70 ROCK AND WATER GARDENS 



sphagnum for such small subjects as Pinguicula and 

 Drosera. 



Grouping for general effect, which is an important 

 consideration in the flower garden proper, is something 

 totally unknown in the bog garden. In one case we 

 enjoy harmonious colour masses, and the beautiful en- 

 semble produced by many carefully designed units ; 

 in the other we are called upon to study individual 

 plants, to consider each flower as something worthy of 

 notice. In short, bog gardens are Nature, as it were, 

 under the microscope. Each separate plant disassociates 

 itself from its neighbours, and seems to invite close 

 inspection and its due meed of praise. 



On the rising ground at the outskirts of the bog 

 garden, the planting should be of a bolder and more 

 definite character. The soil will here be drier and 

 better drained, so that plants which prefer to send 

 their roots for some distance in search of moisture 

 should be selected. If a strip of woodland or hazel 

 copse skirts one side of the marshy land, the garden 

 may merge imperceptibly into the undergrowth, good 

 use being made of Daffodils, Lily-of-the- Valley and 

 Anemones, planted in long drifts among the trees. 



In the higher bog garden, bold clumps of Goat's 

 Beard (Astilbe rivularis). Blue Poppy and Eulahas, 

 would serve to mark the confines of the garden. 

 Another plant of somewhat the same character is 

 Turkey's Beard (Xerophyllum asphodeloides), its 

 racemes of white blossoms thrown well above the 

 grassy foliage, on tall stalks. The Globe-flowers 

 (Trollius) will also give very fine effects, and are 

 especially happy when the roots can travel in search 

 of moisture near at hand. In large grounds, Rhodo- 

 dendrons in irregular groups are invaluable, and also 

 provide shelter for peat-loving Lilies. 



Following these we may include a collection of 



