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BEATRIX
FARRAND

The Gift of Beatrix Farrand

to the General Library
University of California, Berkeley

REEF

POINT

GARDENS

LIBRARY

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

ALPINE FLOWERS AT HOME.

ALPINE FLOWERS
FOR GARDENS

ROCK, WALL, MARSH PLANTS, AND
MOUNTAIN SHRUBS

BY W. ROBINSON

AUTHOR OF "THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN"

THIRD EDITION, REVISED
ILLUSTRATED

LONDON

JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET
1903

LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTURE

FIRST PUBLISHED - -

REVISED EDITION - l875

THIRD EDITION 1903

L'brdv

TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE

JAMES BACKHOUSE, OF YORK

MOUNTAIN-LOVER, NATURALIST, AND ROCK GARDENER

THIS NEW EDITION OF "ALPINE FLOWERS5'
IS DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR

292

FOREWORDS TO NEW EDITION.

THIS book is written to dispel a general but erroneous
idea, that the plants of alpine regions cannot be grown
in gardens. This idea is not confined to the general
public ; it has been taught by botanists and horti-
culturists whenever they have had to speak of alpine
plants, while the alpine traveller has regretted that we
could not enjoy in our gardens these most charming
of flowers. The late Duke of Argyll, presiding some
years ago at the dinner of the Gardeners' Benevolent
Institution, told the company that, though they had
overcome almost every difficulty of cultivation, they
were beaten by one — that of growing alpine plants.

Any reader of this book may prove for himself that
this idea is a baseless one ; and that, so far from its
being true that these plants cannot be cultivated, there
is no alpine flower that ever cheered the traveller's
eye which cannot be grown in our island gardens.
Instead of being very difficult, they will be found
to be among the most easily cultivated of all plants,
especially to those who begin modestly and avoid the
ugly extravagance of artificial "rocks."

What are alpine plants ? The word alpine is used
to denote the plants that grow naturally on all

x FOREWORDS TO NEW EDITION

high mountain-chains, whether they spring from
hot tropical plains or from green northern
pastures. Above the cultivated land these
flowers begin to occur on the fringes of the stately
woods ; they are seen in multitudes in the vast
pastures which clothe many great mountain-chains,
enamelling their soft verdure ; and also where
neither grass nor loose herbage can exist ; or where
feeble world-heat is quenched and mountains are
crumbled into ghastly slopes of shattered rock by the
contending forces of heat and cold, even there, amid
the glaciers, they spring from Nature's ruined battle-
ground, as if the mother of earth-life had sent up
her loveliest children to plead with the spirits of
destruction.

Alpine plants fringe the vast fields of snow and
ice of the high mountains, and at great elevations
have often scarcely time to flower and ripen a
few seeds before they are again imbedded in the
snow ; while sometimes many of them may remain
beneath the surface for more than a year.
Enormous areas of the earth, inhabited by them,
are every year covered by a deep bed of snow.
Where the tall tree or shrub cannot exist in the
intense cold, a deep soft mass of down-like snow
settles upon these minute plants, a great cloud-borne
quilt, under which they safely rest, unharmed by the
alternations of frost and biting winds and moist and
spring-like days. It is the absence in our island of
this winter rest that is our chief difficulty, in leading
to " false starts" in growth, and so injuring certain

FOREWORDS TO NEW EDITION xi

kinds. But, in spite of this, hundreds of kinds of
alpine plants are now grown in the parts of Britain
that are most subject to winter's rapid changes.

A reason why alpine plants clothe the ground
in these high regions is that no taller vegetation
can exist there ; were such places inhabited by trees
and shrubs, we should find few alpine plants among
them ; on the other hand, if no stronger vegetation
were found at a lower elevation, these plants would
make their appearance there. Many plants found
on the high Alps are also met with in rocky
or bare places at much lower elevations. Gentiana
verna often flowers late in summer when the snow
thaws on a high mountain ; yet it is also found on low
hills, and occurs in the British Isles. In the struggle
for existence upon the plains and tree-clad hills, the
more minute plants are often overrun by trees, trailers,
bushes, and vigorous herbs, but where, as in northern
and elevated regions, these fail from the earth, the
choicer alpine plants prevail.

Alpine plants include plants from many divisions of
the plant world, embracing endless diversities of form
and colour. Among them are tiny Orchids, as interest-
ing as their tropical brethren, though so much smaller ;
ferns that peep from crevices of high rocky places,
clinging to the rocks and not daring to throw forth
their fronds with airy grace, as they do on the ground ;
bulbous plants with all their coarseness gone, and all
their beauty retained ; evergreen shrubs, perfect in leaf
and blossom, yet so small that an inverted glass could
cover them ; creeping plants, rarely venturing much

xii FOREWORDS TO NEW EDITION

above mother earth, yet spreading freely over it, and,
when they fall over the brows of rocks, draping them
with lovely colour ; minute plants that scarcely exceed
the mosses in size, and quite surpass them in the way
in which they mantle the earth with fresh green carpets
in the midst of winter; and "succulent" plants in
endless variety, though smaller than the mosses of our
bogs : in a word, alpine vegetation embraces nearly
every type of the plant-life of northern and temperate
climes.

ALPINE GARDENING.

As to the merits of " alpine" and like kinds of
gardening, as compared with those more in vogue,
there can be little doubt in the minds of all who
give the subject any thought. Stupidity itself
could hardly delight in anything uglier than the
daubs of colour that, every summer, flare in the
neighbourhood of most country-houses in western
Europe. Visit many of our large country gardens,
and probably the first thing we shall hear about will
be the scores of thousands of plants "bedded out"
every year, though no system ever devised has had
such a bad effect on our gardens.

Amateurs who cultivate numerous hot - house
plants, and who generally have not a dozen of the
equally beautiful flowers of northern and temperate
regions in their gardens, might grow an abundance of
them at a tithe of the expense required to fill a glass-
house with costly Mexican or Indian Orchids. Our
botanical and great public gardens, in which alpine

FOREWORDS TO NEW EDITION xiii

plants are too often found in obscure corners, might each
exhibit a beautiful rock-garden, at half the expense
now bestowed on some tropical family displayed in
a glass-shed, and there is not a garden, even in the
suburbs of our great cities, in which the flowers of
alpine lands might not be enjoyed.

This book is written in the hope of showing
various simple ways in which this may be done. As
regards the instructions for cultivation given in it,
it will be understood that they can only be applied
in a general way, so much being dependent on the
difference in conditions, even in our islands, of north,
south, east and west ; of soil, rainfall, amount of sun-
shine, and many other considerations not always
noticed. The plant that in a garden on a north
of England moor might be quite happy and take
care of itself, will need care in the sands of
Surrey, and plants that thrive with the more copious
rainfall on the western coast of Ireland may want
much looking after in Kent or Essex. In some
cases these difficulties are not easily got over.
Even soil is not by any means the simple thing
it looks, as that no matter what trouble we take, in
certain districts we cannot make soil nearly so
good as that which occurs naturally in others.
But from this and many other things, we may
learn the best lesson of all, as regards rock plants,
which is to grow the plants that our conditions
allow us to do best. We have even seen the
hardy Pansies perish in great heats on the south,
when in the cool hill-country they were enduring and

xiv FOREWORDS TO NEW EDITION

happy. Therefore in a dry district we should lean
more to the southern plants, such as Rock Roses, and
in heavy soils, which we cannot easily alter, take
up easily-grown plants, like the Candytufts, Rockfoils,
Stonecrops, and Houseleeks.

CONDITIONS ON THE ALPS.

If the conditions of plant life in our islands are so
varied, how of those of the Alps ? In no part of the
earth are they so wondrously varied, severe, and
even terrible. Valleys that would tempt young
goddesses to gather flowers, and valleys flanked with
cliffs fit to guard the River of Death : beautiful
forest shade for woodland flowers, and vast prairies
without a tree, yet paved with Gentians ; sunburnt
slopes and chilly gorges ; mountain copses with
shade and shelter for the taller plants, and uplands
with large areas of plants withered up, owing to
the snow lying more than a year. Plants rooted deep
in prime river-carried soil, and others living and thriving
in little depressions in the earthless rock. Lakes and
pools at every elevation, torrents, streams splashing
from snowy peaks ; pools, bogs, and spring-fed rills
at every altitude; long melting snow-fields, giving
the plants imprisoned below them their freedom at
different times, and so leading to a succession of
alpine flower life.

Most noticeable of all, for us, however, is the
great winter rest under the snow which keeps the
plants asleep. The absence of snow in our country

FOREWORDS TO NEW EDITION xv

is the cause of the greatest difficulty we have with
alpine plants. Constant change of weather, and
the occurrence of mild weather in winter when
all the high mountain plants are at rest, should lead us
to think more of southern plants and shrubs, which are
not subject to this high alpine sleep.

But there is one fact that should make all
Britons rock-gardeners, namely, that the climate
of our grey islands corresponds with that of an
immense range of mountain ground in central
Europe. The plains of France and of Lombardy
are hot, and the alpine passes ice - cold, while
the nightingales are singing in millions of acres
of mountain pasture set with islets of Wild Rose,
Hazel, and Aspen. And these conditions of
cool mountain ground between hot valley-land and
high frozen passes obtain over vast regions in central
and eastern Europe. Even in the south, the same
thing occurs. If asked to name two of the most
enduring rock-flowers, I could not name any
better than the blue Greek Anemone (A. blanda]
and the purple Rock Cress (Aubrietia), which we see
in quantity on the hills near Athens. I have never
seen the mountains of northern Greece nor the
mountainous regions near, but we should expect no
less from their flora, as their hillside climate would be
more like our own. If we go into Savoy to see its
rich alpine flora, we are often struck with the likeness
to the conditions of our own land. This is why
such large numbers of rock - plants are so easily
grown in Britain, we having the same cool summer

xvi FOREWORDS TO NEW EDITION

as in the high mountain ground. And the plants
that will enjoy these conditions are far more numerous
than those that inhabit the flank of the moraine
or the high mountain crest, with often a few weeks
of summer only. Hence the summer that burns
up the Roses on the plains of Italy or of Southern
Germany or France, leaves us cool in the plains of
Britain, not to speak of our mountain ground, so
admirable for the growth of alpine plants and
mountain shrubs. And we may be sure that it is only
certain groups of plants inhabiting very high ground,
like Androsace, that will offer us any difficulty.

It is for these reasons I have brought a greater
variety of plants into this edition ; hardy mountain
shrubs mainly, and those accustomed by nature to a
great variety of conditions, including plenty of sun and
an "open" winter. It is not only for their own sake
that the mountain shrubs are a gain ; it is for the
gentle shelter and shade they give to plants that grow
naturally in woods and copses. Some of these plants,
like Lily-of-the- valley, thrive in the open with us ;
but we lose plants of rare beauty, owing to exposure
on the bare rock-garden of plants that in nature live
among bushes and in copses and in open and moist
woods.

EXTRAVAGANCE

has had a free sway in rock - garden formation,
and has always ended in ugliness. Much harm is
done by rock-makers, their extravagant plans lead-
ing to great cost, of which some startling instances

FOREWORDS TO NEW EDITION xvii

could be given. This is more especially the case in
the artificial rock-garden, which is formed of bricks
and like material, covered with cement. Even if we
got such ugly things at little cost it would stop pro-
gress. They are rarely artistic, and they are bad for
the growth of plants. If we spend much in preliminary
effects, such as these rock-gardens give, there may be
little left for the main thing — the plants and their care.
People who have natural rocks in their own pro-
perty, or near it, are not likely to make such
mistakes, and the true way is to begin modestly with
a few natural stones. A man who has seen the
mountains, and has his heart in the matter, ought
to do better with a few loads of natural stone than
with five hundred tons of artificial rubbish. In many
parts of the Alps the prettiest effects are obtained
from plants clustered round a lichen-covered stone,
with, it may be, a yard only of its point exposed. Such
stones not only look well, but are best for the plants,
the roots of which find all they require beneath and
near the cool stone. In that way, in many districts,
even where the natural stone has to be carried home,
such a beginning need cost very little. Where the
stone is on the ground, as often happens in the north
and west, it might become a question of planting
only ; but the idea is so much in peoples' heads that
they must make some kind of " rock " work, that even
in the Alps I have seen men making little artificial
arrangements, reminding one of what used to be seen
in villa gardens at home, instead of planting the rocky
ground ready to their hands.

xviii FOREWORDS TO NEW EDITION

If we are to make artificial rock, it should be as a
last resort, and for effect only, as it never allows us to
grow plants half as well as the natural stone or even
the level soil.

Much improvement, both in design and cultivation of
rock-gardens and rock plants, has taken place within the
past twenty years or so, and some effects on these rock-
gardens are now seen that were impossible on the old
form of "rock- work," with its dust-dry pockets and hope-
less ugliness. At the Friar Park, Henley-on-Thames,
South Lodge, Leonardslee, Warley Place, Batsford,
and many other places, we may see not only the rarest
Alpine plants admirably grown, but effects and colour not
unworthy of the Alpine fields. Even the public gardens
where the most grotesque arrangements were common
have changed much for the better. I wish one could
say there was the same improvement in the nurseries
devoted to these plants. There are fuller collections,
but the needlessly costly way of offering single plants at
a high price tends to prevent any artistic grouping or
massing of the plants such as a beginner might seek.
Many alpine plants, like the Houseleeks, Stonecrops,
and Rockfoils, are almost too facile in increase, and
many others distinct from these are easily raised
from seed, while the mountain perennials, like the
Globe Flowers and Harebells, are easily increased by
division. So that there should be no difficulty for
any one with a piece of even poor ground in treating
the public more liberally than in the usual way of
offering single plants. It would be better both for
gardens and the trade if the bolder way were followed

FOREWORDS TO NEW EDITION xix

of offering plants by the dozen or hundred and at
reasonable rates.

The plants in this book are not treated in any one
or regular way, for the reason that they differ so much
in value. In nature, all plants may be said to be of
equal value, but in gardening the difference in their
values is enormous, both in degree and in every other
way. Therefore, in a purely garden book like this, the
only helpful way is to treat plants in some relation to
their value in the garden. A great many plants, also,
are truly Alpine, but have little or no use or beauty in
the garden, and these are not included in this book.
Nor can we even in such a vast theme include all the
claims to beauty, not to speak of the fact that many of
the regions from which these plants come are not yet
half explored, and many of the plants that are known
are not yet introduced.

Here I leave the Alpine garden to the young
enthusiasts of the future ; they can never exhaust its
variety, but can do much for it, by simple plans and
good culture. Done in the worst way and most adverse
conditions it is interesting, but, with care and thought
in the best, the Alpine garden may be the fairest ever
made by the hands of man.

W. ROBINSON.

GRAVETYE MANOR,
January 1903.

ALPINE FLOWERS

PAKT I

CULTURAL.

IN treating of the culture of alpine plants, the first considera-
tion is that much difference exists among them as regards con-
stitution and vigour. We have, on the one hand, many plants
that merely require to be sown or planted in the simplest way
to flourish — Arabis and Aubrietia for example; but, on the
other, there are many kinds, like the Primulas of the high Alps,
with many of their companions, which demand some thought
and care. Nearly the whole of the misfortunes which these
little plants have met with in our gardens are to be attributed
to the usual conception of what a rock-garden ought to be, and
of what the alpine plant requires. These plants live on high
mountains ; therefore it is erroneously thought they will do best
in our gardens if planted on such ugly heaps of stones and
brick rubbish as we frequently see piled up and dignified by
the name of "rockwork." Eocks are often "bare," and cliffs
are devoid of soil ; but we must not conclude from this that the

2 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

choice jewellery of plant life scattered over the ribs of the
mountain, or growing out of the crag and crevice, lives upon
little more than the mountain air and the melting snow.
Where shall we find such a depth of well-ground stony soil, and
withal such perfect drainage, as on the ridges of debris flanking
some great glacier, stained all over with tufts of crimson
Saxifrage? That narrow chink, from which peep tufts of
the beautiful Androsace helvetica, has for ages gathered the
crumbling grit and scanty soil, into which the roots enter far.
If we find plants growing from mere cracks without soil, the
roots simply search farther into the heart of the flaky rock, so
that they are safer from any want of moisture than in the
deepest soil.

