Chap. III.] 



THE GARDKN OF PLANTS. 



61 



remarkatle for its great vigour and rapidity of growth — it quickly 

 runs up with dense vigour to a height of ten feet in spring, its 

 foliage is glossy and dense, and it might be used with success as 

 a covering for bowers or to make pyramids in a diversified garden 

 of hardy plants. Asparagus tenuifolius is as graceful and elegant 

 as the one before named is vigorous. It is probable that a variety 

 of forms of this family will be found to posaess some merit for 

 our outdoor gardens. 



Among the hardy plants here one is often struck during the 

 various seasons, particularly in 

 the spring and early summer, 

 with the beauty of the fine 

 Umbelliferse, one of which 

 (Molopospermum) is illustrated 

 in this chapter. These plants 

 have hitherto been left too 

 much in the botanic garden, 

 whereas they have rare merits 

 as decorative plants for the 

 choicest hardy collections. 

 There is a deep green and 

 fern -like beauty displayed by 

 them, which one does not meet 

 in any other plants. Some of 

 them, while very beautiful in 

 very early spring, like the 

 Ferulas, die down in early 

 summer ; but the one here 

 illustrated lasts longer into the 

 season. The illustration is to 

 show the effect of this type 

 of plant rather than the 

 botanical details. Not only are a great variety of umbelliferous 

 plants beautiful in themselves, but from their absolute distinct- 

 ness from any types common in gardens they impart wholly 

 new features to the garden. Of course they should be very 

 carefully placed, so that while their beauty may have full effect 

 on the garden landscape in winter and early in the year, when 

 their large and delicate plumes spring up— there may not when 



Climhing Hardy Asparagus.— Garden of Plants. 



