Wild Garden Is Smaller at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

The plan for the wild garden is smaller than the others in this book. Wildflowers are never quite as grandiose as the plants used in a typical garden or herbaceous border. They need a more intimate setting. This plot is designed for a corner of a property and asks that a deciduous tree—here a Japanese maple—be included for open shade during the hot summer. A birdbath is provided since birds and wild-flowers go together. Stepping stones should be in the plan so you can walk directly into the garden to see the flowers close-up. Bloom will begin in early spring and continue into the fall.

The most imaginative use of this tree that I have seen is in the Wild Garden at Wave Hill, a public garden located in the community of Riverdale in the Bronx, New York. There a 50-year-old tree has generated a multitude of smaller trunks and all have been allowed to twist and turn either naturally or by shaping and pruning so they have become a Brazilian bower just above Manhattan.

In the wild, hamster feeds mainly on wild seeds, grains, some grasses, and fruit; also eats insects, worms, birds' eggs, smaller mammals. Feed prepared hamster mix, lettuce leaves, dog biscuits, and corn purchased at pet shop. Meal worms—Essential, as they substitute for animal food obtained by pet in the wild (see Part III); feed 3-4 worms several times weekly; place in flat dish out of which worms cannot crawl. Water—Always available.