378 



THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



are hardy, and make pretty plants for the bulb garden or 

 for edging purposes. The flowers are solitary and Crocus- 

 like, appearing in summer. The tenderer species may be 

 grown outside also, if lifted in the autumn and stored 



Fig. 470.— Zephyranthes Candida. 



along with Gladiolus, &c. In the south Z. Candida is an 

 excellent substitute for Box as an edging to borders. A 

 sandy soil and full sun suit them. Increased by offsets. 



Z. Atamasco. White, tinged rose, 6 to 9 inches Virginia. 

 Z. Candida (fig. 470). White, 4 to 8 inches. Buenos Ayres. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



AQUATIC AND BOG PLAXTS. 



The cultivation of aquatic and marsh-loving 

 or "bog plants" has advanced considerably 

 during recent years, and no garden of any pre- 

 tentions can be considered complete without 

 water and marshy bits of land in which to 

 grow them. Even in places where ample areas 

 of water exist they are too often bare and un- 

 interesting, or not planted with that tasteful 

 variety of vegetation now readily obtainable for 

 the purpose. 



It is by no means recommended that collec- 

 tions of all aquatic, or marsh, or bog plants be 



planted, but rather that the best and most effec- 

 tive of them should be tastefully employed for 

 picturesque effect. 



Above all, the effects should be natural, and 

 as simple as may be, the point to aim at being 

 not merely economy in the making of any part 

 of a garden, but to so form and arrange it that 

 it may be cheaply kept afterwards. If rocks 

 are used, they should be so arranged that suit- 

 able plants may be grown about them; vulgar 

 shams, or imitation rustic bridges and similar 

 artifices, should be avoided. Rustic work, so 

 called, is generally expensive and bad. Even 

 the mounding-up of earth near water, as fre- 

 quently recommended, is often quite unneces- 

 sary, groups of small trees or shrubs being a 

 more simple and economical means of obtaining 

 the same end — viz. preventing the whole sur- 

 face of a pond or lake being seen at once from 

 particular points of view. 



Of all suitable trees for the w r ater-side none 

 are finer than Willows, the common White 

 Willow being one of the best. In mild southern 

 localities Salix babylonica often forms a charming 

 addition to a pond or stream side, as may be 

 seen on the Thames from Kew to Hampton 

 Court. For large lakes or the banks of rivers, 

 stretches of Golden and Cardinal Osiers, and 

 Crimson Dogwood, with here and there a clus- 

 tered group of Silver Birch, give life and colour 

 to the scene. The Osiers and Dogwood may, if 

 necessary, be kept at a moderate height by pol- 

 larding as required. 



In the case of small gardens the water-garden 

 may be limited to cement tanks of any shape 

 conformable to the situation. These need not 

 be above 18 inches or 2 feet in depth, and may 

 have rocky or marshy margins as may be most 

 desirable. Or even a few shallow tubs may be 

 sunk here and there in snug, sheltered spots, 

 near a supply of water, for the growth of 

 Nymphaea, Aponogeton, Richardia, and other 

 things. A friend who visited M. Marliac's gar- 

 den at Temple-sur-Lot, in France, wherein the 

 first coloured hybrid Water-Lilies were raised, 

 found shallow cement -tanks and tubs largely 

 j employed for their culture, just as the late Rev. 

 H. Ellacombe, of Clyst St. George, used them 

 many years ago when aquatic plants had not 

 attained the popularity they enjoy to-day. 



Nymphaeas and most other water plants grow 

 best in soft water and full sunshine, but above 

 all things they must have shelter from high 

 winds. Water-Lilies especially look very un- 

 comfortable, and refuse to open well, on windy 

 days. Another point is, that the more tender 