We find on the Alps plants not more than an inch high, and
so firmly rooted in crevices of half-rotten slaty rock that any
attempt to take them out would be futile. But, by knocking
away the sides from some isolated bits of projecting rock, we
may lay bare the roots and find them radiating in all directions
against a flat rock, some of them a yard long. We think it
rapacious of the Ash, a forest tree, to send its roots under the
walls of our gardens and rob the soil therein ; but here is an
instance of a plant one inch high, penetrating into the earth
to a distance many times greater than its foliage ventures into
the alpine air. And there need be no doubt whatever that even
smaller plants descend quite as deep, though it is rare to find

the texture and position of the rock
such as will admit of tracing their
roots. It is true, we occasionally
find hollows in flat, hard rock, into
which moss and leaves have
gathered for ages, and where, in
a sort of basin, without an outlet
of any kind in the hard rock,
plants grow freely; but in excep-

Mountain flank in process of degradation. r

tional droughts they are just as

liable to suffer from want of water as they would be in our
plains. On level or sloping spots of ground in the Alps, the

PART L] CULTURAL 3

earth is often of great depth, and if it be not all earth in the
common sense of the word, it is more suitable to rock plants
than what we commonly understand by that term. Stones of
all sizes broken up with the soil, sand, and grit, greatly tend to
prevent evaporation. The roots lap round them and follow
them deeply down while in such positions, they never suffer
from want of food and moisture, or weather. Stone is a
great preventive of evaporation, and shattered stone forms the
soil of the mountain flanks where the rarest alpine plants
abound, while the degradation of gritty soil, so continually
effected by melted snow water and heavy rains in summer,
serves to earth up, so to speak, many alpine plants. I have
torn up tufts of them, showing the remains of generations of
the old plants buried and half buried in the soil beneath their
descendants. This would be effected to some extent by the
decaying of the plants themselves, but frequently grit and
peat are washed down among them ; and, in cases where the
washings-down do not come so thickly as to overwhelm the
plants, they thrive with unusual vigour.

Now, if we consider how dry even our English air often
becomes in summer, and that no natural positions in our
gardens afford such cool rooting-places as those described, the
need of giving to alpine plants a soil quite different from what
has hitherto been in vogue will be seen. The only good
principle generally followed is that of raising the plants above
the level of the ground. But this raising of the plants above
the level should in all cases be accompanied by the more
essential way of giving the plants means of rooting deeply into
good and firm soil — sandy, gritty, peaty, or mingled with broken
stone, as the case may be.

How not to do this is shown by persons who stuff a little
soil into a chink between the stones in a rockery, and insert
some small alpine plant in that. There is usually a vacuum
between the stones and the soil beneath them, and the first
dry week sees the death of the plant — that not being usually
attributed to the right cause. Precisely the same end would
have come of it if the experiment had been tried on some alp

4 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

bejewelled with Gentians. We should not pay so much
attention to the stones or rocks as to the earth for the plants.
There are certainly alpine plants that do not require a deep soil,
or what is usually termed soil at all; but all require a firm
medium for the roots.

In numbers of gardens an attempt at " rockwork " of some
sort has been made ; but in most cases the result is ridiculous ;
not because it is puny when compared with Nature's work in
this way, but because it is so arranged that rock-plants cannot
exist upon it. In many places a sort of sloping stone or burr
wall passes as " rockwork," a dust of soil being shaken in be-
tween the stones. In others, made upon a better plan as regards
the base, the " rocks " are all stuck up on their ends, and so close
that soil, or room for a plant to root or spread, is out of the
question. The best thing that usually happens to a structure
of this sort is that its nakedness gets covered by some friendly
climbing shrub, or some rampant weed, to the exclusion of
true rock-plants.

In moist districts, where frequent rains keep porous stone
in a continually humid state, this too showy " rockwork " may
manage to support a few plants; but in by far the larger
portion of the British Isles it is useless, and always ugly.
In the southern and eastern counties, where of late years
the rainfall is often very low, the need is all the greater to see
that alpine plants are so placed that they will not suffer from
drought. It is not alone because the mountain air is pure and
clear and moist that the Gentians and like plants prefer it,
but because the elevation is unsuitable to the coarser-growing
vegetation ; and the alpines have it all to themselves. Take a
healthy patch of Silene acaulis, by which the summits of some
of our highest mountains are mossed with rosy crimson,
and plant it two thousand feet lower down in suitable soil,
keeping it moist enough and free from weeds, and we may grow
it well ; but leave it to Nature in the same neighbourhood, and
the strong grasses and herbage will soon run through and cover
it, excluding the light, and finally killing the diminutive Moss
Campion.

PART I.]

CULTURAL

It is not only those who make their " rockwork " out of spoilt
bricks, cement, and perhaps clinkers, that err in this respect,
but the designers of vsome of the most expensive works of this
kind. At Chats worth, for instance, and also to some extent at
the Crystal Palace, we see rocks not offensive so far as distant
effect in the landscape is concerned; but, when examined
closely, it might well be imagined that rocks and rock-plants
were never intended for each other's company, so bare are
these of their best ornaments. They are, for the most part,
pavements of small stones, huge masses of stone, or imitation
rock, formed by laying cement over brickwork, and in none
of these cases are they adapted for the cultivation of mountain
plants.

It is possible to combine the most picturesque effects of
which rocks are capable, with all the requirements for plant-
growing ; and it is easy to use the large stones and make bold
effects, and leave at the same time level intervening spaces
of rocky ground in which rock-plants may thrive almost as
well as on the many mountain pastures where we see them
happy in the mountain turf.

Part of the Rock Garden at Brookfield, Hathersage, Sheffield.

ALPINE FLOWERS [PARTI.

POSITION FOR THE ROCK-GARDEN.

The position selected for the rock-garden should not, as a
rule, be near walls, or very near a house; never, if possible,
within view of formal surroundings of any kind ; and generally
be in an open situation; and no effort should be spared to
make all the surroundings as graceful, quiet, and natural as
they can be made. The part of the gardens around the rock-
garden should be picturesque, and, in any case, display a
careless grace, resulting from the naturalisation of beautiful,
hardy herbaceous plants, and the absence of too formal walks
and beds. The roots of forest trees would be almost sure to
find their way into the masses of good soil provided for the
choicer alpine plants, and thoroughly exhaust them. Besides,
as alpine flowers are usually found on treeless and even bush-
less wastes, it is certainly wrong to place them under trees or
in shaded positions, as has generally hitherto been their fate.
It need hardly be added that it is an unwise practice to plant
pines on rockwork, as has been lately done in Hyde Park and
many other places. It will, however, generally be in good
taste to have some graceful young pines planted near, as this
type of vegetation is usually to be seen on mountains, apart
altogether from their great beauty and the aid which they so
well afford in making the surroundings of the rock-garden what
they ought to be. In small places, and in those where, from
unavoidable circumstances, the rock-garden is made near a
group of trees, the roots of which might rob it, it would be
found a good plan to cut them off by a narrow drain, descend-
ing as deep as, or somewhat deeper than, the roots of the trees ;
this should be filled with rough concrete, and it will form an
effectual barrier.

MATERIALS.

As regards the kinds of stone to be used, if one could
choose, sandstone or millstone grit would perhaps be the best ;

PART I.] CULTURAL 7

but it is seldom that a choice can be made, and happily almost
any kind of natural stone will do, from Kentish rag to lime-
stone ; soft, slaty, and other kinds liable to crumble away
should be avoided, as also should magnesian limestone. Stone
of the district should be adopted for economy's sake, if for
no other reason. Wherever the natural rock crops out, as it
often does in many hilly parts of our islands, it is sheer waste
to create artificial rockwork instead of embellishing that which
naturally occurs. Something of the same kind might be said
of many of our country seats. In many cases of this kind
nothing would have to be done but to clear the ground, and
add here and there a few loads of good soil, with broken stones,
etc., to prevent evaporation ; the natural crevices being planted
where possible. Cliffs or banks of chalk, as well as all kinds
of rock, should be taken advantage of in this way; many
plants, like the dwarf Campanulas and Eock Eoses, thrive
in such places.

No burrs, clinkers, vitrified matter, portions of old arches
and pillars, broken-nosed statues, etc., should ever obtain a
place in a garden devoted to alpine flowers. Stumps and pieces
of old trees are quite as bad as any of the foregoing materials ;
they are only fitted to form supports for rough climbers, and
it is rarely worth while incurring any expense in arranging
them. It is best to begin without attempting much. Let
your earliest attempts at " the first great evidences of mountain
beauty " be confined to a few square yards of earth, with no
protuberance more than a yard or so high, and be satisfied
that you succeed with that, before trying anything more
ambitious. The stones should usually all have their bases
buried in the ground, and the seams should not be visible ;
whenever a vertical or oblique seam of any kind occurs, it
should be crammed with earth, and the plants put in this will
quickly hide the seams. Horizontal fissures should be avoided
as much as possible ; they are only likely to occur in vertical
faces of rock, and these should be avoided except where distant
effect is sought. No vacuum should exist beneath the surface
of the soil or surface-stones. Myriads of alpine plants have

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

been lost from want of observing this precaution, the open
crevices and loose texture of the soil permitting the dry air to
destroy them in a very short time.

Mound of earth, with exposed points of rock.

In all cases where elevations of any kind are to be formed,
the true way is to obtain them by means of a gentle mound of
soil, suitable to the plants, putting a stone in here and there as
the work proceeds ; frequently it would be desirable to make
these mounds without any " strata." The wrong and the usual
way is to get the desired elevation by piling up arid and ugly
masses of " rockwork."

HIDDEN NATURAL ROCK.

While many go to great expense in forming masses of
artificial rock, made of bricks and cement, and others are

Unearthed Rocks in a Sussex Garden.

PART I.] CULTURAL 9

satisfied with the old bricks themselves, accompanied by
clinkers and other offensive rubbish, few trouble themselves
about the rock treasures that often lie beneath the sod.
Considering the large sums that are spent in sham rocks,
and the greater value in every way of natural rock, masses of
it are most valuable to those who care for the picturesque in
garden scenery. The illustration on the opposite page gives a
feeble notion of one of the rocks that a friend of mine has
succeeded in unearthing. His place was somewhat liberally
strewn with rock on the surface ; but the owner was anxious
for more ; and by digging out the earth, he has formed a
beautiful gorge between two flanks of rock; and by clearing
away the earth from the flank of a nose of rock that just
projects above a grassy knoll, he has discovered beautiful
wrinkles, crevices, and other charms in it. Thus by a little
persevering searching and digging, has been produced a scene
as interesting as in an alpine country, and one which offers such
a variety of aspects that one could desire for a rock-garden.
Many kinds of rock plants may be grown on it in the best
manner, and arranged on it with the happiest effect.

Stone Pathway in Rock Garden at Warley Place, Essex.

It would seem redundant to advise country folk to develop
the beauty of natural rocks— where they happen to have any —
but it is not so, as I have seen artificial rock being formed in
places where there were acres of beautiful rocks hidden away
in the underwood ! Even where no desire is felt for the
cultivation of alpine plants, the effect of the rock on the
landscape should be thought of, as it is often very precious.

10 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

I have myself made visible throughout the country-side a
quarter of a mile of rocks, which were once hidden in the
underwood.

Ascending Pathway in Rock Garden (Warley Place).

As we see too clearly that the rock-gardens too commonly
made by those who profess to make them, are not based upon
observation of natural form, it is well to show all we can of the
way rocks come out of the earth, and of their structure and
often beauty of colour and form.

PATHWAYS, ETC.

No walk with regularly -trimmed edges of any kind should
pass through, or even come near, the rock-garden. This need
not prevent walks through or near it, as, by allowing the edges
of the walk to be a little free and stony, and by permitting
dwarf Stonecrops, Linaria alpina, and the lawn Eockfoils to crawl
into the walk at will, a good effect will arise. In every case
where walks pass through rock-gardens, a variety of little
plants should be placed at the sides, and allowed to crawl into
the walk in their own way. There is no surface whatever of
this kind that may not be thus planted: Violets, Ferns, and
Myosotis will answer for the moister and shadier parts, and the
Stonecrops, Eockfoils, Sandworts, and many others, will thrive
in more arid parts and in the full sun. The whole of the surface

PART I.]

CULTURAL

of the alpine garden should be covered with plants, except the
projecting points of rocks ; arid even these should be covered,
as far as possible, without concealing them. In moist districtsr
such plants as Erinus alpinus and Arenaria balearica will grow
wherever there is a resting-place for a seed on the face of the
rocks ; and even vertical faces of rock may be half covered
with a variety of plants; so that there is no reason why any
level surfaces of ground should be bare.

EOCKY STEPS.

A propos of simple ways of getting good effects, I may
mention what took place in a garden in Sussex, where stone
steps had been placed in the rock garden just as a pathway.
The plants inserted between the rough stones — Gentians and
Stonecrops in a varied collection — gave the prettiest effect, and
si 10 wed the finest health of any plants in the place ; and with
good reason, because they were protected from the heat much
more effectually than the plants in the rock garden near, as

Rocky Path at Lydhurst, Sussex.

12 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

they could spread their roots under the great stones. The
result was quite a picture, and got in the most simple way.

CONSTRUCTION.

In no case should regular or mason-built steps be permitted
in or near the rock-garden. Steps may be made irregular, and
even beautiful, with violets and other small plants jutting from
every crevice. No cement should be used in connection with
the steps. The woodcut on page 10 is from a photograph of
the lower part of rude steps ascending from a deep and moist
recess in a rock-garden. It shows imperfectly — no engraving
could show it otherwise — the crowds of lovely plants that
gather over it, except where worn bare by feet. In cases where
the simplest type of rock-garden only is attempted, and where
there are no rude walks in the rock-garden, the very fringes of
the gravel walks may be graced by the dwarfer Stonecrops.
The alpine Linaria is never more beautiful than when self-sown
in a gravel walk. " Rockwork," which is so made that its
miniature cliffs overhang, is useless for alpine vegetation ; and
all but such wall -loving plants as Corydalis lutea, perish on it.
The tendency to make it with overhanging brows is everywhere
seen in cement rock-gardens. Into the alpine garden this kind
of construction should never be admitted, except to get the
effect of bold cliffs. When this system is admitted, the designer
should be requested to obtain his picturesque effect otherwise
than by making all his " cliffs " overhang. It is erroneous to
suppose that heaps of stones or small rocks are necessary for
the health of alpine plants. The great majority will thrive
without their aid if the soil be suitable ; and though all are
benefited by them, if properly used as elsewhere described, it is
important that it should be generally known how needless is
the common system of inserting mountain plants among loose
stones. Half burying rocks or stones in the earth round a rare
species, which it is intended to save from excessive evaporation,
and which has a deep body of soil to root into, is, however, a
different and a good practice.

PART L] CULTURAL

SOIL.

The great majority of alpine plants thrive best in deep, cool,
and gritty soil. In it they can root deeply, and when once they
are so rooted, they will not suffer from drought, from which they
would quickly perish if planted in the usual way. Two feet
deep is not too much for most species in dry districts, and it is
in nearly all cases a good plan to have plenty of broken sand-
stone or grit mixed with the soil. Any good free loam, with
plenty of sand and grit, will be found to suit many alpine plants,
from Pinks to Gromwells. But peat is required by some, as,
for example, various small and brilliant rock-plants like
Menziesia, Trillium, Cypripedium, Spigelia inarilandica, and
other mountain and bog plants. Hence, though the general
mass of a rock garden may be of an open loam nature, it will be
desirable to have a few masses of sandy and leaf soil and peat
here and there. This is better than forming all the ground of
good loam, and then digging holes in it for the reception of
small masses of peat. The soil of one or more portions might
also be chalky or calcareous, for the sake of plants that are
known to thrive best on these formations, as Polygala calcarea,
the Bee orchis, and Ehododendron chamsecistus. Any other
varieties of soil required by individual kinds can be given as
they are planted.

Much consideration has been given by botanists to the
plants that grow on the different formations, but we have
evidence in British gardens that the good soils common in them
will sustain in health a great number of kinds well, that in
Nature are found on soils of a special character.

Mr Correvon, who has given much thought to the matter,
writes as follows in The Garden: —

The flora of the Alps depends in a much greater degree than
that of the plains on the chemical nature of the soil. We know
that from the point of view of chemistry, the mountains are divided
into two main classes, namely, the calcareous and the granitic,
otherwise the sedimentary and the igneous.

