52 A GARDEN DIARY 
a bamboo, gives quite the same impression 
of vigorous, of almost insolent energy as does 
this one. It adapts itself moreover perfectly to 
our sandy soil, and so long as one sees that 
it receives a reasonable amount of moisture, 
seems to ask for little else. Next follow two 
or three plants of Arundinaria japonica, and 
below these again Arundinaria, or Bambusa 
palmata, skirting the edge of the pond, and 
passing on into the so-called bog. This last 
came from Kildare, where it has established 
itself, and run practically wild along the edge 
of a lake. Here it seems to do its growing 
more slowly, but the plants are spreading, 
and I think promise fairly. Below the other 
bamboos, but above palmata come two large 
plants of Astilbe rivularis, placed so that their 
arching leaves will overhang their lower neigh- 
bours, and all but touch the water. Next, 
turning the corner of the pond, come various 
low-growing bushes. Berberis Darwini below, 
with the faithful Aquifolium, and the taller steno- 
phylla above, ending in a fringe of bog-myrtle, 
and of Rodgersia podophylla, among which some 
Solomon’s seal are now barely discernible. After 
these come a few plants of Hemerocallis, both 
fulva and flava, which need continual dividing 
in the borders, but seem to flower well, and give 
no further trouble so long as they are within 
reach of an occasional splash. Acanthuses appear 
