Subtropical Gardening. 37 



It will do more than that if put in a rich deep soil in a favoured 

 locality 5 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 flower garden or pleasure ground. 

 It seems to much prefer dry sandy soils to moist 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 district. It, like all 

 large-leaved plants, 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 dis- 

 tinctness, its variegated variety is of more value to the flower 

 garden proper. 



ARUNDO DONAX VERSICOLOR. This is a wonderfully effective 

 and beautiful plant, that is made little or no use of. We have 

 already noticed several fine things for grouping together, or for stand- 

 ing alone on the turf and near the margin of a shrubbery border j 

 and this is as well suited for close association with the choicest 

 bedding flowers as an Adiantum frond is with a bouquet. It will 

 be found hardy in the southern counties j 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 to spare. In consequence of its 

 effective and beautiful variegation, it never assumes a large develop- 

 ment, like the green or normal form of the species, but keeps tidy 

 and low, and yet thoroughly graceful and effective. It is of course 

 suited best for warm, free, and good soils, and abhors clay, though 

 it is quite possible to grow it even on that with a little attention to 

 the preparation of the ground. But it is in all cases better to avoid 

 things that will not grow freely and gracefully on whatever soil we 

 may have to deal with j and it is to those having gardens on good 

 sandy soils, and in the warmer parts of England, that I would 

 specially recommend this grand variegated subject. For a centre 

 to a circular bed, nothing can surpass it in the summer and 

 autumn flower garden, while of course many other charming uses 