All the mountain ranges of the Alps are either of limestone or

14 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

of granite. The vegetation that adorns them is directly subject to
their influence, and hence becomes a flora either calcareous or
silicious. Thus, also, there is among the alpine plants that we have
in cultivation, some that desire or actually require lime, just as
there are others that avoid it, and must have silica. It is important
to know to which category the various plants belong, in order to
combine them rightly. There are, notwithstanding, a great number
— indeed the larger number — of mountain plants whose distribution
is general, and which do equally well in either soil. ^ It is just these,
of all the plants of the Alps, that submit most readily to cultivation,
and that have long been established in gardens.

But there are great numbers of other species which, though easy
to grow at Geneva, where the soil, the water, and the stone contain
lime, are by no means so accommodating in the west of France or in
the parts of England that are granitic ; while there is a whole range
of other species that are readily grown in these regions, and that
we cannot persuade to feel at home in our lime-impregnated
garden.

One of my friends, Dr A. Rosenstiehl, a chemist, who is also an
excellent botanist, has gone deep into the subject, and, thanks to a
system of watering with distilled water, has arrived at some excel-
lent results. He set to work with all the necessary care and pre-
caution, keeping his granite rock free from contact with lime, and
the results he has obtained prove that those botanists are right who
class some plants as lovers, and others as haters, of lime, and others
again as inimical to granite.

The juices of plants are acid ; these acids, when brought into
contact with the carbonate of lime absorbed by the plant, become
saturated and neutralised. There are formed therefore in the plant
certain salts of lime, which, if they are soluble in water, can circulate
in its organism ; but if they are insoluble, as is often the case, the
channels of circulation become choked, and nutrition is impeded.
Their presence, therefore, is a mechanical impediment to the well-
being of the plant. Dr Rosenstiehl has verified the presence of
such acids in the lime-hating plants he has examined, and it is
certain that these plants, if grown in soil containing lime, will
sooner or later become poisoned. He has shown me in his garden
examples of Sphagnum and Vaccinium, plants essentially lime-
hating and granite-loving, whose leaves were throwing out small
calcareous crystals and were dying. All plants, however, require
lime in a certain proportion for the building up of their tissues, and
it is found in the ashes of even the most lime-hating of plants.
Each species must have a certain amount, but cannot endure too
strong a dose, and on these a little too much acts as poison. The
careful cultivator must therefore learn exactly how much must be
given to each species.

Dr Rosenstiehl grows Asplenium germanicum in soil containing

PART I.]

CULTURAL

0.293 per cent, of carbonate of lime, while the earth in which
Edelweiss is growing contains a great deal more. This plant is,
as is well known, essentially lime-loving and its flower-bracts are
just so much more white and woolly in proportion as the soil it
grows in is rich in lime.

Here is a list of the principal alpine plants that need one or
other of the two soils containing respectively either lime or granite :

Calcareous.

Achillea atrata

Aconitum Anthora

Adenostylis alpina

Androsace chamsejasme
„ arachnoidea

„ helvetica

„ pubescens

„ villosa

Anemone alpina

„ narcissiflora

„ Pulsatilla

„ Hepatica

Anthyllis montana

Artemisia mutellina

Braya alpina

Campanula thyrsoidea
„ cenisia

Cephalaria alpina

Cyclamen europseum

Daphne alpina
„ Cneorum

Dianthus alpinus

Draba tomentosa

Erica carnea

Eryngium alpinum

Erinus alpinus

Gentiana alpina
„ angustifolia
„ Clusii
„ ciliata
„ asclepiadea

Geranium aconitifolium

Globularias

Gnaphalium Leontopodium

Gypsophila repens

Lychnis Flos-jo vis

Moehringia muscosa

Granitic.

Achillea moschata
Aconitum septentrionale
Adenostylis albifrons
Androsace carnea

„ lactea

„ glacialis

„ imbricata

„ vitaliana
Anemone sulphurea

„ baldensis

„ montana

„ vernalis
Arnica montana
Artemisia glacialis
Astrantia minor
Azalea procumbens
Braya pinnatifida
Campanula spicata

„ excisa

Daphne petrsea

„ striata
Dianthus glacialis
Draba frigida
Ephedra helvetica
Eritrichium nanum
Gentiana brachyphylla

„ Kochiana

„ frigida

„ pneumonanthe

„ pyrenaica
Geranium argenteum
Gnaphalium supinum
Linnaea borealis
Lychnis alpina
Meum athamanticum
Oxytropis campestris
Papaver rhseticum

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

Calcareous.
Oxytropis montana
Papaver alpinum
Primula Auricula

„ Clusiana

„ integrifolia

„ minima

„ spectabilis
Ranunculus alpestris

„ Seguieri

Rhododendron hirsutum
Ribes petrseum
Saussurea discolor
Saxifraga longif olia

„ csesia

„ diapensioides

„ burseriana

„ tombeanensis

„ squarrosa

„ media

„ aretioides
Senecio abrotanif olius

„ aurantiacus
Semperviyum dolomiticum

„ hirtum

„ Neilreichii

„ Pittoni

„ tectorum

Silene acaulis

„ alpestris

„ Elizabeths

„ vallesia
Valeriana saxatilis
Viola cenisia

FERNS.

Cystopteris alpina

„ montana

Aspidium Lonchitis
Asplenium Selovi
„ fontanum

viride .

Granitic.

Phyteuma hemisphaericum
Phyteuma pauciflorum
Primula hirsuta

„ glutinosa

„ wulfeniana

„ Facchinii

„ longiflora
Ranunculus crenatus

„ glacialis

Rhododendron ferrugineum
Ribes alpinum
Saussurea alpina
Saxifraga Cotyledon

„ Hirculus

„ Seguieri

„ . moschata

„ aspera

„ bryoides

„ ajugsefolia

„ exarata

„ retusa
Senecio uniflorus

„ carniolicus
Sempervivum arachnoideum
„ acuminatum

„ debile

„ Gaudina

Wulfeni
Silene exscapa

„ rupestris

„ pumilio

„ quadrifida
Vaccinium uliginosum

„ oxycoccus
Valeriana celtica

„ Saliunca
Veronica fruticulosa
Viola comollia

Woodsia hyperborea

„ ilvensis
Blechnum spicant
Allosorus crispus
Asplenium germanicum

„ septentrionale

PART I.] CULTURAL 17

This list is necessarily incomplete, and comprises only the most
characteristic examples of the plants special to the limestone and to
the granite, and those which we have actually tried and proved,
either at Geneva, at the alpine garden of the Linnsea at Bourg St
Pierre, which is essentially granitic, or at the one at the Rochers de
Naye, which is of limestone. The names of the plants are so placed
in the two columns that related species are opposite one another, so
that readers may see at a glance the part that is played by the
presence or absence of lime.

While in our garden on the Rochers de Naye above Montreux,
which is essentially calcareous, we have never been able to establish
species essentially granitic ; in that of Bourg St Pierre, which is
granitic, we are unable to cultivate Primula Auricula, Campanula
thyrsoides, Gentiana lutea, alpina, angustifolia, and Clusi, and other
calcareous plants.

It is always well, however, in considering alpine plants in
relation to soil in their native homes, to remember that the
nature of the rock is but one of the conditions that may lead
to the presence or absence of plants in any given situation;
rainfall, altitude, temperature, length of growing season,
presence or absence of snow, and the absence of more vigorous
plants, having all to be counted with, and other conditions not
so clear to us.

Need of poor soil for certain plants. — The tendency of
gardeners is to overrich earth in almost everything, and among
alpine flowers we often see the effects of this iu too rank a
growth, making some plants less able to endure our winter and
early spring weather. Deep soil is not against us, but it would
be better in many cases without any humus, but formed of grit,
broken sandstone, or other stones, as the case may be. On such
earth plants that fail in the ordinary borders or banks might
often be grown in a firm and healthy state.

I mean simply heaping up banks of rough sand or decayed
stone, and so as to secure various aspects. In certain cases
there should be no rich soil whatever, so as to get the dwarf,
wiry growth that we often find on the more arid and stony
parts of the Alps.

Grit. — A gritty soil, or pure grit, are often very useful in
the rock-garden, and where there is a large collection of plants

18 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

difficult to grow and keep, heaps and banks of grit will help
much. The detritus of millstone grit and granite are among
the best, and in some districts sharp river sand, but sea sand
does not, as a rule, take the place of these grits, granite grit
being for plants of granitic formations. These banks would
be all the better having different aspects, some cool and moist.

It is, however, a mistake to suppose that all rock-plants will
not endure drought. Many, such as the Eock-roses (Cistus),
Sun-roses (Hdianthemum), Stonecrops (Sedum), Sandworts
(Arenaria), the rock Bindweeds, Heaths, and many other rock-
plants, supporting drought and sunshine bravely.

VAKIOUS ROCK-GARDENS.

We will now enter into particulars as to the various ways in
which alpine plants may be grown, beginning with the best type
of rock-garden — that in which, in addition to the low-lying,
stony, and rocky banks and slopes, where numbers of hardy
and vigorous species may be grown, there are miniature cliffs
and ravines, with perhaps bog and water. The most usual of
the faults in setting rocks is that of so placing the stones that
they seem to have as little connection with the soil of the spot
as if thrown out of a cart. Instead of allowing what may be
termed the foundations of the rock-garden to barely show their
upper ridges above the earth, and thereby suggesting much more
endurable ideas of " rock " than those arising from the contempla-
tion of the unnatural-looking masses usually seen, the stones
are often placed on the ground much as a bricklayer places
bricks.

Half-buried Stone in Rock-Garden.

The surface of every part of the rock-garden should be so
arranged that all rain will be absorbed by it ; here, again,
the objection to overhanging faces holds good. If the elevations

Part of the Rock-Garden at Elmet Hall, Leeds.

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

are obtained, as they should be, by gradually receding, irregular
steps, rather than by abrupt " crags," walls, etc., all the plants
on the surface will be refreshed by rains. The upper surfaces
of crags and mounds should in all cases be of earth, broken
stones, grit, etc., as indeed should every spot where projecting
stones or rock are not required for the sake of effect. All
the soil-surfaces of the rock-garden should be protected from
excessive evaporation by finely broken stones, pebbles, or grit
scattered on the surface, or by means of small pieces of broken
sandstone or millstone half buried in the ground.

If we merely want a certain surface of rock disposed in a
picturesque way, such details as these may not be worthy
of attention, but if we wish our rock-gardens to be faithful

Well-formed Sloping Ledges.

Artificial Rock on which Plants do not
Thrive.

miniatures of those wild ones which are among the most
exquisite of Nature's gardens, then they are of much importance.

In dealing with the construction of the bolder masses of
rockwork, we cannot have a better guide than the late Mr
James Backhouse, of York, who wrote:—

"Comparatively few alpines prefer or succeed well in
horizontal fissures. Those, however, which, like LycJmis

PART I.]

CULTURAL

Lychnis and smne in

Viscaria and Silene acaulis, form long tap roots, thrive

well in such fissures, provided the earth in the fissure is

continuous, and leads 'backward to a sufficient

lody of soil. Where the horizontal fissures

are very narrow, owing to the main rocks

being in contact in places, and leaving

only irregular and interrupted fissures, such

plants as Lychnis Lagascce, Lychnis pyrenaica,

and others, bearing and preferring hot sunny

exposures, do well. But many plants that

would bear the heat and drought, if they

could get their roots far enough back,

would quickly die if placed in such fissures, from the want

of soil and moisture near the front; therefore it is usually

better, in building rockwork with these fissures, to keep

the main rocks slightly apart by

means of pieces of very hard stone

(basalt, close-grained ' flag,' etc.), so

as to leave room for a good inter-

mediate layer of rich loam, stones,

or grit, mingled with a little peat. The front view of such a

structure would be as above — the dark spaces being firmly

filled with the appropriate mixture of soil lefore the upper

course of large rocks is placed.

" As a rule, oblique and vertical fissures are both preferable
to horizontal ones ; but care should be taken with ' oblique
fissures that the upper rock does not overhang. A plant placed
at J will often die, when the same placed at H will live, because

Horizontal Fissure.

Right

Wrong.

the rain falling on the sloping face of rock at I will drop of at J,
and miss the fissure J altogether, while that falling on the slop-

22 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

ing face of rock at K will all run into the fissure H. There are,
however, some plants, like Nothochlcena Marantce and Androsace
lanuginosa, which so much prefer positions dry in winter that a
fissure like J would suit them better than one like H. Such,
however, are rare exceptions.

" The best and worst general forms of steep rockwork we have
tried are those indicated in the following figures. By making
each rock slightly recede from the one below it, the rain runs
consecutively into every fissure. Where the main fissures
reverse this order, almost everything dies or languishes. Care
should be taken to have the top made of mixed earth and stones
— not of rock, unless use is intentionally sacrificed to scenic
effect.

"Vertical fissures (which suit many rare alpines best of
all) should always, so far as possible, be made narrower at the

Right. Wrong.

bottom than at the top. If otherwise, the intervening earth,
etc., leaves the sides of the rock as it ' settles/ instead of becom-
ing tighter. In figure A, as the total mass of soil sinks, it
becomes compressed against the sides of the rock ; while in B,
the soil leaves the sides of the fissures more and more as the mass
sinks, and almost invariably forms distinct * cracks ' (separations
between the soil and rock) sooner or later. The same principle
applies to small stones and fissures. To prevent undue evapora-
tion in the case of such fissures, stones, larger or smaller, may
be laid on the top of the soil, care being taken not to cover top
much of it, to the exclusion of rain.

" Where a large fissure exists, the smaller pieces of stone in it
are on this account best placed with the narrowest edge or

PART I.]

CULTURAL

point upwards (fig. c) — not downwards. It will easily be seen
that the tendency of the mixed soil, both as a whole and in each

(A) Right.

(B) Wrong.

of its subdivided parts, is to become more and more compressed
by its own weight and by the action of rain."

In the construction and planting of every kind of rock-
garden, it should be remembered that every surface may and
should be embellished with beautiful plants. Not alone on
rocks or slopes, or favourable ledges or chinks, or miniature
valleys, should we see this kind of plant -life. Numbers of rare
mountain species will thrive
on the less trodden parts of
footways ; others, like the
two-flowered Violet, seem
to thrive best of all in the
fissures between rude steps
of the rockwork; many dwarf
succulents delight in gravel
and the hardest soil, and
various other plants will
run free in among low shrubs
near the rock-garden.

As a rule, much more
vegetation than rocks should
be seen. Where vast regions
are inhabited by alpine plants, acres of crags, with a stain
of flowers here and there, are attractive parts of the picture ;

Showing ascending rock with base buried.

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

but in gardens, where our creations in this way can only
be Lilliputian, a different method must be pursued, except
in places where great cliffs are naturally exposed ; and even in
this case much vegetation is best. Frequently masses of stone
with an occasional tuft of vegetation, are met with under the
name of " rockwork," every chink and joint between the stones
being quite exposed. This should not be so ; every minute
chink should have its little line of verdure. Where the ground
is low, there is not the slightest need for placing stones all over
the surface ; an occasional one cropping up here and there from
the mass of vegetation will give the best effect. Alpine flowers
are often seen in multitudes and in their loveliest aspect in some
little elevated level spot, frequently without rocks being visible
through it, and when they do occur, merely peeping up here and
there. They are lovely, too, in the awful wastes of broken rock,
where they cower down between the great stones in lonely tufts,
but it is only when Gentians and silvery Cudweeds, and minute
white Buttercups, and strange large Violets, and Harebells that
waste all their strength in flowers, and fairy Daffodils that droop
their heads as gracefully as Snowdrops, are seen, forming a dense

turf of living enamel work, that
they are seen in all their beauty.
Fortunately, the flowery turf and
gentle mound are much more
possible to us than the moraine
ruin or arid cliffs.

In cultivating the rarest and
smallest alpine plants, the stony,
or partially stony, surface is to
be preferred. In their case, we
cannot allow the struggle for life
to have its own relentless way,
or we should often have to grieve
at finding the Eritrichium from
the high Alps of Europe overrun
Ledge of Alpine Flowers (a Garden sketch). ; and exterminated by an alpine
American Phlox. Full exposure is also necessary to com-

PART L] CULTURAL 25

plete success with very minute plants, and the stones pre-
vent excessive evaporation from the roots. A great number
of alpine plants may be grown on exposed level ground as
readily as the common Chamomile ; but there are, on the other
hand, not a few that require care to establish them, and there
are usually new kinds to be added to the collection, which, even
if vigorous ones, should be kept apart for a time. Therefore, in
every place where the culture of alpine plants is entered into
with zest, there ought to be a select spot on which to grow the

Alpine Plants growing on the level ground.

delicate, rare, and diminutive kinds. It should be fully exposed,
and while sufficiently elevated to secure perfect drainage and all
the effect desirable, should not be riven into miniature cliffs.

