196 GARDEN PLANNING 



chosen, will spread over the rims and hide 

 their outline, without unduly excluding light 

 and air from the water plants. 



If possible rain-water should be used. The 

 nympheas particularly are intolerant of hard 

 water. When introducing fresh water it should 

 be run in slowly if it is sensibly colder than the 

 atmosphere, otherwise the plants may be chilled 

 and checked in their growth. 



It is quite easy for the supply to dribble 

 in from a hose, the waste plug being loosened 

 to permit the foul water to escape slowly at 

 the same time. Besides the nympheas there 

 are many other interesting if not as conspicu- 

 ously beautiful plants that may be grown 

 in the water garden. The calla has already 

 been mentioned, and is perhaps best kept 

 in its pot and plunged into the water, as it 

 will not stand the winter out of doors. The 

 English arrowhead is a bold, handsome, and 

 desirable plant, particularly in its double 

 form. Typha the reed-mace (commonly 

 called "bullrush") is easily established, 

 and the native yellow flag, though only semi- 

 aquatic, will thrive in shallow water on a deep 

 bed of soil. 



