OUR NATIVE PLANTS. 167 



Dicentra eximia Spiraea palmata 

 " Canadensis " Aruncus 



" cucullata Hydropliyllum Canadense 

 Trollius laxus " Virginianum 



Uvularia grandiflora Anemone Pennsylvanica 



Smilaciua stellata Waldsteinia fragarioides 

 and the well known Lily of the Valley, which is found amongst 

 the mountains of Virginia. 



This comparatively brief summary of the different classes of 

 Native Plants shows what an immense wealth we have in this 

 country ; and yet I have left out all the trees and shrubs. These 

 alone, if considered with regard to their ornamental and economi- 

 cal value, similarly with the plants already described, would fill 

 another paper as long as this ; indeed that space would suffice to 

 do them only partial justice. 



To grow these plants now under consideration successfully and 

 effectively several cardinal points must be considered. In the first 

 place the cultivator must be a real lover of plants, for many hard- 

 ships are connected with culture ; but the recompense is great. 

 The next thing required is good judgment, and next patience, 

 which will lead to final success. 



The ground selected should have such varying exposure, ele- 

 vation, and consistency as to suit any plant among the different 

 classes. If such ground is not already available, much can be 

 done without great expense by digging out some parts and raising 

 others, so as to make it like a piece of natural landscape. This 

 will look more beautiful, as well as more natural, than some artifi- 

 cial gardens of nowadays. 



In such grounds a few trees and shrubs could be planted, so as 

 to break the monotonj', and only disclose successive parts to view. 

 Where such an effect is desired, a large irregular space or an 

 entire slope might be planted with some of the most ornamental 

 kinds, and this planting would produce a more pleasing impression 

 than any of the stiff beds in the shape of a star or other geomet- 

 rical form. For we must remember that while we can imitate 

 nature, we cannot improve on it by artificial means. 



In regard to the questions, what plants to select, how and where 

 to plant them, and how to manage them during the different sea- 

 sons, there are many books treating of these matters, but in gen- 

 eral they are of little or no real value to the cultivator. A plant 



