4 THE WILD GARDEN. 



regions, at many different elevations. The loveliness and 

 ceaselessly varying charms of snch scenes are indeed difficult 

 to descrilie or imagine ; the essential thing to Lear in mind is 

 that the plants that go to form them arc hardy, and will thrive 

 in our dim ate as well as natwe jjlanfs. 



Such beauty may be realised in every wood and copse 

 and slnnibbery that screens our " trim gardens." Naturally 

 our woods and wilds have no little loveliness in spring ; we 

 have liere and there the Lily-of-the-valley and the Snowdro]*, 

 and everywhere the Primrose and Cowslip ; the Bluebell and 

 the Foxglove sometimes take nearly complete possession of 

 whole woods ; but, with all our treasures in this way, we have 

 no attractions in or near our gardens compared to what it is 

 within our power to create. There are many countries with 

 winters as cold as, or colder than, our own, possessing a rich 

 flora ; and by taking the best hardy exotics and establishing 

 tliem in wild or lialf-wild spots, we may produce lieauti- 

 ful pictures in such places. To most people a pretty 

 plant in a free state is more attractive than any garden 

 denizen. It is taking care of itself; and, moreover, it is 

 usually surrounded l^y some degree of graceful wild spray — 

 the green above, and tlie moss and brambles and grass around. 



By the means presently to be explained, numbers of plants 

 of the highest order of beauty and fragrance, and clothed with 

 pleasant associations, may be seen j)erfectly at home in tlie 

 spaces now devoted to rank grass and weeds, and Ijy wood 

 walks in our shrubberies and ornamental plantations. 



Among my reasons for advocating this system are the 

 following : — 



First, because hundreds of the finest hardy flowers will 



