390 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
May 13, 1905. 
Hardy Herbaceous Plants. 
Suitable Subjects for the Margins of Streams, etc,— In 
any garden where water exists naturally or is artificially 
made, one of the most pleasing features can be produced by 
planting the margins with those plants which revel in a damp 
soil, and considering the large number which are adaptable, it 
is surprising they are not taken more advantage of than at 
present. No better place can be found than a 
pond or stream with soft, muddy banks, but the 
commoner plants are too frequently allowed to grow 
as they please, whereas, by a good selection, one of the 
most beautiful parts of the garden might easily be formed. 
It often happens that grass is allowed to grow down to the 
water’s edge, and where this is the case it is necessaiy to 
remove the turf before planting many of the choicer subjects. 
Where they are planted singly, a hole one foot across will be 
sufficient, and it will look much better if this is circular. 
Where it is intended to plant a group, it is, as a rule, better to 
remove sufficient turf to allow the batch to be planted than 
try to make a position on the grass for each one. Should 
the soil be very poor it will be advisable to add a little fresh 
material, when planting, just to give the roots a start, to the 
choice varieties. Of course, for the strong-growing reeds, etc., 
this would be quite unnecessary. When the planting is 
completed, there is little work needed to maintain it in good 
order, except that the surface soil should be kept free from 
weeds, and the stronger growers should not be allowed to crowd 
out the weaker ones. If the plants are arranged far enough 
apart when first planted, there will be little fear of this. It is 
not necessary to attempt to clothe the whole of the banks, as 
by far the best effects are produced when some amount of 
space exists between each. 
The ornamental grasses, some of which are very tall growers 
while others are quite short, should play an important part. 
Such as the Arundos, Gyneriums, and Eulalias are seen to 
the best advantage when planted singly, given plenty of room, 
and allowed to form specimens. The Carices, all of which are 
short, Phragmites communis, Typhas, and Phalaris give the 
best display when planted in groups, the foliage in some cases 
being very bright, Gunneras with their gigantic foliage 
should find a place, as also should the Rheums—R. Enrodi, R. 
Bevanii, and R. palmatum being especially good. 
Of the flowering plants suitable I can only mention some 
of the best, but for large water gardens a very large number 
are available, especially among plants which are generally 
looked upon as being suitable only for the herbaceous borders. 
These include numerous Primulas, Phloxes, Aconitums, Iris, 
etc. The Astilbes are one of the best families, and vary much 
in height and form. A. Rivularis, A. Thunbergi, and A. T. 
rosea, A. Silver Sheaf, and A. rubra, are all good, while among 
the Spiraeas we have S. Aruncus, S. astilboides, S. giganteaj 
S. Ulmaria fob var., and S. Ulmaria plena, and the beautiful 
Japanese palmata, with its fine varieties, alba, maxima, and 
elegans. The' Polygonums are another large group, and we 
have found P. cuspidatum, P. sachalinense, P. chinense, P. 
Bistorta, and P. polystachyum to succeed well. Saxifraga 
peltata is a fine plant, having large heads of pink flowers on tall 
stems before the leaves appear. The foliage, too, is band- 
some in a mass. 
One of the most ornamental of foliage plants is Rodgersia 
podophylla, with leaves of a reddish-bronzy hue. Several of 
the Ranunculi prefer a damp root run, and are particularly 
showy in flower. R. Acris fl. pi., R. monspeliaeus, R. aconiti- 
folius, and its double variety all answer well. Iris Kaempferi, 
in numerous colours, is among the best of all waterside plants' 
and this is, undoubtedly, the correct place for the varieties. For 
the more shady placed numerous varieties of ferns can be 
utilised, but these should be given a compost composed of 
peat and well-decayed leaves. The Osmundas are among the 
most ornamental, especially the King-fem, 0. regalis. 
A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Hardy Fruit. 
Raspberries. —Look over the stools and cut away super¬ 
fluous growths not required to- form canes for another season, 
thus strengthening those remaining. Ply the Dutch hoe 
in the alleys, cutting up any suckers that are straying from 
home, and keep a watch on the young shoots, that nothing 
eats the tops off, as we lost several in that way last season, and 
considered it was done either by partridges or pheasants. 
Figs. — In these gardens fruits are prominent and in plenty, 
and frost ought not to be severe enough after this date to 
damage the crop. Little requires to be done until growth 
becomes more general, when an early manipulation is neces¬ 
sary, and all suckers removed as soon as noted. Should there 
be any brown tips to the- fruiting wood, cut the same back 
to a growth, where possible. Planting may yet be done, but 
the sooner such work is completed the better, and should 
either the ground or the pot containing the plant be diy 
give a good watering before and after planting. 
Apricots require attention every week or so, either in 
pinching lateral 'growths to the fourth or fifth leaf, rubbing 
off ill-placed and exuberant shoots, and likewise reducing the 
young fruits where a good set has taken place. These*thinnings 
make excellent tarts, and prove useful as variety is not over 
plentiful just now. All protective material should have been 
removed by now, and the surface of the border lightly hoed 
or forked up to admit the sun’s warmth and prevent the ground 
from cracking. 
Apples. —With the exception of heavily-fruited trees last 
year the majority have abundance of blossom again, and pro¬ 
viding genial weather continues there should be a fair crop 
of this fruit, although the last day of April and the first of 
May was more like early March weather, the terrific winds 
blowing off the blossom, also foliage in many instances. 
Search for the Apple Blossom Weevil on trained trees, and 
even bush or pyramids when not of great dimensions, this 
insect usually being found in the centre (at least the larvae 
of the Weevil) of the flowers, which show up brown or 
russety colour,* the Weevil itself boring itself out through a 
petal within fourteen days, and then tackling the foliage. 
These can be detected by the curling cf the shoots, and should 
be squeezed with the thumb and finger. A keen eye must be 
kept on them or they escape to the ground only to ascend again 
when danger is past. Giving a good shake, like one treats 
Gooseberry bushes, will often bring many of these insects to 
the ground, and if a sheet or large sheets of paper be laid 
underneath, they can easily be destroyed. This insect also 
attacks Pear trees in a similar way, but where the winter 
spraying has been carried out much trouble in this respect 
ought not to be experienced. 
Peach and Nectarines. —Towards the middle of this month 
the weather is usually warm enough to allow the removal of 
nets or blinds placed as a protection against frosts and cold 
winds ; the glass or other coping may remain another ten days 
or so. Quassia., or other approved insecticide, may with safety 
be used cn the trees where aphis aie troublesome, syringing 
it from 3.30 to 5 p.m., according to position of trees, giving a 
good washing next morning with clean water. Continue the 
disbudding as growth advances, likewise the thinning of the 
fruits, as it can be seen now which are going to swell away, 
dispensing with those that, point towards the wall, or are on 
wood without a leading growth, as such seldom come to perfec¬ 
tion. As regards moisture at. the root, the rainfall for April 
has been sufficient, in most instances, but no rule can be laid 
down for general adoption, climate, composition of the border, 
