232 



MANUAL OF GARDENING 



spring. The roots are cleaned of decaj'ed parts and covered 

 with about 3 in. of soil. A foot or so of water is sufficient for 

 lotus ponds. The roots of Egyptian lotus must not freeze. 

 The roots of all water-lily-like plants should be frequently 

 divided and renewed. 



With hardy aquatics, the water and roots are allowed to 

 remain naturally over winter. In very cold climates, the pond 

 is protected by throwing boards over it and covering with hay, 

 straw, or evergreen boughs. It is well to supply an additional 

 depth of water as a further protection. 



As a landscape feature, the pond should have a background, 

 or setting, and its edges should be relieved, at least on sides and 

 back, by plantings of bog plants. In permanent ponds of large 

 size, plantings of willows, osiers, and other shrubbery may set 

 off the area to advantage. ]\Iany of the wild marsh and pond 

 plants are excellent for marginal plantings, as sedges, cat-tail, 

 sweet-flag (there is a striped-leaved form), and some of the 

 marsh grasses. Japanese iris makes an excellent effect in such 

 places. For summer planting in or near ponds, caladium^ 

 umbrella-plant, and papyrus are good. 



If there is a stream, branch," or ''run" through the place, it 

 may often be made one of the most attractive parts of the 

 premises by colonizing bog plants along it. 



Rockeries, and alpine plants. 



A rockery is a part of the place in which plants are grown in 

 pockets between rocks. It is a flower-garden conception rather 

 than a landscape feature, and therefore should be at one side 

 or in the rear of the premises. Primarily, the object of using the 

 rocks is to provide better conditions in which certain plants 

 may grow; sometimes the rocks are emploj^ed to hold a springy 

 or sloughing bank and the plants are used to cover the rocks; 

 now and then a person wants a rock or a pile of stones in his 

 yard, as another person would want a piece of statuary or a 