SLUGS.

Alpine plants will not perish from cold or heat or wet, if pro-
perly planted, but many of them are so small that they hardly
afford a full meal to a browsing slug, and often disappear during
a moist night. Now, as our gardens abound with slugs that play
havoc with many things colossal compared with our alpine
friends, it is clear that one of the main points is to guard against
slugs and snails, and, as far as possible, against worms. Mr
Backhouse fenced off the choicest parts of his rock-garden from
them by a very irregular little canal, so arranged that, while not
an eyesore, it is water-tight, and no slug can cross it. It thus
becomes an easier task to guard the plants from slugs than when
they are allowed to crawl in from all points of the compass.
But even with this precaution, it is necessary to search con-
tinually for snails and slugs ; and in wet weather the choicest
plants should be examined in the evening, or very early in the-
inorning; with a lantern, if at night. Sir Charles Isham, an
enthusiastic cultivator of rock-plants, says that he not only
protects toads, but does not forget to lay stones, so as to form

26 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

little retreats for them underneath. They prefer a stone just
sufficiently raised to crawl under, and do a deal of good by
destroying slugs. He also protects frogs and all carnivorous
insects. Ceaseless hand-picking, however, is the best remedy for
slugs, and where this is not done, there is little hope of succeed-
ing with some plants, at least where slugs are as abundant as we
usually find them in gardens.

GEOGRAPHICAL ARRANGEMENTS OF ROCK-PLANTS.

I have seen in the Berlin Botanic Gardens an interesting
essay to grow alpine flowers as distributed over the various
ranges of mountains in central Europe ; keeping the plants on
such rocks, stones, and soil as they are found upon. While such
& plan may be pursued with some reason in a botanic garden, it
is doubtful, generally, for private places, and not an artistic
plan to pursue in a botanic garden, as the more we find
such ideas pursued, the less beauty we see, and beauty
should be the first raison d'etre of a garden. The so-called
"natural" arrangements of plants in botanic gardens were
most wearisome, and still uglier were the " Linnasan " arrange-
ments of living plants in botanic gardens. If the mind is fixed
much on any book system of setting out plants in gardens,
the precious gift of beauty is often lost. Therefore attempts to
imitate the particular mountain ranges and their flora is not
likely to lead to so good results as where we are free to get the
best result our conditions will allow of.

One exception, however, I would make in our country, and
that would be a British Alpine and Moor Garden. We have our
own mountains, and many of them — Welsh, Irish, Scotch, and
North English — with many beautiful plants on them. It would,
however, be an instance of hyper-refinement to grow separately
the plants of each of our own islands ; the effort should be rather
to show their unity and connection. So many people buried in
cities do not know that we have beautiful alpine flowers, natives
of our own land, that it might be well to let them see in a
garden of British Alpine and Moor plants.

PART I.]

CULTURAL

CASCADES, BRIDGES, ETC.

Where water occurs near the rock-garden, bridges here are
often seen ; but some such arrangement as that suggested would
be better. It is, however, introduced here chiefly for the

Stepping-Stone Bridge, with Water- Lilies and Water Plants.

purpose of showing how well it enables one to enjoy various
beautiful aquatic plants, from the fringed and crimson-tipped
Bog-bean and graceful Carex
pendula at the sides, to the
golden Villarsia and Water
Lilies sailing among the
stones. Care is required to
arrange it so that it may
satisfy the eye, offer free pass-
age to the water, and an easy
means of crossing it at all times.

Kock-gardens made on the margin of water are very often
objectionable — rigid, abrupt, unworn, and absurdly unnatural.
In no position is an awkwardness more likely to be detected ;
in none should more care be taken not to offend good taste.
Good effects may be obtained on rocky mounds near water, by
planting with moisture-loving rock plants ; but even the
grace and beauty of the finest of these will not relieve the

Plan of preceding figure.

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

hideousness of the masses of brick-rubbish and stone that are
frequently placed by the margins of water.

Rock, near water, suited for bold vegetation.

The next figure, showing the fringe of a little island in one
of the lakes of Northern Italy, may serve to show how
irregularly and prettily the waves carve the rocky shore.

Margin of Island in Lake Maggiore.

Frequently in such places diminutive islands from a few feet to
a few yards across are seen, and, when tufted with Globe-flowers,
Ivy, and Brambles, are very pretty.

Rocky Water-margin (Oak Lodge).

PART L] CULTURAL 29

THE ROCK-GARDEN FERNERY.

It is the fashion to make the hardy fernery in some obscure
and sunless spot, in which it would be difficult to grow alpine
plants, but there is no reason why it should not be made in
more open positions, and as part of the rock-garden. No plants
adhere more firmly to vertical rocks, or better sustain themselves
in health without any soil, than some ferns. In a wild state
we find the Maidenhair Fern and many other species rooted
into little fissures in hard rocks. Some of our own small
British Ferns are found on the face of dry brick walls, when
they are not to be found growing on the ground, in the same
neighbourhood.

The general idea is that Ferns want shade, humidity, and
sandy vegetable earth ; but, though these suit a great number
of Ferns, others thrive under conditions the very opposite.
The late M. Naudin, of the Institute, told me that the pretty
little sweet-scented Fern, Cheilanthes odora, is found, even in that
warm and sunny region, on the south side of bare rocks and
walls, where it is exposed to the full rays of the sun, and
is sought for in vain on northern exposures. In the middle of
winter it is in full vigour, by the end of spring the fronds begin
to dry, and through the torrid summer, when the stones of the
walls are burning hot, its roots, fixed between the hot stones,
are the only parts with life. In humid valleys and recesses it
is not found. Other Ferns show like tendencies. This, by
way of proof that some of the choice Ferns may not only be
grown well in sunny positions, but better on them than else-
where.

I was informed by Mr Atkins, of Painswick, who was the
first to bring the little NotJiochlcena Marantce alive into this
country, that he has had it in health on a sunny rock for many
years, and without protection. It is reasonable to assume that
many Ferns, which in a wild state are found in half -shady
spots, would, in our colder clime, flourish best if permitted
to enjoy the sun, while Ferns that inhabit rocks in countries

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

not much warmer than our own, should always have the
warmest positions we can give them. And in the case of the
species that require shade, it is quite possible to grow them in
recesses in the rock-garden, and in deep passages leading
through it, even if a portion be not specially designed as a
fernery. Some small species and varieties may be used in any
aspect as a graceful setting to flowering plants. Among the
select lists, that of the Ferns that thrive best in open exposed
places may meet the wants of some, but where the fernery is
specially designed as a part of the rock-garden, there is no
necessity for any selection, as all hardy kinds may then be
grown.

Even the rare Kil-
larney Fern, usually
kept in houses, may
be grown successfully
in a cave in the rock-
garden. The illustra-
tion shows the en-
trance to Mr Back-
house's cave for grow-
ing this plant. It is
in a deep recess, per-
fectly sheltered and
surrounded by high
rocks and banks
clothed with vegeta-
tion. Here in the
darkness grows the

Entrance to Cave for Killarney Fern. Kilkmey Fern, tuftS

of Hart's Tongue guarding the entrance.

ROCKS FORMED OF CONCRETE.

Picturesque effects may be effected in this way, and may be
graced with shrubs and vigorous trailing plants, but itjis
unsuitable for alpine plants. When properly constructed,

PART L] CULTURAL 31

care is taken to make the interior of the cemented masses of deep
beds of earth, leaving holes here and there in the face of the
structure, from which plants can peep forth, while the top is
left open, and may be planted with shrubs or trees, but the
stony mound, free in every pore, or constructed of separate
pieces of stone, is infinitely the best for the flora of the rocks.
The plants that thrive on walls, and send their roots far
into their crevices, cannot get the slightest footing on these
large masses coated with cement ; and little plants stuck
in the "pockets," which the constructors leave here and
there on the face of the edifice, rarely thrive or look happy.
They should never be placed in such positions, and the rock-
gardens of natural stone should be preferred at any sacrifice.
Where, however, natural stone cannot be obtained, the cemented
work may be used, and in positions where only the picturesque
effect of rocks is sought. In places where it already exists,
some improvement may be effected by banks of true alpine
garden in open spots near, covering the artificial rock gracefully
with low shrubs and hardy climbers, and coniferse like
the Swiss Pine, and Mountain Pine, and the Junipers.

Rocky Bank at Oak Lodge.

THE SMALL ROCK-GARDEN.

One of the simplest ways of enjoying alpine plants is in
small rocky beds, arranged on the turf of some parts of the
garden, cut off by trees or shrubs from the ordinary flower-

32 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

beds. One of these will give more satisfaction than many a
pretentious " rockwork," and by the exercise of a very little
judgment is readily constructed, so as not to offend the nicest
taste. I once induced the owner of a garden in the northern
suburbs of London to procure a small collection of alpines, and
try them in this way, and the result was such, that a few words
as to how it was attained may be useful.

A little bed was dug out in the clay soil to the depth of
two feet, and a drain run from it to an outlet near at hand ; the
bed was filled with sandy peat and a little loam and leaf-mould,
and, when nearly full, worn stones of different sizes were placed
around the margin, so as to raise the bed one foot or so above
the turf. More soil was then put in, and a few rough slabs,
arranged so as to crop out from the soil in the centre, completed
the preparation for Sedums and Sempervivums, such Saxifrages
as S. ccesia and S. Rocheliana, such Dianthuses as D. alpinus
and D. petrceus, Mountain Forget-me-nots, Gentians, little early
bulbs, Hepatica. They were planted, the finer and rarer things
getting the best positions, and, when finished, the bed looked
a nest of small rocks and alpine flowers.

In about eight weeks the plants had become established,
and the bed looked quite gay from a dozen plants of Calandrinia
umbellata, that had been planted on the little prominences,
flowering profusely. Another was made in the same manner,
with more loam, however, and planted with subjects as different

Small Bed of Alpine Flowers.

from those in the other bed as could be got ; confining them,
however, to the choicest alpines, except on the outer side of the
largest stones of the margin, where such plants as Campanula
carpatica Ucolor were planted with the best results.

PART I.J CULTURAL 33

The only attention these beds have required since planting
has been to keep a free-growing species from overrunning plants,
like Gentiana mrna, to water the beds well in hot weather, and
to remove the smallest weeds. With the exception of the fine
Gentiana bavarica, every alpine plant grew well, and the beds
showed fresh interest every week from the dawn of spring till
late in autumn.

In such little-exposed beds some may fear the sun burning
up their plants ; yet the sun that beats down on the Alps and
Pyrenees is fiercer than that which shines on the British garden.
But, while the Alpine sun cheers the flowers, it also melts the
snows above, and water and frost grind down the rocks into earth ;
and thus, enjoying both, the roots form healthy plants. Fully
exposed plants do not perish from too much sun, but from want
of moisture. Therefore, for the greater number of rock-plants,
full exposure is one of the first conditions of culture —
abundance of free soil under the roots and such a disposition of
the soil and rocks that the rain may permeate through all,
being also indispensable.

Alpine Plants growing in a level border.

An open, slightly elevated, and, if possible, quite isolated
spot should be chosen, and a small rock-garden so arranged as
to appear as if naturally cropping out of the earth. With a few
cart-loads of stones and earth, good effects may be produced in
this simple way.

Having determined on the position of the bed, the next
thing to do is to excavate the ground to a depth of two feet, or
thereabouts, and to run a drain from it if very wet. If not, it is
better let alone, as with many kinds success depends upon the
beds being continually moist ; and in dry soils, instead of drain-

34 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

ing, it would be better to put in a subsoil of spongy peat, so as
to retain moisture. As to soil, rock-plants are found in all sorts,
but a turfy loam, with plenty of river sand added, will be found
to suit a greater number of kinds than any other. If not
naturally free and open, it should be so made by the addition of
leaf-mould, cocoa-nut fibre, or, failing these, peat.

With the soil should be mixed the smallest and least useful
stones and debris among those collected for the work, so that the
plants to adorn the spot may send down their roots through
the mixture of earth and stone. When this is well and firmly
done, the larger stones may be placed — half in the earth as a
. rule, and on their broadest side, so that the mass, when com-
pleted, may be perfectly firm. Have nothing to do with tree-
roots or stumps in work of this kind ; they crumble away, and
are at best a nuisance and a disfigurement in a garden. The
intervening spaces may then be filled up, half with the compost
and half with the stony matter, and the smaller blocks placed
in position — the whole being made as diversified as may seem
desirable, but without much show of " rock." When finished, it
should look like a bit of rocky ground, and in no way resemble
the " rockwork " of books and most gardens. Two or three feet
will, as a rule, be high enough for the highest stones. In some
of our public and private gardens want of means is given as an
excuse for the presence of the hideous masses of rockwork that
disfigure them. The plan here recommended is as much less
expensive than these, as it is less offensive !

ROCK AND ALPINE FLOWERS IN BORDERS AND BEDS.

The most uninviting surfaces often afford a home to various
forms of plant life : pavements, the stone roofs of old buildings,
the stems and branches of trees, the faces of inaccessible rocks,
and ruins, are all frequently adorned with ferns and wild
flowers, and we are far from the end of simple ways of growing
our Alpine favourites. The mixed-border system rightly done
enables us to cultivate, with little trouble, many of the more
vigorous alpine plants as edgings and carpets beneath the
taller and more stately plants : dwarf Hairbells, Pinks, Phlox,

PART L] CULTURAL 35

Cinquefoils, dwarf silvery Yarrows, purple rock Cresses, Kock-
foils, Stonecrops, and Gentianella, all helping well in this way.
In many positions the best of all edgings are those of natural
stone, such as that shown in the wood-cut on this page. The
cool soil below and behind the stones is the very place for rock-
plants that suffer in a hot season in dry soils, and many kinds
may be grown in this way, as well and even better than in the
most costly rock-garden.

Rough stone-edging to border, with Rock-Plants set behind
it. In this simple way many of the most beautiful
kinds may be admirably grown. (Engraved from a
Photo by George Champion, in my garden.)

The common way of repeating the same plants at intervals
is fatal to good effect here as elsewhere. The reverse of that is
the true system for the best kind of mixed border. In a well-
arranged one, no six feet of its length should resemble any other
six feet of the same border. Certainly, it may be desirable to
have several of a favourite plant ; but any approach to planting
the same thing in numerous places along the same line should
be avoided. I should not, for instance, place one of the neat
Saxifrages along in front of the border at regular intervals, fine
and well suited as it might be for that purpose ; but, on the
contrary, attempt to produce in all parts totally distinct types
of vegetation.

It is a great mistake to dig among choice rock plants, and
therefore no pains should be spared in the preparation of the
ground at first. If thoroughly well made then, there will be no
need of any digging of the soil for a long time.

Many alpine plants, when grown in borders, are benefited

36 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

by being surrounded by a few half-buried rugged stones or pieces
of rock. These are useful in preventing excessive evapora-
tion, in guarding the plant
when small and young
from being trampled upon
or overrun by coarse
weeds or plants, and
in keeping the ground

Alpine Plant on border surrounded by half-buried -, ,

stones. firmer and cooler.

A few barrowfuls of stones — the large flints of which
edgings are often made will do well, if better cannot be
obtained — will suffice for many plants ; and this simple plan
will be found to suit many who cannot afford the luxury of
a rock-garden. Lists of alpine plants suitable for the mixed
border will be found in the selections at the end of the book.

ROCK-GARDENS ON LEVEL GROUND.

Mr F. Lubbock has been most successful in the cultiva-
tion of alpine flowers, in modest and simple ways, that so
many may follow in any open spot of ground, and, acceding to
my request, he writes of it as follows : —

" My experience is, that most alpine plants can be more
easily and conveniently grown in the open ground, with little
hillocks and ridges thrown up, so as to provide different aspects,
and dryer or moister positions, than in the more imposing
artificial ' rockery ' constructions — the latter, if well made, do,
no doubt, show off some plants to advantage, and are better
suited to a few of the most difficult sorts; but they are
expensive to build, and if, as usually happens, some spreading
intruder establishes itself, it is far more troublesome to dislodge
it. Then it is much more difficult to put in a plant properly in
a rock crevice, and, with most alpines, it is of the greatest
importance to plant them well and firmly at the outset. More-
over, it frequently happens that a mistake is made in the
position given to a plant, and it is far easier to move it from
the open ground than to pull it out of a rock crevice.

