CHAPTER XV.

SELECTIONS OF HARDY EXOTIC PLANTS FOR VARIOUS POSITIONS IN THE WILD GARDEN.

As it is desirable to know how to procure as well as how to select the best kinds, a few words on the first subject may not be amiss here.

A very important point is the getting of a stock of plants to begin with. In country or other places where many good old border flowers remain in the cottage gardens, many species may be collected therein. A series of nursery beds should be formed in some by–place in which such subjects could be increased to any desired degree. Free–growing spring–flowers like Aubrietia, Alyssum, and Iberis, may be multiplied to any extent by division or cuttings. Numbers of kinds may be raised from seed sown rather thinly in drills, in nursery beds in the open air. The catalogues should be searched every Spring for suitable subjects. The best time for sowing is the Spring, but any time during the Summer will do. Many perennials and bulbs must be bought in nurseries and increased as well as may be in nursery beds. As to soil, etc., the best way is to avoid the trouble of preparing it except for specially interesting plants. The great point is to adapt the plant to the soil—in peaty places to place plants that thrive in peat, in clay soils those that thrive in clays, and so on. Among coarse vegetation the best way is to dig the ground deeply before planting, so as to allow the planted subjects to become well established. The ground is so dried, and exhausted and impoverished in some woodland places with coarse weeds, that so much preparation is necessary.

_A selection of Plants for Naturalisation in places devoid of any but dwarf vegetation, on bare banks, etc., and in poorish soil._

Dielytra eximia. ” formosa. Cheiranthus alpinus. Arabis albida. Aubrietia, in var. Alyssum saxatile. Odontarrhena carsinum. Iberis corifolia. ” sempervirens. ” correæfolia. Thlaspi latifolium. Æthionema coridifolium. Helianthemum, in var. Viola cornuta. ” cucullata. Gypsophila repens. Tunica Saxifraga. Saponaria ocymoides. Silene alpestris. ” Schafta. Cerastium Biebersteinii. ” grandiflorum. ” tomentosum. Linum alpinum. ” arboreum. ” flavum. Geranium Wallichianum. ” striatum. ” cinereum, and others. Oxalis floribunda. Genista sagittalis. Anthyllis montana. Astragalus monspessulanus. Coronilla varia. Hedysarum obscurum. Vicia argentea. Orobus vernus. ” lathyroides. Waldsteinia trifolia. Potentilla calabra. Œnothera speciosa. ” missouriensis. ” taraxacifolia. Sedum dentatum. ” kamtschaticum. ” Sieboldii. ” spectabile. ” spurium. Sempervivum calcareum. ” hirtum. ” montanum. ” soboliferum. ” sedoides. Saxifraga Aizoon. ” cordifolia. ” crassifolia. ” crustata. ” longifolia. ” Cotyledon. ” rosularis. Astrantia major. Dondia Epipactis. Athamanta Matthioli. Cornus canadensis. Scabiosa caucasica. Hieracium aurantiacum. Doronicum caucasicum. Aster alpinus. Tussilago fragrans. Achillea aurea. Symphyandra pendula. Campanula carpatica. ” fragilis. ” garganica. ” cæspitosa. Gaultheria procumbens. Vinca herbacea. Gentiana acaulis. Phlox stolonifera. ” subulata. Lithospermum prostratum. Pulmonaria grandiflora. ” mollis. Myosotis dissitiflora. Physalis Alkekengi. Pentstemon procerus. Veronica austriaca. ” candida. ” taurica. Teucrium Chamædrys. Ajuga genevensis. Scutellaria alpina. Prunella grandiflora. Stachys lanata. Zietenia lavandulæfolia. Dodecatheon Meadia. Acantholimon glumaceum. Armeria cephalotes. Plumbago Larpentæ. Polygonum Brunonis. ” vaccinifolium. Euphorbia Cyparissias. Iris cristata. “ graminea. “ pumila. “ reticulata. “ nudicaulis.

_Plants of vigorous habit for the Wild Garden._

Trollius altaicus. ” napellifolius, or any other kind. Thalictrum aquilegifolium. Delphinium, in var. Aconitum, in var. Pæonia, in great var. Papaver orientale. ” bracteatum. Macleya cordata. Datisca cannabina. Crambe cordifolia. Althæa ficifolia. ” nudiflora. ” taurinensis. Lavate a Olbia. Galega officinalis. ” biloba. Lathyrus latifolius. ” grandiflorus, and any others. Lupinus polyphyllus. Thermopsis barbata. Spiræa Aruncus. Astilbe rivularis. ” rubra. Molopospermum cicutarium. Ferula communis. ” glauca. ” tingitana. ” sulcata. Statice latifolia. Peucedanum involucratum. ” longifolium. Heracleum flavescens. ” giganteum. Dipsacus laciniatus. Mulgedium Plumieri. Alfredia cernua. Onopordon tauricum. Centaurea babylonica. Echinops bannaticus. ” exaltatus. ” ruthenicus. ” purpureus. Aster elegans. ” Novi Belgii. ” Novæ Angliæ. ” pyrenæus. ” ericoides, and any other good kinds. Eupatorium purpureum. Telekia cordifolia. Helianthus angustifolius. ” multiflorus. ” orgyalis. Harpalium rigidum. Silphium perfoliatum. Campanula, all the tall and strong growing kinds. Asclepias Cornuti. ” Douglasii. Verbascum Chaixii. Physostegia imbricata. ” speciosa. Acanthus latifolius. ” spinosus. ” spinosissimus. Phytolacca decandra. Polygonum Sieboldii. Rheum Emodi. ” palmatum. Achillea Eupatorium. Bambusa falcata. Veratrum album. Yucca filamentosa. ” flaccida. ” recurva. ” gloriosa. Peucedanum ruthenicum. Astragalus ponticus.

