HARDY FLOWERS, 



39 



plant is worth growing for cutting alone, but there is 

 distinct charm in a colony of Solomon's Seal sheltering 

 in the shade of tree, copse, or shrubbery, and in grass too. 

 Rich loam, not too heavy, suits the plant best, and it seeks 

 shade, which is not congenial to most plants. Top dress 

 the soil about the plants yearly with leaf-mould, to promote 

 vigour, and if more are desired, seed may be sown 

 in autumn, and will germinate freely in the following 

 spring, or the root stocks may be divided in autumn or 

 spring, and will soon make strong tufts. There are 

 several varieties, but none are so fine as the type. 

 P. officinale is smaller, but gives quiet beauty to many 

 English woodlands, and also worthy of culture are P. 

 latifolium commutatum, also known as Giganteum, 1'. 

 bi riorum, a very pretty kind, P. roseum, which has rose- 

 coloured flowers, and 1'. verticillatum. These >hade- 

 loving flowers are suitable for all kinds of gardens. The 

 ordinary Solomon's Seal will succeed in the shade of a 

 suburban garden, but it is also suitable for sunny spots if 

 moist. 



Spiderwort, Virginian.— & Tradescantia virginica. 



lake, or pond side. Many plants struggle for existence in 

 the mixed border, but flourish exceedingly in a moist 

 loam or some damp hollow. A selection of plants is 

 given for the sides, then for beautifying the surface of the 

 water itself. < )f the former, choose from amongst the 

 following: Day Lilies (Hemerocallis), a beautiful family 

 which appreciates greatly damp and shade, but no!: 

 stagnation. There is a difference between stagnation and 

 mere dampness, a soil through which water drains away, 

 leaving the earth fresh and sweet. Herbaceous Phloxes 

 may be named, strong perennials which often fail in hot 

 weather through lack of moisture. It docs not seem to 

 occur to many llower gardeners that some things are far 

 nobler by the stream than in the mixed border, in which 

 they are usually put. Irises of course, delight in moist 

 soil. It is only under these conditions that the Japanese 

 Iris (I. KEempferi) is seen at its best, and it is worth 

 while grouping or planting it freely, margining the water 

 with its fine growth, and in late summer big handsome 

 flowers of varied colours. The self varieties are the most 

 effective, one decided colour painted upon the florets, not 



FLOWERS BY THE LAKESIDE. 



Spiraeas. — These will be described in the chapter upon 



trees and shrubs. 

 Starflower, Spring 1 .— See Triteleia. 



SternbergiaS. — There is really only one Sternbergia, or 

 "Winter Daffodil,'' of consequence for the ordinary 

 garden, and that is S. lutea, which bears its yellow Crocus 

 like flowers in autumn with the leaves. This is supposed 

 to be the Lily of Scripture. Other kinds are Fischeriana 

 and macrantha, but plant S. lutea before any others. 

 Such bulbs as this, flowering so late in the year, must 

 have a warm soil and sunny position, where for example 

 the Belladonna Lily or the Zephyranthes thrive. Put the 

 bulbs about 6in. deep in light sandy loam, and choose, if 

 possible, a narrow border skirting some warm plant house. 

 It is necessary to get the bulbs thoroughly ripened, and 

 this is only possible in quite warm spots. Under such 

 conditions it will not be necessary to lift them, as in 

 severe weather a light mulch will be sufficient protection. 



Stonecrop. — See Sedum. 



Streamside Gardens. -By this is intended gardens of 

 flowers that are only happy in the moisture of stream, 



mottlings or indistinct mixtures. Pure white and purple 

 are very effective, but there is a rich choice. Under 

 similar conditions may be grown the Siberian Iris 

 (I. sibirica), a charming grassy plant, which delights in 

 moist soil. It will, indeed, grow almost anywhere, but is 

 freer and brighter with its roots in a cool soil. The Flag 

 or German Iris will also flourish in the moisture of 

 stream or pond bank, and big groups thus placed give 

 soft colouring to the garden in the early summer. If the 

 lake is large, establish the yellow Flag of native streams 

 (I. Pseud-acorus), as lovely as any Iris from other lands ; 

 the big-leaved Gunnera scabra and G. manicata, Rheum 

 (large-leaved Rhubarb), Ferula, as beautiful almost as any 

 Fern in foliage, the glorious American Swamp Lily (Lilium 

 superbum), Loosestrife (Lythruin Salicarica roseum), 

 which makes drifts of rose purple flowers in summer, 

 Ferns, especially the Ostrich Fern (Struthiopteris) and thf 

 Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis), and Marsh Marygolds or 

 Kingcups, Caltha palustris and its double form. These 

 golden flowers of spring are reflected in the clear water 

 of river back-waters, and come with the earliest Primrose 



