TIIE AMATEUR’S FLOWER GARDEN* 
233 
with mats, as in the subjoined figure, will be found more 
effectual than litter. Ferulas are good enough for choice 
positions, but the gigantic umbelliferous plants usually recom¬ 
mended for the dressed garden, such as Thapsia decipiens and 
Heracleum giganteum , are too coarse, though distinctive and 
noble when growing in half-wild places. The Pampas grass , 
and the larger kinds of Arundo , JEJlymus , Andropogon , Holcus , 
Sorghum, Zea, and some other showy grasses, may be employed 
with admirable effect, the annual kinds needing to be raised 
from seed sown in mild heat in March, in order to insure a 
free growth by the time they are planted out. Gunneras 
require a deep, rich, moist soil, and are quite hardy, a group 
of them on the margin of a pool, with tufts of sugar-cane and 
papyrus rising between, would constitute a striking feature at 
the bottom of a dell, or on the margin of a stream. The 
gigantic and remarkably elegant Dahlia imperialis requires a 
sheltered spot in which to make its summer growth, and 
should be taken up about the middle of September, and be 
carefully potted and placed in the warmest corner of the 
conservatory, where it will produce its magnolia-like flowers 
in the month of November. 
The Phytolaccas are quite hardy, and though neither noble 
nor elegant, will be found useful to form dense green back¬ 
grounds. Polygonum cuspidatum (P. Sieboldi) is as hardy as 
any British weed, and one of the most distinct of picturesque 
plants, particularly well adapted to stand alone on the turf. 
fritomas need not be eulogized, for they are sure to find their 
way into the front line in the herbaceous garden. Yuccas are 
particularly well adapted for our purpose, and they comprise a 
few, such as Y.pendulaaiid Y. gloriosa, that are indispensable, 
both because of their striking characters and perfect hardiness. 
Others, such as Y . aloifolia , both green and variegated, are no 
less valuable to adorn the conservatory in winter than to 
occupy commanding positions in the garden during summer. 
Two capital illustrations of the wealth of material among 
hardy plants adapted for picturesque effects were offered in a 
picturesque garden last summer. In two far distant parts of 
the garden isolated plants of Grarnbe maritima (common sea- 
kale), and Grctmbe cor difolia (the heart-leaved sea-kale), were 
advantageously placed for full development, and the display 
of their very distinct characters. Each plant covered a space 
about two yards across with gigantic glaucous leafage, which 