PART I.]

CULTURAL

" I find it most convenient to grow the smaller and choicer
plants in a separate part, where they can be more carefully
tended. In another part I grow the stronger sorts which can
hold their own, and this part I allow to be overrun by red and
white wild Thyme, under which a number of small bulbs —
several species of Anemones, Campanulas, and many other
sorts — are quite happy.

" A few large weathered stones, judiciously placed, look well,
and are often of advantage in giving a plant the aspect that
suits it. It is usually recommended that such stones should
be half buried, and no doubt many plants like to spread their
roots down the side of a stone. On the other hand, this is just
where some aggressive weed will run underground, and it often

Part of Rock-Garden on level ground at Emmets, Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent.

38 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

happens that the only way to eradicate it effectually is to pull
up the stone, causing a considerable upheaval. To obviate this,
I find it generally more convenient to sink the stones about an
inch only, and they can then be lifted and put back with very
little disturbance.

" There are many disappointments in growing alpines, as in
everything else, but they afford a constant and daily interest,
and given a breezy open situation and a deep light soil, there
should be many more successes than failures."

WALL GARDENS OF KOCK AND ALPINE FLOWERS.

Many plants that in gardens have carefully prepared soil
grow naturally on the barest and most arid surfaces. Most of
those who are blessed with gardens have usually a little wall
surface at their disposal: and all such may know that some
plants will grow thereon better than in the best soil. A mossy
wall affords a home for some dwarf rock plants which no
specially-prepared situation could rival ; and even on well-pre-
served walls we can establish some little plants, which year
after year will repay for the slight trouble of planting or sowing
them. Now, numbers of alpine plants perish if planted in the
ordinary soil of our gardens, and even do so where much pains
is taken to attend to their wants. This often results from over-
moisture at the root in winter, the plant being injured by our
green winters inducing it to grow in the bitter winter and spring,
when it ought to be at rest. By placing many of these rock
plants where their roots enjoy a dry spot, they remain in perfect
health. Many plants from mountains a little further south
than our own, and from alpine regions, find on walls and ruins
that stony firmness of " soil " and dryness in winter which make
them at home in our climate. There are many alpine plants
now cultivated with difficulty in frames, that any beginner
may grow on walls.

Nor must it be supposed that a moist district is necessary,
for the illustrations on pages 39 and 42 are engraved from

PART I.]

CULTURAL

photographs of walls built and covered with plants in a southern
county in one year.

Sloping wall of local sandstone, supporting banks on each side of path,
rock plants placed between each line of stones as wall was built.
(Engraved from a photograph taken in my garden, by G. A.
Champion.)

40 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I

WALL PLANTS FROM SEED.

A good way to establish rock plants on walls is by seed. The
Cheddar Pink, for example, grows on walls at Oxford much
better than on the level ground, on which it often dies. A few
seeds of this plant, sown in a mossy or earthy chink, or even
covered with a little fine soil, would soon take root and grow,
living, moreover, for years in a healthy state. So it is with
most of the plants enumerated ; the seedling roots vigorously
into the chinks, and gets a hold which it rarely relaxes. But of
some plants seeds are not to be had, and therefore it will be
often necessary to use plants. In all cases, young plants should
be selected, and as they will have been used to growing in
fertile ground, or good soil in pots, and have all their little
feeding roots compactly gathered up near the surface, they
must be placed in a chink with a little moist soil, which will
enable them to exist until they have struck root into the
interstices of the wall. In this way several interesting species
of Ferns are established, and also the silvery Eockfoils, and the
appearance of the starry rosettes of these little rock plants (the
kinds with incrusted leaves, like S. longifolia and S. lingulata)
growing flat against the wall is strikingly beautiful.

While few have ruins and walls on which to grow alpine
plants, all may succeed with many kinds by building a rough
stone wall, and packing the intervals as firmly as possible with
soil. A host of brilliant plants may be thus grown with little
attention, the materials of the wall affording precisely the
conditions required by the plants. To many species the wall
would prove a more congenial home than any but the best
constructed rock-garden. In very moist places, natives of wet
rocks, and trailing plants like the Linnaea, might be interspersed
here and there among the other alpines ; in dry ones it would
be desirable to plant chiefly the Saxifrages, Sedums, small
Campanulas, Linarias, and plants that, even in hotter countries
than ours, find a home on the sunniest and barest crags.
The chief care in the management of this wall of alpine
flowers would be in preventing weeds or coarse plants

PART L] CULTURAL 41

from taking root and overrunning the usually dwarf rock plants.
When these intruders are once observed, they can be easily pre-
vented from making any further progress by continually cutting
off their shoots as they appear ; it would never be necessary to
disturb the wall even in the case of a thriving Convolvulus.
The wall of alpine plants may be placed in any convenient
position in or near the garden : there is no reason why a portion
of the walls usually devoted to climbers should not be prepared
as described. The boundary walls of multitudes of small
gardens would look better if graced by alpine flowers, than bare
as they usually are.

DRY STONE WALLS FOR ROCK PLANTS.

In garden formation, especially in diversified ground, what
is called a "dry" wall is often useful, and may answer the
purpose of supporting a bank or dividing off a garden quite as
well as an expensive brick or masonry wall. Where the stones
can be got easily, men used to the work will often make gently
" battered " walls which, while fulfilling their first use in sup-
porting banks, will make homes for rock plants which would
not live one winter on a level surface in the same place.
Blocks of sandstone laid on their natural " bed," the front of
the stones almost as rough as they come out, and chopped
nearly level between, so that they lie firm and well, no mortar
being used, do well. As each stone is laid, slender-rooted rock
plants are placed along in lines between with a sprinkling of
fine earth, enough to slightly cover the roots and help them in
getting through the stones to the back, where, as the wall is
raised, the space behind it is packed with earth. This the
plants soon find out and root , firmly into. Even on old walls
made with mortar, rock and small native Ferns often establish
themselves, but the "dry" walls are more congenial to rock
plants, and we may have any number of beautiful alpine plants
in perfect health in them.

One charm of this kind of wall garden is that little atten-
tion is required afterwards. Even in the best-made rock-
gardens things get overrun by others, and weeds come in;

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I..

but in a well-planted dry wall against an earth bank, we may
leave plants for years untouched, beyond pulling out any weed
that may happen to get in. So little soil, however, is put with
the plants, that there is little chance of weeds, while moles —
a nuisance in England — worms, and slugs are not such a
trouble as on the level. If the stones were separated with
much earth, weeds would get in, and it is best to have the
merest dusting of soil with the roots, so as not to separate the
stones, but let each one rest firmly on the one beneath it. The
roots soon run back to the good earth behind, and it is surpris-
ing how soon good effects arise by this simple plan. It may be
noticed that there is no pretension of "design" about these
walls, made simply to do their work in supporting the bank.

Dry wall of sandstone blocks, supporting earth banks ; plants placed as the wall is built ;
wall trellised with Bamboos for Roses and other climbers.

PLANTS FOR "DRY" WALLS.

Arabis, Aubrietia, and Iberis are among the easiest plants
to grow; but as such things can be grown without walls, it

PART I.] CULTURAL 43

is hardly worth while to put them thereon. Between these
stones is the very place for Mountain Pinks, which thrive
better there than on level ground; the dwarf alpine Hair-
bells, while the alpine Wallflowers and creeping rock plants,
like the Toad Flax (Linaria), and the Spanish Erinus, are
quite at home there. The Gentianella does very well on
the cool sides of such walls, and we get a different result
according to the aspect. All our little pretty wall Ferns, now
becoming so rare where hawkers abound, thrive on such walls,
and the alpine Phloxes may be used, though they are not
so much in need of the comfort of a wall as the European
alpine plants, the Eocky Mountains dwarf Phloxes being very
hardy and enduring on level ground. The Eockfoils are charm-
ing on a wall, particularly the silvery and mossy kinds, and
the little stone-covering Sandwort (Arenaria balearica) will run
everywhere over such walls. Stonecrops and Houseleeks do
well, but are easily grown in any open spot of ground. In
many cases the rare and somewhat delicate alpines, if care be
taken, would do far better on such a wall than as they are
usually cultivated. Plants like the Thymes are quite free in
such conditions, also the alpine Violas, and any such rock
trailers as the blue Bindweed of North Africa. I have
hundreds of plants of Gentiana acaulis thriving on such walls,
to the surprise of all who see them in bloom.

We have spoken of
"dry" walls, which are
necessary, apart from
their flower life, that
is to say essential, for
the support of banks
by the side of "cut-
tings," or where ter-
races are cut out of
steep ground; the sides
of steps, ascending
banks, and a variety of Rock plants established on an old wal1-

positions which will occur in diversified and in hilly districts.

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

These are by far the best positions, as in nearly every
case we place our stone against the bank, ensuring
moisture and food behind. Often walls are made straight
against terraces which would be quite as well made in this
way, with a gentle " batter " or slope backwards, and built with
earth between the stones; they would be as good for shelter
and for supporting terrace banks, and even for climbers, when
the shade of Tea Kose foliage and other plants would not pre-
vent Ferns and many plants from growing well. In fact — in
the case of walls facing due south in dry seasons — the shade
of the creepers above would help the plants a little against the
power of the sun.

On level ground there is no need for any dry walls support-

JH-fcL

•» Tie & Shelter Stone

SECTION.

PLAN

Hollow wall for rock plants, forming dividing
line round yard. (See page 46.)

ing Jbanks, and where rock flowers on walls are desired, we may
have to make a wall away from all support of earth banks, but
which also will suit the cultivation of rock plants. Here a

PART I.] CULTURAL 45

hollow wall and a variety of plants may give us a good result,
the principal being to get our mass of soil in the centre of the
wall, and make it very firm, but so that rain will refresh it. It
is clear such a wall might take the place of the dividing lines
we often have in gardens, separating different gardens or plots,
and the following is a case in which such a wall was made,
with good results.

"We are told that Solomon knew all 'green things/ from
the Cedar of Lebanon to the Hyssop which sprang from the
wall, and there is no doubt that wall gardening began soon
after walls themselves were made. The beautiful wall garden
which Nature had made on the ruins of the Colosseum is now
destroyed, but the Wallflowers and Catchfly yet linger on the
sunny castle rock at Nottingham, and the ruins at Conway are
a study every summer, so beautiful is the Centranthus, which
sows itself among the stones. At Dinan the top of an old
entrance doorway is draped with Ferns and weeds, with
delicately poised Bellflowers and Yarrow-heads, white as the
sea foam. Wherever old walls or ruins exist in gardens or
pleasure-grounds, it is easy to beautify them by sowing seeds
of the many beautiful flowers which luxuriate in such positions.
Wallflowers, Snapdragons, Erinus, and some species of Dianthus
grow perfectly well, naturalise themselves, in fact, on sunny
walls, while on shady damp ones many Ferns grow equally
well, often better on a wall than elsewhere. A good plan to
get Ferns to grow on a damp, shady, old wall is to wash off the
spores from Asplenium, Scolopendriums, Ceterach, and Wall
Eue, into a pail of tepid water, which may then be dispersed
over the wall by means of a syringe. It is something for us
to know that a broken stone or the crumbling edge of a brick
may nourish in sunshine flower beauty of the highest, or that
in shade it may yield us feathery drapery of tenderest Fern
fronds. A rough stone-topped wall may become a garden of
Sedum, Saxifrage, Erinus, both purple and white, and of many
other rock plants. There are some mountain plants that never
grow better or look more beautiful than when grown on rough-
topped walls or in the interstices of stony edgings. The Erinus

46 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

is one of the best wall-plants, and sows itself every year.
Kamoadia and Edelweiss both love to grow wedged tightly in
among the stones.

"A WALL MADE FOR ROCK PLANTS.

" Having that worst of all things in a garden — viz. a rubbish
and manure-yard somewhat exposed to a public road — it became
a necessity to erect a shelter wall, so as to secure more privacy
and to conceal from the public gaze a sort of laboratory
necessary in every garden. Having that old proverb about
'two birds with one stone' in my mind's eye, I resolved to
make the wall not only a shelter, but also an object pleasant to
the eye as well. This has now been done fairly well, as I
imagine, by the building of a hollow wall topped with tie or
binding stones, and pocketed for the reception of soil and
plants, as shown in the diagrams on page 44, made to a scale
of half an inch to the foot. In such a plant- wall the principle
is everything, and the proportions may be varied to suit any
special conditions, circumstances, or surroundings. The wall is
a little over 4 feet high and over 2 feet through, and 30 yards or
40 yards in length. Having filled up the hollow centre of the
wall with suitable soil, I planted the top with Iris of the I.
germanica and the I. pumila sections, with Cloves, Carnations,
Pinks, Linarias, Aubrietias, Stonecrops, Edelweiss, and Semper-
vivums ; but 1 am especially anxious to see established on its
face a group of the Californian Zauschneria, which does not
always flower well with me on the ground level, -except during
very hot, dry summers.

" A wall of the above size may be made by any man handy
at stonework, and at no great cost. The stones I was very
fortunate in procuring almost free of charge, and every one of
them is precious, as having originally formed a portion of the
Trinity College Library, removed during alterations. They
have come from the world of books into a world of flowers, and
in a short time they will, I hope, be crowned with blossoms and
green leaves. — F. W. B."

PART I.]

CULTURAL

MOUNTAIN SHRUBS FOR THE ROCK-GARDEN.

It might well be borne in mind that there is in Nature no
hard-and-fast line, like the little divisions we make for our con-
venience in books, and though the most alpine of plants are very

Rhododendrons among natural rock at Howth, Co. Dublin. (Engraved from a
Photograph sent by Mr Geo. E. Low.)

tiny evergreen herbs on all hilly and mountain ground, there is
yet muclv beauty of shrub life on the mountains, from that of the

48 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

Heaths of our own land to the Rhododendrons of the European
and other alpine regions. Therefore, it is right in all ways to
associate shrubs with the rock-garden, and on its outer parts or
in groups near it, seek beauty from such shrubs as are here named,
and others to come, as the flora of northern regions becomes
better known to us. Danger from the association of shrubs of
a spreading nature with little rock plants may be avoided by
grouping all shrubs on banks, or groups, apart from the place of
the Gentians, Androsaces, and other fairies of the high rocks and
alpine meadows. Even without any attempt at a rock-garden
made in the ordinary garden-way, there are many places in
various parts of our islands where lovely rock-gardens may
be made by merely planting the natural rocks as they come
out in their own beautiful way whether on the often bare
hills of Wales, the many lovely rocky sites on the fringe of
mountains around Ireland, Scotland, northern and southern
England, and even on the sandstone rocks — quite near London
— in Sussex and Kent. In such places, without set design or
much care, we may enjoy the most enduring and the easiest to
form of rock-gardens. Another reason for making bush rock-
gardens about natural rocks cropping out of the ground is that the
soil about is often the sort we seek for evergreen shrubs of the
choicer kinds, being decayed rock, often of a peaty or sandy kind,
and the best for Rhododendrons, Azaleas, dwarf Kalmias, Heaths,
and many shrubs that in Nature inhabit the mountains, so that
where the natural rock breaks out, the very conditions so very
difficult to secure in the stoneless lowland country exist. As an
example of good work on such ground, we quote this about
planting rocky ground at Howth, near Dublin, by Mr Burbidge,
in the Field :—

" Coming upon them rather suddenly, the flashes of colour amongst
the, grey crags are startling in their intensity. A shower had just
passed over the hillside, and a gleam of sunshine illumined the
flowers, which shone out in all shades of crimson and purple, and
of orange and vermilion, softening down in shady corners into the
richest of old gold. Great rocks, like the moraine of some old glacier,
are piled and scattered on a sloping surface, above which great
masses of old Cambrian formation tower seemingly into the sky.