_Hardy Plants with fine foliage or graceful habit suitable for Naturalisation._

Acanthus, several species. Asclepias syriaca. Statice latifolia. Polygonum cuspidatum. ” sachalinense. Rheum Emodi, and other kinds. Euphorbia Cyparissias. Datisca cannabina. Veratrum album. Crambe cordifolia. Althæa taurinensis. Elymus arenarius. Bambusa, several species. Arundinaria falcata. Yucca, several species. Verbascum Chaixii. Spiræa Aruncus. Astilbe rivularis. ” rubra. Eryngium, several species. Ferula, several species. Phytolacca decandra. Centaurea babylonica. Actæa, in var. Cimicifuga racemosa. Peucedanum ruthenicum. Heracleum, several species. Aralia japonica. ” edulis. Macleaya cordata. Panicum bulbosum. ” virgatum. Dipsacus laciniatus. Alfredia cernua. Carlina acanthifolia. Telekia cordifolia. Echinops exaltatus. ” ruthenicus. Helianthus orgyalis. ” multiflorus, and vars. Silybum eburneum. ” Marianum. Onopordon Acanthium. ” arabicum.

_Plants for Hedge–banks and like Places._

Clematis in great var. Thalictrum aquilegifolium. Anemone japonica and vars. Delphinium, in var. Aconitum, in var. Macleaya cordata. Kitaibelia vitifolia. Tropæolum speciosum. Baptisia australis. Coronilla varia. Galega officinalis, both white and pink forms. Galega biloba. Astragalus ponticus. Lathyrus grandiflorus. ” rotundifolius. ” latifolius. ” latifolius albus. Lupinus polyphyllus. Rubus biflorus. Œnothera Lamarckiana. Astilbe rivularis. Ferula, in var. Campanula, in great var. Calystegia dahurica. ” pubescens. Verbascum Chaixii. Pentstemon barbatus. Veronica, tall kinds in var. Phlomis Russelliana. ” herba–venti. Physostegia speciosa. ” virginica. Acanthus spinosus. Lilies, common kinds. Narcissus, common kinds. Scillas, in var. Statice latifolia. Phytolacca decandra. Aristolochia Sipho. Asparagus Broussoneti. ” officinalis. Vitis, in var. Honeysuckles, in var. Leucojum, in var. Fritillary, in var.

_Trailers, Climbers, etc._

The selection of plants to cover bowers, trellises, railings, old trees, stumps, rootwork, etc., suitably, is important, particularly as the plants fitted for these purposes are equally useful for rough rockwork, precipitous banks, flanks of rustic bridges, river–banks, ruins, covering cottages or outhouses, and many other uses in garden, pleasure–ground, or wilderness.

Vitis æstivalis. ” amooriensis. ” cordifolia. ” heterophylla variegata ” Isabella. ” Labrusca. ” laciniosa. ” riparia. ” Sieboldii. ” vinifera apiifolia. ” vulpina. Aristolochia Sipho. ” tomentosa. Clematis, in great variety, both species and hybrids. Calystegia dahurica. ” pubescens plena. Wistaria sinensis. Asparagus Broussoneti. Periploca græca. Hablitzia tamnoides. Boussingaultia baselloides. Menispermum canadense. ” virginicum. Cissus orientalis. ” pubescens. Ampelopsis bipinnata. ” cordata. ” hederacea. ” tricuspidata. Jasminum nudiflorum. ” officinale. ” revolutum. Passiflora cœrulea. Lonicera Caprifolium. ” confusa. ” flava. ” japonica. ” Periclymenum.

_Spring and early Summer Flowers for Naturalisation._

Anemone alpina. ” ” sulphurea. ” apennina. ” blanda. ” Coronaria. ” fulgens. ” Hepatica. ” ranunculoides. ” trifolia. Ranunculus aconitifolius. ” amplexicaulis. ” montanus. Helleborus niger. ” olympicus, and many other kinds. Eranthis hyemalis. Aquilegia vulgaris. Pæonia, many kinds. Epimedium pinnatum. Papaver croceum. ” bracteatum. ” orientale. Dielytra eximia. ” spectabilis. Corydalis capnoides. ” lutea. Cheiranthus alpinus. ” Cheiri. Arabis. Aubrietia, various. Alyssum saxatile. Iberis corifolia. ” sempervirens. ” correæfolia. Viola cornuta. Saponaria ocymoides. Silene alpestris. Arenaria montana. Ononis fruticosa. Vicia argentea. Orobus flaccidus. ” cyaneus. ” lathyroides. ” variegatus. ” vernus. Centranthus ruber. Centaurea montana. Doronicum caucasicum. Thlaspi latifolium. Hesperis matronalis. Erica carnea. Vinca major. Gentiana acaulis. Phlox reptans. Pulmonaria grandiflora. ” mollis. Symphytum bohemicum. ” caucasicum. Myosotis dissitiflora. Omphalodes verna. Verbascum Chaixii. Dodecatheon Jeffreyi. ” Meadia. Cyclamen europæum. Cyclamen hederæfolium. Primula, in var. Iris amœna. ” cristata. ” De Bergii. ” flavescens. ” florentina. ” germanica. ” graminea. ” ochroleuca. ” pallida. ” sambucina. ” sub–biflora. ” variegata, and many other kinds. Crocus aureus. ” speciosus. ” versicolor. ” susianus, and many others. Narcissus angustifolius. ” Bulbocodium. ” bicolor. ” incomparabilis. ” major. ” montanus. ” odorus. ” poeticus & vars. Galanthus, in var. Leucojum pulchellum. ” vernum. Paradisia Liliastrum. Ornithogalum umbellatum. Scilla amœna. ” bifolia. ” campanulata. ” patula. ” italica. ” sibirica. Hyacinthus amethystinus. Muscari botryoides. ” moschatum, and various others. Allium neapolitanum. ” ciliatum. Tulipa Gesneriana. ” suaveolens. ” scabriscapa and many others. Fritillaria, in var. Bulbocodium vernum.

