134 



THE WILD GARDEN. 



with Cyclamen hedeKefoliuiii, near Montargis, in France, that tirst 

 turned my attention to the " Wild Garden." Both C. hedersefoliuni 

 and C. europanim may be naturalised with the greatest ease on light, 

 loamy, or other warm and open soil. C. vernum, C. Coum, and C. 

 repandum, are also well worthy of trial. Nothing can he more agree- 

 able to the lover of hardy plants than endeavouring to naturalise these 

 charming flowers, now rarely seen out of the greenhouse. The best 

 positions would be among dwarf shrubs, etc., that would afford slight 

 shelter, on- banks or sunny open spots in copses or woods. Bare or 

 dug borders they abhor, and a sunny Avarm exposure shoi;ld be chosen. 

 In the case of C. hedera) folium (and perhaps some of the others) ground 

 under trees, bare, or with a very scant vegetation of herbs, etc., would 

 do quite well if tlie soil were free and warm. There is scarcely a 



Cyclamens in the wild garden ; from nature. 



coimtry seat in England in whieli tlie hardy Cyclamens, now almost 

 entirely neglected by the gardener, could not be naturalised. 



The Giant Sea-kale, Grambe. — " C. cordifolia is a very hue 

 perennial, ]>ut its place is on the turf in rich soil. It has enormous 

 leaves, and small whitish flowers in panicles. Here it is one of the 

 finest ornaments in a wild garden of about five acres, associated with 

 Rheums, Ferulas, Gunneras, Centaure;i babylonica, Arundo Donax, 

 Acanthus, and others." 



Bindweed, Calystecjia. — Climbing plants, with handsome whitt- 

 or rosy flowers, often too vigorous in con&titution to be agreeable in 

 gardens, as is the case with our common bindweed. C. dahurica, some- 

 what larger than the common hind, is verv handsome when allowed 