PART I.] CULTURAL 49

A rocky path leads one up and down, now closed in overhead
by Hawthorns embowered in Honeysuckle, Vine, and now open
and clear, and as you pick your way over matted tree-roots or past
slippery rocks, the acres of Azaleas and Rhododendrons flash out in
the evening sunshine, each cluster glowing like jewelled lamps full of
coloured light. They are mostly garden kinds or hybrids, but there
are noble plants of the Himalayan R. Thomsonianum, R. Falconeri,
and R. Edgworthii amongst them. The colours vary from white and
soft lilac-purple through all shades of red and crimson, the complimen-
tary shades of yellow, orange, and ivory-white being supplied by
occasional groups of coloured Azaleas, with their sunrise and sunset
shades and hues. There are, no doubt, far finer collections of
Rhododendrons in Ireland, as also in Cornwall and Devon and
elsewhere, but the great charm at Howth is that the picturesque
position and the grouping of the Rhododendrons form such a
succession of pictures, no two alike. An old traveller, whom we met
here, told us : 'I have seen far finer Rhododendrons and far more
noble rocks, but I must say I have never seen such glorious masses
of colour and such picturesque rocks associated as they are here/
The rocky slopes and rocky scarps, on which the shrubs are now so
beautiful, formed originally a sheltered little wood of Birch, Larch,
Scots Fir, Oak, Mountain Ash, and Hawthorn, overrun with
Woodbine, and in the more open spots by Gorse and Brambles. The
floor of the little forest then, as now, was carpeted with Bluebells
and Primroses, Stitchwort, Anemones, Wood Sorrel, and Ferns of a
stature not often seen, even in Ireland. There was but scant root room
in many places, and little or no soil, but men brought down and up
peat, earth, and leaf-mould to chink and cleft, or rocky hollows and
crevices, and to-day the result is seen and felt by all who, like the
Japanese, come here on a June- day pilgrimage to see the flowers-"

Though such natural situations are impossible to many, they
are not at all essential for the cultivation or the good effect of
mountain-shrubs, as we have proof in the garden at Warley
Place, and other lowland gardens, where the rock shrubs
are such a feature, garlanding the outer parts of the
rock-gardens — Wild Rose, Azalea, Furzes, Sun-Roses, Brooms,
Daphnes, and many other shrubs clustering about the banks
and often grouped on the turf.

Whatever difficulty the cultivation of true alpine plants may
present in certain conditions, there is little or none in connection
with the mountain shrubs, and many of them are among the
hardiest shrubs of the mountains of N. America and Asia.

50 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

TREES AND ALPINE GARDENS.

We often see trees, more or less suitable, planted about the
alpine garden, and sometimes above the level of the plants. If
possible, this should be avoided. Although alpine and rock-
plants and shrubs may sometimes occur in woods, yet, as a

general rule, the trees cease from the hills before we come to the
true dwarf alpine plants. If any shelter or dividing mass
of trees is desired near the alpine garden, the trees chosen
should always be mountain kinds, such as the Swiss Pine
(P. Cembra), Juniper, Savin (also a Juniper), dwarf rock Pine
(P. Montana), interspersed, if desired, with a few summer-leafing
northern trees, like the Beech, Birch, and Mountain Ash. The
Spruces and Pines of the Eocky Mountains of N.W. America
might also be used, " holding them together " in groups where
possible.

JAPANESE DWARFED TREES FOR THE ROCK-GARDEN.

There has been much talk of late years of these, of which
numbers have been brought to this country and, still more, to
America, some of the plants very unworthy of a place in a
good garden, as they too often resemble the refuse of the
nurseries. Among the best, however, there are some really
interesting things, especially plants of the Cypress tribe, which
occasionally retain their picturesque forms, although on such a

PART L] CULTURAL 51

small scale, and some graceful deciduous plants and shrubs
like Wistaria, which are pretty grown in that way. Now, this
curious and ancient way of growing plants, which seems so
strange and new to many of us, is undoubtedly based on facts
of Nature, and has its origin in the habits of plants on the high
mountains often starved and dwarfed. We may see such
dwarf and often distorted trees and shrubs on high rocks or
mountains, or otherwise starved out of their natural vigour and
habit by unnatural exposure, cold, or drought. We see it in
the Alps occasionally, and even in the stately cedars of Lebanon
and Atlas we see them in many different shapes, dwarf and
stunted, and yet always beautiful in form. This being so, the
true place for these quaint shrubs is the rock-garden, where
they might be grouped together near a little streamlet on a
modest bank of rocks. They are arranged in this way prettily
at Warnham Court, and where rocks and shrubs are
associated with the true alpine plants (as I think they should
always be where there is room enough), there these quaint
little trees come in very well.

Mr Alfred Parsons writes : — " The Japanese dwarf trees in
their gardens, which are essentially rock-gardens, are planted
among stones, which probably helps to stunt their growth, but
besides this, they are most carefully trimmed to keep them to
the desired size and shape — sometimes this form is quite stiff
and symmetrical, especially in the case of Azalea bushes ; more
often it is a miniature of the characteristic shape of the tree
in Nature under similar conditions, or a suggestion of some
celebrated tree of the kind grown."

THE ALPINE MARSH-GARDEN.

In the great mountain regions, marshy ground and boggy
places are frequent, and some of the fairest of the mountain's
flowers adorn them, and may only be well grown in like condi-
tions, happily easy to imitate. Therefore, while water as a
separate element is not a necessity of even a noble rock-garden,
some little place for marsh plants is needed, if we are to see the
beauty in our gardens of many singularly pretty and some
brilliant plants.

52 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART L

THE MARSH-GARDEN.

The marsh-garden is a home for the numerous children of
the wild that will not thrive on our harsh and dry garden
borders, hut must be cushioned on moss or grown in* moist
peat. Many beautiful plants, like the Wind Gentian and
Creeping Harebell, grow on our own marshes, much as these are
now encroached upon. But even those acquainted with the
beauty of our bog-plants have but a feeble notion of the
multitude of charming plants, natives of northern and
temperate countries, whose home is the open marsh or boggy
tract. In our own country, we have been so long encroaching
upon the wastes that we come to regard them as exceptional
tracts all over the world. But when one travels in northern
climes, one soon learns what a vast extent of the world's surface
was at one time covered with bog. In North America, day
after day, even by the side of the railroads, we may see the
vivid blooms of the Cardinal-flower springing from the wet
peaty hollows. Far under the shady woods stretch the black
bog-pools, the ground between being 'so shaky that we move a
few steps with difficulty. One wonders how the trees exist
with their roots in such a bath, and where the forest vegetation
disappears the American Pitcher-plant (Sarracenia), Golden
Club (Orontium), Water Arum (Calla Palustris), and a host of
other handsome and interesting plants cover the ground for
hundreds of acres, with perhaps an occasional slender bush of
Laurel Magnolia (Magnolia glaucci) among them. In some
parts of Canada, where the painfully long and straight roads
are often made through woody swamps, and where the few
scattered and poor habitations offer little to cheer the traveller,
he will, if a lover of plants, find much beauty in the ditches
and pools of black water beside the road, fringed with Eoyal
and other stately Ferns, and with masses of water-side
plants.

Southwards and seawards, the marsh-flowers become tropical
in size and brilliancy, as in the splendid kinds of Hibiscus,

PART L] CULTURAL 53

while far north, and west, and south along the mountains, the
beautiful Mocassin-flower (Cypripedium spectabile) grows the
queen of the peat-bog and of hardy orchids. Then in
California, all along the Sierras, a number of delicate little
annual plants grow in small mountain bogs long after the
plains are parched, and vegetation has disappeared from the
dry ground. But who shall record the beauty and interest of
the flowers of the wide-spreading marsh-lands of this globe of
ours, from those of the vast wet woods of America, dark and
brown, where the fair flowers only meet the eyes of water-
snakes and frogs, to those of the breezy uplands of the high
Alps, far above the woods, where the little mountain-marshes
teem with Nature's most brilliant flowers, waving in the
breeze ? Many mountain-swamp regions are as yet as little
known to us as those of the Himalaya, with their giant
Primroses and strange and lovely flowers. One thing, however,
we may gather from our small experiences — that many plants
commonly termed "alpine," and found on high mountains, are
true marsh- plants. This must be clear to any one who has
seen our Bird's-eye Primrose in the wet mountain-side bogs of
Westmoreland, or the Bavarian Gentian in the spongy soil by
alpine rivulets. We enjoy at our doors the plants of hottest
tropical isles, but many wrongly think the rare bog-plants, like
the minute alpine plants, cannot be grown well in gardens.
Like the rock-garden, the marsh-garden is seldom seen well
made, and with its most suitable plants.

In some places, naturally boggy spots may be found, which
may be converted into a marsh-garden, but in most places
-an artificial is the only possible one. It may be associated
with a rock-garden with good ' effect, or it may be in a moist
hollow, or may touch upon the margins of a pond or lake. By
the margins of streamlets, too, little bogs may often be made.
But the mania for draining springy and marshy spots has in
most places left little chance of a natural site, such as might
readily be turned into a marsh-garden. A tiny streamlet may
be diverted from the main one to flow over the adjacent grass —
irrigation on a small scale. Another good kind could be made

54 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART L

at the outlet of a small spring. It was in such little bogs
around springs that I found the Californian Pitcher-plant in
dry parts of California. In some of these positions the ground
will often be so moist that little trouble beyond digging out a
hollow to give a different soil to some favourite plant will be
needed. Where the marsh -garden has to be made in ordinary
ground, and with none of the above aids, a hollow must be dug
to a depth of at least two feet, and filled in with any kind of
peat or leaf soil that may be obtainable. If no peat is at hand,
turfy loam with plenty of leaf-mould, etc., must do for the
general body of the soil ; but, as there are some plants for
which peat is indispensable, a small portion of the beds should
be of that soil. The bed should be slightly below the surface
of the ground, so that no rain or moisture may be lost to it.
There should be no puddling of the bottom, and there must be
a constant supply of water. This can be supplied by means of
a pipe in most places — a pipe allowed to flow forth over some
firmly- tufted plant that would prevent the water from tearing
up the soil.

As to planting the marsh-garden, all that is needed is to
put as many of the under-mentioned plants in it as can be
obtained, and to avoid planting in it any rapid-running sedge or
other plant, as in that case, all satisfaction with the garden is at
an end. Numbers of Carexes and like plants grow so rapidly
that they soon exterminate choice marsh flowers. If any roots-
of sedges, etc., are brought in with the peat, every blade they
send up should be cut off with the knife just below the surface ;
that is, if the weed cannot be pulled up on account of being too
near some precious plant one does not like to disturb. All who
wish to grow the tall sedges and other coarse bog-plants should
do so by the pond-side, or in moist or watery places set apart
for the purpose. Given the necessary conditions as to soil
and water, the success of the marsh-garden will depend on
the continuous care bestowed in preventing rapidly growing
or coarse plants from exterminating others, or from taking such
a hold in the soil that it becomes impossible to grow any
small plant in it. Couch and all weeds should be exterminated
when very young and small.

PART I.] CULTURAL 55

The following are the bog and marsh plants at present most
worthy of culture ; but there are many not yet in cultivation,
equally lovely.

A SELECTION OF MARSH PLANTS.

Anagailis tenella ; Calla palustris ; Caltha in var. ; Campanula
hederacea ; Chrysobactron Hookeri ; Coptis trifolia ; Cornus
canadensis ; Crinum capense ; Cypripedium spectabile ; Drosera ;
Epipactis ; Galax ; Gentiana ; Helonias ; Iris Monnieri,
ochroleuca, sibirica ; Leucojum sestivum, Hernandezii ; Linnsea ;
Parnassia ; Lycopodium in var. ; Menyanthes trifoliata ;
Myosotis dissitiflora, palustris; Nierembergia rivularis; Orchis
latifolia and vars., laxiflora, maculata ; Orontium aquaticum ;
Pinguicula in var. ; Primula rosea, sikkimensis, farinosa ;
Pthexia virginica ; Sagittaria in var. ; Sarracenia purpurea ;
Saxifraga Hirculus ; Spigelia marilandica ; Swertia perennis ;
Tradescantia virginica ; Trillium ; Lastrea Thelypteris.

The above are suitable for the select marsh bed kept for the
most beautiful and rare plants ; and among these, as has been
stated, should be planted nothing which cannot be readily kept
within bounds. To them lovers of British plants might like to
add such native plants as Malaxis paludosa ; but it is better, as
a rule, to select the finest, no matter whence they come. Among
the most interesting plants for the bog-garden are the Pitcher-
plants of North America. Some may doubt if the American
Pitcher-plant (Sarracenia purpurea) would prove hardy in the
open air in this country. It certainly is so,, as one might expect
from its high northern range in America. It will thrive in the
wettest part of the bog-garden and in its native country I
usually observed the Pitchers half buried in the water and
sphagnum, the roots being in water.

As however no natural opportunities occur in many places, the
plan followed by a very successful cultivator may be useful here.

MR LATIMER CLARK ON FORMING A BOG-GARDEN.

" Artificial Bogs — How to make them and what to plant in them. —
All that is requisite to form a bog-garden is to form a hollow
space which will contain water. The simplest way is to buy a large

56 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

earthenware pan or a wooden tub, bury it 6 inches beneath the
surface of the ground, fill it full of broken bricks and stones and
water, and cover with good peat soil ; the margin may be surrounded
with clinkers or tiles at discretion, so as to resemble a small bed.
In this bed, with occasional watering, all strong-growing bog plants
will flourish to perfection; such plants as Osmundas and other
Ferns, the Carexes, Cyperuses, etc., will grow to a large size and make
a fine display, while the cause of their vigour will not be apparent.

" A more perfect bog-garden is made by forming a basin of brick-
work and Portland cement, about 1 foot in depth; the bottom
may be either concreted or paved with tiles or slates laid in cement,
and the whole must be made water-tight ; an orifice should be made
somewhere in the side, at the height of 6 inches, to carry off the
surplus water, and another in the bottom at the lowest point,
provided with a cork, or, better still, a brass plug valve to close it.
Five or six inches of large stones, brick, etc., are first laid in, and
the whole is filled to the top with good peat soil, the surface being
raised into uneven banks and hillocks, with large pieces of clinker
or stone imbedded in it, so as to afford drier and wetter spots ; the
size and form of this garden or bed may be varied at discretion.
An oval or circular bed, 5 or 6 feet in diameter, would look well on a
lawn or in any wayside spot, or an irregularly formed corner may
be rendered interesting in this way ; but it should be in an open
and exposed situation ; the back may be raised with a rockwork of
stones or clinkers, imbedded in peat, and the moisture ascending by
capillary action will make the position a charming one for Ferns and
numberless other peat-loving plants. During the summer the bed
should always contain 6 inches of water, but in winter it may be
allowed to escape by the bottom plug. It is in every way desirable
that a small trickle of water should constantly flow through the bog ;
ten or twelve gallons per diem will be quite sufficient, but where
this cannot be arranged, it may be kept filled by hand. The sides
of such a bog may be bordered by a very low wall of flints or
clinkers, built with mortar diluted with half its bulk of road-sand
and leaf-mould, and with a little earth on the top ; the moisture
will soon cause this to be covered with Moss, and Ferns and wall
plants of all kinds will thrive on it.

" Where space will permit, a much larger area may be converted
into bog and rock-work intermingled, the surface being raised or
depressed at various parts, so as to afford stations for more or less
moisture-loving plants. Large stones should be freely used on the
surface, so as^to form mossy stepping-stones ; and many plants will
thrive better in the chinks formed by two adjacent stones than on
the surface of the peat. In covering such a large area, it is not
necessary to render the whole area water-tight. A channel of water
about 6 inches deep, with drain pipes and bricks at the bottom,
may be led to and fro, or branched over the surface, the bends or

PART L] CULTURAL 57

branches being about 3 feet apart. The whole, when covered with
peat, will form an admirable bog, the spaces between the channels
forming drier portions, in which various plants will thrive vigorously.

" Perhaps the best situation of all for a bog-garden is on the side
of a hill or on sloping ground. In this case the water flows in at
the top, and the surface, whatever its form or inclination, must be
rendered water-tight with Portland cement or concrete. Contour or
level lines should be then traced on the whole surface, at distances
of about 3 feet, and a ridge of two bricks in height should be
cemented on the surface along each of the horizontal lines. These
ridges, which must be perfectly level, serve to hold the water, the
surplus escaping over the top to the next lower level. Two-inch
drain tiles, covered with coarse stones, should be laid along each
ridge, to keep the channel open, and a foot of peat thrown over the
whole. Before adding the peat, ridges or knolls of rock-work may
be built on the surface, the stones being built together with peat in
the interstices. These ridges need not follow the horizontal lines.
The positions thus formed are adapted both to grow and to display
Ferns and alpine plants to advantage.

