno- 

 phylla above, ending in a fringe of bog-myrtle, 

 and of Rodgersia podophylla, among which some 

 Solomon's seal are now barely discernible. After 

 these come a few plants of Hemerocallis, both 

 fulva and flava, which need continual dividing 

 in the borders, but seem to flower well, and give 

 no further trouble so long as they are within 

 reach of an occasional splash. Acanthuses appear 



