THE PRINCIPAL TYPES OF HARDY EXOTIC FLOWERING PLANTS FOR THE WILD
GARDEN.
Wherever there is room, these plants should be at first grown in
nursery beds to ensure a good supply. The number of nursery collections
of hardy plants being now more numerous than they were a few years ago,
getting the plants is not so difficult as it once was. The sources of
supply are these nurseries; seed houses, who have lists of hardy plant
seeds—many kinds may be easily raised from seed; botanic gardens, in
which many plants are grown that hitherto have not found a place in our
gardens, and were not fitted for any mode of culture except that herein
suggested; orchards and cottage gardens in pleasant country places
may supply desirable things from time to time; and those who travel
may bring seeds or roots of plants they meet with in cool, temperate,
or mountain regions. Few plants, not free of growth and hardy in the
British Islands without any attention after planting, are included
here:—
=Bear’s Breech=, _Acanthus_.—Vigorous perennials with noble foliage,
mostly from Southern Europe. Long cast out of gardens, they are now
beginning to receive more of the attention they deserve. In no position
will they look better than carelessly planted here and there on the
margin of a shrubbery or thicket, where the leaves of the Acanthus
contrast well with those of the ordinary shrubs or herbaceous
vegetation. Though quite hardy in all soils, they flower most freely in
free loamy soils. Not varying very much in character, all obtainable
hardy species would group well together. The most vigorous kind at
present in cultivation is one called A. latifolius, almost evergreen,
and a fine plant when well established. Few plants are more fitted
for adorning wild and semi–wild places, as they grow and increase
without care, and are for foliage or bloom unsurpassed by any of the
numerous plants that have been so long neglected through their not being
available in any popular system of “flower gardening.”
[Illustration: The Monkshood, naturalised by wet ditch in wood.]
=Monkshood=, _Aconitum_.—These are tall, handsome perennials, with
very poisonous roots, which make it dangerous to plant them in or near
gardens. Being usually very vigorous in constitution, they spread
freely, and hold their own amongst the strongest herbaceous plants and
weeds; masses of them seen in flower in copses or near hedgerows afford
a very fine effect. There are many species, all nearly of equal value
for the wild garden. Coming from the plains and mountains of Siberia
and Northern Europe and America, they are among the hardiest of plants.
When spreading groups of Aconites are in bloom in copses or open spaces
in shrubberies, their effect is far finer than when the plants are tied
into bundles in trim borders. The old blue–and–white kind is charming in
half–shady spots, attaining stately dimensions in good soil. The species
grow in any soil, but are often somewhat stunted in growth on clay.
=Bugle=, _Ajuga_.—Not a very numerous family so far as represented in
gardens, but some of the species are valuable for the wild garden,
notably Ajuga genevensis, which thrives freely in ordinary soils in open
and half–shady places among dwarf vegetation, and affords beautiful
tufts and carpets of blue. It spreads rapidly and is hardy everywhere.
The plants mostly come from the cool uplands and hills of the temperate
regions of Europe and Asia.
=Yarrow=, _Achillea_.—A numerous family of hardy plants spread through
Northern Asia, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, etc., but more in
Southern than in Central or Northern Europe. In the Alps and Pyrenees
numerous species are found. The Golden Yarrows (A. Eupatorium and A.
filipendulina) are stately herbaceous plants, with broad handsome
corymbs of brilliantly showy flowers, attaining a height of 3 feet
or 4 feet, and growing freely in any soil. These are well worthy of
naturalisation. Various other Achilleas would grow quite as well in
copses and rough places as the common Yarrow, but we know of none more
distinct and brilliant than the preceding. The vigorous white–flowering
kinds are superb for shrubberies, where their numerous white heads of
flowers produce a singularly pleasing effect under the trees in summer.
With few exceptions these plants have never been grown out of botanic
gardens, many of them being thought too coarse for the mixed border.
They are, nevertheless, remarkably beautiful both in flower and foliage,
and many effects never before seen in gardens may be obtained by massing
them under trees in shrubberies or copses, as a rule allowing one
species to establish itself in each place and assume an easy natural
boundary of its own. The small Alpine species would be interesting
plants for stony or bare rocky places.
_Allium._—A most extensive genus of plants scattered in abundance
throughout the northern temperate and alpine regions of Europe and
Asia, and also in America. Some of the species are very beautiful,
so much so as to claim for them a place in gardens notwithstanding
their disagreeable odour. It is in the wild garden only, however, that
this family can find a fitting home; there species that do not seem
attractive enough for the garden proper would afford novel effects at
certain seasons. One of the most desirable effects to produce in the
wild garden would be that of the beautiful white Narcissus–like Allium
of the south of Europe (A. neapolitanum). The sheets of this in the
Lemon orchards of Provence will be remembered with pleasure by many
travellers. It would thrive in warm and sandy soils: there is an allied
species (A. ciliatum) which does well in any soil, affords a similar
effect, and produces myriads of star–like white flowers. Numerous
singular effects may be produced from species less showy and more
curious and vigorous, as for example the old yellow A. Moly.
[Illustration: The white Narcissus–like Allium, in the orchards of
Provence; type of family receiving little place in gardens which may be
beautiful for a season in wild places.]
_Alstrœmeria._—All who care for hardy flowers must admire the beauty of
Alstrœmeria aurantiaca, especially when it spreads into bold healthy
tufts, and when there is a great variety in the height of the flowering
stems. A valuable quality of the plant is, that in any light soil it
spreads freely, and it is quite hardy. For dry places between shrubs,
for dry or sandy banks (either wooded or bare), copses, or heathy
places, this plant is admirable. I have noticed it thriving in the
shade of fir trees. It is interesting as being a South American plant,
thriving in any open soil.
=Marsh Mallow=, _Althæa_.—These are plants rarely seen out of botanic
gardens now–a–days, and yet, from their vigour and showy flowers, they
may afford unique effects in the wild garden. The common Hollyhock is
an Althæa, and in its single form is typical of the vigorous habit
and the numerous showy flowers of other rampant species, such as A.
ficifolia. A group of these plants would be very effective seen from a
wood walk, no kind of garden arrangement being large enough for their
extraordinary vigour. It is not a numerous genus, but there are at least
a dozen species, principally found on the shores and islands of the
Mediterranean, and also in Western Asia.
_Alyssum._—In spring every little shoot of the wide tufts and flakes
of these plants sends up a little fountain of small golden flowers.
For bare, stony, or rocky banks, poor sandy ground, and ruins, they
are admirable. Alyssum Wiersbecki and A. saxatile are strong enough to
take care of themselves on the margins of shrubberies, etc., where the
vegetation is not very coarse, but they are more valuable for rocky or
stony places, or old ruins, and thrive freely on cottage garden walls
in some districts; some of the less grown species would be welcome
in such places. There are many species, natives of Germany, Russia,
France, Italy, Corsica, Sicily, Hungary, and Dalmatia; Asia, principally
Siberia, the Altai Mountains, Georgia, Persia, and the entire basin of
the Caspian, is rich in them.
[Illustration: The Alpine Windflower (Anemone alpina).]
=Windflower=, _Anemone_.—A numerous race of dwarf herbs that contribute
largely to the most beautiful effects of the mountain, wood, and
pasture vegetation of all northern and temperate climes. The flowers
vary from intense scarlet to the softest blue; most of the exotic
kinds would thrive as well in our woodlands and meadows as they do in
their own. There is hardly a position they may not adorn—warm, sunny,
bare banks, on which the Grecian A. blanda might open its large blue
flowers in winter; the tangled copse, where the Japan Windflower and
its varieties might make a bold show in autumn; and the shady wood,
where the Apennine Windflower would contrast charmingly with the Wood
Anemone so abundantly scattered in our own woods. The Hepaticas should
be considered as belonging to the same genus, not forgetting the
Hungarian one, A. angulosa. The Hepaticas thrive best and are seen best
in half–woody places, where the spring sun may cheer them by passing
through the branches, which afterwards become leafy and shade them from
the scorching heats of summer.
=St. Bruno’s Lily=, _Anthericum_.—One of the most lovely aspects of
vegetation in the alpine meadows of Europe is that afforded by the
delicate white flowers of the St. Bruno’s Lily in the Grass in early
summer, looking like miniature white Lilies. All who have seen it would
no doubt like to enjoy the same in their turfy lawns or Grassy places,
and there should be no difficulty in establishing it. The large–flowered
or major variety might be tried with advantage in this way, and the
smaller–flowered kinds, A. Liliago and its varieties, are equally
suitable. They are not so likely to find favour in gardens as the larger
kind, and therefore the wild garden is the home for them, and in it many
will admire their graceful habit and numerous flowers. All the species
best worth growing are natives of the alpine meadows of Europe.
=Alkanet=, _Anchusa_.—Tall and handsome herbaceous plants, with numerous
flowers of a fine blue, admirable for dotting about in open places in
sunny glades in woods or copses. They mostly come from Southern Europe
and Western Asia. A. italica and A. capensis are among the most useful.
The English Anchusa sempervirens, rare in some places, is an excellent
wild garden plant.
=Snapdragon=, _Antirrhinum_.—The common Snapdragon and its beautifully
spotted varieties are easily naturalised on old walls and ruins by
sowing the seed in old or mossy chinks. Antirrhinum Asarinum, rupestre,
and molle do well treated in the same way. Probably many other species
would be found good in like places. About two dozen species are known,
but comparatively few of these are in cultivation. They mostly come from
the shores of the Mediterranean.
=Columbine=, _Aquilegia_.—Favourite herbaceous plants, generally of
various shades of blue and purple, white, and sometimes bright orange.
The varieties of the common kind (A. vulgaris), which are very numerous,
are those most likely to be naturalised. In elevated and moist districts
some of the beautiful Rocky Mountain kinds would be worth a trial in
bare places. In places where wild gardens have been formed the effect
of Columbines in the Grass has been one of the most beautiful that have
been obtained. The flowers group themselves in all sorts of pretty ways,
showing just above the long Grass, and possessing great variety of
colour. The vigorous and handsome A. chrysantha of Western America is
the most hardy and enduring of the American kinds. The species are of a
truly northern and alpine family, most abundant in Siberia.