" There is another way in which a minute stream of water may
be turned to advantage, and that is by causing it to irrigate the top
of a low wall ; such a wall should be built 12 inches high, the top
course being carefully laid in Portland cement. A course is then
formed by bricks projecting over about 2 inches at each side, with a
channel left between them along the centre of the wall, which must
be carefully cemented. Small drain pipes are laid along this channel
and fitted in with stones. Large blocks of burr or clinker are then
built across the top of the wall, with intervals of 12 or 15 inches
between them, and these are connected by narrow walls of clinker on
each side, so as to form pockets, which are filled with a mixture of peat
and sandy loam. The projecting masses of burr stand boldly above
the general surface, and, occurring at regular intervals, give a
castellated character to the wall, which may be about 2 feet high
when finished. Hundreds of elegant wall plants find a choice
situation in the pockets, which are kept constantly moist by the
percolation of the water beneath them, while Sempervivums and
Sedums clothe the projecting burrs. In fact, with Wallflowers,
Snapdragon, Cistuses, and Sedums, such a wall forms a garden of
blossom throughout the whole spring and summer.

" In addition to true bog plants, almost all the choice alpines will
luxuriate and thrive in the drier parts of the bog-garden better
than in an ordinary border or in pots. Perhaps the most charming
plants to commence with are our own native bog plants — Pinguicula,
Drosera, Parnassia, Menyanthes, Viola palustris, Anagallis tenella,
Narthecium, Osmunda, Marsh Ferns, Sibthorpia, Linnsea, Primula,
Campanula, Saxifraga Hirculus, aizoides, and stellaris ; Mimulus
luteus, Cardamine, Leucojum, Fritillaria, Marsh Orchises, and a

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

host of plants from our marshes, and from the summits of our
higher mountains, will flourish as freely as in their native habitats,
and may all be grown in a few square feet of bog ; while dwarf
Rhododendrons, Kalmias, Gunnera scabra, the larger Grasses,
Ferns, Carexes, etc., will serve for the bolder features.

" I have not space to enumerate the many foreign bog plants of
exquisite beauty which abound, and which may be obtained from
our nurseries, although many of the best are not yet introduced into
this country ; in fact, one of the great charms of the bog-garden is
that everything thrives and multiplies in it, and nothing ever droops-
or dies, the only difficulty being to prevent the stronger plants from
overgrowing and eventually destroying the weaker ones."

Ferns on an old wall.

PART L] CULTURAL 59

Mr. F. W. Meyer, an excellent and experienced worker in
rock-gardening, writes well of the formation of bog-beds in the
Garden :

" Though the term may be suggestive of a formal bed, there
should really be no hard-and-fast outline in the rock-garden,,
and the bog-bed should be harmonised with its surroundings
in such a way as to make it impossible to discern its extent.
We might have several such beds in different positions regard-
ing light, as some marsh plants thrive in the sun, while others
delight in shady nooks, and the wants of the plants must there-
fore be our first consideration.

" Bog Beds without Cement are to be recommended when the
water supply is unlimited : if in connection with a pond fed
by a streamlet, so much the better. The overflow water of the
pond can then be used for feeding the bog-bed, or if the water
should only run occasionally, a short pipe fitted with a regu-
lating tap may be let into the side of the pond and connected
with the bog-bed, this arrangement having the advantage of
enabling us to keep the water supply under control. The con-
struction of such a bed is simplicity itself ; dig a pit of the
desired size about 18 inches deep, spreading at the bottom a
layer of porous stones, brickbats, and a little charcoal, and
covering the same with pieces of peat. Peaty soil, mixed with
a little leaf-mould, Sphagnum Moss, sand and broken stone, is
then added till the pit is filled up. A few larger stones are then
placed with some care, partly with a view to effect, and partly
to give shade or shelter to the plants to be grown by their side.
If the ground is heavy, the bottom of the pit must be drained
to get rid of stagnant water; but if of a porous nature, the
water will soak away naturally through the bottom of the bed
thus prepared.

" The Cemented Bog Bed. — Though at first involving a little
more expense, this will be found of great advantage in rock-
gardens on a small scale, where the supply of water comes
through a small pipe. It is an irregular underground pond,
made of cement concrete, and filled with soil as well as with
water, to a depth of 12 inches to 15 inches. Besides being

60 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

fitted with a supply pipe and tap, so arranged as to be within
easy reach (though hidden from view), it should have an over-
flow and an outlet pipe fitted with another tap for completely
emptying the whole at will. If the bed is large, it would be
well to arrange for stepping-stones here and there to ensure
easy access to the plants. When space is limited, I often use
for this purpose thin flat stones raised a little and supported
at each end by a miniature pillar of bricks and cement, thus
forming a little bridge, as it were, and admitting of the space
between the little pillars and beneath the stones being filled
with the proper soil. That every trace of cement-work would
be hidden by soil, stones, or plants, goes without saying. One
advantage of this sort of bed is that the water supply and
drainage can be regulated in the simplest manner by the mere
turning of a tap.

" The Partly Cemented Bog Bed. — The advantage I claim for
this lies in the facility it affords for graduating moisture, which
makes it possible to grow plants requiring different degrees of
humidity in the same bed. First of all, a bog bed is con-
structed after the manner described above under the heading
of ' Bog Beds without Cement,' but instead of having the sides
more or less upright, they are kept gently sloping. A winding
trench is then excavated through this bed and secured with
cement concrete — a water-tight trench not more than a foot wide
and 6 inches or 8 inches deep. The cemented sides should
be level, so that, when filled, the water would flow evenly over
the sides and into the outer parts of the bed, so giving different
degrees of moisture between the cemented centre and portions
and the sloping sides, from which the water would drain away
naturally. Before the water is admitted, the trench is filled
with loose stones and brickbats, and is then bridged over with
large pieces of peat, and covered with a few inches of suitable
soil. It is then levelled, so as to show no visible difference from
the rest of the bed. As soon as the trench is filled with water,
however, the latter will rise by capillary attraction not only
through the pieces of peat, but also the soil above it, showing
even on the surface of the soil the course of the water-trench

PART L] CULTURAL 61

beneath. But if the soil is filled up to such an extent that the
rising water cannot be seen on the surface, it would be well to-
mark the course of this underground trench with a few sticks
projecting through the soil, to guide us when planting, and
enabling us to put all plants requiring an extra degree of
moisture directly over the water-trench where the roots could
help themselves to the water.

" On a steep slope, where the forming of such beds would be
difficult, an ordinary lead pipe, a few inches underground and
perforated at intervals, will be found useful, and may be regu-
lated so as to supply water trickling through the soil through-
out the summer."

WATER-PLANTS IN THE ROCK-GARDEN.

The water-garden has no essential connection with alpine
or rock-gardens for this reason (among others), that millions of
acres of many countries are covered with beautiful rock plants
with no water near. But as some water often occurs in con-
nection with the rock-garden, it may as well be treated
rightly. Many beautiful natural alpine gardens are far above
all water, except what falls from the clouds as snow or rain.
Many alpine plants live on sunny rocks and in high waterless
plateaux, and my own wish in the formation of alpine gardens-
would be to get as near as I could to the same conditions. I
would seek exposure to all winds and weathers, and on as elevated
and open airy spots as I could, keeping my stream, banks,
and water-margins in the vale for other and stouter plants.
Of late years a precious aid has come to us in the shape of
many beautiful uncommon things for the water-garden, and
above all, the hardy water-lilies, raised by M. Latour Marliac,
which give us in a cold country such beauty as at one time was
thought to be only possible in sub-tropical countries. We now
have water-lilies so bright in colour, as hardy as a Dock, and
it is impossible to resist such beauties, especially when we may
grow them in a small pool, and in close relation to our rock-
garden, if such we desire. A skilfully-formed lakelet will be
prettier than a stiff tank, but in either it is quite easy to grow

62 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

water-lilies, the essential thing being to plant in a good depth
of mud or soil. There is nothing better than the mud which
is washed down by little streams, but any good earth will do,
and the result of planting in the soil will be much better than
if we had put them in pots or tubs of any kind. The beauty
and length of bloom of these water-lilies makes them a very
precious aid in the garden, while for the margins of our lakelet
we have many graceful plants in the way of Eeeds, Bushes,
Arrowheads, and many water-plants, such as Day-lilies, tall
Irises, Swamp Lilies, Loosestrife, Golden Eod, Cardinal flowers,
and the nobler hardy Ferns, like the Eoyal and Feather Ferns.
It is necessary to keep off the common water-rat, which cuts
off the flowers and eats them on the bank-side, and also the
-common water-hen, which picks at and destroys the flowers ;
and, generally, it may be said that it is not possible to have
water-fowl and living creatures if we would grow water-lilies
well.

The new kinds, which are now coming out, demand more
careful treatment than the well-known ones, and should be kept
apart in small tanks. The older and bolder kinds may be put
out in the open water with the greatest confidence. I have
grown some of them in open ponds fully exposed to storms, and
with good results ; but always planting in the natural mud, and
in a good depth of it if possible, and that is not difficult where
mud is washed in freely by streamlets.

For those who desire to go into the question of water-
gardening more at length, there is a fuller account in the
41 English Flower Garden," than we can find room for here. And
there are often happy incidents where a natural stream would
come near us to give its precious help, and there are various
cases in which water — either moving or still water — may be
happily associated with marsh and alpine gardens.

64 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

HARDY WATER PLANTS.

Water and water-side plants are often intimately associated
with rock-gardens, and much beauty may be added to the
margins, and here and there to the surface, of water, by water-
plants. Usually we see the same monotonous vegetation all
round the margin if the soil be rich ; in some cases, where the
bottom is of gravel, there is little or no vegetation, but an ugly
line of washed earth between wind and water. In others.

The White Water-Lily.

water-plants accumulate till they are a nuisance and an eyesore
— I do not mean submerged plants like Anacharis, but such as
the water-lilies, when they get matted.

One of the prettiest effects I have seen was a sheet
of Villarsia nymphceoides belting round the margin of a lake
near a woody recess, and it is too seldom seen in garden
waters, being a pretty little water-plant, with its Nymphaea-like
leaves and many yellow flowers.

Not rare — growing, in fact, in nearly all districts of Britain
— is the Buckbean or Marsh Trefoil (Menyanthes trifoliata\
with flowers elegantly fringed on the inside with white fila-
ments, and the round unopened buds blushing on the top with
a rosy red like that of an apple-blossom. In early summer,
when seen trailing in the soft ground near the margin of a
stream, this plant has more charms for me than any other
marsh-plant. It will grow in a bog or any moist place, or by
the margin of any water, and though a common native plant,
it is not half enough grown in garden waters. For grace, few

PART L]

CULTURAL

plants surpass Equisetum Telmateia, which, in deep soil, in
shady moist places near water, often grows several feet high,
the long, close-set, slender branches depending from each whorl
in a singularly graceful manner.

For a bold and picturesque plant on the margin of water
nothing surpasses the great Water
Dock (Eumex Hydrolapathum),
which is dispersed over the
British Isles ; it has leaves fine
in aspect and size, becoming of a
lurid red in the autumn. The
Typhas must not be omitted,
but they should not be allowed
to run everywhere. The narrow-
leaved one (T. angustifolia) is
more graceful than the common
one (T. latifolia). Carex pendida
is excellent for the margins of
water, its elegant drooping spikes
being quite distinct in their way.
It is rather common in England,
more so than Carex Pseudo-cyperus,
which grows well in a foot or two
of water or on the margin of a muddy pond. Carex paniculata
forms a strong and thick stem, sometimes three or four feet
high, somewhat like a tree-fern, and with luxuriant masses of
drooping leaves, and on that account is transferred to moist
places in gardens, and cultivated by some, though generally
these large specimens are difficult to remove and soon perish.
Scirpus lacustris (the Bulrush) is too distinct a plant to be
omitted, as its stems, sometimes attaining a height of more
than seven and even eight feet, look distinct; and Cyperus
longus is also a good plant, reminding one of the Papyrus when
in flower ; and it is found in some of the southern counties of
England. Cladium Mariscus is also another distinct British
water-side plant, which is worth a place.

If one chose to enumerate the plants that grow in British

The Great Water Dock.

66 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

and European waters, a very long list might be made, but the
recommendation of those which possess no distinct character
or no beauty of flower is what I wish to avoid, believing that it
is only by a selection of the best kinds that planting of this
kind can give satisfaction ; therefore, omitting a host of incon-
spicuous water-weeds, I will endeavour to indicate all others of
real worth.

Those who have seen the flowering Eush (Butomus umbel-
latus) in flower are not likely to omit it from a collection of
water-plants, as it is pretty and distinct. Plant it not far from
the margin, as it likes rich muddy soil. The common Sagittaria,
very frequent in England and Ireland, but not in Scotland,
might be associated with this ; but there is a very much finer
double exotic kind to be had here and there, which is really a
handsome plant, its flowers being white, and resembling, but
larger than, those of the old white double Eocket. Calla palus-
tris is a beautiful bog-plant, and I know nothing that produces
a prettier effect over rich mud ground. Calla cethiopica, the
well-known and beautiful " Lily of the Nile," is hardy enough
in some places if planted rather deep, and in nearly all it may
be stood out for the summer ; but except in quiet waters, in the
South of England and Ireland, will not thrive. The pine-
like Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides) is so distinct that it is
worthy of a place ; there is a pond quite full of this plant at
Tooting, and it is common in the fens. It is allied to the
Frogbit (Hydrocharis Morsus-rance), which, like the species of
Water Eanunculi and some other fast-growing and fast-dis-
appearing families, I must not here particularise ; they cannot
be " established " permanently in one spot like the other plants
mentioned. The tufted Loosestrife (Lysimachia tkyrsiflora)
flourishes on wet banks and ditches, and in a foot or two of
water. It is curiously beautiful when in flower. Pontederia
cordata is a stout and hardy water-herb, with distinct habit,
and blue flowers. There is a small Sweet-flag (Acorus gramineus)
which is worth a place, and has also a well- variegated variety,
while the common Acorus, or Sweet-flag, will be associated with
the Water Iris (/. Pseud-acorus), and the pretty Alisma ranun-

PART I.] CULTURAL 67

culoides, if it can be procured; it is not nearly so common
as the Water Plantain. The pretty Star Damasonium of the
southern and eastern counties of England, an annual, is not to
be recommended to any but those who desire to make a full
collection, and who could and would provide a special spot for
the more minute and delicate kinds. The Water Lobelia does
not seem to thrive away from the shallow parts of the northern
lakes, getting choked by the numerous water weeds. The Cape
Pond flower (Aponogetori), a native of the Cape of Good Hope, is
a singularly pretty plant, which is nearly hardy enough for our
climate generally, and, from its sweetness and curious beauty,
a good plant to cultivate in a warm spot in the open air. It is
largely grown in one or two places in the south, and it nearly
covers the surface of the only bit of water in the Edinburgh
Botanic Garden with its long green leaves, among which the
sweet flowers float abundantly. In the open air, plant it rather
deep in a clean spot and in good soil, and see that the long and
soft leaves are not injured either by water-fowl or any other
cause. Orontium aquaticum is a handsome water-herb, and as
beautiful as any is the Water Violet (Hottonia palustris). The
best example of it that I have seen was on an expanse of soft
mud near Lea Bridge, in Essex. It covered the muddy surface
with a sheet of dark fresh green, and must have looked better
so than when in water, though the place was occasionally
flooded. The Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), that " shines
like fire in swamps and hollows grey," will burnish the margin
with a glory of colour which no exotic flower could surpass.
A suitable companion for this Caltha is the very large Water
Buttercup (Ranunculus Lingua), a very handsome British
water-side perennial. LytJirum roseum superbum, a variety of
the common purple Loosestrife, and Epilobium hirsutum, are
two large and fine plants for the water-side.

68 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

ALPINE GARDENING IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS.

Among the best cultivators of alpine flowers, and under
conditions less favourable than what are usual in many parts of
the country owing to heavy soil and heavy rainfall, is Mr
Wolley-Dod ; and his advice is so good for amateurs in similar
conditions that it is here given from a paper read before the
Horticultural Society. Among alpine and rock plants, embrac-
ing so much and such infinite variety, some variety of teaching
is better than any one formula, however good. Many parts of
the country about our coasts, and on the mountains of the cold
north of England, are so favourable to alpine plants that little
trouble gives us good results; but readers who live in quite
different conditions, in the West Midlands and other districts,
will like to know how difficulties are met in such conditions.