_Plants for Naturalisation beneath specimen Trees on Lawns, etc._

Where, as is frequently the case, the branches of trees, both evergreen and deciduous, sweep the turf—and this, as a rule, they should be allowed to do where they are planted in ornamental grounds—a great number of pretty spring flowers may be naturalised beneath the branches, where they thrive without attention. It is chiefly in the case of deciduous trees that this could be done; but even in the case of conifers and evergreens some graceful objects might be dotted beneath the outermost points of their lower branches. However, it is the specimen deciduous tree that offers us the best opportunities in this way. We know that a great number of our spring flowers and hardy bulbs mature their foliage and go to rest early in the year. They require light and sun in spring, which they obtain abundantly under the deciduous tree; they have time to flower and develop their leaves under it before the foliage of the tree appears; then, as the summer heats approach, they are gradually overshadowed by a cool canopy, and go to rest undisturbed; but, the leaves of the trees once fallen, they soon begin to appear again and cover the ground with beauty.

An example or two will perhaps explain the matter more fully. Take the case of, say, a spreading old specimen of any summer–leafing tree. Scatter a few tufts of the winter Aconite beneath it, and leave them alone. In a very few years they will have covered the ground; every year afterwards they will spread a golden carpet beneath the tree; and when it fades there will be no eyesore from decaying leaves as there would be on a border—no necessity for replacing the plants with others; the tree puts forth its leaves, covering the ground till Autumn, and in early spring we again see our little friend in all the vigour of his glossy leaves and golden buttons. In this way this pretty spring flower may be seen to much greater advantage, in a much more pleasing position than in the ordinary way of putting it in patches and rings in beds or borders, and with a tithe of the trouble. There are many other subjects of which the same is true. We have only to imagine this done in a variety of cases to see to what a beautiful and novel result it would lead. Given the bright blue Apennine Anemone under one tree, the spring Snowflake under another, the delicate blue and pencilled Crocuses, and so on, we should have a spring garden of the most beautiful kind. The same plan could be carried out under the branches of a grove as well as of specimen trees. Very attractive mixed plantations might be made by dotting tall subjects like the large Jonquil (Narcissus odorus) among dwarf spreading plants like the Anemone, and also by mixing dwarf plants of various colours: diversely coloured varieties of the same species of Anemone, for example.

Omitting the various pretty British plants that would thrive in the positions indicated—these are not likely to be unknown to the reader interested in such matters—and confining the selection to dwarf, hardy, exotic flowers alone, the following are selected as among the most suitable for such arrangements as that just described, with some little attention as to the season of flowering and the kind of soil required by some rather uncommon species. A late–flowering kind, for example, should be planted under late–leafing trees, or towards the points of their branches, so that they might not be obscured by the leaves of the tree before perfecting their flowers.

Anemone angulosa. ” apennina. ” blanda. ” Coronaria. ” fulgens. ” Hepatica. ” stellata. ” sylvestris. ” trifolia. Arum italicum. Bulbocodium vernum. Corydalis solida. ” tuberosa. Crocus Imperati. ” biflorus. ” reticulatus. ” versicolor, and many others. Cyclamen hederæfolium. Eranthis hyemalis. Erythronium Dens–canis. Ficaria grandiflora. Snowdrop, all the kinds. Snowflake, all the kinds. Iris reticulata. Grape Hyacinths. Grape Hyacinths Muscari, any of the numerous kinds. Narcissus, in var. Puschkinia scilloides. Sanguinaria canadensis. Scilla bifolia. ” sibirica. ” campanulata. Sisyrinchium grandiflorum. Trillium grandiflorum (peat or leaf soil). Tulipa, in var.

_Plants for very moist rich Soils._

Althæa, in var. Astilbe rivularis. Aralia edulis. ” nudicaulis. Artemisia, in var. Asclepias Cornuti. Asphodelus ramosus. Aster, in var. Baptisia exaltata. Butomus umbellatus. Calla palustris. Caltha palustris fl. pl. Campanula glomerata, and large kinds. Convallaria multiflora. Colchicum, in var. Crinum capense. Cypripedium spectabile. Datisca cannabina. Echinops, in var. Elymus, in var. Epilobium, in var. Eupatorium, in var. Ficaria grandiflora. Galax aphylla. Galega officinalis. Gentiana asclepiadea. Helianthus multiflorus, single and double forms. Helianthus orgyalis. ” rigidus. Helonias bullata. Hemerocallis, in var. Heracleum, in var. Iris ochreleuca. Liatris, in var. Lythrum (roseum superbum). Mimulas, in var. Molopospermum cicutarium. Mulgedium Plumieri. Narcissus, stronger kinds. Œnothera, large kinds. Omphalodes verna. Onopordon, in var. Phlomis herba–venti. ” Russelliana. Physostegia speciosa. Phytolacca decandra. Rudbeckia hirta. Ranunculus amplexicaulis. ” parnassifolius. Sanguinaria canadensis. Solidago, in var. Spiræa Aruncus. Statice latifolia. Silphium, in var. Swertia perennis. Telekia speciosa. Thalictrum, in var. Trollius, in var. Vaccinium, in var. Veratrum, in var.

_Plants suited for Peat Soil._

Alstrœmeria, in var. Calluna, in var. Chimaphila maculata. Chrysobactron Hookeri. Coptis trifoliata. Cornus canadensis. Cypripedium spectabile. Dentaria laciniata. Daphne Cneorum. Dryas octopetala. Epigæa repens. Epimedium, in var. Funkia Sieboldii. ” grandiflora. Galax aphylla. Gaultheria procumbens. Gentians, in var. Helonias bullata. Iris nudicaulis, pumila, and vars. Jeffersonia diphylla. Linnæa borealis. Podophyllum peltatum. Podophyllum Eniodi. Polygala Chamæbuxus. Pyrola, in var. Hardy Heaths, in var. Ramondia pyrenaica. Sisyrinchium grandiflorum. Spigelia marilandica. Trientalis europæa. Trillium grandiflorum. Lilies, in var.