[Illustration: Siberian Columbine in rocky place.]
=Wall Cress=, _Arabis_.—Dwarf alpine plants, spreading in habit, and
generally producing myriads of white flowers, exceedingly suitable
for the decoration of sandy or rocky ground, where the vegetation is
very dwarf. With them may be associated Cardamine trifolia and Thlaspi
latifolium, which resemble the Arabises in habit and flowers. All these
are particularly suited for association with the purple Aubrietias, or
yellow Alyssums, and in bare and rocky or gravelly places, old walls,
sunk fences, etc.
=Sandwort=, _Arenaria_.—A most important family of plants for the wild
garden, though perhaps less so for lowland gardens where more vigorous
types flourish. There are, however, certain species that are vigorous
and indispensable, such as A. montana and A. graminifolia. The smaller
alpine species are charming for rocky places, and the little creeping A.
balearica has quite a peculiar value, inasmuch as moist rocks or stones
suffice for its support. It covers such surfaces with a close carpet
of green, dotted with numerous star–like flowers. Some of the smaller
species, such as Arenaria cæspitosa (Sagina glabra var.), better known
as Spergula pilifera, might be grown in the gravel, and even used to
convert bare and sandy places into carpets of Mossy turf. In certain
positions in large gardens it would be an improvement to allow the
very walks or drives to become covered with very dwarf plants—plants
which could be walked upon with little injury. The surface would be
dry enough, being drained below, and would be more agreeable to the
feet. Removing any coarse weeds that established themselves would be
much easier than the continual hoeing and scraping required to keep the
walk bare. Of course this only refers to walks in rough or picturesque
places—the wild garden and the like—in which formal bare walks are
somewhat out of place.
[Illustration: Tall Asphodel in copse.]
=Asphodel=, _Asphodelus_.—The Asphodels are among the plants that have
never been popular in the mixed border, nor are they likely to be so,
the habit of the species being somewhat coarse and the flowering period
not long, and yet they are of a stately and distinct order of beauty,
which well deserves to be represented in open spaces, in shrubberies, or
on their outer fringes. The plants are mostly natives of the countries
round the Mediterranean, and thrive freely in ordinary soils.
=Lords and Ladies=, _Arum_.—Mostly a tropical and sub–tropical family,
some of which grow as far north as southern Europe. These are quite
hardy in our gardens. The Italian Arum is well worthy of a place in the
wild garden, from its fine foliage in winter. It should be placed in
sheltered half–shady places where it would not suffer much from storms.
The old Dragon plant (A. Dracontium) grows freely enough about the foot
of rocks or walls in sandy, or dry, peaty places. The nearly allied
Arum Lily (Calla æthiopica) is quite hardy as a water and water–side
plant in the southern counties of England and Ireland.
=Silkweed=, _Asclepias_.—Usually vigorous perennials, with very curious
and ornamental flowers, common in fields and on river banks in North
America and Canada, where they sometimes become troublesome weeds.
Of the species in cultivation, A. Cornuti and A. Douglasi could be
naturalised easily in rich deep soil in wild places. The showy and
dwarfer Asclepias tuberosa requires very warm sand soils to flower
as well as in its own dry hills and fields. A good many of the hardy
species are not introduced; for such the place is the wild garden. Some
of them are water–side plants, such as A. incarnata, the Swamp Silkweed
of the United States.
=Starwort=, _Aster_.—A very large family of usually vigorous, often
showy, and sometimes beautiful perennials, mostly with bluish or
white flowers, chiefly natives of North America. Many of these, of an
inferior order of beauty, used to be planted in our mixed borders,
which they very much helped to bring into discredit, and they form a
very good example of a class of plants for which the true place is the
copse, or rough and half–cared–for places in shrubberies and copses,
and by wood–walks, where they will grow as freely as any native weeds,
and in many cases prove highly attractive in late summer and autumn.
Such kinds as A. pyrensæus, Amellus, and turbinellus, are amongst the
most ornamental perennials we have. With the Asters may be grouped
the Galatellas, the Vernonias, and also the handsome and rather dwarf
Erigeron speciosus, which, however, not being so tall, could not fight
its way among such coarse vegetation as that in which the Asters may be
grown. Associated with the Golden Rods (Solidago)—also common plants
of the American woods and copses—the best of the Asters or Michaelmas
Daisies will form a very interesting aspect of vegetation. It is that
one sees in American woods in late summer and autumn when the Golden
Rods and Asters are seen in bloom together. It is one of numerous
aspects of the vegetation of other countries which the “wild garden”
will make possible in gardens. To produce such effects the plants must,
of course, be planted in some quantity in one part of a rather open
wood, and not repeated all over the place or mixed up with many other
things. Nearly 200 species are known, about 150 of which form part of
the rich vegetation of North America. These fine plants inhabit that
great continent, from Mexico—where a few are found—to the United States
and Canada, where they abound, and even up to the regions altogether
arctic of that quarter of the world.
=Milk Vetch=, _Astragalus_.—An enormously numerous family of beautiful
hardy plants, represented to but a very slight extent in our gardens,
though hundreds of them are hardy, and many of them among the most
pleasing of the many Pea flowers which adorn the hills and mountains
of the northern world in Asia, Europe, and America. They are mostly
suited for rocky or gravelly situations, or bare banks, though some of
the taller species, like A. galegiformis, are stout enough to take care
of themselves among the larger perennials. This plant is valuable for
its handsome port and foliage, though its flowering qualities are not
such as recommend it for the garden proper. The numerous species from
the Mediterranean shores and islands could be successfully introduced
on banks and slopes in our chalk districts and in rocky places. A.
ponticus, a tall kind, and A. monspessulanus, a dwarf one, are both
worth growing.
=Masterwort=, _Astrantia_.—This is an elegant genus, of which few
species are known, five being European—found in Italy, Carinthia,
Greece, and the centre of Europe—others from Northern Asia. They are
among the few umbellates with attractive and distinct flowers, and yet
they are rarely seen in gardens. In the wild garden they are quite at
home among the Grass and medium–sized herbaceous plants, and partial
shade prolongs their quaint beauty. In fact they are far more at home in
the thin wood or copse than in the open exposed mixed border.
=Blue Rock Cress=, _Aubrietia_.—Dwarf Alpine plants, with purplish
flowers, quite distinct in aspect and hue from anything else grown in
our gardens, and never perishing from any cause, except being overrun by
coarser subjects. They are admirable for association with the Alyssums
and Arabises in any position where the vegetation is very dwarf, or in
rocky bare places. There are several species and varieties, all almost
equally suitable, but not differing much in aspect or stature from each
other. The Aubrietias come chiefly from the mountains of Greece, Asia
Minor, and neighbouring countries. Wherever there is an old wall, or a
sunk fence, or a bare bank, evergreen curtains may be formed of these
plants, and in spring they will be sheeted with purple flowers, no
matter how harsh the weather.
=Great Birthwort=, _Aristolochia Sipho_.—A noble plant for covering
arbours, banks, stumps of old trees, etc., also wigwam–like bowers,
formed with branches of trees. It is American, and will grow as high as
thirty feet, A. tomentosa is distinct and not so large in leaf. These
will scarcely be grown for their flowers; but for covering stumps or
trees they are valuable, and afford a distinct type of foliage.
=Virginian Creepers=, _Ampelopsis_.—Although this chapter is mostly
devoted to herbaceous plants, the Virginian Creeper and its allies
are so useful for forming curtains in rocky places, ravines, or over
old trees, that they deserve mention here. These plants are not very
distant relations of the vine—the wild American vines which are worthy
of a place in our groves, garlanding trees as they do in a grand way.
Some noble in colour of leaf are grown in nurseries—U. Humboldti being
remarkable both for colour and size of leaf.
=Bamboo=, _Bambusa_.—In many parts of England, Ireland, and Wales,
various kinds of Bamboos are perfectly hardy, and not only hardy, but
thrive freely. In cold, dry, and inland districts, it is true, they grow
with difficulty—all the greater reason for making the best use of them
where they grow freely. Their beauty is the more precious from their
being wholly distinct in habit from any other plants or shrubs that we
grow. The delicate feathering of the young, tall, and slender shoots,
the charming arching of the stems, have often been fertile in suggestion
to the Japanese artist, and often adorn his best work. They may be
enjoyed with all the charms of life in many gardens. The wild garden,
where the climate is suitable, is the best home for Bamboos. They are so
tall and so enduring at the roots that they will take care of themselves
among the tallest and strongest plants or bushes, and the partial
shelter of the thin wood or copse preserves their abundant leaves from
violent and cold winds. Along by quiet Grass walks, in sheltered dells,
in little bogs, in the shrubbery, or in little lawns opened in woods for
the formation of wild gardens, the Bamboo will be at home. The commonest
kind is that generally known as Arundinaria falcata (sometimes called
Bambusa gracilis); but others, such as Bambusa Metake, B. Simmonsi, and
B. viridis–glaucescens, are of equal or greater value. They all delight
in rich, light, and moist soils.
=Baptisia.=—A strong Lupin–like plant seldom grown in gardens, but
beautiful when in bloom for its long blue racemes of pea flowers,
growing three to four feet high; it will hold its own in strong soil.
=Borage=, _Borago_.—A genus seldom seen out of Botanic gardens, where
they form part of the usual distressing arrangements honoured with
the name of “scientific.” Among the best kinds for our purpose are B.
cretica and B. orientalis, even the well–known annual kind will be found
a pretty plant, naturalised and useful for covering mounds.
