176 The Wild Garden 



strong enough to overrun them. They, however, attain 

 greatest beauty when fully exposed to the sun, and are 

 admirable for every kind of rocky or stony ground and 

 banks. 



Iris, Fleur de Lis. — These plants, once so well known in 

 our gardens, rivalling (or rather exceeding) the lilies in 

 beauty, are varied and numerous enough to make a wild 

 garden by themselves. The many beautiful varieties of 

 germanica will grow in almost any soil, and may be planted 

 in woods, copses, by wood walks, or near the margin of 

 water, though the water-rat often eats the roots. I. sibirica, 

 will grow in the water, as will the Japanese and the beautiful 

 Asiatic Iris such as I. aurea and I. monnieri. On the 

 other hand, I. pumila, and the varieties of germanica, are 

 often seen on the tops of old walls and thatched roofs, in 

 France, flowering well. 



Common Lupine, Lupinus polyphyllus. — Amidst the hand- 

 somest hardy plants, grouped where they may be seen from 

 grass drives or wood walks, or in any position or soil. 

 Excellent for islets or on river banks, in the soil of which 

 it spreads freely. 



Honesty, Lunaria. — This, which approaches the Stocks in 

 the aspect of its fine purplish violet flowers, is one of the 

 best plants for naturalization. Sows itself freely in dryish 

 ground or on chalk banks, and is one of the prettiest plants 

 in early summer. 



Lily, Lilium. — There are hardy lilies that may be 

 naturalized. The places that these grow in, from the high 

 meadows of Northern Italy, dotted with the orange lily, to 

 the woody gorges of the Sierras in California, rich with tall 

 and handsome kinds, are such as make their chances in 

 copses and rough grassy places, hopeful. In woods where 



