344 



GARDENERS' MAGAZINE 



May jt 



TH 



Water Gard 



Waterside 



Tamworth Pansy and Viola 



FOR bold effects by the waterside, perhaps nothing can compare with 

 Gunnera manicata, of which plants twenty-five feet in diameter, with 

 leaves over nine feet across, may not unfrequently be seen in Cornwall 

 and other counties. Gunnera scabra, though not so large, is also most 

 effective. The tall Arundo donax requires a similar position ; 

 say, one where its roots can find abundance of moisture, and where the 

 situation is sheltered against rough winds. Bamboos can hardly be con- 

 sidered here, although they do not object to be within easy distance of 

 water. They would certainly make a fine background at some distance 

 from the waterside proper, and the same might be said of Polygonum 

 Sieboldi and P. cuspidatum, which are bold and handsome, but have a 

 habit of becoming wild and so smothering better things. Rheum 

 palmatum and other rhubarbs like the Siberian Rheum undulatum, or the 

 Himalayan Rheum Emodi, are also most effective, and the same may be 

 said of Gynerium argenteum, Arundo conspicua, Elymus glaucophyllus 

 and other ornamental grasses or large ferns like Osmunda regalis. 



For groups of colour the following bold flowering plants may be 

 recommended as being easy to grow, and flourishing remarkably well 

 where their roots can feel the moisture. Lythrum Salicaria var roseum 

 superbum, with long spikes of bright rosy purple flowers ; Inula helenium 

 and Telekia speciossissima, both havinglarge yellow flowers and bold leaves ; 

 Senecio japonicus also has large yellow flowers four inches across on a 

 stem four feet high, and leaves beautifully cut and deeply lobed. It 

 grows well in a swamp, but refuses to grow in a dry position. The blue 

 Himalayan poppy (Meconopsis Wallichi) and the yellow Gentiana lutea 

 are both bold and most effective plants for a shady position by the water- 

 side ; while spiraeas, like the huge Spiraea gigantea, S. venusta, S. lobata, 

 or the handsome chelones, such as Chelone barbata, C. glabra, and C. 

 Lyoni will succeed in either shady or sunny positions. Lilium pardalinum 

 and Lilium giganteum may also be mentioned as effective tall flowers for 

 the waterside. 



Medium -sized Plants. 



Under this head I will deal with plants varying from one to three 

 feet in height that are suitable for natural or artificial swamps or bogbeds, 

 or the water-soaked banks of ponds and streamlets. The plants here 

 mentioned are equally suitable for the banks of open water or for ponds 

 and streams connected with a rock garden, the only difference inarrange- 



dens on a large scale the 



violas originated 



Show 



Sydenham, of Bolehall Grounds, Tamworth. was heWb Mf ' 



last 



Considering the weather 



The exhibition would u ^ 



had 



that 



Both the Iris 



individual groups of plants should be larger. 



In a sunny position few things can rival the ins. 

 germanica, with its hundreds of variations, and the handsome Japanese 

 Iris K:empferi love the waterside. Bat in planting them it is of no use 

 to put in a plant here and there ; to be seen at their best they should be 

 planted in large irregular colonies, just as we would find our native yellow 

 iris. The same might be said of the spiraeas ; S. palmata, with its large 

 feathery plumes of pink flowers, is a handsome plant, but it is infinitely 

 more effective when massed than when isolated. Spiraea palmata alba, 

 with white flowers, S. astilboides, S. japonica, or even the double meadow 

 sweet S. filipendula fl. pi., or its near relative Astilbe rivularis, also should 

 be arranged in groups. The double marsh marigold (Caltha palustris 

 fl. pt.) becomes a bold and handsome plant when its roots can find 

 abundant moisture, and not less attractive are the white flowering Caltha 

 leptosepala, from California, and Caltha purpurescens, the latter having 

 orange flowers and purplish stems. Another class of flower which grow 

 more vigorous near the waterside than elsewhere are the handsome 

 Globe Flowers, or Trollius, of which Trollius europseus, T. napellifolius, 

 and caucasicus are yellow, while T. asiaticus has an orange shade, and 



eUr j Pa L US a ! b,dus is cr eamy white. The day-lilies, or hemerocallis, 

 succeed best in light soil some little distance away from the wettest 

 ground, but they have a decided love for a fair amount of moisture. 

 Hemerocallis Thunbergi, H. flava, H. fulva, H. distycha, and H. japonica 

 are among the best ; all have yellow or orange coloured flowers. 



