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.