1 6 THE BOOK OF THE WILD GARDEN 



Anthericum. — These are mostly plants of somewhat 

 limited growth, the major form of A. lilia strum reaching 

 a height of two feet and bearing comparatively large 

 drooping white flowers. 



Aquilegia. — Columbines are very beautiful, but the 

 only species likely to thrive in the grass is A. vulgaris, 

 of which there are many forms, a single blue that grows 

 to a height of three feet being very attractive. It is 

 particularly pretty in orchards following earlier flower- 

 ing Snowdrops, Primroses, Bluebells and Anemones. 

 American species and those from the European mountain 

 ranges are best suited by open positions and porous, 

 gritty soil that does not readily become dried up. 



Arundo. — A. conspicua, the New Zealand Reed, mis- 

 taken by many for Pampas Grass, is an even more 

 ornamental subject, its plumed heads arching gracefully 

 on their slender shafts. A sheltered site is requisite if 

 the shafts are to be protected from breakage by the wind. 

 A. Donax, the Giant Reed, is a noble foliage plant, in 

 good soil sending up shoots fifteen feet and more in 

 height, pennoned with blue -green leaves. Isolated 

 clumps in a conspicuous position have a fine effect. 

 There is a variegated form less hardy than the type. 



Asclepias. — Many of these silk-weeds, such as A. 

 acuminata, and A. incarnata are vigorous perennials, while 

 the handsome A. tuberosa, with its bright orange flowers, 

 is of dwarfer growth and requires protection from en- 

 croaching herbage, and warm, dry soil. 



Asparagus. — A. officinalis, invaluable as a vegetable, is 

 also most decorative in the wild garden. A small clump 

 with a dozen or so tall, feathery shoots having a graceful 

 effect. 



Asphodel. — The great branching A. ramosus will grow 

 on stony slopes, lane-sides or in open woods, and has 

 a far better effect in such places than in the border. 

 The yellow-flowered A. cretica is also easily naturalised. 



