THE WATER-GARDEN 267 



line or a bare grass-edging, should always be most rigidly 

 eschewed. 



Before we turn to the actual aquatics themselves, there 

 is the bordering rim of swamp to be planted. Here, 

 according to your width, you may have as many plants as 

 you please. Seeing tliat the glory of the bog-and-water- 

 garden rages from midsummer through autumn, it is as 

 well to accept the fact, and plant for August effect. Here 

 the soil, of course, will be too wet for all lilies except 

 pardalinum, Grayi, Roezli'i, canadense, and superbum. 

 But you will have clumps and tufts of the Japanese and 

 the Siberian Iris, you will have as many of the damp- 

 loving Spiraeas as you have room for, you will have one 

 bulky mass of Senecio Clivorum, groups of the Willow- 

 Gentian, stately colonies of Thalictrum aquilegifolium, 

 and the herbaceous tall Phloxes ; — remembering always 

 that in planting for pomp of effect the secret is to strike 

 a note of colour hard and firm and once for all, rather 

 than to go on repeating it, no matter how well-beloved, 

 here and there, in a spotty and uncertain manner. Plant 

 your one big clump of a favourite plant, and then be 

 done with it ; don't spoil the ' coup ' by vain repeti- 

 tions. 



Most dazzling of all colour-schemes is that afforded by 

 the tall American Lobelias and their hybrids. In shades 

 of the most fearful vermilion range cardinalis, fidgens, 

 and the various roses, red and pinks of Gerardi, graceful 

 and lofty ; then comes the group of syphilitica, bearing 

 rather shorter, stockier spikes in sapphire, amethyst, and 

 violet. Also there are fancy-named hybrids, such as 

 Queen Victoria, a glorified cardinalis. All these, hardy and 

 robust, are admirable for a big group at the water's edge, 

 and at the same time in any fair climate may be trusted 

 to look after themselves in any deep rich soil. But, at 

 the same time, their colour is so keen, clean, and startling, 



