POOLS FOR DELIGHT 
211 
garden as undulating irregularity, even in a comparatively small 
area. 
A natural, or man-made rocky ledge, or barren slope, is the 
ideal spot on which to use one’s imagination in an effort to capture 
that holiday spirit of Nature—alluring informality. Trailing vines 
overhanging a pool are always enchanting. Blue or rose Morning- 
glories, or Golden Oenotheras (Evening Primrose) grown from the 
ledge above, droop in panicles of green, studded with color. 
As has often been observed invariably a pool draws one to its 
very edge in the hopes of being able to peep over and down into 
the limpid depths. So, where the reflection is loveliest, what fun 
it is to be able to step out over the water on a large, flat stone! 
From this natural vantage point, one can enjoy to the fullest the 
beauty of the scene. How clever is that artist-gardener who, with 
skillful artifice, reproduces all those chief attractions that one 
finds in Nature’s scenic loveliness! 
What is more graceful than a weeping willow dipping into a 
sheltered pool! Or what exotic beauty more appealing than the 
waxen perfection of a Water Lily! 
Yet Water Lilies must have an abundance of sunlight ... at least 
four or five hours of the direct rays upon them, preferably in the 
middle of the day. Of these there are two kinds, the hardy and 
the tropical. The hardy kinds do not have to be disturbed after the 
original planting oftener than every five or six years, just to thin 
out their too luxuriant root-growth, provided care is taken that 
their roots do not freeze in severe weather. A covering of eight or 
ten inches of water above the surface of the soil, generally gives 
them sufficient protection. Although in extreme conditions a top¬ 
covering of boughs and leaves, held down with wire netting, may 
be loosely put over planks that have been put across the pool, 
taking care that the oxygen of the circulating air is not cut off. 
As oak leaves often contain an acid and tannin bad for aquatic 
plants, it is best never to cover with these. Also see that none of 
these are ever allowed to remain in the water. 
Tropical Lilies are natives of the hot countries—Africa, South 
America and Australia—where they grow in profusion. They are 
Over¬ 
hanging 
Ledges 
Naturalistic 
Effects 
Water 
Lilies 
Care in 
Winter 
Remove 
Oak Leaves 
