10 THE WILD GARDEN. 
shrubbery walks! Nature, say some, is sparing of her deep 
true blues; but there are obscure plants in this order that 
possess the truest, deepest, and most delicate of blues, and 
which will thrive as well in the wild garden as common weeds. — 
The creeping Omphalodes verna even surpasses the Forget- 
me-not in the depth and beauty of its blue and its other 
good qualities, and runs about quite freely in any shady or 
half-shady shrubbery or open wood, or even in turf in moist 
soil not very frequently mown. Its proper home is the wood 
or semi-wild spot, where it takes care of itself. Put it ina 
garden, and probably, unless the soil and region be moist, it 
soon perishes. Besides, in the border, it would be a not very 
agreeable object when once the sweet spring bloom had passed ; 
whereas, in the positions spoken of, in consequence of the 
predominance of trees, shrubs, and tall herbs, the low plants 
are not noticed when out of flower, but crawl about unob- 
served till returning spring reminds those fortunate enough | 
to see them how superior is the inexpensive and natural kind 
of gardening here advocated. 
Another plant of the order is so suitable and useful for this 
purpose, that if a root or two of it be planted in any shrubbery, 
it will soon run about, exterminate the weeds, and prove 
quite a lesson in wild gardening. I allude to the Caucasian 
Comfrey (Symphytum caucasicum), which grows about twenty - 
inches high, and bears quantities of the loveliest blue pen- 
dulous flowers. It, like many others, does much better in 
a wood, grove, or any kind of shrubbery, than in any other 
position, filling in the naked spaces between the trees and 
shrubs, and has a quick-growing and spreading tendency, but 
never becomes weedy or objectionable. As if to contrast 
