44 Hardy Plants for 



Leptopteris superba, that most exquisite of ferns. Their chief 

 charm will probably be found to consist in their furnishing masses 

 of the freshest green and highest grace in early spring. The leaf is 

 apt to lose some of its beauty and fade away early in autumn, but 

 this may to some extent be retarded by cutting out the flower- 

 bearing shoots the moment they appear. Not that these are ugly ; 

 for, on the contrary, the plants are fine and striking when in flower. 

 It is indispensable that the Ferulas, like some other hardy foliaged 

 plants, be planted permanently and well at first, as it is only when 

 they are thoroughly established that you get their full efi^ect. At a 

 first view, the best way to treat them would appear to be, so to 

 arrange them that they would be succeeded by things that flower 

 in autumn, and only begin their rich growth in early summer; but 

 equally wise will it be to plant them near the margin of a shrub- 

 bery, where it is desired to have a diversified and bold type of vege- 

 tation. In the rougher and more solid ground, so to speak, near 

 large rockwork or rootwork, they would of course prove grand. 

 The Heracleums, so often recommended in garden literature for 

 planting near water, &c., are mere coarse rags compared to the 

 Ferulas, while the Ferulas may be used in the places recommended 

 for Heracleums. We may look forward to a day when a far 

 greater variety of form will be seen in English gardens than is at 

 present the case, and these Ferulas are thoroughly well w^orth 

 growing for their superb spring and early summer effect. The best 

 species are F. communis, tingitana, and neapolitana. Probably a 

 few others, including sulcata, ferulago, and glauca, may with ad- 

 vantage be added where variety is sought, but the effect of any of 

 the first three cannot be surpassed. Among " aspects of vegetation'' 

 which we may enjoy in these cold climes, nothing equals that of 

 their grand leaves, pushing up with the snowdrop. In semi-wild 

 spots, where spring flowers abound, it will prove a most tasteful and 

 satisfactory plan to drop a Ferula here and there, in a sunny spot, and 

 leave it to nature, and its own good constitution ever afterwards. 



Gynekium argenteum {the Pampas Grass). — This is so well 



