66 ROCK AND WATER GARDENS 



American swamps we get the Meadow Beauty (Rhexia 

 virginica), a beautiful dwarf plant, with deep rosy 

 flowers. For carpeting, in addition to the mosses, 

 there is the Moneywort (Sibthorpia), and in shade the 

 hardy Adiantum pedatum and the American Mayflower 

 (Epigsea repens). One corner in half-shade must be 

 set aside for a clump of Cypripedium spectabile, and 

 at the back Osmunda and certain of our smaller Spiraeas 

 would relieve any tendency to flatness. 



It is the intention of the owner of the water garden 

 we have been considering, to eflTect considerable altera- 

 tions in the shrubbery which bounds the bog margin. 

 In course of time the majority of the laurels will 

 be removed, and their place taken by Rhododendrons 

 and the choicer flowering shrubs. Peaty soil will be 

 provided in which colonies of Lilies can be established, 

 with ferns in the damper quarters. Short vistas will 

 be opened from the bog garden side, so as to soften 

 the present hard dividing line. Thus the two gardens 

 — water and shrub — will gradually merge into one, and 

 the plants range from actual aquatics to those which 

 inhabit the dry peaty clearings among the Rhododen- 

 drons. It is always best to forecast other schemes, 

 and arrange for future developments when planning 

 alterations. Considerations of expense may render it 

 necessary to delay the completion of the design, but 

 the final effect will be rendered more certain when 

 the various stages are considered to form part of an 

 harmonious whole. 



In very small gardens indeed, where space cannot 

 be spared for even the above modest attempt at water- 

 gardening, isolated tubs may be used. They should 

 certainly be sunk in the ground, as under no circum- 

 stance can they be considered to possess anything but 

 strictly utilitarian value. The water supply will be 

 renewed by hand, taking care to disturb the plants 



