AN AQUATIC GARDEN

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 63

AN AQUATIC GARDEN

Perhaps the largest and finest aquatic garden to bo found anywhere is to be seen, at fhe World’s Fair, St. Louis. Ihia Avater garden consists of two ponds, the larger of which is about 2Gt)ft long - , and from 50ft to 60ft wide at the broadest part. The irregular outlines and shape of the pond give the impression that it ia of much larger dimensions. It is connected Avich the smaller and loA\-er pond, by a rocky Avater way, over which is a large rustic bridge, adding much to the beauty of the surroundings. One of the most pleasing features of flits water garden is the manner in Avhich the margins are treated. Not only have tropical or sub-tropical plants been utilised, bur the native flora has been ■largely drawn on to supply marginal plants, and as far as possible these have been grouped in very large clumps. Conspicuous amongst the native plant© is Alisma plantago; its flowers are inconspicuous, yet its graceful style of groAA'th makes it a very useful marginal plant.

Another plant not often seen in Avacer gardens is Jussiena repens. It has formed great masses, and its large yellow flowers and glossv leaves are very striking. Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia are used effectively, tbeir upright stems breaking the flat appearance of the pond. Zizania aquatica is an uncommon native grass, growing to a height of 6fc; has been used in large quantities. Heteiantha lirbosa, several of the S'agittanas, and a number of other native plants have helped materially in furnishing the pond, which is especially interesting for its margins. .Scutellaria augustifolia, with its bright-coloured heads, enlivens the gieen. of the foliage plants, . Amongst tliG tropical ancl snlj-ti opical marginal plants Jussiena iongifolia is, perhaps, the most useful and striking, it grows from two to three feet in height. Linmocliaris Humboldtii is planted jin. large masses, about I'Ofc Avide, and its hundreds of blooms help to brighten the pond For shalloAV Avater, L. emargmata and Sagittaria moni evidensis form good specimens. Eiehornia speciosa and E. aznrea have been planted in quantity. Calla punctata, “Mrs Roosevelt, has been planted in a large group, and shoAvs up 3A T ell. T _ Tlie collection of Nympheas is very hue, numbering about 28 species and varieties. Ample room has been given for each plant to develop to advantage, and the result is most gratifying, some of the clumps carrying from 39 to 40 blooms at one time. Among the more striking are N. George fluster, a deep-coloured variety; N William Stone, very deep blue; N. C. W. Ward, specially fine; N. capensis, a fine blue; N. James Bryden, a good deep pink; and N. Kewensis, a dull-coloured, but. unique, nymphea, with marked leaves. A number of hardy liyniplieas is also used, including many of Marliac’s creations. The smaller pool is quite shallow, and is devoted to Victoria regia and V. Trickeri. The remarkable results achieved Avich these plants are attributed to the shalloAV Avater, and to the rich soil in which the lilies are planted. No artificial heat has been used. ... The Avater garden, situated as it is in, the midst of flower-beds, and flanked by small trees and shrubs, presents a picturesque appearance, and. is really the croAvning attraction, says “American Gardening,” of the horticultural department.