1 88 The Wild Garden 



several species of rhubarb in cultivation in addition to those 

 commonly grown in gardens. They are much alike in port 

 and in the size of their leaves, R. palmatum and Emodi 

 being the most distinct. The rhubarbs are fine plants for 

 association with large-leaved herbaceous plants in deep soils. 



Rose, Rosa. — As in the case of brambles, we have many 

 more kinds of wild roses in England than is commonly 

 supposed, but nobody ever thinks of planting such things 

 in gardens or shrubberies, where such ill-smelling and ugly 

 things as privet make up the underwood. There are scores 

 of the roses of northern and temperate countries which would 

 thrive as well in our woodlands ; but as these are not to be 

 obtained in our nurseries, it is useless to mention them. 

 Any species of rose from a northern country might be tried ; 

 whilst of roses commonly cultivated the climbing races — such 

 as the Boursalt, Ayrshire, and Sempervirens — are the most 

 likely to be satisfactory. The Damask, Alba gallica, and 

 vigorous climbers, being hardy, would do, as would 

 Felicite Perpetuelle, Banksiaeflora, the Garland roses, 

 Austrian brier, berberifolia, and microphylla rubra plena. 

 Pruning, or any other attention after planting, should of 

 course not be thought of in connexion with these. Rosa 

 Brunoniana is a very fine free and hardy species from India. 

 See the Chapter on Roses. 



Sea Lavender, Statice. — Vigorous hardy plants with a 

 profusion of bluish lavender-coloured bloom, thriving freely 

 on all ordinary garden soils. S. latifolia, and some of the 

 stronger kinds, thrive in any position. 



Meadow Sv^reet, Spiraea. — Usually vigorous herbaceous 

 plants, with white or rosy flowers. Such beautiful kinds 

 as venusta and palmata are good among the medium- 

 sized perennials. S. Aruncus is, perhaps, the finest plant 



