258 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



flowering plants. One of the noblest of our plants with large leaves 

 delighting in such a position is Gunnera manicata. Gunnera scabra 

 also likes a similar position, but its leaves seldom attain a diameter of 

 more than 5 feet, while Gunnera magellanica is quite a pigmy. 

 Rheum Emodi from the Himalayas, Rheum palmatum from Northern 

 Asia, and the Siberian Rheum undulatum are also effective plants for 

 the waterside. Of an entirely different type are the noble Arundo 

 donax and its variegated variety. In the south-west of England 

 they are, as a rule, hardy without protection, and their elegant grace 

 is most striking. The Pampas Grass (Gynerium argenteum) and its 

 early-flowering companion, Arundo conspicua, from New Zealand, 

 may also be mentioned as graceful plants for the waterside. Much 

 dwarfer, but also effective, is the deciduous grass, Elymus glauco- 

 phyllus, with broad glaucous foliage contrasting well with the fine 

 deep green foliage of Carex pendula or the still finer Carex riparia 

 and its variegated form. Cyperus longus is another suitable com- 

 panion from the same family. Juncus effusus spiralis, with its stems 

 twisted like corkscrews, is perhaps more curious than pretty, but 

 Acorus gramineus variegatus and Juncus zebrinus have an un- 

 common as well as a pretty effect in consequence of their variegated 

 leaves. 



The plants just mentioned as suitable for the waterside are valued 

 mostly on account of their foliage. But among flowering plants also 

 handsome varieties may be found that might with great advantage be 

 used for decoration at the waterside much oftener than is at present 

 the case. Few things are brighter than the brilliant purple flowers of 

 Lythrum salicaria var. roseum superbum, or the large yellow flowers 

 of Inula Helenium and Telekia speciosissima. Groups of Iris 

 Kaempferi and the well-known Iris germanica, also look exceed- 

 ingly well on the margin of a pond, and the "flowering" Fern 

 (Osmunda regalis) delights in that position. Senecio japonica grows 

 really well only when its roots can find abundance of moisture ; its 

 large deeply-cut leaves are as handsome as its deep yellow flowers, 

 4 inches across, and borne on a stem 3 feet to 4 feet high. A similar 

 position is required by Spiraea gigantea, which bears its flowers on 

 stems 5 feet to 6 feet above the ground. Spiraea Aruncus, though 

 not so tall, is, nevertheless, most suitable, as are also its smaller, but 

 still more handsome companions, Spiraea palmata, S. alba, S. astil- 

 boides, and Astilbe rivularis. Very bright and effective, too, in such 

 a position are Chelone barbata and Lyoni, and the Globe Flowers 

 (Trollius) show by the waterside a vigour they do not develop else- 

 where. This might also be said of the double Marsh Marigold 

 (Caltha palustris fl.-pl.) and of several varieties of Hemerocallis. 



FOR A SHADY NOOK by the waterside we are by no means 