The well-known Funkia Sieboldi and the pure white sweet-scented F. 

 grandiflora alba develop into noble specimens in the proximity of water, 

 and are almost as effective with their bold leaves as with their handsome 

 flowers. The last named is more tender than the former, and requires a 

 little shelter. In Cornwall and South Devon it forms magnificent clumps, 

 requiring no protection there. Myosotidium nobile, which belongs to 

 the order Boragmeae, and resembles a huge forget-me-not in its lovely 

 blue flowers, and a funkia in its large leaves, comes from the Chatham 

 islands, and is one of the rare plants seldom seen doing well. It is 

 described as loving a shady position, but having repeatedly planted it in 

 tne shade with little success, and having since seen magnificently 

 developed specimens in the full sun both at Enys and in the gardens of 

 tw r°I? yS .?°8 ers » at Burncoose, near Redruth, I am inclined to think 

 t!,nV lg S a ' n™}. and moisture are more essential to its well-being 

 surr^H \r?L i m d,ft «rem American cowslips or dodecatheons, also 



unes dSSS t Y WC S a m ° ist and sunn y P° sition ' ™ d wiU some 

 ll™ Jl??J° P fl ° we y s P». kes nearly two feet in length. Perhaps the 



Dodecatheon Jeffreyanum 



and D. intecrrifnliiim tl 



there » ^ 

 r e mux* u 



viola, and although there are many ardent admire7<f nf !L Uh , the bIo °«* « 

 midlands and the north, there is evidence that a keener °7 &ncy P** k 

 the many pleasing and interesting types of the viola 1 ls hcia % 



one fea 

 exhibits 



wreaths, and other designs, in order that the decoraHvl . i , dec ««io« 

 pansy should . be demonstrated. This was undoubtedl^ T °' 

 enterprise, as in each instance the rivalry was keen and th a mo *. 

 true artistic merit. These classess were evpli,c;„»i c_ , decor ative efet 



These classess were exclusively confined tn ^° 

 gerher with their own Mi a a, ZT?l^\^^ { « 



varied character. For a table decoration the four exhibits 



with a sharp contrast of indigo blue flowers^'no those'of tcHoK ^ 

 were arranged with viola foliage and maidenhair fern and mi* 1 * r_>* 

 elegant arrangement. Mr. D. B. Crane, HighgSe Londo K 

 uncomfortably close second with a light and tasteful combination d rid, ^ 



and creamy white flowers : a choice assortment of ferns eave a nrm» • 

 J. M. Johnston, Tamworth, was a good third, he usifg SelaS S * 

 chiefly with the blooms of the fancy pansy. The compel th a i^Z 

 very good, the first prize being awarded to Miss. Johnston, Tamworth 

 pink and pale blue violas arranged with great taste. The wreath' w« 

 lovely exhibit, better m fact than we could imagine was possible with uWfl' 

 Mr. Johnston was second with rich purple flowers with maidenhairfa!T 

 Caladium argyntes as a contrast. Mr. J. Smellie, Busbv. near r.i.^o^jj? 



The Lpt 

 violas, Ml 



?*"*tinb_ 



Glasg 



D ^ | w »T*Lil OLl 



framework of fancy pansies. An exceedingly fine exhibit of a huge hernia tk 

 class for a decorative exhibit of any other design than those specified secmd for 

 Miss E. Sydenham, daughter of the host, the coveted position of first m» 

 winner. This was a most elegant and artistic piece of work, a aetmy wh* 

 viola on a lavender-blue base, making a very beautiful contrast. This vu ah 

 put together in a light and easy manner. A hand-basket from Mr. Johosoc, ntfa 

 heavily arranged, was awarded second position, and a neat little cross was pksj 

 third. The latter came from Mr. Smellie. 



In competition for the prizes for twelve varieties of rayless violas, six bloo* 

 in each spray, Mr, W. Maxwell, Glasgow, was first with Dorothy, A J. lor 

 berry, Pembroke, Sylvia, Blue Gown, Sweet Lavender in good form. Ma 

 Lovatt was a good first for six varieties of the same type of flower, Lacy 

 Franklin, Border Witch, Dorothy, and Sweet Lavender being among her baft | 

 Mr. J. Maxwell, another Glasgow grower, was second, A. J. Kowbcny mi 

 Dorothy being well represented. The brothers J. and M. Maxwell w 

 and second respectively for three spray rayless violas. For twelve varieties wi- 

 rayed violas, Mr. W. Maxwell was first with Lemon Queen, Lizzie Paul, Jeawy, 

 Archie Grant, Duchess of York, and Niphetos, in good form ; Mrs. Lorait hag 

 placed first for six varieties of the same form, having White Flat, Mba 

 Niphetos, and Duchess of Sutherland in fairly good condition ; closely Ubmt 

 by Mr. J. Maxwell. The brothers Maxwell also secured the two prizes far that 

 varieties of the self-rayed flowers. For twelve varieties, six blooms each, of tff 

