ORNAMENT 89 
F. ovina, var. tenuifolia, Poa pratensis, P. trivialis, P. nemoralis 
(var. sempervirens), and a fine-leaved variety of Lolium perenne, 
are the grasses most suitable for lawns. Z7zfolium minus, a small- 
leaved clover, is often combined with these. 
Tall tropical or subtropical grasses are imposing objects in the 
landscape-garden ; a clump of bamboos, for instance, with their 
mottled and polished stems and canopy of light green foliage ; 
unfortunately, these will only thrive in warm countries. Allusion 
has been made elsewhere to Gynertum argenteum as an example 
of subtropical grasses : it is grown in some English gardens, but 
the beautiful tints of its large, plumy panicle, varying from the 
faintest rose-blush to purple and violaceous, are not perfected in 
our climate. _ The dried panicles may be seen in nearly every 
florist’s window. The variegated leaved Ribbon-grass (Phalaris 
arundinacea) is familiar to every one as a garden favourite. Many 
exotic dwarf grasses, such as Sriza maxima, Eragrostis elegans, 
Lagurus ovatus, Avena sterilis, Hordeum jubatum and Stipa 
pennata, are cultivated by florists for the elegance and airy beauty 
of their panicles ; these are admirably suited for interspersing with 
bright flowers in bouquets and vases. Nearly every home is 
decorated with bouquets of dried and coloured grasses, and these 
would be prettier still if more delicately stained and tastefully 
grouped. Grasses do not figure so largely in our flower- and 
landscape-gardens as they deserve to do; but in truth, there is no 
need for this, when meadow, heath and woodland display such a 
profusion of beautiful grasses, with graceful ensiform foliage and 
clouds of feathery and delicately tinted panicles. No effort of the 
horticulturist could achieve the grand effects of the massing of 
grasses which we see in Nature. 
