Water And Bog Gardens

Neither the water nor the bog garden is dependent on rocks. Either or

both, however, may just as well be an adjunct of the rock garden. They

solve the wet spot problem admirably, permit the culture of native water

lilies, orchids, and numerous other beautiful plants, and certainly

contribute their share of picturesqueness. If water is lacking, it may

often be introduced at little expense.



In most cases it will be found that some cement construction is

necessary, but not a bit of it should show. This is easily managed by

building a cement shoulder on the sides of the pool or stream a little

below what will be the level of the water, and then setting rough stones

on that. A cement bottom for shallow water may be disguised by

imbedding pebbles and small stones in the cement before it sets.



Dispose the rocks very irregularly, but they may be so few as to be mere

notes. Avoid stagnant water, and if mosquitoes are feared introduce some

goldfish. They like mosquito larvae.



Water lilies and sagittaria--one plant will do if the pool is small--in

the water and near it, but not in standing water, Japanese iris, yellow

flag, globe flower, and _Lythrum roseum_ are good selections.

Forget-me-not is one of the finest plants for the banks. Use the

perennial kind (_Myosotis palustris semperflorens_).



The bog garden simply reproduces bog conditions. As a rock garden

adjunct it may be a small spot with the perpetually moist and

moss-covered soil in which the native cypripediums and pitcher plants

flourish. Eighteen or twenty inches of suitable soil, a mixture of leaf

mold, peat, and loam, in which has been stirred some sand and gravel,

must be provided. If an artificial bog, the bottom may be made of cement

or puddled clay.