 forms or colour, Mr. J. Maxwell was again first, showing, amongst <mft 

 Duchess of York, Goldfinch, Duchess of Fife, Bluecloud, Lig Barron, and 

 Paul ; second prize was well Secured by Mr. Leonard Brown, The Cottage, 

 Arches, Brentwood, for blooms of which showed what southern growers mm, 

 but which, like others, gave evidence of the heavy rains of late. Specattj |» 

 in his stand were Stephen, White Empress, Pembroke. Mrs. C. F. Gonm, * 

 J.lRowberry, and a pretty pale-tinted seedling. Mr. Johnston had a gra 

 these were arranged with fine effect with maidenhair fern 

 understood to be contrary to the rule ; an extra prize was, h 

 Six sprays of this type went first to Mr. W. Maxwell, who had son 

 good blooms of varieties already mentioned ; Mr. Johnston following ftw^ 

 closely. The brothers Maxwell were awarded first and second pnzes * 

 sprays, each staging splendid flowers. A variety named White Emf 

 premier honours as the best rayed white, although this was also ^.^"j^ 

 in other stands. Blanche, a pretty white rayless variety, secured lc *"|* *2* 

 as the best rayless white, this being followed by Niphetos, a var i*JJ**" 

 Archie Grant, staged by the Messrs. Maxwell, was the selected rayeo urn 

 Dorothy and Britannia, from the same source, being those s* 1 ***! ** 

 less blues. Some neat blooms of A. J. Rowberry were placed &ra : 

 rayless yellow ; second prize going to Pembroke, a good yellow j>i u* # ^ 

 Mrs. Lovatt, with Stephen, easily won first prize for the br *■ 



Paul following in point of merit for second position. 

 M. Maxwell. Mrs. C. F. Gordon was selected as the 

 fancy violas, and was well shown by Mr. W. Maxwell ; GoWtincn 

 Maxwell, taking second honours. ' / * . iDSUO cc w» 



occasion. Tb* 



which 

 iowever, 



11113 t — «^ 



best rayed va«7 



named, an omission which should be remedied on a future 



pri* winners were Messrs. J. and M. Maxwell,^ who J* u fe 



their blooms being beautifully fresh and clean 



of wa^er HrfS,?" ^kT ^ suitable for either the bog or the margin 

 grows twelv? to ? * bulI * a * P^haps more curious than pretty ; it 

 grows twelve to etghteen inches highland has an oval spike of small 



1 he leaves are oblong lanceolate. This requires Mr * William Sydenha 



classes the competition was very good, but there w ™™ inl 

 display they made alongside the freer-growing violas in so ™ / 

 and colours. 



fe* 



Mr. Robert Sydenham, Binningha 



had 



purplish-rose flowers, 

 partial shade. There a 



their allies which mi^K* VI M "' iC * iai S e nu^Der ot rusnes, grasses, or 



these I wulonfy fcenTf ^ by ^ > ° f 



longus, Juncus effusus ^Diraifs^^ ^"^P 3 ^ "panavanegata, Cyperus 



(syn. /uncus «*SZr> aJES? and Sc [ r P us Tabernaemontani zebrinus 



* €on »"s) as being among the most suitable. 



F. W. Meyer. 



s arranged in oc , - - . ayif 

 ;taged a grand exhibit of violas g k 



P« 



*mg counallor w . v» ai«., * — / - ¥aB ^a, 

 Meams, Blanche. Sweet Lavender, Lucy r nu^- 



carnation was arranged in tne prci« silvered rustic 



n nranH exhi 



Mary Stuart, ^T^^ 



M* 



and Lizzie PauL A pretty little rock plant of minm ture . 



' - class certificate, the 1o»«k 



£ rous designs, such as nmcc ^ ^ 

 V.R., &c, Were effe'etively arranged with chaste and delicate 

 striking exhibit with the sprays already referred to, 



7 !• * mpmwm 



dark pencilling; 