=Bell–flower=, _Campanula_.—Beautiful and generally blue–flowered
herbs, varying from a few inches to 4 ft. in height, and abundantly
scattered in northern and temperate countries. Many kinds are in
cultivation. All the medium–sized and large kinds thrive very well in
rough places, woods, copses, or shrubberies, among grasses and other
herbaceous plants; while those smaller in size than our own harebell
(C. rotundifolia) are quite at home, and very pretty, on any arid or
bare surfaces, such as sandy banks, chalk pits, and even high up on
old walls, ruins, etc. In such positions the seeds have only to be
scattered. C. rapunculoides and C. lamiifolia do finely in shrubberies
or copses, as, indeed, do all the tall–growing kinds. Where there are
white varieties they should be secured; many people will begin to see
the great beauty of this family for the first time when they see them
growing among the grass or herbs. The effect is far more beautiful than
can be obtained in the garden proper.
=Red Valerian=, _Centranthus ruber_.—This showy and pleasing plant
is only seen in highest perfection on elevated banks, rubbish–heaps,
or old walls, in which positions it endures much longer than on the
level ground, and becomes a long–lived perennial with a shrubby base.
On the long bridge across the Nore at Col. Tighe’s place, Woodstock,
Kilkenny, it grows in abundance, forming a long line on the wall above
the arches; of course it could be easily grown on ruins, while it is
invaluable for banks of all kinds, chalk pits, etc., and also for the
level ground, except in heavy cold soils. Some of the larger Valerianas
would grow freely in rough places, but none of them are so distinct as
the preceding.
=Knap–weed=, _Centaurea_.—Vigorous perennial or annual herbaceous
plants, seldom so pretty as autumn–sown plants of our corn bluebottle
(C. Cyanus). They are scarcely important enough for borders; hence the
wild wood is the place for them. Among the most suitable kinds may be
mentioned macrocephala, montana, babylonica, and uniflora, the last more
suitable for banks, etc.
=Mouse–ear=, _Cerastium_.—Dwarf spreading perennials, bearing a
profusion of white flowers. Half a dozen or more of the kinds have
silvery leaves, which, with their flowers, give them an attractive
character. Most of these are used as bedding plants, but, as they will
grow in any position where they are not choked by coarser plants, they
may be employed with good effect in the wild garden.
=Wallflower=, _Cheiranthus_.—The varieties of the common wallflower
afford quite a store of beauty in themselves for the embellishment of
rocky places, old walls, etc. Probably other species of Cheiranthus
will be found to grow on ruins quite as well, but at present we are not
quite sure of these. The clear yellow Erysimum ochroleucum is very like
a wallflower in type, and thrives well in dry sandy places. With these
might be associated Vesicaria utriculata.
[Illustration: The foliage of the Meadow Saffron in Spring.]
=Meadow Saffron=, _Colchicum_.—In addition to the meadow saffron,
plentifully dotted over the moist fields in various parts of England,
there are several other species which could be readily naturalised in
almost any soil and position. They would be particularly desirable where
subjects that flower in autumn would be sought; and they are charming,
seen in tufts or colonies on the lawn or in the pleasure–ground.
=Crocus.=—One or two Crocuses are naturalised in England already, and
there is scarcely one of them that will not succeed thus if properly
placed. They should not be placed where coarse vegetation would choke
them up or prevent the sun getting to their flowers and leaves. Some of
the delicately–tinted varieties of vernus are well worth dotting about
in grassy places and on sunny slopes, if only to accompany the snowdrop.
C. Imperati is a valuable early–flowering kind, and the autumnal
flowering ones are particularly desirable; but we must not particularise
where all are good. “In the plantations here,” writes a correspondent,
“on each side of a long avenue, we have the common Crocus in every
shade of purple (there are scarcely any yellow ones) growing literally
in hundreds of thousands. We have no record of when the roots were
originally planted (and the oldest people about the estate say they have
always been the same as far as their recollection goes); but they grow
so thickly that it is quite impossible to step where they are without
treading on two or three flowers. The effect produced by them in spring
is magnificent, but unfortunately, their beauty is but short–lived. I
have transplanted a good many roots to the wild garden, to the great
improvement of the size of the individual blooms; they are so matted
together in the shrubberies I have mentioned, and have remained so long
in the same place, that the flowers are small.”
[Illustration: The White–flowered European Clematis (C. erecta).]
=Virgin’s Bower=, _Clematis_.—Mostly climbing or trailing plants, free,
often luxuriant, sometimes rampant, in habit, with bluish, violet,
purple, white, or yellow flowers, produced most profusely, and sometimes
deliciously fragrant. They are most suited for covering stumps, planting
on rocky places, among low shrubs in copses, for draping over the
faces of rocks, sunny banks, or the brows of sunk fences, covering
objectionable railings, rough bowers, chalk pits, hedges, etc., and
occasionally for isolating in large tufts in open spaces where their
effect could be seen from a distance. Not particular as to soil, the
stronger kinds will grow in any ground, but the large–flowered new
hybrids will thrive best in warm, rich, deep soil.
C. Viorna, C. flammula, montana, campaniflora, Viticella, and cirrhosa,
must not be omitted from a selection of the wild kinds. The new garden
hybrids will also be useful.
=Dwarf Cornel=, _Cornus canadensis_.—This charming little bushy plant,
singularly beautiful from its white bracts, is a very attractive subject
for naturalisation in moist, sandy, or peaty spots, in which our native
heaths, Mitchella repens, Linnæa borealis, and the Butterworts would
be likely to thrive. It would also grow well in moist woods, where the
herbaceous vegetation is dwarf.
=Mocassin Flower=, _Cypripedium spectabile_.—The noblest of hardy
orchids, found far north in America, and thriving perfectly in England
and Ireland in deep rich or vegetable soil. Wherever the soil is not
naturally peat or rich vegetable matter this fine plant will succeed on
the margins of beds of rhododendrons, etc. It should be sheltered by
surrounding bushes, and be in a moist position. Others of the genus,
and various other hardy orchids, are worthy of naturalisation; but the
mocassin flower is the best as well as the most easily tried at present.
=Sowbread=, _Cyclamen_.—It was the sight of a grove nearly covered with
Cyclamen hederæfolium, near Montargis, in France, that first turned my
attention to the “Wild Garden.” Both C. hederæfolium and C. europæum may
be naturalised with the greatest ease on light, loamy, or other warm and
open soil. C. vernum, C. Coum, and C. repandum, are also well worthy of
trial. Nothing can be more agreeable to the lover of hardy plants than
endeavouring to naturalise these charming flowers, now rarely seen out
of the greenhouse. The best positions would be among dwarf shrubs, etc.,
that would afford slight shelter, on banks or sunny open spots in copses
or woods. Bare or dug borders they abhor, and a sunny warm exposure
should be chosen. In the case of C. hederæfolium (and perhaps some of
the others) ground under trees, bare, or with a very scant vegetation of
herbs, etc., would do quite well if the soil were free and warm. There
is scarcely a country seat in England in which the hardy Cyclamens, now
almost entirely neglected by the gardener, could not be naturalised.
[Illustration: Cyclamens in the wild garden; from nature.]
=The Giant Sea–kale=, _Crambe_.—“C. cordifolia is a very fine perennial,
but its place is on the turf in rich soil. It has enormous leaves,
and small whitish flowers in panicles. Here it is one of the finest
ornaments in a wild garden of about five acres, associated with Rheums,
Ferulas, Gunneras, Centaurea babylonica, Arundo Donax, Acanthus, and
others.”
=Bindweed=, _Calystegia_.—Climbing plants, with handsome white or rosy
flowers, often too vigorous in constitution to be agreeable in gardens,
as is the case with our common bindweed. C. dahurica, somewhat larger
than the common kind, is very handsome when allowed to trail through
shrubs, in rough places, or over stumps, rustic bridges, etc., and
doubtless sundry other species will in time be found equally useful.
The pretty little Rosy Bindweed that one meets often upon the shores
of the Mediterranean is here depicted at home in an English garden,
creeping up the leaves of an Iris in Mr. Wilson’s garden at Heatherbank,
Weybridge Heath. It is a great privilege we have of being able to grow
the fair flowers of so many regions in our own, and without caring
for them in the sense, and with the troubles that attend other living
creatures in menageries, aviaries, etc. This is an advantage that we do
not evidently consider when we put a few plants in lines and circles
only, oblivious of the infinite beauty and variety of the rest. This
beautiful pink Bindweed is the representative, so to speak, of our own
Rosy Field Bindweed in the south, but nevertheless it is perfectly hardy
and free in our own soils. Its botanical name is Convolvulus althæoides.
[Illustration: A South European Bindweed creeping up the stems of an
Iris in an English garden.]
=Marsh Calla=, _Calla palustris_.—A creeping Arum–like plant, with
white flowers showing above a carpet of glossy leaves, admirable for
naturalisation in muddy places, moist bogs, on the margins of ponds, etc.
=Rosy Coronilla=, _Coronilla varia_.—Europe. On grassy banks, stony
heaps, rough rocky ground, spreading over slopes or any like positions.
A very fine plant for naturalisation, thriving in any soil.
=Giant Scabious=, _Cephalaria_.—Allied to Scabious but seldom grown.
They are worth a place in the wild garden for their fine vigour alone,
and the numerous pale yellow flowers will be admired by those who do not
limit their admiration to showy colours.
=Coral–wort=, _Dentaria_.—Very showy perennials, the purplish or white
flowers of which present somewhat of the appearance of a stockflower,
quite distinct both in habit and bloom, and very rarely seen in our
gardens; they will be found to thrive well and look well in peat soil
beneath rhododendrons, and towards the margins of clumps of American
shrubs.
=Leopard’s Bane=, _Doronicum_.—Stout, medium–sized, or dwarf perennials,
with hardy and vigorous constitutions, and very showy flowers; well
suited for naturalisation among herbaceous vegetation, in any position
where the beauty of their early bloom can be enjoyed.
=American Cowslip=, _Dodecatheon_.—All who care for hardy flowers admire
the beautiful American cowslip (D. Meadia), found in rich woods in
Pennsylvania, Ohio, to Wisconsin and south–westward, in America. This
would be a charming plant to naturalise on rich and light sandy loams,
among dwarf herbs, low shrubs, etc., in sheltered and sunny spots.