_Plants suited for Calcareous or Chalky Soil._

Adenophora, in var. Æthionema, in var. Anemone, in var. Alyssum, in var. Anthyllis montana. Antirrhinum, in var. Cistus, in var. Cheiranthus, in var. Campanula, in var. Carduus eriophorus. Cerastium, in var. Coronilla, in var. Dorycnium sericeum. Dianthus, in var. Echium, in var. Erodium, in var. Genista, in var. Geum, in var. Geranium, in var. Gypsophila, in var. Hedysarum, in var. Helianthemum, in var. Lunaria biennis. Lupinus polyphyllus. Onobrychis, in var. Ononis, in var. Ophrys, in var. Othonna cheirifolia. Phlomis, in var. Prunella grandiflora. Santolina, in var. Saponaria ocymoides. Saxifraga (the encrusted and the large–leaved kinds). Scabiosa, in var. Sempervivum, in var. Sedum, in var. Symphytum, in var. Thermopsis fabacea. Thymus, in var. Trachelium cœruleum. Trifolium alpinum. Triteleia uniflora. Tunica Saxifraga. Vesicaria utriculata. Vicia, in var. Vittadenia triloba. Waldsteinia trifoliata. ” geoides.

_Plants suited for Dry and Gravelly Soil._

Achillæa, in var. Æthionema cordifolium. Agrostemma coronaria. Alyssum saxatile. Antennaria dioica. Anthyllis montana. Antirrhinum rupestre. Arabis albida. Aubrietia, in var. Armeria cephalotes. Artemisia, in var. Cerastium, in var. Carlina acanthifolia. Cheiranthus, in var. Chrysopsis mariana. Cistus, in var. Corydalis, in var. Dianthus, in var. Dracocephalum, in var. Dielytra eximia. Dorycnium sericeum. Echium, in var. Erodium, in var. Eryngium, in var. Euphorbia Myrsinites. Fumaria, in var. Geranium, in var. Gypsophila, in var. Helianthemum, in var. Helichrysum arenarium. Hypericum, in var. Iberis, in var. Jasione perennis. Lavandula spica. Linaria, in var. Linum, in var. Lupinus polyphyllus. Modiola geranioides. Narcissus, in var. Nepeta Mussinii. Onobrychis, in var. Ononis, in var. Ornithogalum, in var. Plumbago Larpentæ. Polygonum vaccinifolium. Santolina, in var. Scabiosa, in var. Sedum, in great var. Sempervivum, in great var. Saponaria ocymoides. Stachys lanata. Teucrium Chamædrys. Thlaspi latifolium. Thymus, in var. Trachelium, in var. Tussilago fragrans. ” Farfara variegata. Verbascum, in var. Vesicaria utriculata.

_Selection of Plants for Growing on Old Walls, Ruins, or Rocky Slopes._

Achillea tomentosa. Alyssum montanum saxatile (walls and ruins). Antirrhinum rupestre. ” majus. ” Orontium. Arenaria balearica. ” cæspitosa. ” ciliata. ” graminifolia. ” montana. ” verna. Arabis albida. ” petræa. Asperula cynanchica. Campanula Barrelieri. ” rotundifolia. ” fragilis. ” fragilis lanuginosa. ” garganica. ” pumila. ” pumila alba. Centranthus ruber. ” ” albus. Centranthus ruber coccineus. Cheiranthus alpinus. ” Cheiri. ” ” pleno. Coronilla minima. Corydalis lutea. Cotyledon Umbilicus. Dianthus cæsius. ” deltoides. ” monspessulanus. ” petræus. Draba aizoides. Erinus alpinus. Erodium romanum. ” Reichardii. Gypsophila muralis. ” prostrata. Helianthemums. Hutchinsia petræa. Iberis. Ionopsidium acaule. Koniga maritima. Linum alpinum. Lychnis alpina. Lychnis Flos Jovis. ” lapponica. Malva campanulata. Santolina lanata. Saponaria ocymoides. Saxifraga bryoides. ” caryophyllata. ” cæsia. ” crustata. ” cuscutæformis. ” diapensioides. ” Hostii. ” intacta. ” ligulata. ” longifolia. ” pectinata. ” pulchella. ” retusa. ” Rhei. ” rosularis. ” Rocheliana. ” sarmentosa. Sedum acre. ” aureum. ” Aizoon. Sedum album. ” anglicum. ” arenarium. ” brevifolium. ” californicum. ” cœruleum. ” dasyphyllum. ” elegans. ” Ewersii. ” farinosum. ” globiferum. ” Heuffelli. ” hirtum. Sedum hispanicum. ” kamschaticum. ” montanum. ” multiceps. ” pilferum. ” pulchrum. ” sempervivoides. Sempervivum arachnoideum. ” soboliferum. ” spurium. ” sexangulare. ” sexfidum. Sempervivum tectorum. Silene alpestris. ” rupestris. ” Schafta. Symphiandra pendula. Thlaspi alpestre. Thymus citriodorus. Trichomanes, and vars. Tunica Saxifraga. Umbilicus chrysanthus. Veronica fruticulosa. ” saxatilis. Vesicaria utriculata.

_A Selection of Annual and Biennial Plants for Naturalisation._

Papaver somniferum. Eschscholtzia californica. Platystemon californicum. Matthiola annua. ” bicornis. Arabis arenosa. Alyssum maritimum. Iberis coronaria. ” umbellata. Malcolmia maritima. Erysimum Peroffskianum. Gypsophila elegans. Saponaria calabrica. Silene Armeria. Viscaria oculata. Malope trifida. Limnanthes Douglasii. Ononis viscosa. Œnothera odorata. Godetia Lindleyana. ” rubicunda. Godetia tenella. Clarkia elegans. ” pulchella. Eucharidium concinnum grandiflorum. Amberboa moschata. ” odorata. Helianthus annuus. Dimorphotheca pluvialis. Gilia capitata. ” tricolor. Collomia coccinea. Leptosiphon androsaceus. ” densiflorus. Nicandra physaloides. Collinsia bicolor. ” verna. Dracocephalum nutans. ” moldavicum. Blitum capitatum. Polygonum orientale. Panicum capillare. Bromus brizæformis. Briza maxima. ” gracilis. Agrostis nebulosa. Matthiola, in var. Lunaria biennis. Hesperis matronalis. Erysimum asperum. Silene pendula. Hedysarum coronarium. Œnothera Jamesi. Œnothera Lamarckiana. Dipsacus laciniatus. Silybum eburneum. Onopordum, in var. Campanula Medium. ” ” rosea. Verbascum phlomoides.

