|
A
POND is not
an essential feature of the bog garden, although its
presence is to be desired when you can use the overflow
to feed a marsh. It is essential, that the soil of the
marsh garden be kept in a moist, swampy state through
out year. The site of the bog garden must, naturally,
be low-lying and where the surface drainage will naturally
collect. If the subsoil is of sticky clay, a mere trickle
of water will keep the ground in a sufficiently moist
condition. Should the subsoil be light and well drained,
a certain amount of excavation will be necessary before
the bog garden can be made.
Constructing the Bog
Garden
Dig out about two feet
of the topsoil and introduce a little clay for a basis.
Over this stretch a five-inch bed of rubble or large
stones, and then a layer of coarse soil. Now fill the
remainder, almost to the level of the surrounding land,
with medium consisting of half loam and half leaf-mould
or peat. Unless a natural flow of water is available,
you need to provide an artificial trickle, just sufficient
to keep the bog swampy. Sometimes in the summer, I would
turn the hose on and let the bog flood. This process
should last for several months depending on your cliamate.
Bog plants should never suffer from drought, the marsh
garden should be kept quite moist, but on the other
hand must not become stagnant, and it is for this reason
that slight bottom drainage is introduced. The bog should
never be more than two feet in depth; its extent, of
course, will depend on the space available and upon
taste. Paths of rough stones or bricks should be made
through the bog, and over these should be placed flat
stepping stones, in order to make every part of the
bog accessible. If these paths are made at varying heights,
they may be used to divide the bog into shelving beds,
the higher and better-drained of which will accommodate
plants not requiring to much moisture, while in the
lower-lying sites can be grown the real moisture-lovers.
Selecting the Plants
Provided
is list of a few good marsh plants. Almost any
moisture-loving plant can be used. They can be found
at the margins of streams and ponds, even some of those
which at times have six or more inches of water over
their crowns; in fact, all plants growing freely in
shallow water may also be grown in the bog garden. Be
careful not to overcrowd the plants, rather group together
three to five plants of the same kind, leave a space,
and again plant a clump of subjects of different colour,
type, and height. This irregularity and variety will
please the eye, which would tend to become surfeited
by a mass of the same color, size, and form. The actual
marsh plants selected will depend upon the layout and
size of the garden; the natural surroundings must also
be very carefully considered. If the area is restricted,
greater variety and beauty can be obtained by the use
of small growing species; while among extensive surroundings
full rein may be given to the free-growing plants, many
of which are invaluable as a background where space
permits. It is always necessary, however, to bear in
mind the size to which the plants will grow in from
two to three years' time, and to arrange them accordingly.
Only a sound knowledge
of the habits and rate of growth of the plants introduced
and a clear visualization of the picture one is endeavouring
to produce can ensure success in this exceedingly difficult
matter of planting for future effect.
LYSICHITUM-Yellow Skunk Cabbage . Attractive
and uncommon, though not too pleasant-smelling, hardy
plants which are widely distributed, being found wild
in eastern Siberia, Japan and northwestern America.
They belong to the Arum family, Araceae. Fhe name is
from the Greek lysichiton, a loose cloak, and it alludes
to the flower spathe, Plants for the Waterside. These
plants, which are found wild in marshy or swampy districts,
grow 18-24 in. high, and in April and May bear very
handsome, pale yellow or white, boat-shaped flower spathes
in advance of the leaves. The leaves vary from 1-4 f
t. in length and 4-15 in. in width, according to the
locality and nature of the soil, reaching their greatest
dimensions in deep, moist, loamy soil. They grow freely
in moist soil enriched with decayed manure or compost,
and are useful for waterside planting.
Propagation is by division of the clumps
in September or October.
Two kinds are grown, and for a long time
their names were confused. The yellow species, previously
called L. camtschatcense, is now identified as L. americanum,
and the less common white kind is L. camtschatcense,
a native of eastern Asia.
|