Jeffrey’s American cowslip (D. Jeffreyanum), a vigorous–growing kind,
is also well worth a trial in this way, though as yet it is hardly
plentiful enough to be spared for this purpose.
=Fumitory=, _Fumaria_, _Dielytra_.—Plants with graceful leaves and gay
flowers suited for association with dwarf subjects on open banks, except
D. spectabilis, which in deep peat or other rich soil will grow a yard
high. The simple–looking little Fumaria bulbosa is one of the dwarf
subjects which thrive very well under the branches of specimen deciduous
trees, and Corydalis lutea thrives in every position from the top of
an old castle to the bottom of a well shaft. I saw Dielytra eximia
naturalised in Buckhurst Park, in a shrubbery, the position shady. Its
effect was most charming, the plumy tufts being dotted all over with
flowers. Had I before wished to naturalise this, I should have put it
on open slopes, or among dwarf plants, but it thrives and spreads about
with the greatest freedom in shady spots. The blossoms, instead of
being of the usual crimson hue, were of a peculiar delicate pale rose,
no doubt owing to the shade; and, as they gracefully drooped over the
elegantly–cut leaves, they looked like snowdrops of a faint rosy hue.
=Delphinium=, _Perennial species_.—Tall and beautiful herbaceous plants,
with flowers of many exquisite shades of blue and purple. There are
now numerous varieties. They are well suited for rich soil in glades,
copses, thin shrubberies, or among masses of dwarf shrubs, above which
their fine spikes of bloom might here and there arise.
One of the prettiest effects which I have ever seen among naturalised
plants was a colony of tall Larkspurs (Delphiniums). Portions of old
roots of several species and varieties had been chopped off where a
bed of these plants was being dug in the autumn. For convenience sake
the refuse had been thrown into the neighbouring shrubbery, far in
among the shrubs and tall trees. Here they grew in certain half–open
little spaces, which were so far removed from the margin that they were
not dug and were not seen. When I saw the Larkspurs in flower they
were certainly the loveliest things that one could see. They were more
beautiful than they are in borders or beds, not growing in such close
stiff tufts, and mingling with and relieved by the trees above and the
shrubs around. Little more need be said to any one who knows and cares
about such plants, and has an opportunity of planting in such neglected
places. This case points out pretty clearly that one might make wild
gardens from the mere parings and thinnings of the beds and borders in
autumn, in any place where there is a collection of good hardy plants.
The cut on p. 28 does scant justice to the scene, which, perhaps, it is
not in the power of wood engraving to illustrate.
=Pink=, _Dianthus_.—A numerous race of beautiful dwarf mountain plants,
with flowers mostly of various shades of rose, sometimes sporting into
other colours in cultivation. The finer mountain kinds would be likely
to thrive only on bare stony or rocky ground, and amidst very dwarf
vegetation. The bright D. neglectus would thrive in any ordinary soil.
Some of the kinds in the way of our own D. cæsius grow well on old walls
and ruins, as do the single carnations and pinks; indeed, it is probable
that many kinds of pink would thrive on ruins and old walls better far
than on the ground.
=Foxglove=, _Digitalis_.—It need not be said here that our own stately
Foxglove should be encouraged in the wild garden, particularly in
districts where it does not naturally grow wild; I allude to it here to
point out that there are a number of exotic species for which a place
might be found in the wild garden—some of them are not very satisfactory
otherwise. The most showy hardy flowers of midsummer are the Foxglove
and the French willow (Epilobium angustifolium), and in wild or rough
places in shrubberies, etc., their effect is beautiful. In such half
shady places the Foxglove thrives best; and, as the French willow is
much too rampant a plant for the garden proper, the proper place for it
too is in the wild garden. It is a most showy plant, and masses of it
may be seen great distances off. The delicately and curiously spotted
varieties of the Foxglove should be sown as well as the ordinary wild
form.
=Hemp Agrimony=, _Eupatorium_.—Vigorous perennials, with white or purple
fringed flowers. Some of the American kinds might well be associated
with our own wild one—the white kinds, like aromaticum and ageratoides,
being very beautiful and distinct, and well worthy of a place in the
best parts of the wild garden.
=Sea Holly=, _Eryngium_.—Very distinct and noble–looking perennials,
with ornamental and usually spiny leaves, and flowers in heads,
sometimes surrounded by a bluish involucrum, and supported on stems of
a fine amethystine blue. They would be very attractive on margins of
shrubberies and near wood–walks, thrive in ordinary free soil, and will
take care of themselves among tall grasses and all but the most vigorous
herbs.
=Heath=, _Erica_, _Menziesia_.—Our own heathy places are pretty rich in
this type, but the brilliant Erica carnea is so distinct and attractive
that it well deserves naturalisation among them. The beautiful St.
Daboec’s heath (Menziesia polifolia) deserves a trial in the same way,
as, though found in the west of Ireland, it is to the majority of
English gardens an exotic plant. It will grow almost anywhere in peaty
soil.
=Barren–wort=, _Epimedium_.—Interesting and very distinct, but
comparatively little known perennials, with pretty and usually
delicately tinted flowers, and singular and ornamental foliage. They are
most suitable for peaty or free moist soils, in sheltered positions,
among low shrubs on rocky banks, etc., and near the eye. The variety
called E. pinnatum elegans, when in deep peat soil, forms tufts of
leaves nearly a yard high, and in spring is adorned with long racemes
of pleasing yellow flowers, so that it is well worthy of naturalisation
where the soil is suitable.
[Illustration: A Sea Holly; Eryngium.]
=Globe Thistle=, _Echinops_.—Large and distinct perennials of fine port,
from 3 feet to 6 feet high, with spiny leaves and numerous flowers in
spherical heads. These will thrive well in almost any position, and
hold their ground amid the coarsest vegetation. Being of a “type” quite
distinct from that of our indigenous vegetation, they are more than
usually suited for naturalisation. Echinops exaltatus and E. ruthenicus,
are among the best kinds, the last the best in colour.
=May–flower=, _Epigæa repens_.—A small creeping shrub, with pretty and
deliciously fragrant flowers, which appear soon after the melting
of the snow in N. America, and are there as welcome as the hawthorn
with us. In its native country it inhabits woods, mostly in the shade
of pines; and usually, wherever I saw it, it seemed to form a carpet
under three or four layers of vegetation, so to speak—that is to say,
it was beneath pines, medium–sized trees, tall bushes, and dwarf scrub
about 18 in. high, while the plant itself was not more than one or two
inches high. In our gardens this plant is very rarely seen, and even
in the great American plant nurseries, where it used to grow it has
disappeared. This is no wonder, when it is considered how very different
are the conditions which it enjoys in gardens compared with those which
I have above described. Without doubt it can be naturalised easily in
pine woods on a sandy soil.
=Dog’s–tooth Violet=, _Erythronium_.—A few days ago I saw a number of
irregular clumps of these here and there on a gently sloping bank of
turf, and, in front of clumps of evergreens, they looked quite charming,
and their dark spotted leaves showed up to much better effect on the
fresh green Grass than they do in borders. They were all of the red
variety, and required a few of the white form among them to make the
picture perfect.
So writes a correspondent in Ireland. This beautiful plant, some years
ago rarely seen in our gardens, adorns many a dreary slope in the
Southern Alps, and there should be no great difficulty in the way of
adding its charms to the wild garden in peaty or sandy spots, rather
bare or under deciduous vegetation.
=The Winter Aconite=, _Eranthis hyemalis_.—Classed among British plants
but really naturalised. Its golden buttons peeping through the moss and
grass in snowdrop time form one of the prettiest aspects of our garden
vegetation in spring. It will grow anywhere, and is one of the plants
that thrive under the spreading branches of summer–leafing trees, as
it blooms and perfects its leaves before the buds open on the beech.
On many lawns, spring gardens might be formed by planting some spring
flowering plants that finish their growth before the trees are in
leaf. Another advantage of such positions is, that the foliage of the
tree prevents any coarser plants taking possession of the ground, and
therefore these little spring plants have the ground to themselves,
and wander into natural little groups in the moss and grass, sometimes
covering the surface with a sheet of blossoms.
=Funkia.=—I have spoken of the conditions in the wild garden being more
suitable to many plants than those which obtain in what might seem
choice positions in borders, many of the plants attaining greater beauty
and remaining longer in bloom in the shade and shelter of shrubby places
than when fully exposed. As an instance of this, I saw Funkia cœrulea
the other day, showing a size and beauty in a shady drive at Beauport,
near Battle, which I never saw it attain under other circumstances.
The plant was over a yard high, and bore many stately stems hung with
blue flowers. The Funkias are exceedingly valuable plants for the wild
garden, not being liable to accidents which are fatal to Lilies and
other plants exposed to the attacks of slugs and rabbits.
[Illustration: Groups of Funkia Sieboldi.]
=Snakes–head=, _Fritillaria_.—The beautiful British snakes–head (F.
Meleagris) grows wild, as most people know, in meadows in various parts
of England, and we should like to see it as well established in the
grassy hollows of many a country seat. Various other Fritillarias not
so pretty as this, and of a peculiar livid dark hue, which is not like
to make them popular in gardens, such as F. tristis, would be worthy of
a position also; while the Crown Imperial would do on the fringes of
shrubberies.
=Giant Fennel=, _Ferula_.—Noble herbaceous plants belonging to the
parsley order, with much and exquisitely divided leaves; when well
developed forming magnificent tufts of verdure, reminding one of the
most finely–cut ferns, but far larger. The leaves appear very early in
spring, and disappear at the end of summer, and the best use that can be
made of the plants is to plant them here and there in places occupied
by spring and early summer flowers, among which they would produce a
very fine effect. With the Ferulas might be grouped another handsome
umbelliferous plant (Molopospermum cicutarium); and no doubt, when we
know the ornamental qualities of the order better, we shall find sundry
other charming plants of similar character.
