WATER-GARDENING. 
287 
of yellow flowers, possibly the best of all water-side plants. Nor 
must I omit the water Forget-me-not. Along the banks of the 
smaller and narrower streams much effective planting can be done 
by the use of the lesser-growing bog plants in broad masses, with 
occasional planting of larger-habited plants. In such plantings will 
be found masses of Mimulus growing and flowering in greatest profusion, 
such as luteus, cupreus, Berneti particularly effective, and 'Brilliant/ 
which is so beautiful in its dark colour and dwarf habit. The King 
Cups (Calthas) are fine in spring, particularly Caltha polypetala. 
Primulas, of course, are there in many colours. On the shady side 
particularly fine is P. sikkimensis and P. pulverulenta, and its white 
variety ' Mrs. Berkeley ' in half shade against a dark background ; and, 
later in June, the golden P. Bulleyana, which will be a mass of many 
hundred spikes three feet high, in a moist and partially shady clearing. 
Then we have all the seedlings arising from the crossing of P. Bulleyana 
and P. Beesiana in all shades of pink, orange, scarlet and pale lilac — 
a wonderful race ; and I look forward to when we can grow P. Littoniana 
as George Forrest first saw it, in moist grassland alive with a thousand 
scarlet-tipped spikes. Lastly, we have the new yellow P. helodoxa, 
easy to grow and early in flower, the clear colour of its flower reminding 
one of a Daffodil. P. vincae flora will also do in moisture. The purple 
Orchis foliosa and 0. maculata superba will be in happy surroundings 
growing close to Epimediums, which latter are highly prized on account 
of their beautiful foliage, falling right down to the water's edge. As 
taller occasional plants, we cannot do better than make free use of 
fhe Irises of the Sibirica group, particularly ' Snow Queen/ and 
/. Delavayi, and our wild English water-flag and its primrose-coloured 
form. Of the newer grassy-leaved species we - have forms of I. Wil- 
sonae, I. Forrestii, and /. Bulleyana, all free-growing and very distinct, 
the yellow of the two first being most valuable in their sections. I must 
not overlook the deep Royal purple /. chrysographes, a gem of colour, 
though very fleeting : and smaller-growing Iris for the main stream are 
I. albopurpurea, a mass of China blue and white, I. laevigata, of distinct 
habit and dark-blue colouring, and its white variety^ and the tiny 
I. gracilis, which does very well in half shade. 
One could go on at great length, but a list of names will only 
weary. 
I will now draw brief attention to some of the bolder-growing 
herbaceous plants which thrive amongst moist surroundings. Allusion 
has already been made to the Astilbes, and these, together with the 
Spiraeas, form, I think, the most important group we have : easy of 
growth and increase, free-flowering, they are indispensable during the 
summer months. The unique crimson colour of palmata is superb, 
and when well established this species reaches 3 to 4 feet in height. 
Tall plants of fine stature and superb foliage to be seen from a distance 
are the white-flowered S. gigantea and its pink variety, and 5. venusta, 
with 6 to 8 feet high spikes of soft rosy-pink flowers. These two 
Spiraeas may be well grouped together with Gunnera and Senecio 
