SOME TALK ABOUT WILD GARDENS. 



57 



much regard in planting to their relative strength. We must reserve the 

 weak growers, such as the Atragene or Clematis gmveolens, for the best 

 places — for, say, low Hollies, or for select supports like Simond's or other 

 Cotoneaster, or for Ligustrum Ibota, or for Rubus — while sending Clematis 

 montana, or Ampelopsis and the larger growing Honeysuckles to rampage 

 over hedge or big Yew. 



The common white and pink Convolvulus or Calystegia, with Coronilla 

 varia as a lower growing creeper, are both as eminently fitted for being 

 thus allowed out "on the rampage" in the wild garden as they are 

 unfitted for the garden proper. 



Although the lists which I have added to this paper will best give 

 suggestion to any who need it in regard to the wild garden plants which 

 I commend, the following are so much in the front rank that, in addition 

 to the classes before named, they should, I think, be singled out. I here 

 confine myself to the larger habited : — 



Cramhe cordifolia, which, as you know, is a giant horse-radish 

 reaching 10 or 12 feet in height, is very striking indeed about August. 



The fig-leaved Hollyhock, a distinct species, single, of course, and of a 

 beautiful clear light-yellow flower, very distinct from the florists' flower. 



Bocconia cordata ; well known. 



The White Willow-herb, in association with tall Delphiniums and 

 Thalictrums. 



Large Spireas, such as S. Ar uncus and S. aricefolia especially, with 

 numberless other species, are conspicuously useful. 



Autumn Asters, generally si^ecies only, such as A. Amellus and A. 

 Bessarahicus, are here w^ell placed. The hybrid Michaelmas Daisies tend 

 too much to run back into poor form. Polygonum sacchaliense, with 

 arching foliage 12 feet high ; Achillea Eupatoriitm, best and tallest of the 

 Yarrows ; Y^uccas — but only in suitable well chosen spots ; Acanthus ; 

 Verbascums and large Centaureas ; EuiMtoriiim purpureum ; Telekia 

 cordifolia ; and perhaps Bamboos should be named : these latter love 

 the sheltered spots which can often be well given to them in the wild 

 garden, but it is a fair question whether they are not more in character, 

 almost by themselves, in a Bamboo Garden hard by. 



These are a few out of the best large-habited subjects. 



Autumn Tint Planting. 



The wild garden of almost all sizes is, as I have said, notably the 

 place for arranging plant-pictures, either for copies of such from Natiu*e 

 or for more original sketches. Here, for instance, is a suggestion for one 

 of some size. For the very small garden it might be unsuitable. 



It is a study in autumn tints. I will presume that we have at most 

 but the hedgerow in the background. But where I am just now about 

 planting such on my own account, I am happy in the possession of a 

 background of dark Scotch Fir of some age, than which no bacldng could 

 perhaps be better. 



The quantity of each sort of Conifer, or plant of any kind, must vary 

 of course with the space at command. If you plant but one or two of 

 each sort, the effect will be at most but pretty, and certainly comparatively 

 niggling." 



