48 



FLORA AND SYLVA, 



example, the Apennine Windflower is a plant to which we cannot give much 

 space in the flower garden, because it disappears very often with the hot days 

 of April, whereas, forming a groundwork in some shaded lane with groups of 

 Narcissi here and there through it, it will last longer because of the shade of 

 the trees, and give a far higher degree of beauty than we could get in the flower 

 garden, in consequence of the relief and varied light and shade it enjoys from 

 the various picturesque things near. Also, most flower gardens are in the sun 

 fully exposed, and, what is almost as bad, the hot sun which often follows frost. 

 If we take advantage of the many shady and sheltered plantations, lanes, or 

 grassy pathways about a country place, we may escape these harmful extremes ; 

 we may even put our favourite plants like these where they will not catch the 

 morning sun, or on the north side of hills or groves where they will not flower 

 so early in the spring, and so escape hardships. 



As regards the beauty and effect that may be gained, the best idea will be 

 given by describing some of the more useful plants for our purpose among the 

 Windflowers and Forget-me-Nots, Grape Hyacinths, and other plants which 

 flower about the same time as the Narcissi, the essential character of which is 

 hardiness. The whole and the true meaning of the wild garden is putting hardy 

 exotic plants in conditions in which they will take care of themselves and in- 

 crease and give us no further trouble. The statement that the wild garden is 

 a picturesque garden or a wilderness is quite erroneous, as it has a clear, simple, 

 and special meaning. 



Grape Hyacinths (Muscari). — Among the of all, and chief among them for naturalising is the 

 plants which I find most delightful for grouping Apennine Windflower, which in many places, espe- 

 with Narcissi are several of the great groups of daily in free soils, grows even more freely than our 

 spring-flowering hardy bulbs. Most useful, because own wood Anemone. In Ireland, on the limestone 

 to be had in quantity, are the Grape Hyacinths, soils, it runs as free as a weed, and it is very beauti- 

 such as M. comosum, and our British Grape Hya- ful at Ham Wood, St. Ann's, and many other places, 

 cinth (M. racemosuni). Any of this numerous family It grows anywhere, but does not run quite as freely 

 would, in fact, thrive that may be had in quantity, in stiff soils or carpet the ground as it does where 

 and we hope bulb merchants will offer them in that the soil is free or gritty. This present year the frost 

 way, as they are so easily increased. Some of these has been so severe that its time of blooming is 

 do in any soil — even cold soil — and make a brave shortened, especially on southern slopes where the 

 fight in the grass; but in warm, light, peaty and sun comes out after hard frosts. While it grows any- 

 sandy soils they are very free. They are among the where, it is well to remember that its greatest charm 

 plants that can be put in meadows and orchards, and would be, perhaps, planted in woody places, lanes, 

 even places that are to be mown for hay, because the &c, because there the light and shade and the 

 leaves and flowers both disappear early. The kind varied form of things help it. It flowers in the mid- 

 called Heavenly Blue, offered by Messrs. Barr, is a season of Narcissus, and therefore it can be asso- 

 good one indeed, and has surprised us by the rapid ciated with many of them, and an effect to last a life- 

 way in which the smallest bulbs of it become na- time would be got in that simple way. It has a very 

 turalised. An effect we have repeatedly tried with thin little root, and should be transplanted or bought 

 happy results is that of Narcissi of the rather early without drying and without delay, 

 season grouped among or near these Grape Hya- The Greek Anemone Blanda is very precious, 

 cinths. There is a charm of colour about it which too> As yet it is not so easy to get in numbers, 

 appeals to all. but it is delightful in the length and size of its 



Blue Windflowers (Anemone). — The next flowers, fine colour, and in its perfect hardiness, 



group, the Anemones, give us the greatest service The round, marble-like root is quite different from 



