Plants for Gunneras, Cordylines, Spireas—falmata and gigantica— 
the Water Bamboos, 4:/anthus glandulosa, and groups of Bocconia cordata 
Edge and other strong herbaceous plants; the whole effect, though 
backed by native Oak and Elm, is almost tropical. 
A streamlet, which enters the river, has the upper part of 
its course, where it meanders through a little dell, fringed by 
Primula japonica, making in the spring sunlight a brilliant 
patch of crimson. The streamlet is further utilised for the 
formation of sunny pools, where the newer Nympheas flourish. 
Here in August are to be found gorgeous groups of Lobelia 
cardinalis, looking particularly splendid against a background 
of grey Willows, and at successive bends of the stream grow 
clumps of Lobelia syphilitica, white, pink, and magenta, which 
are far prettier when sorted into their different shades—a group 
of salmon pink stands well against cream Monkshood and 
the early Pampas grass, drundo conspicua, and a rosy pink 
variety, against variegated green and white plants. Deep red 
Fuchsias bend over the water to meet white Water Lilies, and 
Spireaas of many sorts flourish—the flat, brick-red heads of 
palmata, when in seed, look very effective against a background 
of New Zealand Flax, Bamboo, and the tall white flowers of 
Spirea gigantea. Montbretias, too, make brilliant groups for 
reflection in the water. ‘These useful autumn plants seem to 
flourish everywhere, piercing the banks of ferns in the shade 
of the wood, or growing on the rock wall of the river, or in 
groups in the open with grey-leaved foliage plants, such as 
many of the Senecios. ‘These Senecios—with leaves like silver 
——make soft effective clumps a few feet high, and blend 
charmingly with many flowers. 
Of small plants to fringe the water’s edge there were also 
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