CONSIDER THE LILIES 31 



and the dying culms of the herbs form a protective 

 mulch which as it decays becomes a nourishing food. 



This brief sketch of the conditions under which 

 certain Lilies grow wild enables us to deduce certain 

 facts of cultural importance. In the first place, Lilies 

 should be planted among Ferns, or dwarf shrubs such, 

 for example, as Lavender, wild Roses, Deutzias, Indi- 

 goferas, Lespedezas, Comptonia, Vacciniums, Ericas, 

 Calluna, native Azaleas, Rhododendrons and, where 

 climate admits, shrubby Veronicas and Olearias. 



Planting Lilies among shrubs is no new idea; 

 twenty-five years or more ago it came into vogue. 

 Some one achieved great success through planting 

 Lilies among Rhododendrons and the cry went forth 

 that this was the solution of the Lily grower's 

 troubles — plant Lilies among Rhododendrons! It 

 is quite true that a number of species like L. pardali- 

 num, L. superbum, L. speciosum, L. Hansonii (and 

 I have also seen L. auratum) do well under such con- 

 ditions. Also it is true that Rhododendrons require 

 peat and here is the rub. All Lilies love leafsoil but a 

 great many detest peat. I have seen L. Henryi grow 

 ten feet tall in loam and leafsoil and continue to 

 thrive for many years. I have seen this Lily disap- 

 pear completely in two seasons when planted in pure 

 peat. Plant Lilies among shrubs, but let the class of 



