4 THE WILD GARDEN. 
regions, at many different elevations. The loveliness and 
ceaselessly varying charms of such scenes are indeed difficult 
to describe or imagine; the essential thing to bear in mind is 
that the plants that go to form them are hardy, and will thrive 
in our climate as well as native plants. 
Such beauty may be realised in every wood and copse 
and shrubbery that screens our “trim gardens.” Naturally 
our woods and wilds have no little loveliness in spring; we 
have here and there the Lily-of-the-valley and the Snowdrop, 
and everywhere the Primrose and Cowslip; the Bluebell and 
the Foxglove sometimes take nearly complete possession of 
whole woods; but, with all our treasures in this way, we have 
no attractions in or near our gardens compared to what it is 
within our power to create. There are many countries with 
winters as cold as, or colder than, our. own, possessing a rich 
flora; and by taking the best hardy exotics and establishing 
them in wild’ or half-wild spots, we may produce beauti- 
ful pictures in such places. To most people a pretty 
plant in a free state is more attractive than any garden 
denizen. It is taking care of itself; and, moreover, it is 
usually surrounded by some degree of graceful wild spray— 
the green above, and the moss and brambles and grass around. 
By the means presently to be explained, numbers of plants 
of the highest order of beauty and fragrance, and clothed with 
pleasant associations, may be seen perfectly at home in the 
spaces now devoted to rank grass and weeds, and by wood 
walks in our shrubberies and ornamental plantations. 
Among my reasons for advocating this system are the 
following :— ; 
First, because hundreds of the finest hardy flowers will . 
