the Common Reed (Phragmites), 8 to 10 feet high, with its
great brown-black plumes, and the curious bright-green Horsetail
(Equisetum), and the rosy banks of Willow-herb and Loose-strife, and the
calm wide breadths of the white Water Lily in the still backwaters; when
we see all these lessons that Nature teaches by the riverside we
perceive that for the best of good effect of waterside gardening we need
not be afraid of planting things of bold growth largely.

[Illustration: _ALDERS NEAR WATER (Catkin time)._]

When we come to garden plants there are many families that are never so
happy as when close to water, or in soil that always feels the cool,
moistening influence of water within a few feet below them. Such are
the whole range of the larger herbaceous Spiraeas, some of them plants
of great size. Then we have the Thalictrums, the autumn-flowering
Phloxes, the stately Heracleum; Telekia, Bamboos, _Arundo Donax_, the
Swamp and Meadow Lilies of the northern states of America; and coming to
smaller though scarcely less important plants, the Scarlet Lobelias,
Oriental Poppies, many Irises, the Michaelmas Daisies, and Day Lilies;
all these thrive by the waterside.

[Illustration: _WHITE WILLOW (Salix alba) BY WATERSIDE._]

There are many shrubs that prefer a moist place, such as the Guelder
Rose and the beautiful North American Halesia, Quinces, Rhododendrons,
Azaleas, and Kalmias, while the lovely Fritillaries, Globe-flowers, and
the double Cuckoo-flowers love damp grassy spaces. We think we may
safely advise those who are making gardens by river or lake to go
forward and plant with confidence, only selecting such things as are
mentioned below.

As the things named are described elsewhere in this book a list only is
given.

TREES AND SHRUBS FOR SWAMPY PLACES

Willows (Salix) in great variety: _S. alba_ (White Willow), _S.
babylonica_ (Babylonian Weeping Willow), _S. purpurea_, _S. p. pendula_
(American Weeping Willow), _S. Caprea_, _S. C. pendula_, the fine
Kilmarnock Willow, Cardinal Willow and Golden Willow--both these are
very beautiful in winter; the stems of the former are crimson, and of
the latter golden yellow, and make a remarkable picture of intense
colouring; plant them in large groups--_S. daphnoides_ (the
White-stemmed Willow), _S. fragilis_ (Crack Willow), _S. f. basfordiana_
(Red-barked Willow), and _S. hippophaifolia_ (Sea Buckthorn-leaved
Willow).

_Populus alba_ (White Poplar), _P. deltoide