Arundo. 67 



*Arundo Donax. This great reed of the south of. 

 Europe is a very noble plant on good soils. In the 

 south of England it forms canes 10 ft. high, and has a 

 very distinct and striking aspect. It will grow higher 

 than that if put in a rich deep soil in a favoured locality ; 

 and those who so plant clumps of it on the turf in their 

 pleasure-grounds will not be disappointed at the result. 

 Nothing can be finer than the aspect of this plant when 

 allowed to spread out into a mass on the turf of the 

 flower-garden or pleasure-ground. It seems much to 

 prefer deep sandy soils to heavy ones; indeed, I have 

 known it refuse to grow on heavy clay soil, and flourish 

 most luxuriantly on a deep sandy loam in the same dis- 

 trict. Like all large-leaved plants, it loves shelter. No 

 garden or pleasure-ground in the southern parts of 

 England and Ireland should be without a tuft of it in a 

 sheltered spot. But, fine as it is for effect and distinct- 

 ness, its variegated variety is of more value for the 

 flower-garden proper. 



*Arundo Donax versicolor. We have already 

 noticed several fine things for grouping together, or for 

 standing alone on the turf and near the margin of a 

 shrubbery-border, and this is as well suited for close associ- 

 ation with the choicest bedding-flowers as an Adiantum 

 frond is with a bouquet. It will be found hardy in the 

 southern counties, and, considerably north of London, 

 may be saved by a little mound of cocoa-fibre, sifted coal- 

 ashes, or any like material that may be at hand. In 

 consequence of its effective variegation, it never assumes 

 a large development, like the green or normal form 

 of the species, but keeps dwarf, and yet thoroughly 



F 2 



