138 



THE WILD GARDEN. 



iiroinaticuiu and agenitoides, being very beautiful and distinct, and \\\'\\ 

 worthy of a place in the best parts of the wild gai'den. 



Sea Holly, Eryngium. — Very distinct and noble-looking per- 

 ennials, with ornamental and usually spiny leaves, and flowers in 

 heads, sometimes surrounded by a bluish involucrum, and supported 

 on stems of a hue amethystine blue. They would be very attractive 

 on margins of 8hrul)beries and near wood -walks, thrive in ordinary 

 free soil, and will take care of themselves among tall grasses and all 

 but the most vigorous herbs. 



Heath, Erica, Menziesia. — Our own heathy places are pretty rich 

 in this type, but the brilliant Erica carnea is so distinct and attractive 



that it well deserves naturalisaticm among 

 them. The beautiful St. Daboec's heath 

 (Menziesia polifolia) deserves a trial in 

 the same way, as, though found in the 

 west of Ireland, it is to the majority of 

 English gardens an exotic plant. It will 

 grow almost anywhere in peaty soil. 



Barren-wort, Epimedium. — -Inter- 

 esting and very distinct, but compara- 

 tively little known perennials, with pretty 

 and usually delicately tinted flowers, and 

 singular and ornamental foliage. They 

 are most suitable for peaty or free moist 

 soils, in sheltered, positions, among low 

 shrubs on rocky banks, etc., and near the 

 eye. The variety called E. iiinnatum 

 elegans, when in deep peat soil, forms tufts of leaves nearly a yard 

 high, and in spring is adorned with long racemes of pleasing yellow 

 flowers, so that it is well worthy of naturalisation where the soil is 

 suitable. 



Globe Thistle, Eclunops. — Large and distinct perennials of fine 

 port, from 3 feet to 6 feet high, with spiny leaves and numerous 

 flowers in spherical heads. These will thrive well in almost any 

 positi(jn, and hold their ground amid the coarsest vegetation. Being 

 of a " type " c^uite distinct from that of our indigenous vegetation, they 

 are more than usually suited ft)r naturalisation. Eclunops exaltatus 

 and E. ruthenicus, are among the best kinds, the last the best in colour. 

 May-flower, Epigaa repetis. — A small creeping shrub, with pretty 

 and delici(msly fragrant flowers, which appear soon after the melting 



A Sea Holly ; Eryngium. 



