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Phragmites. The leaves of this grass are long
and broad, bright green in colour and highly
ribbed. The stalks are hard and jointed and
grow to a height of ten or more feet. It is
suited only for lakeside planting where it
spreads rapidly.
Rumex or Water Dock. If a large mass of
bright green foliage is required then Rumex
should be planted. When well established the
leaves-they turn crimson-brown in time-will
stand six feet above
the water.
Scirpus or the True
Bulrush, and Typha or
the Reed Mace, are tall
plants common on the
edges of ponds and
streams everywhere.
They are only suitable
for lakeside planting.
PLANTS GROWING TO BETWEEN EIGHTEEN INCHES
AND TWO FEET HIGH
Acorus or Sweet Flag.
Acorus varigatus is the best
of the many species of that
genus for the garden pool.
The long, narrow leaves are
a fine green with red, yellow
and white markings.
Cyperus or Umbrella Grass.
A number of different species
of this grass are sold for
pond planting. The leaves
are very slender and
at the end of tall
stems depend ' umbrellas ' of reddish
chaff-like grains.
The best of the
hardy species is C.
longus.
Peltandra or Water
Arum. The waterside grasses, as a
rule, take up little
room individually,
the broad leaved
plants, on the other
hand, require plenty
of elbow room. Such
a plant is the Water
Arum with its broad
fleshy leaves and
white flowers. A
single plant of this species will cover an area
three feet in diameter and will grow to
nearly three feet in height.
Water Plantain. This interesting plant has
long smooth leaves rising almost directly from
the roots with rather pretty flowers, purplish-
pink in colour, set at the end of a long stem.
It is an ideal plant for growing in a foot of
water.
Sagittaria japonica. One or other of the
Sagittarias, of the kind that grows out of the
water, should have a place in every pond,
large or small. Of all the available species
none equals S. japonica. It will grow in a
few inches or a foot or more of water and has
fine arrow-shaped leaves and a profusion of
white flowers resembling snowballs.
Jussieua or Water Primrose. This beautiful
importation from North America well deserves
a place at the edge of the pond. It provides
colour throughout most of the year-the red
stems, deep green leaves and rich yellow flowers
taking it in turn to beautify the edge of the
pool. Unfortunately, it does not always
' take ' ; nevertheless, it is worth persevering
with and if, in time, your pool can boast a
fine clump of Jussieua your trouble will be
repaid.
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