=Ferns.=—No plants may be naturalised more successfully and with a
more charming effect than ferns. The royal ferns, of which the bold
foliage is reflected in the marsh waters of Northern America, will do
well in the many places where our own royal fern thrives. The graceful
maidenhair fern of the rich woods of the Eastern States and the Canadas
will thrive perfectly in any cool, shady, narrow lane, or dyke, or in a
shady wood. The small ferns that find a home on arid alpine cliffs may
be established on old walls and ruins. Cheilanthes odora, which grows
so freely on the sunny sides of walls in Southern France, would be well
worth trying in similar positions in the south of England, the spores
to be sown in mossy chinks of the walls. The climbing fern Lygodium
palmatum, which goes as far north as cold Massachusetts, would twine
its graceful stems up the undershrubs in an English wood too. In fact,
there is no fern of the numbers that inhabit the northern regions of
Europe, Asia, and America, that may not be tried with confidence in
various positions, preferring for the greater number such positions as
we know our native kinds to thrive best in. One could form a rich and
stately type of wood–haunting fern vegetation without employing one
of our native kinds at all, though, of course, generally the best way
will be to associate all so far as their habits and sizes will permit.
Treat them boldly; put strong kinds out in glades; imagine colonies of
Daffodils among the Oak and Beech Ferns, fringed by early Aconite, in
the spots overshadowed by the branches of deciduous trees. Then, again,
many of these Ferns, the more delicate of them, could be used as the
most graceful of carpets for bold beds or groups of flowering plants.
They would form part, and a very important part, of what we have written
of as evergreen herbaceous plants, and might well be associated with
them in true winter gardens.
[Illustration: A hardy Geranium.]
=Geranium=, _Geranium_, _Erodium_.—Handsome and rather dwarf
perennials, mostly with bluish, pinkish, or deep rose flowers, admirable
for naturalisation. Some of the better kinds of the hardy geraniums,
such as G. ibericum, are the very plants to take care of themselves on
wild banks and similar places. With them might be associated the fine
Erodium Manescavi; and where there are very bare places, on which they
would not be overrun by coarser plants, the smaller Erodiums, such as E.
romanum, might be tried with advantage.
=Goat’s Rue=, _Galega_.—Tall and vigorous but graceful perennials, with
very numerous and handsome flowers, pink, blue, or white. G. officinalis
and its white variety are among the very best of all tall border
flowers, and they are equally useful for planting in rough and wild
places, as is also the blue G. orientalis and G. biloba. They are all
free growers.
[Illustration: Snowdrops, wild, by streamlet in valley.]
=Gypsophila=, _Gypsophila and Tunica_.—Vigorous but neat perennials,
very hardy, and producing myriads of flowers, mostly small, and of a
pale pinkish hue. They are best suited for rocky or sandy ground, or
even old ruins, or any position where they will not be smothered by
coarser vegetation. Similar in character is the pretty little Tunica
saxifraga, which grows on the tops of old walls, etc., in Southern
Europe, and will thrive on bare places on the level ground with us.
=Gentian=, _Gentiana_.—Dwarf, and usually evergreen, alpine or
high–pasture plants, with large and numerous flowers, mostly handsome,
and frequently of the most vivid and beautiful blue. The large G.
acaulis (Gentianella) would grow as freely in moist places on any of
our own mountains as it does on its native hills; as, indeed, it would
in all moist loams, where it could not be choked by coarse and taller
subjects. The tall willow Gentian (G. asclepiadea) is a handsome plant,
which, in the mountain woods of Switzerland, may be seen blooming among
long grass in shade of trees, and this fact is suggestive as to its use
in this country.
=Snowdrops=, _Galanthus_.—The charms of our own Snowdrop when
naturalised in the grass are well known to all, but many of the new
kinds have claims also in that respect, such as Elwesi and G. plicatus.
It is surprising how comparatively few people take advantage of the
facility with which the Snowdrop grows in grass, so as to have it in
pretty groups and colonies by grass–walks or drives. The accompanying
illustration, which shows it on the margin of a streamlet in a
Somersetshire valley, shows that it is not particular as to situation.
It suggests the many places it may adorn other than the garden border.
=Cow Parsnips=, _Heracleum_.—Giant herbaceous plants, mostly from
Northern Asia, with huge divided leaves, and umbels (sometimes a foot
across) of white or whitish flowers. They are very suitable for rough
places on the banks of rivers or artificial water, islands, or in any
position in which a very vigorous and bold type of foliage may be
desired. In arranging them it should be borne in mind that their foliage
dies down and disappears in the end of summer. When established they
sow themselves, so that seedling plants in abundance may be picked up
around them. In all cases it is important that their seed should be
sown immediately after being gathered. But it is also important not to
allow them to monopolise the ground, as then they become objectionable.
To this end it may, in certain positions, be desirable to prevent them
seeding.
=Day Lily=, _Hemerocallis_.—Vigorous plants of the lily order, with long
leaves and graceful habit, and large and showy red–orange or yellow
flowers, sometimes scented as delicately as the primrose. There are two
types, one large and strong like flava and fulva, the other short and
somewhat fragile like graminea. The larger kinds are superb plants for
naturalisation, growing in any soil, and taking care of themselves among
coarse herbaceous plants or brambles.
=Christmas Rose=, _Helleborus_.—Stout but dwarf perennials, with showy
blooms appearing in winter and spring when flowers are rare, and with
handsome leathery and glossy leaves. They thrive in almost any position
or soil; but to get the full benefit of their early–blooming tendency it
is desirable to place them on sunny grassy banks in tufts or groups, and
not far from the eye, as they are usually of unobtrusive colours. They
form beautiful ornaments near wild wood walks, where the spring sun can
reach them. There are various kinds useful for naturalisation.
[Illustration: Sun Rose on limestone rocks.]
=Sun Rose=, _Helianthemum_.—Dwarf spreading shrubs, bearing myriads
of flowers in a variety of showy colours. The most tasteful and
satisfactory way of employing these in our gardens is to naturalise
them on banks or slopes in the half–wild parts of our pleasure–grounds,
mostly in sandy or warm soil. They are best suited for chalk districts
or rocky ones, where they thrive most luxuriantly, and make a very
brilliant display. There are many varieties, mostly differing in the hue
of the flowers.
=Perennial Sunflower=, _Helianthus_, _Rudbeckia_, _Silphium_.—Stout
and usually very tall perennials, with showy yellow flowers, the best
known of which is Helianthus multiflorus fl. pl., of which plenty
may be seen in Euston Square and other places in London. As a rule
these are all better fitted for rough places than for gardens, where,
like many other plants mentioned in these pages, they will tend to
form a vigorous herbaceous covert. H. rigidus is a brilliantly showy
plant, running very freely at the root, and an excellent subject for
naturalisation. H. giganteus, common in thickets and swamps in America,
and growing as high as 10 ft., is also desirable. The showy and larger
American Rudbeckias, such as laciniata, triloba, and also the small
but showy hirta, virtually belong to the same type. All these plants,
and many others of the tall yellow–flowered composites that one sees
conspicuous among herbaceous vegetation in America, would produce very
showy effects in autumn, and might perhaps more particularly interest
those who only visit their country seats at that time of year. The
Silphiums, especially the compass plant (S. laciniatum), and the cup
plant (S. perfoliatum), are allied in general aspect and character to
the Helianthuses, and are suitable for the same purposes.
=St. John’s Wort=, _Hypericum_.—The well–known St. John’s wort has
already in many places made good its claim as a wilderness plant, and
there is scarcely one of its numerous congeners which will not thrive in
wild and rough places, in any soil. They have all the same bright yellow
flowers as the St. John’s wort, and are nearly all taller. Some of the
newer kinds have the handsome large flowers of the St. John’s Wort. It
should be noted that the common St. John’s Wort so exhausts the soil
of moisture that it may be the cause of the death of trees, and should
therefore be looked after. Many places have too much of it, as they have
of the common Laurel.
=Rocket=, _Hesperis_.—The common single Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is
a showy useful plant in copse or shrubbery, and very easily raised from
seed.
=Evergreen Candytuft=, _Iberis_.—Compact little evergreens, forming
spreading bushes from 3 inches to 15 inches high, and sheeted with white
flowers in spring and early summer. There are no plants more suitable
for naturalisation in open or bare places, or, indeed, in any position
where the vegetation is not strong enough to overrun them. They,
however, attain greatest perfection when fully exposed to the sun, and
are admirable for every kind of rocky or stony ground and banks.
=Iris=, _Fleur de Lis_.—These plants, once so well known in our gardens,
rivalling (or rather exceeding) the lilies in beauty, are varied and
numerous enough to make a wild garden by themselves. The many beautiful
varieties of germanica will grow in almost any soil, and may be used
with good effect in woods, copses, by wood walks, or near the margin
of water. I. sibirica, rather a common kind, will grow in the water;
and, as this is not generally known, it is worthy the notice of any
one taking an interest in aquatics. It is probable that others of the
beardless kinds will also do well with their roots below the water, and
if so, they will one day much improve the rather poorly adorned margins
of artificial waters. On the other hand, I. pumila, and the varieties of
germanica, are often seen on the tops of old walls, on thatched roofs,
etc., on the Continent, flowering profusely. These facts tend to show
how many different positions may be adorned by the irises.
[Illustration]
=Common Lupine=, _Lupinus polyphyllus_.—Amidst the tallest and
handsomest herbaceous plants, grouped where they may be seen from grass
drives or wood walks, or in any position or soil. Excellent for islets
or river banks, in which, or in copses, it spreads freely. There are
several varieties, all worthy of culture.
=Honesty=, _Lunaria_.—This, which approaches the Stocks in the aspect
of its fine purplish violet flowers, is quite removed from them by the
appearance of its curious seed–vessels. It is one of the most valuable
of all plants for naturalisation, and may be said to form a type by
itself. It shows itself freely in dryish ground or on chalk banks, and
is one of the prettiest objects to be met with in early summer in wood
or wild.
=Lily=, _Lilium_.—There are many hardy lilies that may be naturalised.
