Whilst every garden, no matter how small, should contain its herbaceous border, well stocked with hardy perennials, only a comparatively small number will admit of those delightful features, the bog, aquatic and alpine gardens. For this reason I shall not attempt to give more than a brief list of the plants suited to each. In a book which attempts to outline all, or at any rate the chief points connected with garden design, consideration of individual sections must necessarily be brief. I have endeavoured to mention all the most deserving plants in the following lists, but for further and fuller information the reader is advised to consult a work specially dealing with the particular “garden” in which he is interested.

A list of deserving plants for inclusion in the alpine garden:—

In many places there are pieces of rough marshy land, unsightly through neglect, filled with sedges and rough tussocky grass, which might, with the expenditure of a little trouble, be converted into charming bog and water gardens. There are such hosts of delightful little plants, which thrive only in thoroughly moist situations, and are, therefore, but seldom seen in English gardens, that an opportunity for growing them must not be lost. Bog plants are many of them diminutive, but there are few which are not interesting, and to know them a little is to desire their further acquaintance. The same may be said of aquatics, though these belong to a very different class. Anyone who has seen the gorgeous water-lilies, which have been steadily finding their way into English ponds and tanks during the last few years, must realise that a water garden is worth making for their sake alone.

The following plants are suitable either for growing in the water itself or for grouping on the margins of ponds and streams:—

Nymphæa.—Water-Lilies. The beautiful hybrids, which are associated with the name of M. Marliac are by far the most handsome of available kinds. Among them the Canary Water-lily (N. M. chromatella), with reddish brown leaves and soft yellow flowers, darkening to the centre, is very beautiful. N. Robinsoni is another fine variety with rose-coloured blooms, abundantly produced. Our own native lily (N. alba) flowers early, and should be in every collection, but the variety rosea is a shy bloomer, though the colour is extremely pretty. N. tuberosa.

Aponogeton.—The Cape Pond-flower. A pretty water plant, the flowers are white and delicately scented. It requires fairly deep water, and does best in a warm district. A. distachyon.

Villarsia. Yellow Buckbean. Small lily-like leaves, and a profusion of yellow flowers.

Stratiotes.—Water Soldier. Interesting on account of its foliage.

Shallow water is needed for the following:—

Typha Latifolia.—The Common Bulrush.

Sagittaria.—Arrowhead. Handsome plants with white blossoms and arrow-shaped leaves.

Caltha Palustris.—Marsh Marigold.

Pontederia.—Pickerel Weed. Graceful foliage, with spikes of blue flowers.

Butomus Umbellatus.—Flowering Rush. Bears umbels of rosy flowers.

Menyanthes Trifoliata.—Buckbean. Grows freely, the scented white flowers being faintly suffused with pink.

A few good plants for localising in marshy ground on the margin:—

Iris Kaempferi. The Japanese Flag. A more strikingly beautiful subject for the position could scarcely be found. The swordlike foliage, and large handsome flowers render it especially noteworthy.

Gunnera.—Prickly Rhubarb. Noble plants, with immense fan-shaped leaves. They should be slightly protected during winter.

Osmunda Regalis.—Royal Fern.

Spiræa Palmata. Fine foliage. The flowers produced in dense clusters are a soft rosy pink.

Arundo Donax.—The Great Reed.

Buphthalmum Speciosum. A handsome plant with heart-shaped leaves. The flowers are yellow with dark centres.

Gynerium Argenteum.—Pampas Grass.

Lythrum Salicaria.—Purple Loosestrife. This is the well-known showy plant of the country streams. For garden culture the improved variety roseum should be grown.

The plants enumerated above will make an interesting collection for the water garden, others can be added from time to time. The great point to be observed is the proper regulation of plants of varying growth, so as to prevent overcrowding. Water gardens are frequently made and filled with interesting subjects, but owing to neglect the coarse growing plants are allowed to monopolise the space and crowd out those of shyer habit.

Plants for the Bog Garden

Cypripedium Spectabile.—Mocassin-flower. This is perhaps the finest of all bog plants, and hails from the woods of North America, where it grows to perfection. The plant forms handsome clumps, and the flowers are white marked with a rosy blotch.

Primula Japonica.—This plant revels in the cool surroundings of the bog garden, and produces an abundance of rich crimson blossoms. P. rosea is a smaller variety, with polyanthus tufts of delicate pink flowers. P. sikkimensis, with pale yellow flowers, is distinct.

Dielytra Spectabilis.—Bleeding Heart.

Trillium.—Wood Lily. A beautiful plant, with rich green foliage and snowy three-petalled flowers.

Parnassia Palustris.—Grass of Parnassus. An easily grown plant, with white flowers on long straight stems.

Anagallis Tenella.—Bog Pimpernel. Creeping habit. The flowers are pink.

Pinguicula.—Butterwort. The wettest spots in the bog should be chosen for this little plant.

Adiantum Pedatum.—Maidenhair fern. This is the hardy North American kind, which looks well associated with the flowering plants in sheltered corners.

Orchis Foliosa.—Madeira Orchis. One of the finest of the family. It produces bold spikes of purplish flowers.

Ficaria Grandiflora.—An improved form of the common Pilewort. Its bright masses of golden flowers render it a welcome addition to the bog garden in spring.

Saxifraga Peltata.

The above are all more or less dwarf growing plants, and suited for bog gardens on a small scale. In larger places good use will be made of Rhododendrons, Ferns of various kinds, Sedges, and numerous Lilies, especially superbum, to give boldness and distinction to the scene. It is a mistake, when it can be managed otherwise, to grow only small plants, as the effect is generally patchy and insignificant, besides giving the bog a dull, flat appearance. So many beautiful flowering shrubs and hardy lilies grow best in a peaty soil, so that on the fringe of the bog, where the ground is drier, whole colonies of beautiful plants may come trooping down to the edge, shutting off the little enclosure from the rest of the garden. Good drainage and the destruction of weeds are points essential to success, and a close watch should be kept for stray plants of Sheep Rot, which if allowed to spread will choke the whole bog in a short time.