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.[ill154]
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.