_Grasses for Naturalisation._

Agrostis nebulosa. Briza maxima. Brizopyrum siculum. Bromus brizæformis. Hordeum jubatum. Panicum virgatum. ” bulbosum. ” capillare. Polypogon monspeliensis. Stipa gigantea. ” pennata. Milium multiflorum.

Some of our nobler grasses, like the Pampas and the New Zealand reeds, have not the qualities of perfect hardiness and power of increase without care in our climate, which would entitle them to a place in these selections. They belong to the garden proper.

_Aquatic Plants for Naturalisation._

Nuphar advena. Nymphæa odorata. Calla palustris. Pontederia cordata. Aponogeton distachyon. Orontium aquaticum.

_Hardy Bulbs for Naturalisation._

Allium Moly. ” fragrans. ” neapolitanum. ” ciliatum. Brodiæa congesta. Bulbocodium vernum. Camassia esculenta. Crinum capense. Crocus, in great var. Colchicum, in var. Cyclamen, in var. Erythronium Dens–canis. Fritillaria, in var. Gladiolus communis. Hyacinthus amethystinus. Iris, in great var. Leucojum, in var. Lilium, in var. Merendera Bulbocodium. Muscari, in var. Narcissus, in great var. Ornithogalum, in var. Scilla, in var. Snowdrops, in var. Sparaxis pulcherrima. Sternbergia lutea. Trichonema ramiflorum. Triteleia uniflora. Tulipa, in var.

_List of Plants for Naturalisation in Lawns and other Grassy Places not frequently mown._

This must of necessity be a limited list—being confined to subjects that will grow and flower early in the season, and not form tufts or foliage large enough to much injure the turf.

Bulbocodium vernum. Colchicum, in var. Cyclamen hederæfolium. Snowdrops, all. Leucojum vernum. Scilla bifolia. ” alba. ” sibirica. ” italica. ” amœna. Anemone apennina. ” ranunculoides. ” blanda. ” trifolia. Antennaria dioica rosea. Anthyllis montana. Dianthus deltoides. Erodium romanum. Fumaria bulbosa. Helichrysum arenarium. Iris reticulata. Linum alpinum. Narcissus minor. ” bicolor. ” Bulbocodium. ” juncifolius, and many others. Sternbergia lutea. Hyacinthus amethystinus. Merendera Bulbocodium. Muscari, in var. Trichonema ramiflorum.

_Climbing and Twining Plants for Thickets, Copses, Hedgerows, and Trees._

Ampelopsis bipinnata. ” cordata. ” hederacea. ” tricuspidata. Apios tuberosa. Aristolochia Sipho. ” tomentosa. Asparagus Broussoneti. Calystegia dahurica. Cissus orientalis. Clematis flammula. ” montana. ” Viticella, and others. Hablitzia tamnoides. Jasminum nudiflorum. ” officinale. Lathyrus grandiflorus. ” latifolius. ” rotundifolius. ” tuberosus and others. Lonicera Caprifolium. ” confusa. ” flava. ” japonica. ” Periclymenum. Menispermum canadense. ” virginicum. Periploca græca. Roses, single, in great var. Smilax, hardy kinds. Tamus communis. Tropæolum pentaphyllum. ” speciosum. Vitis, various. Wistaria frutescens. ” sinensis.

These selections are only proposed as aids to those dealing with special positions. The most valuable selection and best guide to the material for the beginner will be found in Chapter XIV., on the principal types of Hardy Exotic Plants for the wild garden.

RABBITS AND WOODS.

This sad subject has been kept for the last, as the only disagreeable one in connection with the wild garden. All I have to say of it is, there should be no rabbits in the wild garden; but the following suggestions may prove useful.

The subject should be presented in a practical light to landowners and preservers of game, and if it can be shown that the preservation, or rather toleration, of rabbits on an estate is a dead loss both to the proprietor and his tenants, probably more active measures would be taken for their extermination. It is incalculable the injury they do to young trees alone; indeed, where they prevail there is no chance of getting up cover except at an extravagant cost. Hares are less destructive, if they damage trees at all; and it is said by experienced gamekeepers that they never thrive so well where rabbits abound. And as regards pheasants, they drive them away by eating down the evergreen cover so necessary to their existence in the way of shelter in winter. Pheasants will not remain in a wood where there is not shelter of this kind; and nothing are they more partial to than the Holly, which ought to abound in every wood, but which the rabbits destroy first. Here are two sorts of game—hares and pheasants—which many can never have enough of, and the existence of which is directly interfered with by the rabbits; they should be encouraged at the expense of the latter—not to speak of the expense incurred year after year making up losses in plantation, and the expense of wire–netting and labour, etc., in protecting the trees. The extermination of rabbits in this country is not such a difficult matter as might be imagined. When it was determined here a few years since to reduce their numbers to a minimum on the farm lands and woods, it did not require more than a couple of years to do so by shooting and ferreting during the season; and they are now principally confined to one part of the estate—an extensive tract of waste land not of much use for any other purpose. I feel pretty certain that a few active poachers would undertake to clear an estate of its rabbits in a marvellously short time, and would be glad to pay a handsome consideration for the privilege of doing so. In whatever degree rabbits contribute to our food supply—and it is not much—they certainly destroy a great quantity of our corn crops, and are no profit to gentlemen or game preservers, and there is therefore no excuse for their existence.