The situations that these grow in, from the high meadows of Northern
Italy, dotted with the orange lily, to the woody gorges of the Sierras
in California, rich with tall and fragrant kinds, are such as make
their culture in copses, woods, rough grassy places, etc., a certainty.
In woods where there is a rich deposit of vegetable matter the great
American Lilium superbum, and no doubt some of the recently–discovered
Californian lilies, will do well. The European lilies, dotted in the
grass in the rough unmown glades, would not grow nearly so large as they
do in the rich borders of our cottage gardens; but the effect of the
single large blooms of the orange lily just level with the tops of the
grass, in early summer, where it grows wild, is at least as beautiful as
any aspect it has hitherto presented in gardens. Along the bed of small
rivulets, in the bottom of narrow gorges densely shaded by great Thujas,
Arbutus trees sixty and even eighty feet high, and handsome large–leaved
evergreen oaks on the Sierras, I saw in autumn numbers of lily stems
seven, eight, and nine feet high, so one could imagine what pictures
they formed in early summer; therefore deep dykes and narrow shady
lanes would afford congenial homes for various fine species. No mode of
cultivating lilies in gardens is equal to that of dotting them through
beds of rhododendrons and other American plants usually planted in peat;
the soil of these, usually and very unwisely left to the rhododendrons
alone, being peculiarly suited to the majority of the lily tribe. As for
the wild garden, Mr. G. F. Wilson sent me a stem of Lilium superbum last
year (1880) grown in a rich woody bottom, 11½ feet high!
=Snowflake=, _Leucojum_.—I have rarely seen anything more beautiful
than a colony of the summer Snowflake on the margin of a tuft of
rhododendrons in the gardens at Longleat. Some of the flowers were on
stems nearly 3 feet high, the partial shelter of the bushes and good
soil causing the plants to be unusually vigorous. Both the spring and
summer Snowflakes (L. vernum and L. æstivum) are valuable plants for
wild grassy places.
=Gentian Lithosperm=, _Lithospermum prostratum_.—A very distinct,
prostrate, hairy, half–shrubby plant, with a profusion of flowers of as
fine a blue as any gentian. Thrives vigorously in any deep sandy soil,
and in such well deserves naturalisation among low rock plants, etc.,
in sunny positions. Probably other species of the genus will be found
suitable for the same purpose.
=Lychnis.=—Handsome medium–sized perennials, with showy blooms, mostly
of a brilliant rose or scarlet colour. If the type was only represented
by the rose campion it would be a valuable one. This is a beautiful
object in dry soils, on which it does not perish in winter. They are
most fitted for association with dwarf or medium–sized perennials, in
open places and in rich soil.
=Honeysuckle=, _Lonicera_.—Such favourites as these must not be omitted.
Any kind of climbing Honeysuckle will find a happy home in the wild
garden, either rambling over stumps or hedgerows, or even planted by
themselves on banks.
=Pea=, _Lathyrus_.—Much having been lately written concerning the
wild garden and its suitable occupants, I venture to suggest Lathyrus
pyrenaicus as an addition to the list. Most cultivators of flowers are
aware of the rambling habits of the greater number of plants of the
Leguminous tribe, but in that particular L. pyrenaicus eclipses them
all. It produces an immense quantity of bright orange–coloured blossoms,
but the principal difficulty connected with its thorough development is
the selection of an appropriate place for it, for a well–established
plant of this species will ramble over, and by its density of growth
prevent every plant and shrub that comes within its reach from thriving;
indeed, it is a greater rambler than the Hop, the Bindweed, or the
Bryony, and is decidedly more handsome. Tying up or training such a
plant is out of the question; but there are many rough places in the
wild garden where it would be quite at home and form an attractive
feature. Every kind of Everlasting Pea is excellent for the wild garden,
either for scrambling over hedgerows, stumps, or growing among the
grass.—J. W.
[Illustration: Everlasting Pea, creeping up stem in shrubbery.]
=Monkey–flower=, _Mimulus_.—“Wandering one day in the neighbourhood
of “Gruigfoot,” a queer–shaped hill in Linlithgowshire, my eye was
attracted by a small burn whose banks were literally jewelled throughout
its visible course with an unfamiliar yellow flower. A nearer approach
showed me that it was the garden Mimulus (Monkey–flower), the seed of
which must have escaped from some neighbouring cottage garden, and
established itself here, in the coldest part of the British Isles.
I took the hint, and have naturalised it by the banks of a small
stream which runs at the foot of my garden, and I strongly recommend
your readers to do the same. It mingles charmingly with the blue
Forget–me–not, and is equally hardy.”—S. in _Garden_.
=Grape Hyacinth=, _Muscari_.—These free and hardy little bulbs are
easily naturalised and very handsome, with their little spikes of
flowers of many shades of blue.
=Forget–me–not=, _Myosotis_.—There is one exotic species, M.
dissitiflora, not inferior in beauty to any of our handsomest native
kinds, and which is well worthy of naturalisation everywhere, thriving
best on moist and sandy soil.
[Illustration: Type of fine–leaved umbellate plants seldom grown in
gardens.]
=Molopospermum cicutarium.=—There is a deep green and fern–like beauty
displayed profusely by some of the Umbelliferous family, but I have
rarely met with one so remarkably attractive as this species. It is a
very ornamental plant, with large, deeply–divided leaves of a lively
green colour, forming a dense irregular bush. The flowers, which are
insignificant and of a yellowish–white colour, are borne in small
roundish umbels. Many of the class, while very elegant, perish quickly,
get shabby indeed by the end of June, and are therefore out of place in
the flower garden; but this is firm in character, of a fine rich green,
stout yet spreading in habit, growing more than 3 feet high, and making
altogether a most pleasing bush. It is perfectly hardy, and easily
increased by seed or division, but rare as yet. It loves a deep moist
soil, but will thrive in any good garden soil. It is a fine subject for
isolation or grouping with other hardy and graceful–leaved Umbelliferous
plants.
=Stock=, _Matthiola_.—Showy flowers, mostly fragrant, peculiarly well
suited for old ruins, chalk pits, stony banks, etc. Some of the annual
kinds are pretty, and some of the varieties common in gardens assume a
bush–like character when grown in the positions above named. With the
Stocks may be associated the single rocket (Hesperis matronalis), which
thrives freely in shrubberies and copses.
=Bee Balm=, _Monarda_.—Large and very showy herbaceous plants, with
scarlet or purple flowers, conspicuously beautiful in American and
Canadian woods, and capital subjects for naturalisation in woods,
copses, etc., or anywhere among medium–sized vegetation, thriving best
in light or well–drained soils.
[Illustration: The Bee Balm, Monarda.
American wood plant.]
=Mallow=, _Malva_, _Althœa_, _Malope_, _Kitaibelia_, _Callirhoe_,
_Sida_.—Plants of several distinct genera may be included under this
type, and from each very showy and useful things may be obtained. They
are for the most part subjects which are somewhat too coarse, when
closely examined, to be planted in gardens generally; but among the
taller vegetation in wild shrubberies, copses, glades in woods, etc.,
they will furnish a magnificent effect. Some of the Malvas are very
showy, vigorous–growing plants, mostly with rosy flowers, and would
associate well with our own handsome M. moschata. The Althæas, close
allies of the common single hollyhock, are very vigorous and fine for
this purpose, as are also the Sidas and Kitaibelia vitifolia. The
Malopes are among the best of the annual subjects for naturalisation.
The Callirhoes are dwarf, handsome trailers, more brilliant than the
others, and the only ones of the type that should be planted on bare
banks or amidst dwarf vegetation, as all the others are of the most
rampant character.
=Mulgedium Plumieri.=—A herbaceous plant of fine and distinct port,
bearing purplish–blue blossoms, rather uncommon among its kind.
Till recently it was generally only seen in botanic gardens, but
it has, nevertheless, many merits as a wild garden plant, and for
growing in small groups or single specimens in quiet green corners of
pleasure–grounds or shrubberies. It does best in rather rich ground, and
in such a position will reward all who plant it, being a really hardy
and long–lived perennial. The foliage is sometimes over a yard long, and
the flower–stems attain a height of over six feet in good soil.
=Water Lily=, _Nymphœa and Nuphar_.—Two noble North American plants well
deserve naturalisation in our waters, associated with our own beautiful
white and yellow water lilies—the large Nuphar advena, which thrusts its
great leaves well out of the water in many parts of North America, and
the sweet–scented Nymphæa odorata, which floats in crowds on many of
the pine–bordered lakes and lakelets of New England, to a non–botanical
observer seeming very like our own water lily.
=Daffodil=, _Narcissus_.—Most people have seen the common daffodil in a
semi–wild state in our woods and copses. Apart from varieties, there are
more than a score distinct species of daffodil that could be naturalised
quite as easily as this in all parts of these islands. We need hardly
suggest how charming these would be, flowering in early spring and
summer in the rougher parts of pleasure grounds, or along wood–walks, or
any like position.
=Bitter Vetch=, _Orobus_.—Banks, grassy unmown margins of wood–walks,
rocks, fringes of shrubberies, and like places, with deep and sandy
loam, well drained, will grow the beautiful spring Bitter Vetch or any
of its varieties or allies perfectly.
=Evening Primrose=, _Enothera_.—Among the largest–flowered and
handsomest of all known types of herbaceous vegetation. The yellow
species, and varieties like and allied to the common Evening Primrose
(Œ. biennis), may be readily naturalised in any position, from a
rubbish–heap to a nice, open, sunny copse; while such prostrate ones as
Œ. marginata and Œ. macrocarpa will prove very fine among dwarf herbs on
banks or in open sunny places, in light or calcareous soil. These noble
and delicately–scented flowers are very easily grown and very beautiful
in any position. They, however, from their height and boldness, and the
freedom with which they grow in almost any soil, are peculiarly suited
for the wild garden, for shrubberies, copses, and the like, sowing
themselves freely.
