PLANTS FOR THE WATERSIDE 79 



these should be cut off as soon as they appear, in order 

 to increase the size of the leaves, but the latter will attain 

 a spread of nine feet or more even if the flower-spikes 

 are allowed to remain. Being natives of South America 

 these plants cannot be considered absolutely hardy, 

 though they have proved so in the south of England. 

 In colder districts the great leaves, when they wither, 

 should be cut off and spread over the crown mixed with 

 sufficient leaf-mould to form a cone which may be 

 removed in the spring. 



Iris, — Some species of Iris are excellently adapted to 

 waterside planting and create lovely pictures when 

 flowering freely in the summer. The finest of these is 

 /. Kampfori or laevigata from Japan. Under favourable 

 conditions this Iris will grow to a height of from four 

 to five feet, and bears enormous flowers, varying in tint 

 from pure white to deep purple, sometimes eight to ten 

 inches in diameter. It likes a moist, rich and porous 

 soil in the vicinity of water, indeed it will succeed if 

 planted beneath the water-level. I. sibirica bears deep 

 purple, white-veined blossoms on slender stems three 

 feet in height. There is also a pretty white-flowered 

 variety. The foliage is narrow and drooping. It thrives 

 in damp spots close to the water, /. ochroleuca, Syn. 

 orientalis, has been referred to before. It will grow in 

 moist, rich earth. /. pseudacorus, the yellow Water Flag 

 of our damp meadows, is a well-known plant. There 

 is a variety with foliage half green and half yellowish- 

 white in longitudinal stripes that is very handsome in 

 the early summer. The leaves gradually lose their 

 variegation after the flowering period, and in the autumn 

 cannot be distinguished from those of the common type. 



Lobelia cardinalis. — A native of the damp woods of 

 North America. When grown in masses its brilliant 

 vermilion flowers are a splendid sight in the late summer. 

 It is well suited by a partially shaded position in damp 



