386 



THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



known, and is very handsome in suitable positions. A 

 variegated variety of it should also be used. 



Juncus spiralis (Corkscrew Rush). — A curiosity, the 



Fig. 48l'.— lortaderia jubata. 



stems growing in spiral coils instead of straight and erect 

 as in the type, J. cffusus. 



J. zebrinuB [Scirpus Taberncemontani) (Porcupine Quill 

 Rush) is very handsome as grown in pots or tubs, and sunk 

 in a foot or so of water. Stems banded with yellowish- 

 white, apt to run green if planted out on a rich bottom. 



LlLIUM. — Several of the North American Lilies, such 

 as L. superbum, L. canadense, L. pardalium, &c, are never 

 so luxuriant and happy as when in peaty places near 

 water-level. Even the beautiful L. giganteum does best 

 in a peat bed. and enjoys ample moisture. 



Lobelia cardinal is. — This old favourite and its varieties 

 are beautiful as grown in wet beds or borders in peat or 

 loam and leaf -mould. They look particularly effective near 

 water. 



Myosotis palustris. — The Marsh Forget-me-not is 

 lovely on mud -flats or lake margins, and may be used 

 along with Reed Mace or the Great Buttercup with good 

 effect. Iris laevigata carpeted with it make a charming 

 group. 



Myrica Gale (Bog Myrtle). — A low -growing sweet- 

 scented native shrub, well worth planting in wet peaty 

 and heathy places. 



Narthecium ossifragum (Bog Asphodel). — Not unlike 

 a dwarf yellow Iris or Sisyrinchium, and its rich orange- 

 red colour in the autumn is very effective when seen in 

 broad masses. 



Orchids. — Some of the terrestrial Orchids do well in 

 low moist peat beds, near water, such as Orchis latifolia, 

 0. foliosa, and 0. maculata. Habenaria and Epipactis 

 also do well. The bog Cypripedes are spectabile (fig. 484), 

 pubescens, and parviflorum. 



Orontium aquaticum. — Has velvety blue-green leaves 

 and yellow clubs or spikes. 



Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern). — Of all our native 

 Ferns none is more ornate than this species at all 

 seasons of the year. It deserves planting in quantity 

 beside ponds or rivulets, doing well on turfy banks or in 

 deep wet places amongst stones and rocks, where its black 

 fibres can run down to the water below. The young 

 fronds are of a soft and tender green, or olive-green in 

 the red-stemmed forms, and they die off a lovely rich red- 

 brown or fox colour in autumn, the dead fronds remaining 

 on the fibrous stems all through the winter. The exotic 

 0. cinnamonea, 0. palustris, and 0. gracilis may also be 

 grown. 



Parnassia palustris (Grass of Parnassus). — A pretty 

 little upland weed, easily raised from seed sown on wet 

 peat and sphagnum moss. Its white-green veined flowers 

 are both curious and beautiful. 



Polygonum sachalincnse. — In deep, rich, moist soil 

 near water this plant grows 10-15 feet high, its jointed 

 hollow stems bearing large flat leaves and clusters of 

 white flowers. The brown stems produce a cheerful 

 effect in wintry sunshine. Several other species may 

 also be used in the same way. 



Fig. 483.— Iris laevigata (Kaempferi). 



Primula. — Nearly all the Primroses grow well in boggy 

 places, and this is especially true of P. rosea, P. siJckim- 

 ensis, and the forms of P. japonica, which are never so 