=Cotton Thistle=, _Onopordon_.—Large thistles, with very handsome hoary
and silvery leaves, and purplish flowers on fiercely–armed stems. No
plants are more noble in port than these, and they thrive freely in
rough open places, rubbish–heaps, etc., and usually come up freely from
self–sown seeds.
=Star of Bethlehem=, _Ornithogalum_.—Various handsome hardy species of
this genus will thrive as well as the common Star of Bethlehem in any
sunny, grassy places.
=Creeping Forget–me–not=, _Omphalodes_.—The creeping Forget–me–not,
Omphalodes verna, is one of the prettiest plants to be naturalised in
woods, copses, or shrubberies, running about with the greatest freedom
in moist soil. It is more compact in habit and lives longer on good
soils than the Forget–me–nots, and should be naturalised round every
country place.
=Wood Sorrel=, _Oxalis_.—Dwarf plants with clover–like leaflets
and pretty rosy or yellow flowers. At least two of the species in
cultivation, viz. O. Bowieana and O. floribunda, might be naturalised on
sandy soils amidst vegetation not more than 5 inches or 6 inches high;
and the family is so numerous that probably other members of it will be
found equally free growing.
[Illustration: The Great Japan Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum).
(Showing the plant in flower.)]
=Polygonum cuspidatum.=—If, instead of the formal character of much of
our gardening, plants of bold types similar to the above were introduced
along the sides of woodland walks and shrubbery borders, how much more
enjoyable such places would be, as at almost every step there would be
something fresh to attract notice and gratify the eye, instead of which
such parts are generally bare, or given up to weeds and monotonous
rubbish.
=Pæony.=—Vigorous herbaceous plants, with large and splendid flowers
of various shades of crimson, rosy–crimson, and white, well calculated
for producing the finest effects in the wild garden. There are many
species and varieties, the flowers of some of the varieties being
very sweet–scented, double, and among the largest flowers we know of.
Fringes of shrubberies, open glades in woods or copses, and indeed
almost any wild place, may be adorned by them; and they may also be
advantageously grouped or isolated on the grass in the rougher parts
of the pleasure–ground. I never felt the beauty of the fine colour of
Pæonies till I saw a group of the double scarlet kind flowering in the
long Grass in Oxfordshire. The owner had placed an irregular group of
this plant in an unmown glade, quite away from the garden proper; and
yet, seen from the lawn and garden, the effect was most brilliant, as
may be imagined from the way in which such high colours tell in the
distance. To be able to produce such effects in the early summer for six
weeks or so is a great gain from a landscape point of view, apart from
the immediate beauty of the flowers when seen close at hand.
[Illustration:
Phlomis.—Type of handsome Labiates; admirably suited for the wild
garden. (See p. 154.)]
=Poppy=, _Papaver_, _in var._—The huge and flaming Papaver orientale, P.
bracteatum, and P. lateritium, are the most important of this type. They
will thrive and live long in almost any position, but the proper place
for them is in open spots among strong herbaceous plants. For the wild
garden or wilderness the Welsh Poppy (Meconopsis cambrica) is one of the
best plants. It is a cheerful plant at all seasons; perched on some old
dry wall its masses of foliage are very fresh, but when loaded with a
profusion of large yellow blossoms the plant is strikingly handsome; it
is a determined coloniser, ready to hold its own under the most adverse
circumstances. Its home is the wall, the rock, and the ruin. It even
surpasses the Wallflower in adapting itself to strange out–of–the–way
places; it will spring up in the gravel walk under one’s feet, and
seems quite happy among the boulders in the courtyard. It looks down on
one from crevices in brick walls, from chinks where one could scarcely
introduce a knife–blade, and after all it delights most in shady places.
No plant can be better adapted for naturalising on rough stony banks,
old quarries, gravel pits, dead walls, and similar places, and its
large handsome flowers will lend a charm to the most uninteresting
situations.
=Phlomis.=—Showy and stately herbaceous or half–shrubby plants, with
a profusion of handsome yellow or purplish flowers. Excellent for
naturalisation in warm open woods, copses, banks, etc., growing well in
ordinary soil.
[Illustration: The tall Ox–eye Daisy
(Pyrethrum serotinum).]
=Virginian Poke=, _Phytolacca decandra_.—A tall, robust perennial,
within conspicuous flowers and long dense spikes of purplish berries. It
will grow anywhere and in any soil; but is most imposing in rich deep
ones. The berries are relished by birds. It is fine for association with
the largest and stoutest herbaceous plants in rough and half–wild places.
=Physostegia.=—Tall, erect, and beautiful herbaceous plants, mostly
with delicate rosy flowers; natives of North America, thriving in any
soil. They are among the most pleasing things for planting in half–wild
places, where they will not spread rampantly, nor perish quickly.
=Lungwort=, _Pulmonaria_.—Dwarf plants of the borage family, with showy
blue or pinkish blossoms. Easily naturalised in woods or copses, in
which position the common blue one must be familiar to many in the woods
of England and France. The varieties are common in cottage gardens; they
grow in any soil.
=The tall Ox–eye daisy=, _Pyrethrum serotinum_.—This fine autumn
flowering plant, for years left in the almost exclusive possession of
the Botanic Gardens, is one of the handsomest things we have. It grows 5
or 6 feet high, and flowers late in the year, when flowers are scarce.
It is very picturesque in habit.
=Bramble=, _Rubus_.—Although we have nearly fifty kinds or reputed kinds
of bramble native in Britain, some of the exotic species, entirely
distinct from our own, are well worthy of naturalisation among low
shrubs and tall herbaceous plants. One of the most charming plants
we know for naturalising in shady woods is the large, white–flowered
Rubus Nutkanus, with which might be tastefully associated the deep
rose–coloured Rubus odoratus, and the early spring–flowering R.
spectabilis; while the very striking white–stemmed R. biflorus is a
grand object for warm slopes, sunny sides of chalk and gravel pits, etc.
=The Great Reed=; _Arundo Donax_.—This noble reed I do not like to omit
here, it is so beautiful in the southern counties of England, though in
cold soils and hard winters it may perish. Where the hardier Bamboos
find a place this will be welcome, though in our country it is only in
the warmer parts that it attains the dignity of port it possesses in the
south of Europe.
[Illustration: The Great Reed of Southern Europe
(Arundo Donax).]
=Rhubarb=, _Rheum_.—There are several species of rhubarb in cultivation
in addition to those commonly grown in gardens. They are much alike
in port and in the size of their leaves, R. palmatum and Emodi being
the most distinct. The rhubarbs are fine things for association with
large–leaved herbaceous plants in deep soils.
=Rose=, _Rosa_.—As in the case of brambles, we have many more kinds of
wild roses in England than is commonly supposed, but of course nobody
ever thinks of planting such things in gardens or shrubberies, where
such gems as privet usually make up the underwood. There are scores
of the roses of northern and temperate countries which would thrive
as well in our woodlands; but as these are not to be obtained in our
nurseries, it is useless to mention them. Any species of rose from a
northern country might be tried; whilst of roses commonly cultivated the
climbing races—such as the Boursault, Ayrshire, and Sempervirens—are the
most likely to be satisfactory. The Damask, Alba gallica, and hybrid
China, being hardy and free, would do, as would Felicité Perpetuelle,
Banksiæflora, the Garland roses, Austrian briar, berberifolia, and
microphylla rubra plena. Pruning, or any other attention after planting,
should of course not be thought of in connection with these. We have
seen masses of wild roses the effect of which was finer than anything
we have ever seen in a rosery. Rosa Brunoniana is a very fine free and
hardy species from India.
=Sea Lavender=, _Statice_.—Vigorous perennials, with a profusion of
bluish lavender–coloured bloom, thriving freely on all ordinary garden
soils. S. latifolia, and some of the stronger kinds, thrive in any
position among the medium–sized herbaceous plants.
=Spiræa=, _Spiræa_.—Handsome and usually vigorous herbaceous plants,
with white or rosy flowers, and generally ornamental foliage. Such
beautiful kinds as venusta and palmata it is most desirable to try
in wild places among the stouter and medium–sized perennials, where
sufficiently plentiful to be spared for this purpose. S. Aruncus is,
perhaps, the finest plant for the wild garden. Mr. Ellam planted
out some spare stock of S. japonica in a wood at Bodorgan, and with
the happiest effect. The plants grow and flower freely, the flowers
appearing a fortnight later in the moist cool wood than on plants of the
same kind on a north garden border; therefore they prolong the season
of this favourite flower. They are planted in an irregular group, as
such things should generally be, the effect being much better than that
obtained by the common dotting plan.
=Golden Rod=, _Solidago_.—Tall and vigorous perennials with yellow
flowers, showy when in bloom, and attractive when seen in America in
autumn, mingled with the blue and lilac Asters of that country, but
rarely ornamental as grown in gardens. These, like the Asters, used to
be grown to excess in the old borders; but the only position they are
fit for is in rough wild places, where in many cases it would be easy,
with their aid and that of the Asters, to form that mixture of Golden
Rod and Michaelmas daisies which is one of the prettiest effects of
American vegetation in autumn.
=Catch–fly=, _Silene_.—Dwarf or spreading plants, allied to the pinks,
and generally with white or rosy flowers. The choice mountain kinds,
such as S. Lagascæ, alpestris, Schafta, etc., are among the most
charming subjects that can be naturalised on rocky places or banks,
associated with very dwarf subjects. Such fine annual or biennial kinds
as S. Armeria or S. pendula are among the best for this purpose, and
might be easily established by scattering a few seeds in such places.
=Bloodwort=, _Sanguinaria canadensis_.—This little plant, which abounds
in the woods of Canada and North America, and which is very rarely
indeed seen well grown in our gardens, will thrive under the branches
of deciduous trees as well as the winter aconite, and in spring will
produce an effect as beautiful as singular.
=Squill=, _Scilla_.—Several kinds of Scilla, closely allied to the
common bluebell, would do quite as well in our woods as that well–known
native plant, notably S. campanulata, S. bifolia, S. sibirica, etc.