Hungry rabbits, like hungry dogs or starving men, will eat almost anything that can be masticated and swallowed. Rabbits, as a rule, prefer to nibble over a pasture that contains short, sweet, wholesome grass, and a proportion of clover, dandelion, and daisies, but in and about woods where rabbits are numerous, the grass, from being closely and constantly eaten off, gradually disappears, and at the approach of winter is succeeded by moss, a very cold, watery, and innutritious substitute; then rabbits are driven to seek food from other sources than grass, and the bark of small trees, the leaves, stalks, and bark of shrubs, and the protruding roots of forest trees, are eaten almost indiscriminately. Amongst evergreen shrubs, rhododendrons and box are generally avoided, but I have known newly–planted hybrid rhododendrons to be partly eaten by rabbits. The elder is distasteful, and American azaleas are avoided. I have frequently seen Yew trees barked; mahonias are devoured in these woods as soon as planted; and periwinkle, which is named amongst rabbit–proof plants, is generally eaten to the ground in severe weather. Some of the bulbs and flowering plants named by your correspondent may well escape in winter, because they are not seen above ground, and where they grow, other more agreeable herbage appears, so their immunity consists in being inaccessible in a hungry time. Where rabbits are permitted, the fact that they require food daily, like other creatures, should be recognised. In the absence of wholesome food, they will eat simply what they can get. A certain portion of grass land should be retained for them and managed accordingly; a few acres might be wired round, or, to be more explicit, surrounded with wire–netting, to the exclusion of rabbits, until the approach of wintry weather, when it could be thrown open for them. If this cannot be done, and frosty weather sets in, when the mischief to shrubs is consummated, trimmings of quick hedges should be scattered about, and an allowance of turnips, carrots, or mangold wurzel made and doled out daily in bad weather. In my experience rabbits prefer newly planted trees and shrubs to those established. I have even had the fronds of newly–planted Athyrium Filix–fœmina eaten, while other ferns have been untouched. There is one hint I may give your rabbit–preserving readers: certain breeds of wild rabbits are much more prone to bark trees than others. The barking of trees is an acquired propensity more common to north–country rabbits than others. I should advise the destruction of those rabbits whose propensity for shrubs is very marked, and try warren or common rabbits from the south of England; but the best advice I can give is to have no rabbits at all.—J. S.

A correspondent who has given much attention to the subject (Salmoniceps) gives the following, as among the most rabbit–proof of plants:—“Most of the Lily family are,” he says, “rejected by them, including Daffodils, Tulips, Snowdrops, Snowflakes, Lilies, Day Lilies, Asphodels, and others, and they cannot be too extensively planted; but even in that tribe the Crocus (which is also named in the article in question) is greedily devoured. I gave—in an early number of your paper (see pp. 9 and 88, Vol. I.)—a list of all rabbit–proof trees, shrubs, and flowers then known to me, and I regret that, though keeping a watch upon the subject, I have not been able to add a single species to the list given below.”

Androsæmum officinale. Anemone coronaria. ” japonica. Arabis. Artemesia Abrotanum. Asphodelus albus. Aubrietia. Berberis Darwinii. Canterbury Bells. Cineraria maritima. Columbine. Common and Irish Yews. Deutzia scabra. Dog’s–tooth Violet. Elder. Euonymus. Fuchsia. Hibiscus syriacus. Hollies. Honesty (Lunaria). Iris. Ligustrum vulgare. Lilies (common orange and white kinds). Lily of the Valley. Lycium barbarum. Mahonia Aquifolium. Monkshood. Muscari. Narcissus. Ornithogalum. Pansies. Periwinkle (large and small). Phlox, in var. Poppy. Primrose, in var. Roses. Ruscus aculeatus. ” racemosus. Scilla. Solomon’s Seal. Lonicera, in var. Stachys lanata. Symphoricarpus. ” racemosus. Syringa persica. ” vulgaris. Tritoma. Violets. Weigela rosea. Winter Aconite. Woodruff. Yucca gloriosa.

Lists, however, and considerations of the above sort, are a poor substitute for what is really required in such cases—the extermination of pests which are destructive alike to field crops, to trees and shrubs, and to plants, and which offer at best a very scanty return for the havoc they commit.

FINIS.

INDEX.

