876 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



the arrangement of the plants, for the nearer imitation 

 approaches Nature the more does it attract and deHght. Where 

 practicable, and circumstances are favourable to planting in 

 groups of one sort, this style is the most suitable to adopt, 

 as it presents a bolder and a more natural effect than when 

 planted singly. In ponds, the groups, more especially those 

 with floating leaves, should be separated from each other by 

 clear open spaces of water, so that when in full growth their 

 beauty will be better displayed, and the surface will not present 

 the appearance of being too much covered with foliage, which 

 would have a too decidedly monotonous effect. 



Nymphasas. 



The various lovely-coloured flowers of the beautiful new 

 hybrid Nymphasas, which only a few years ago were undreamt 

 of, now furnish a variety of colours that were previously 

 entirely wanting in hardy floating Aquatics. The important part 

 that these Water Lilies, now and in the future, are destined to 

 take justly entitles them, without exception, to be located in the 

 best and most conspicuous positions. In describing the colours 

 of the flowers it should be borne in mind that under varying 

 climatic conditions and exposures, as well as according to the 

 earliness or lateness of their flowering, the colours of some of 

 them present much variation. Unlike the Lotus section of 

 tropical N3^mphseas. which includes so many handsome kinds, 

 the flowers of which expand at night and are closed during the 

 day, all the kinds from temperate climates, including Marliac's 

 beautiful hybrids, are day-flowering. The duration of the flowers 

 in both cases is the same as they appear in varying beauty for 

 a period of three successive days or nights, when their flowers, 

 whether fertilised or otherwise, sink below the surface of the 

 water. 



To admit of a selection of Nymphseas being the more readily 

 made, the undermentioned list is presented in two groups, the 

 first of which includes kinds possessing the most vigorous con- 

 stitutions and that require the greater space and deeper water in 

 which to grow. The sorts in the second group are much less 

 vigorous in growth, and are better suited for locating in 

 shallower water. They are also adapted for planting in tanks 

 and fountain basins. A good selection can be made from the 

 older sorts enumerated in these two groups, which can be 

 procured at a moderate cost ; therefore, if it be desired to plant 

 them three or more in a group, so as to produce an immediate 

 and more striking effect, it would not incur a very great 

 or extravagant outlay. 



General Collection. — Group I. — N. alba, our native 

 white Water Lily, is so well known that it would be 

 superfluous to give a detailed description of it. Although its 



