TALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED PLANTS 21 



frost by which plants are often injured in the border, 

 and an occasional mulch of old hot-bed manure would 

 induce vigorous growth. A dozen towering spikes of 

 E. Elwesianus rising from an open woodland dell would 

 produce a fine effect. 



Erigeron. — E. speciosus, formerly known as Stenactis 

 speciosa> is a pleasing plant bearing large mauve, yellow- 

 centred flowers like magnified Michaelmas Daisies. It 

 grows to a height of three feet, and remains in bloom 

 for a long period. 



Eryngium. — Sea Holly. Plants mostly of a Thistle- 

 like habit with spiny leaves valuable for the beautiful 

 metallic blue of the flower-bracts in some species. E. 

 amethystinum and E. Oliverianum are the best coloured, 

 but many others are worth growing, notably E. pan- 

 danifolium with spined leaves six feet in length and flower 

 stems ten feet in height. 



Eupatorium. — Some of these robust perennials such as 

 E. ageratoides, E. aromaticuin, E. purpureum, and in warm 

 localities E. Weimmannianum may be utilised in the wild 

 garden. They are too rampant for the border. 



Ferns. — For the moister and shadier portions of woods 

 our larger native ferns, such as the Royal Fern, the Lady 

 Fern, the Male Fern, and others will form a fitting em- 

 bellishment, but there are exotic species that may also 

 be employed with the best results. Onoclea sensibi/is, 

 Struthiopteris germanica, the Ostrich Fern, A diant um pe da- 

 tum, the Bird's-foot Maidenhair, and the leathery-leaved 

 Lomaria magellanica all add greatly to the beauty of 

 woods. The last is doubtfully hardy, but is far more 

 so than Woodivardia radicans which may be naturalised 

 without fear in the south-west. It may appear ridiculous 

 to speak of Tree Ferns in connection with the English 

 wild garden, but there are some specially favoured 

 spots along the south-western coast where they are 

 naturalised with the most charming results. In a certain 