Acanthus, 120

Accident, a beautiful, 51

Achillea, 122

Achilleas, large white, 53

Aconite, the Winter, 139

Aconitum, 121

Adam’s Needle, 162

Ajuga, 122

Alkanet, 125

Allium, the White, 123

Allium, the Yellow, naturalised, 42

Alstrœmeria, 123

Althæa, 123, 150

American Cowslip, 136

American Swamp Lily, 64

American White Wood Lily, 59

Ampelopsis, 130

Anchusa, 125

Anemone, 124

Anemone, Blue Apennine, 17

Anemone fulgens, 23

Anemones in the Riviera, 25

Anthericum, 125

Antirrhinum, 125

Apennine Anemone, 7

Aquilegia, 125

Arabis, 126

Arenaria, 126

Arenaria balearica on a wall, 88

Aristolochia Sipho, 129

Arum, 127

Arundo Donax, 155

Asclepias, 128

Asphodel, 127

Aster, 128

Astragalus, 129

Astrantia, 129

Atragene Alpina, 30

Aubrietia, 129

Bamboo, 130

Bambusa, 130

Baptisia, 130

Barren–wort, 138

Bear’s Breech, 120

Bedding System, the, 2

Bee Balm, 150

Bell–flower, 130

Bindweed, 134

Bindweed, a South European, 135

Bindweed, large white, 39

Bitter Vetch, 151

Blood–root, 15

Bloodwort, 157

Blue Apennine Anemone, 17

Blue Rock Cress, 129

Bog Garden, 77

Bog Gardens, 67

Bohemian Comfrey, 11

Borage, 12

Borage family, 9

Borago, 130

Borago cretica, 13

Bramble, 155

Bramble, the Nootka, 40

Brookside Gardens, 67

Bugle, 122

Bulbs, hardy, for naturalisation, 172

Bulbs and Tubers in grass, 15

Calla palustris, 135

Callirhoe, 150

Calystegia, 134

Campanula, 130

Candytuft, Evergreen, 145

Cape Pond Weed, 75

Catch–fly, 157

Caucasian Comfrey, 9, 10

Celastrus, 46

Centaurea, 131

Centranthus ruber, 131

Cephalaria, 157

Cephalaria procera, 33

Cerastium, 131

Cheddar Pink, 91

Cheddar Pink, Saxifrage, etc., on wall, 89

Cheiranthus, 131

Christmas Rose, 143

Clematis, 133

Clematis erecta, 133

Clematis flammula, 21

Clematis, large white, on Yew tree, 44

Clematis, the mountain, 22

Clematis, the White–flowered European, 133

Climbers, 166

Climbing plants crucified, 45

Climbing plants for Wild Garden, 8

Climbing Rose isolated on grass, 87

Colchicum, 132

Colony of Myrrhis odorata, 51

Colony of Narcissus in shrubbery, 57

Colony of Summer Snowflake, 119

Columbine, 125

Columbine, the Siberian, 126

Columbines in Grass, v

Comfrey, 157

Comfreys, 11

Common Lupine, 146

Copse, Lily of the Valley in a, 63

Copses, 36

Coral–wort, 135

Cornus canadensis, 133

Coronilla varia, 135

Cotton Thistle, 151

Cow Parsnip, the Giant, 35

Cow Parsnips, 143

Crambe, 134

Crane’s Bill, wild, 94

Creeping Forget–me–not, 151

Cretan Borage, 13

Crocus, 132

Crocuses, 17

Crocuses in turf, 20

Culture in Woods, 64

Cyclamen, 133

Cyclamen, Ivy–leaved, 5

Cyclamens in the Wild Garden, 134

Cyperus longus, 73

Cypripedium spectabile, 133

Daffodil, 151

Day Lily, 143

Day Lily by margin of water, 76

Delphinium, 136

Dentaria, 135

Dianthus, 137

Dielytra, 136

Digitalis, 137

Digging shrubbery borders, 51

Ditches, 36

Dodecatheon, 136

Dog’s–tooth Violet, 139

Doronicum, 136

Drapery for trees and bushes, 43

Dug and mutilated shrubbery in St. James’s Park, 111

Dwarf Cornel, 133

Echinops, 138

Ellacombe, Rev. H. N., on the Rose, 81

Enothera, 151

Epigæa repens, 138

Epimedium, 138

Eranthis hyemalis, 139

Erica, 138

Eryngium, 138

Erythronium, 139

Eupatorium, 137

Evening Primrose, 151

Evening Primrose at night, 4

Evergreen Candytuft, 145

Everlasting Pea, 148

Exotic and British Wild Flowers in the Wild Garden, 17

Ferns, 141

Ferula, 140

Flame Flower, 159

Fleur de Lis, 145

Flowers, Spring and early Summer, 166

Forget–me–not, 149

Forget–me–not, Creeping, 151

Foxglove, 137

Fritillaria, 140

Fumaria, 136

Fumitory, 136

Fumitory, the Yellow, on wall, 91

Funkia, 139

Funkia Sieboldi, group of, 140

Galanthus, 143

Galega, 142

Gardens of the future, 58

Gentian, 142

Geranium, 141

Geranium, a hardy, 141

Geraniums in Grass, v

Giant Comfrey, 13

Giant Cow Parsnip, 35

Giant Fennel, 140

Giant Scabious, 33, 135

Giant Sea–kale, 134

Globe Flower, 159

Globe Flower order, 21

Globe Flowers, 25

Globe Flowers, group of, 21

Globe Thistle, 138

Goat’s Rue, 142

Golden Rod, 156

Grape Hyacinth, 148

Grape Hyacinths, 17

Grass, double Crimson Pæonies in, 30

Grass, Star of Bethlehem in, 15

Grasses for naturalisation, 171

Great Siberian vegetation, type of, 35

Green Hellebore in the Wild Garden, 26

Gromwells, 11

Gypsophila, 142

Hardy flowers by brook–side, 69

Heath, 138

Hedgerows, 36

Helianthemum, 144

Helianthus, 144

Hellebore in Wild Garden, 26

Helleborus, 143

Hemerocallis, 143

Hemp Agrimony, 137

Hepatica angulosa, 24

Hepatica, common, 25

Heracleum, 143

Herb Paris and Solomon’s Seal in copse by streamlet, 67

Hesperis, 145

Honesty, 146

Honeysuckle, 147

Hop, the, 45

Houseleek, 158

Hovey, Mr., on tree drapery, 47

Hypericum, 145

Iberis, 145

Illustrations, list of, xi

Indian Cress, showy, 160

Iris, 145

Japan Anemone in the Wild Garden, 23

Japan Knotweed, 152

Japan Sedum in Wild Garden, 92

Kitaibelia, 150

Knap–weed, 131

Knautia, 157

Landwort, 126

Large Achilleas, 53

Large Bindweed, 39

Large–flowered Clematis, 101

Large–leafed Saxifrage, 97

Larkspurs, perennial, 27

Lathyrus, 147

Lavender, Sea, 156

Leopard’s Bane, 136

Leucojum, 147

Liane in the north, 49

Lilies through carpet of White Arabis, 55

Lilium, 146

Lily, 146

Lily, American Swamp, 64

Lily, American White Wood, 59

Lily of the Valley in a copse, 63

Lily, Wood, 159

Lily, Water, 151

Lily, White Wood, 37

Lithospermum prostratum, 147

Longleat, Wild Garden at, 61

Lonicera, 147

