HARDY FLOWERS. 



14 1 



and Lady Smock. A moist way through a copse, where 

 the bushes are not so thick as to. preclude sunshine filtering 

 through them, is lined sometimes with these tufts ofgreen 

 and yellow, Primroses scattering their softer flowers near. 



A native plant, far too uncom 1, is the Great Spear- 

 wort (Ranunculus Lingua), a vigorous pen nnial wilhquite 

 a tali stem and large Hutlercupdike Mower. Il is 01 e of 

 the hmdsomest of native planls, and may he seen with 

 blue Forget-me-nots clustering round its stem — a sweet 

 picture by the stream or pond. The Globe-flowers 

 (Tiollius) are a host in themselves. Then' run riol literally 

 in a moist soil, but in a diy hungry border a: e seldom 

 comfortable. This is a beautiful family, rich in Mowers 

 of fine colour, and establishing themselves thoroughly in 

 moist places, where the Kingcups and t he Primulas spread 

 out their tufts of leaves. 



The Japanese Primrose (Primula japonica) is never 

 finer than in moist sod, not actually in water, but in louse 

 damp places. Il is surprising how strongly this Primros; 



will establish itself in a shady place by the lake, forming 

 a colony, and in time becoming naturalised by self-sown 

 seedlings. The plants seed about freely, and the seed in 

 congen : al soil quickly germinates There are many forms, 

 pure white, crimson, and white with dark centres, the 

 flowering time lasting many weeks. The flowers expand 

 in tiers, so to say, up the spike, and in the subdued light 

 of a woodland by water the deep self shades seem richer 

 still. Of a different type of plant life is the Willow Herb 

 (Epilobium), which fringes many river-sides with its pink- 

 tinted flowers, and to the list may be added the Great 

 Reed (Arundo Donax), this only in mild districts, New 

 Zealand Reed (A. runspVua), Lyme Gra-s (Flymus), Sea 

 Buckthorn (Hippophrea rhamno des), Bamboos, Butter- 

 bur (Tussilago Peiasites), K otweeds (Polygonum 

 cuspidatum and the taller, broader-leaved P. sachalinense), 

 Spiraeas, not forgetting the ciimson-flowered S. palmata, 

 which loves its feet in water, Willows, the I eautifui 

 Cardinal and yellow-barked kinds in particular, and the 

 grassy Carex pendu.D and paniculata. 



Flowers thai Rive in Water. — A host of lovely flowers 

 actually live in the water, beautifying the quiet unruffled 

 surface. It is hard to establish anything in swift 

 streams. The following plants are aquatic in the truest 

 sense: The Fringed Buckbean (Villarsia nymphx- 

 oides), Buckbean (Menyanlhes trifoliata), an exquisite 

 native flower, Reed Mice (Typha), Bulrush, Cy perus 

 longus, very graceful, Water Dock, delightful colouring 

 in autumn, the leaves changing to rich tints, Burweeds 

 (Sparganums), Arrowheads (Sagittaria), the single and 

 double forms especially, Nile or Arum Lily (Cal.'a 

 tEthiopica), but only in the extreme Southern Counties of 

 fin-land and Ireland, Bog Arum, Golden Club 

 (Orontium aquaticum), Acorns Calamus and its variegated 

 variety, Cape Pond-flower, the fragrant Aponogeton 

 distachyon, Club Rushes, Water Forget-me-not, Water 

 Violet (Hottonia palustris), Frog-bit (Mydrocharis 

 Morsus-Ranae), Pontederias, Water Plantains (Alismas), 

 and Water Sold.'er (Stralioides aloides). Of couise be.'ore 



any of these the glorious Nymphaeas, or Water-lilies, 

 must be named. By referring to many of these plants 

 under separate headings additional information will 

 be found. 



A comprehensive list is given, but it would not be 

 desirable to attempt to cram everything mentioned into 

 one place ; much depends upon the extent of the water-side 

 and water. A small selection of the most beautiful 

 should include the following : By the water-side, Day 

 Lilies, Herbaceous Phloxes, Irises, especially I. Kaempferi 

 in its many lorms, Loosestrife (Lyihrum Salicaria roseum), 

 Kingcups or Marsh Marvgolds, Great Spearwort 

 (Ranunculus Lingua), Globe-flowers (Trollius), Japanese 

 Primrose (Primula japonica) in variety, Spiraea palmata, 

 and Polygonum Sachalinense or cuspidatum, whilst ot 

 actual water flowers choose first the Nyrophaeas (Water- 

 lilies), Buckbean, double white Arrowhead, AiUm 

 Lily (where il will succeed), and Cape Pond-flower 

 (Aponogetnii). 



Sunflower, Perennial.— v r v Heli ntims. 