Bifolia and sibirica would be better on sunny banks or sheltered fringes
of shrubberies with a good aspect. The tall kinds would do in woods or
copses like the bluebell. With the dwarfer squills might be associated
the grape hyacinth and the amethyst hyacinth (Hyacinthus amethystinus).
=Comfrey=, _Symphytum_.—Herbaceous plants of the borage order, usually
vigorous, and with handsome blue flowers. One of the handsomest spring
flowers is Symphytum caucasicum, and it is also one of the easiest
things to naturalise, running about with the greatest freedom in shrubby
or any wild places. Coarse kinds, like S. asperrimum (unfit for garden
culture), thrive apace among the largest plants in wild places, and
there look quite beautiful when in flower.
=Scabious=, _Scabiosa_, _Cephalaria_, _Knautia_.—Sometimes handsome and
usually free–growing herbaceous plants, bluish, purplish, or yellowish
in tone. Among these may be seen, in botanic and other gardens, plants
suited for naturalisation, but scarcely worthy of a place in the garden.
The fine S. caucasica would thrive amidst coarse vegetation in good
soil, as would the Knautias.
=Stonecrop=, _Sedum_.—Minute and usually prostrate plants, mostly with
white, yellow, or rosy flowers, and occurring in multitudes on most
of the mountain chains of northern and temperate countries. There are
few of these interesting and sometimes very pretty plants that would
not grow on the top of an old wall, or thatched house, or stony bank,
or bare ground, as well as our common Stonecrop. All grow in any soil,
are as easily increased as any weed, and grow anywhere if they are not
too much overshadowed by trees and coarse vegetation. Such kinds as S.
spurium, S. pulchellum, kamtschaticum, and S. spectabile are among the
most ornamental. The last, being a stout herbaceous plant, would be
worth associating with such in wild places. There are nearly 100 species
of stonecrop in cultivation in Britain.
=Saxifrage=, _Saxifraga_.—A very extensive genus of plants, abundantly
distributed on mountains in northern countries. For our present purpose
they may be broadly thrown into five sections—the mossy section,
represented in Britain by S. hypnoides; the silvery section, represented
by S. Aizoon; the London Pride section, by the Kerry saxifrages; the
Megasea section, by the large cabbage–leaved S. crassifolia; and the
oppositifolia section, distinguished by its rosy–purple flowers. With
the exception of the Megasea and oppositifolia sections, which have
rosy flowers, most of the saxifrages have white blossoms spotted with
red; a few are yellow, and all are very hardy, and the easiest to grow
of all alpine flowers. The mossy, silvery, and purple saxifrages may be
naturalised with the greatest ease on bare rocky or mountainous grounds,
amidst dwarf vegetation; but, as the places in which this kind of ground
occurs are comparatively few, the Megaseas, and the Kerry saxifrages,
are probably the most generally useful, as they can fight their way
amongst coarse grass and other common herbs. There are probably nearly
150 species in cultivation in the botanic gardens of England, though in
many private gardens they are very little known.
=Houseleek=, _Sempervivum_.—Very dwarf and succulent plants, with their
fleshy leaves arranged in dense rosettes, and mostly with curious but
seldom conspicuous flowers, abounding in mountainous regions, and very
hardy. The greater number of these grow quite as freely as the common
Houseleek in any arid soil, and in any position where the vegetation is
not taller than themselves, such as on bare sandy banks, gravelly heaps,
etc. There are about fifty hardy kinds in cultivation in the gardens in
this country.
=Meadow Rue=, _Thalictrum_.—Tall and vigorous herbaceous plants, mostly
without any beauty of flower when closely examined, but often affording
a pleasing distant effect when seen in masses, and hence desirable for
this mode of gardening, though seldom suitable for a position in the
garden proper. They grow in any soil, and should be placed among rank
herbs and coarse vegetation, not in the foreground, which might be
occupied by more brilliant subjects. There are many kinds not differing
much in aspect; some of the smaller ones in the way of our own British
T. minus, deserve a place among dwarf vegetation for the elegance of
their leaves. With these last may be associated the Italian Isopyrum
thalictroides, which is handsome in flower and elegant in leaf.
=Spiderwort=, _Tradescantia virginica_.—A handsome and distinct North
American perennial, with purple, blue, or white flowers, attaining a
height of 1½ feet or 2 feet. An admirable subject for naturalisation
on almost any soil, thriving perfectly on the wettest and coldest, and
therefore suited for many places where other perennials would make
little progress.
=Wood Lily=, _Trillium_.—Very singular and beautiful American wood
plants, of which T. grandiflorum is worthy of special attention,
thriving in shady places in moist rich soils, in woods and copses, where
some vegetable soil has gathered.
[Illustration: Telekia. Type of the Larger Composites excluded from
gardens proper.]
=Globe Flower=, _Trollius_.—Beautiful plants of vigorous habit, with
large handsome flowers, of a fine golden colour, like those of the
buttercups, but turning inwards so as to form an almost round blossom,
quite distinct in aspect. Few subjects are more worthy of a position
in grassy glades where the soil is rich, although they will grow in
ordinary soil. There are several distinct kinds suitable, though there
is little difference in their appearance.
=Tulip=, _Tulipa_.—Various kinds of Tulips might be naturalised with
advantage by wood walks and in the rougher parts of the pleasure
grounds. In such positions they would not attain such a size as the
richly–fed garden flowers, but that would make them none the less
attractive to those who care about the wild garden.
=Telekia=, _Telekia cordifolia_.—A vigorous herbaceous plant, suited for
association with Echinops, Rheum, and subjects grown for their foliage
and character. It is very free in growth, and has large foliage and
sunflower–like flowers.
=Flame–Flower=, _Tritoma_.—Flame Flowers are occasionally planted
in excess, so as to neutralise the good effect they might otherwise
produce, and they, like many other flowers, have suffered from
being, like soldiers, put in straight lines and in other geometrical
formations. It is only where a fine plant or group of plants is seen
in some green glade that the true beauty of the Flame Flower is
seen, especially at some little distance off. Although not exactly
belonging to the very free–growing and extremely hardy genera of plants
recommended for the wild garden, they are so free in many soils that
they might with confidence be recommended for that purpose, and our
sketch shows a picturesque group of them planted in this way. It would
be delightful if people having country seats would study more the
effects to be realised from certain types of plants. For instance, a
well and tastefully placed group of these Flame Flowers would for a long
time in autumn be a most effective feature in the landscape of a country
seat; and there are various other plants to which the same remark
applies, though perhaps to none better than these in the later months of
the year.
[Illustration: Group of Tritoma, in grass.]
=Showy Indian Cress=, _Tropæolum speciosum_.—Against terrace walls,
among shrubs, and on slopes, on banks, or bushy rockwork near the hardy
fernery; in deep, rich, and light soil. This is a brilliant plant, well
worth any trouble to establish. Many fail to establish it in the garden
proper, but moist, shady, and bushy places, will suit it better.
[Illustration: A tall Mullein.]
=Mullein=, _Verbascum_.—Verbascum vernale is a noble plant, which has
been slowly spreading in our collections of hardy plants for some years
past, and it is a plant of peculiar merit. I first saw it in the Garden
of Plants, and brought home some roots which gave rise to the stock now
in our gardens. Its peculiarities, or rather its merits, are that it is
a true perennial species—at least on the warm soils, and in this respect
quite unlike other Mulleins which are sometimes seen in our gardens, and
oftener in our hedgerows. It also has the advantage of great height,
growing, as in the specimen shown in our illustration, to a height
of about 10 feet, or even more. Then there are the large and green
leaves, which come up rather early and are extremely effective. Finally,
the colour is good and the quantity of yellow flowers with purplish
filaments that are borne on one of these great branching panicles is
something enormous. The use of such a plant cannot be difficult to
define, it being so good in form and so distinct in habit. For the back
part of a mixed border, for grouping with other plants of remarkable
size or form of foliage, or for placing here and there in open spaces
among shrubs, it is well suited. A bold group of it, arranged on the
Grass by itself, in deep, light, and well–dressed soil, would be
effective in a picturesque garden. It is also known in gardens by the
name of Verbascum Chaixii, which name, we believe, was given to it at
Kew.
=Periwinkle=, _Vinca_.—Trailing plants, with glossy foliage and handsome
blue flowers, well known in gardens. They are admirable plants for
naturalisation, growing in any position, shady or sunny. There are
variously–coloured and very pretty varieties of V. minor, while the
variegated forms of both species are handsome, and may be naturalised
like the green kinds.
=Speedwell=, _Veronica_.—Herbaceous plants, usually rather tall (1½ feet
to 3 feet), in some cases dwarf and neat alpine plants with blue flowers
in various shades; are among the hardiest of plants, and will grow in
any soil. All the taller kinds are admirably suited for naturalisation
among long grass and other herbaceous vegetation. A great number that
are in cultivation in borders are only fit for this purpose. The dwarf
kinds are equally suitable for bare places, or among other dwarf plants.
=Violet=, _Viola_.—A numerous race of dwarf and interesting plants,
thriving freely in our climate, in half–shady places, rocky spots or
banks, fringes of shrubberies, or almost any position. The very handsome
bird’s–foot violet of N. America (V. pedata) would thrive in sandy
level places or on rocky banks. In this family occur a good many kinds,
such as V. canadensis, which, not being fragrant, or not possessing
sufficient charms to ensure their general cultivation in gardens, are
peculiarly suited for this sort of gardening. Our own sweet violet
should be abundantly naturalised wherever it does not occur in a wild
state.
=Adam’s–Needle=, _Yucca_.—Although these scarcely come into this
selection, yet their fine habit and their hardiness give them a charm
for us even in a wild garden. A legitimate aim, on the part of any
one carrying out this to any extent, would be to try and develop a
sub–tropical aspect of vegetation in certain places. In such a case
the Yuccas could not be dispensed with. The free–flowering kinds (Y.
flaccida and Y. filamentosa) should not be omitted, as they are more
likely to spread and increase than the larger ones; all such plants are
better held together in groups.