Lords and Ladies, 127

Lunaria, 146

Lungwort, 154

Lungworts, 11

Lupine, common, 146

Lychnis, 147

Mallow, 150

Malope, 150

Malva, 150

Marsh Calla, 135

Marsh Mallow, 123

Marsh Marigold and Iris in early spring, 78

Masterwort, 129

Matthiola, 149

May–flower, 138

Meadow Rue, 158

Meadow Rue in Wild Garden, 1

Meadow Rues, 31

Meadow Saffron, foliage of, 132

Menispermum, 47

Menziesia, 138

Mertensia virginica, 12

Milk Vetch, 129

Mimulus, 148

Mocassin Flower, 133

Molopospermum, 149

Monarda, 150

Monkey–flower, 148

Monkshood, 121

Moonseed, 47

Mountain Clematis, 22

Mouse–ear, 131

Mowing Grass, 17

Mulgedium Plumieri, 6, 150

Mullein, a tall, 161

Muscari, 148

Myosotis, 149

Myrrh, 60

Myrrhis odorata, a colony of, 51

Narcissus, 151

Narcissus, colony of, in shrubbery, 57

New England, woods of, 58

Night effect of Evening Primrose, 4

Nootka Bramble, 40

Nuphar, 151

Nursery for London Parks, 118

Nymphæa, 151

Œnothera Lamarkiana, 4

Omphalodes, 151

Omphalodes verna, 10

Onopordon, 151

Orchard Wild Garden, 65

Ornithogalum, 151

Orobus, 151

Oxalis, 152

Ox–eye Daisy, the tall, 154

Pæonies in grass, 30

Pæony, 153

Papaver, in var., 153

Partridge Berry, 80

Pea, 147

Pea, Everlasting, 148

Perennial Larkspurs, 27

Perennial Larkspurs naturalised in shrubbbery, 28

Periwinkle, 161

Phlomis, 153

Physostegia, 154

Phytolacca decandra, 154

Pink, 137

Plants, Annual and Biennial, for naturalisation, 171

Plants, Aquatic, 171

Plants chiefly fitted for the Wild Garden, 32

Plants, climbing and twining, for copses, thickets, hedgerows, and trees, 172

Plants for bare banks, 164

Plants for calcareous or chalky soil, 169

Plants, hardy, with fine foliage, 165

Plants for hedge–banks and like places, 165

Plants for moist rich soils, 169

Plants for naturalisation beneath specimen trees on lawns, 167

Plants for naturalisation in lawns and other grassy places, 172

Plants for peat–soil, 169

Plants for the Wild Garden, 120

Plants of vigorous habit for the Wild Garden, 164

Plants, selections of, for old walls, ruins, or rocky slopes, 170

Plants, selections of hardy, 163

Plants suited for dry and gravelly soil, 170

Polygonum cuspidatum, 152

Poppy, 153

Primrose, Evening, 151

Pulmonaria, 154

Pyrethrum serotinum, 154

Rabbits and Woods, 173

Reasons for the system, 4

Red Valerian, 131

Reed, the Great, 155

Results, 92

Rheum, 155

Rhubarb, 155

Riviera, Anemones in the, 25

Rocket, 145

Rosa, 155

Rose, 155

Roses for the Wild Garden, hedgerows, fences, and groups, 81

Roses in the Riviera, 85

Rosy Coronilla, 135

Rubus, 155

Rudbeckia, 144

Rush, flowering, 73

Sanguinaria canadensis, 157

Saxifraga, 158

Saxifrage, 158

Scabious, the Giant, 33

Scabious, 157

Scilla, 157

Scillas, 17

Sea Holly, 138

Sea–kale, the Giant, 134

Sea Lavender, 156

Sedum, 157

Sempervivum, 158

Shady Lanes, 36

Shrubbery borders, digging of, 51

Shrubbery, margin of, 118

Shrubbery, Perennial Larkspurs naturalised in, 28

Sida, 150

Silene, 157

Silkweed, 128

Silphium, 144

Snakes–head, 140

Snapdragon, 125

Snowdrop, 17

Snowdrop–Anemone, colony of, in shrubbery not dug, 115

Snowdrops, 143

Snowdrops, Wild, by streamlet, 142

Snowflake, 17, 147

Soils, 169, 170

Solidago, 156

Solomon’s Seal, 18

Sowbread, 133

Speedwell, 162

Spiderwort, 159

Spiræa, 156

Spring Flowers in the Wild Garden, 7

Squill, 157

Star of Bethlehem, 151

Star of Bethlehem in grass, 15

Starwort, 128

Statice, 156

St. Bruno’s Lily, 125

St. John’s Wort, 145

Stock, 149

Stonecrop, 157

Sunflower, Perennial, 144

Sun Rose on limestone rocks, 144

Sun Roses, 104

Symphytum, 157

Telekia cordifolia, 159

Tew Park, 98

Thalictrum, 158

Thickets, 36

Tiger Lilies in Wild Garden at Great Tew, 98

Tradescantia virginica, 159

Trailers, 166

Trees and Bushes, drapery for, 43

Tree drapery, Mr. Hovey on, 47

Trillium, 159

Tritoma, 159

Tritoma, group of, 160

Trollius, 21, 25, 159

Tropæolum speciosum, 160

Tulip, 159

Tunica, 142

Turf, Crocuses in, 20

Turk’s Cap Lily, 19

Valley in Somersetshire, 70

Verbascum, 161

Veronica, 162

Vetch, Bitter, 151

Vinca, 161

Vines, Wild, 48

Viola, 162

Violet, 162

Virgin’s Bower, 21, 133

Virginian Creepers, 130

Virginian Poke, 154

Wall Cress, 126

Wallflower, 131

Water Dock, Great, 72

Water Lily, 151

Water Lily, Yellow, 71

Water Plants, 70

Waterside Gardens, 67

White Arabis, Lilies coming up through carpet of, 55

White Clematis on Yew tree, 44

White Climbing Rose over old Catalpa tree, 84

White Lily in Wild Garden, 146

Wild Garden in the orchard, 65

Wild Garden, Japan Anemone in the, 23

Wild Garden, plants chiefly fitted for, 32

Wild Garden, plants for, 120

Wild Garden in America, 106

Wild gardening on walls or ruins, 88

Wild Garden, where to obtain plants, 120

Wild Orchard, 65

Wild Rose on a Pollard Ash, 83

Wild Vines, 48

Willow Herb, 7

Wilson, Mr. G. F., and wood–culture, 64

Windflower, 124

Winter Aconite, 15

Winter Heliotrope, 7

Wistaria, 45

Wood and herbaceous Meadow–sweets, 105

Wood–culture, 64

Wood–culture at Bodorgan, 65

Wood Lily, 159

Wood Plants, American, 150

Woodruff and Ivy, 108

Woods and woodland drives, 51

Woods of New England, 58

Wood Sorrel, 152

Wye Valley, 90

Yarrow, 122

Yellow Allium naturalised, 42

Yucca, 162

_Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, _Edinburgh_.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] See illustration on p. 51.

[2] A letter written by request, in the _Rural New Yorker_, July 1876.