" There are some favoured gardens where natural rock exists,
or where the conditions of the soil with regard to quality or drain-
age are such that choice and delicate mountain plants may be
grown on the ground level in ordinary borders. Such gardens exist
in several districts in England, and are common in Scotland and
Wales ; few rules are necessary there, where plants have only
to be planted and kept clear of weeds in order to thrive. But
most of us who wish to grow choice alpine plants in our gardens
have to make the best of conditions naturally unfavourable, and
in doing this we can be helped by the experience of those who
have made it their special study. We need not say much of
climate and atmospheric conditions, because they are beyond
our control. It may be remarked, however, that high elevation
above the sea-level is a great advantage in the neighbourhood
of towns, because the impurities in the air are more readily
dispersed, and do not collect or settle as in lowland valleys.
Good natural drainage is also a great advantage, because
although we can drain the spot in which our alpines grow, and
even our whole garden, still if the soil of the district is wet
and retentive, the local damp seems to affect mountain plants
unfavourably. Local differences of climate caused by soil and

PART L] CULTURAL 69

evaporation are no doubt important factors in the growth of
plants, but it would be waste of time to dwell upon the endless
particulars which make it impossible that the conditions which
prevail on the Alps can be imitated in the valley of the Thames.

" The first necessity for growing choice alpines is to secure
perfect drainage for the soil in which they grow. This may
seem strange to those who have seen them growing on the
mountains, often apparently in perpetual wet; but there the
soil is never water-logged, or charged with stagnant moisture,
but the wet is always in rapid motion and changing. Suppos-
ing that no part of a garden naturally gives the conditions in
which alpines will thrive, we must make these conditions by
artificial means. Those who wish to grow them on flat borders
or retentive wet soils may do so on the ground-level by
digging out the soil to a depth of 3 feet, and draining the
bottom of the bed to the nearest outfall, and filling up to the
surface with soil mixed with two-thirds of broken stone, either
in small or large pieces. But in heavy soils, where large stones
are easily obtained, still better beds for alpines may be made by
enclosing the space with large blocks to a height of 2 feet or 3
feet, and filling up as before directed. The sides of these stone
blocks can be covered with many ornamental plants in addition
to those which are grown on the raised surface. But the
commonest way of cultivating alpines is upon what are called
rockeries, or loose rough stones laid together in different forms
and methods.

" The forms in which the rockery, usually so called, can be
constructed may be divided into three : (1) The barrow-shaped
rockery, (2) the facing rockery, and (3) the sunk rockery. The
first may be raised anywhere; the other two depend partly
upon the configuration of the ground. No wood or tree roots
should be used to supplement any of them ; they must be all
stone. The kind of stone is seldom a matter of choice ; every-
one will use what is most handy. The rougher and more
unshapely the blocks the better. The size should vary from 40
or 50 Ibs. to 3 or 4 cwts. No mortar or cement for fixing them
together must ever be employed ; they must be firmly wedged

70 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

and interlocked, and depend upon one another, and not upon the
soil between them, to keep them in their places. This rule is of
the utmost importance; if it is neglected, a long frost or an
excessive rainfall may cause the whole structure to collapse.

"Each successive part of the stone skeleton must be put
together before the soil is added.

"THE BARROW-SHAPED ROCKERY.

" The most convenient size for the barrow-shaped rockery is
about 4 feet high, and 6 feet or 7 feet through at the base.
The length is immaterial. If the long sides face north-east and
south-west, it will afford perhaps the best variety of aspect ; but
the amount of sunshine each plant gets will depend on the
arrangement of each stone as much as upon the main structure.
There cannot be too many projections, and care must be taken
to leave no channels between the stones by which the soil can
be washed down to the base. Overhanging brows, beneath
which plants can be inserted, are very useful ; large surfaces of
stone may here and there be left exposed, and irregularity of
form is far better than symmetry. A formal arrangement of
flat pockets or nests offends the eye without helping the
cultivator, as the tastes of alpines as regards slope of surface
and moisture at their roots are very various. As for the degree
of slope from the base to the summit of the barrow, it will not
be uniform. In some places there will be an irregular square
yard of level on the top, bounded by large cross keystones, for
which the largest stones should be reserved. In other parts the
sides will slope evenly to the ridge ; or the upper half may be
perpendicular, leaving only wide crevices to suit the taste of
certain plants. If the blocks are very irregular in form, and
their points of contact as few as possible, providing only for
secure interlocking, there will be plenty of room for soil to
nourish the plants. Everchanging variety of stone surface, both
above and below the soil, is the object to be aimed at, and any
sort of symmetry must be avoided. The second form, or

PART L] CULTURAL 71

"FACING ROCKERY,

is dependent upon the natural shape of ground surface.
Wherever there is a steep bank facing south or east, it may be
utilised for the growth of alpines. The stones, as before advised,
should be large and unshapely, and be buried to two-thirds of
their bulk, and form a very uneven surface, all being interlocked
from top to bottom as described. Eockeries of this form are
less liable to suffer from drought; if the surface covered is
large, access to all parts should be provided by convenient
stepping-stones, because, although every stone in the structure
ought to be capable of bearing the weight of a heavy man
without danger of displacement, it is better not to have to
tread upon the plants.

"THE SUNK ROCKERY.

"This is perhaps the best of all, but entails rather more
labour in construction. Where subsoil drainage is perfect, a
sunk walk may be made, not less than 10 feet or 12 feet wide,
with sloping sides. The sides may be faced with stones, as
described in the second form of rockery, and all or part of the
excavated soil may be made into a raised mound, continuing the
slopes of the excavated banks above the ground-level, and thus
combining the facing rockery and the barrow-rockery. If the
outer line of this portion above the ground be varied by small
bays, every possible aspect and slope may be provided to suit
the taste of every plant. However, unless drainage is perfect, a
sunk walk, rising to the ground-level at each end, would not be
feasible. But a broad walk, excavated into the side of a hill
and sloping all one way, could be adapted to a structure nearly
similar to that described, or the ground may be dug out in the
form of an amphitheatre to suit the taste or circumstances.
But whatever the form of rockery adopted, let the situation be
away from the influence of trees, beyond suspicion of the reach
of their roots below, or their drip, or even their shade, above.

72 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

Trees which only shelter from high winds are so far serviceable,
and so are walls and high banks. There are few alpines for
which a storm-swept surface is good, but trees are objectionable
where they lessen the light, which is an important element in
the welfare of most mountain plants. The shade and shelter
afforded by the stones and form of the structure itself are the
best kind of shade and shelter.

" SOIL.

" We now come to the subject of soil, which is very important,
though I attach less importance to it than others do who have
written on the subject. I hold that where atmospheric and
mechanical conditions are favourable, the chemical combination
of the soil is of secondary consideration. It is true that in
Nature we find that the flora of a limestone mountain differs in
many particulars from that of a granite mountain, and on the
same mountain some plants will thrive in heavy retentive soil,
whilst others will be found exclusively in peat or sand. But for
one who is beginning to cultivate alpines to have to divide them
into lime-lovers and lime-haters, lovers of sand and lovers of
stiff soil, is an unnecessary aggravation of difficulties. So large
a proportion of ornamental plants is contented with the soil
which most cultivators provide for all alike — even though in
Nature they seem to have predilections — that where an amateur
has only one rockery, it would be too perplexing to study the
partiality of every plant, and to remember every spot where
lime-lovers or their opposites had been growing. While saying
this, I confess that I have some rockeries where both soil and
rock are adapted exclusively for lime plants ; others from which
lime is kept away, and where both soil and rock are granitic ;
but the great majority of plants thrive equally well on both. I
know few better collections of alpine plants than one which I
recently saw at Guildford, growing on a bank of almost pure
chalk. I cannot say that I noticed any inveterate lime-haters
there ; but conditions of drainage and atmosphere were the
chief cause of success. With regard to soil then, we must take

PART I.] CULTURAL 73

care that it does not retain stagnant moisture, and yet it must
not dry up too readily. Plants must be able to penetrate it
easily with their roots, the lengths of some of which must be
seen to be believed. Good loam, with a little humus in the
form of leaf-mould or peat, and half or three quarters of the
bulk composed of stone riddlings from the nearest stone quarry,
and varying in size from that of rapeseed to that of horse beans,
make up a soil with which most alpines are quite contented.
The red alluvial clay of Cheshire, burnt hard in a kiln, and
broken up or riddled to the above size, is an excellent material
mixed with a little soil and a little hard stone. Where you are
convinced that lime is useful, it may be added as pure lime, not
planting in it till thoroughly slaked by mixture with the soil.
Eough surface-dressing is a thing in which all alpines delight, as
it keeps the top of the soil sweet and moist, and prevents their
leaves being fouled. Use for this purpose the same riddled
stone as described above, which is better than gravel, as round
pebbles are easily washed off the slope by rain or in watering.

" PLANTING.

" It is better not to be in a hurry to see the stones covered.
It would be easy to cover them with growth in a single season,
but it would be demoralising to the cultivator. We must not
degrade choice alpines by putting them to keep company with
Periwinkles, Woodruff, large St John's Wort, dead Nettles,
Creeping Jenny, fast-running Sedums, and Saxifrages, which do
duty for alpines on raised structures of roots or stones in the
shady, neglected corners of many a garden. Indeed, there are
some plants, of which Coronilla Varia is one, which, when once
established amongst large stones, cannot be eradicated by any
means short of pulling the whole structure to pieces. Any
plant which runs under a large stone and reappears on the
other side should be treated with caution. As a rule, nothing
should be planted which cannot be easily and entirely era-
dicated in a few minutes. If a rockery is large, there is no
reason for limiting the area to be assigned to each plant,

74 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

especially to such as are ornamental when in flower, and not
unsightly at other seasons. If different rockeries or separate
parts of the same can be assigned to rapid growers and to dwarf
compact plants, it will be an advantage. There are many
subjects which belong to the class of alpines which require to
be displayed in a broad and high mass to do them full justice.
Such things should make a train from the top of the rockery
quite to the ground ; Aubrietias, for example, and Veronica
prostrata should look like purple or blue cataracts ; others
should be unlimited in breadth, like the dwarf mossy Phloxes
and the brilliantly coloured Helianthemums. Such things do
not like being cropped round to limit their growth, and if there
is not enough room for them, they had better be omitted, though
in stiff and cold soils they will not thrive in the mixed border.
Whatever is grown, the small and delicate gems of the collec-
tion must run no danger of being smothered by overwhelming
neighbours, and this requires both careful arrangement and
constant watching. When first I began to cultivate alpines, I
planted somewhat indiscriminately together things which I
thought would make an ornamental combination, but the
weaker soon became overwhelmed in the fight with the
stronger, and there was nothing to be done but to build a
new rockery and plant it more carefully. In this way I have
now constructed at least a dozen rockeries, trying each time
to benefit by past experiences and to exclude weedy plants.
The first and second made still continue, and are still flowery
wildernesses in Spring, but everything choice and delicate upon
them has either long ago perished or been transferred to new
quarters. But visitors to my garden in Spring, who are not
connoisseurs in alpines, think these wild rockeries far more
ornamental than the half bare stone heaps where my choicest
plants are grown, and which they think will look very nice in
a year or two when they are as well covered as the others. I
have mentioned this to show that those who can appreciate the
beauty of the smaller and more delicate alpines, and grow
them for their own sake, must be contented to see their
favourites surrounded in many instances by bare stones; but

PART L] CULTURAL 75

the stones, especially if they contain cracks, may often be

clothed with plants without any danger of overcrowding. I
have said little about choice of

"STONE FOR ROCKERIES,

though I have tried many kinds ; and of all I have tried, I pre-
fer the carboniferous limestone, common in North Wales,
Derbyshire, and the north of Lancashire. The loose blocks
of this which lie about the land are full of cracks and are
varied in shape. I carefully avoid the furrowed and smooth-
channelled surface slates of this stone often sold in London for
rockwork, but most unsuitable for growing plants ; I do not
speak of these, but detached solid blocks, abounding in deep
cracks and crevices. These crevices are the very place for
some of the choicest alpines. Paronychia shows its true
character in no other spot. Potentilla nitida flowers when
fixed in them, and there only. They are excellent for Phyteuma
comosum. The Spiderweb Houseleeks delight in them, and so
do some of the smaller Saxifrages. These are only a few of a
long list I might make, and things which grow in such tight
quarters never encroach much. The little Arenaria balearica,
which grows all over sandstone as close and in nearly as thin a
coat as paint upon wood, does not grow well upon limestone ;
but this plant does encroach, spreading over the surface of
small neighbours and smothering them. There are many
things, however — some herbaceous, some shrubby and evergreen,
— which do well only on condition of resting upon stone with
their leaves and branches. It is so with Pentstemon Scouleri,
and with that most charming dwarf shrub, Genista pilosa, which
rises hardly an inch off the stone, though it may cover several
square feet. I have said before that in planting, aspect must
be carefully considered. The best aspect for alpines is east,
and west is the worst ; but there is not a spot on any rockery
which may not be filled with a suitable tenant. Some of the
most beautiful flowers abhor, in the atmosphere of my garden,
even a glimpse of the sun. Eamondia pyrenaica is withered up

76 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

by it in an hour ; so is Cyananthus lobatus ; and these must be
shaded on every side but north. As a general rule, I find all
Himalayan alpine plants impatient of sunshine ; they may
endure it in their own home, where they live in an atmosphere
always saturated with wet. However, it is only the deep
recesses of the rockery towards the north which get no sun at
all, and plenty of things are quite contented on the north side
of the slope. For instance, I must grow Lithospermum pros-
tratum on stones or not at all. The white Erica carnea and
several such dwarfs are included in the same number.

" As for bulbs, they may be ornamental enough at times, but
I find they do as well or better elsewhere. Their leaves are
untidy just at the time when the rockery ought to be most gay
and neat ; and watering in summer, which other plants require,
is bad for them, so I have not included them in my list.
While speaking of watering, I may say that rockeries such as I
have described could not dispense with it in dry weather ; it
requires careful judgment ; and I often prefer to water the soil
holding the can close to the ground at the highest point of the
stones, and letting the water run down the slope to get to the
roots, rather than wet the plants themselves. Wet foliage and
flowers often get burnt up by sunshine. Weeding, carefully
done, is a necessity on rockeries, for weeds will come; but
plants which seed about freely are to be avoided, as they
greatly multiply the labour of weeding, and some of them are
hard to eradicate from among the stones. The Harebells, and
alpine Poppies, pretty as they are, must be excluded on this
account ; so must that weedy little plant, Saxif raga Cymbalaria,
which can be grown on any wall. The fewer weeds there are,
the more likely are seedlings of choice and rare plants to assert
themselves. For instance, Geranium argenteum grows in
crevices into which the seeds are shot when ripe, and where
plants could not be inserted, and keeps up the supply of this
elegant alpine.

PART I.] CULTURAL

"KAISING ALPINE PLANTS FROM SEED.

" A few words may be in place here about raising alpines
from seed ; for constant succession is necessary, the duration of
their life in cultivation being, for many obvious reasons which
need not be discussed here, far shorter than in their native
home. Eeproduction from seed, where seed can be obtained,
ensures the healthiest and finest growth, and there is no better
way of getting seed than in saving it yourself. In several cases
the first hint I have had that a plant has ripened fertile seed
has been the recognition of a seedling near the parent, and this
experience has taught me always to look carefully for seed after
the flowering of rare specimens. I need not say, therefore, that
I disapprove of the practice of cutting off flower heads as soon
as they wither ; in some cases the seed-head is nearly as
ornamental as the flower, but I have before said that discretion
must be used, even in this, as seedlings of some things are
troublesome from their number. When ripe seed is gathered
I recommend its being sown at once. It is then more likely to
come up quickly, and as all such plants as we grow on rockeries
are better sown in pans, there is seldom difficulty in keeping
small seedlings through the winter. The greatest enemy we
have in the process is the growth of Lichen, the worst being
the Marchantia or Liverwort fungus, which completely chokes
tender growth. A coating of finely sifted burnt earth on the
surface, and a piece of flat glass laid over the pan, especially if
no water is used for them unless it has been boiled, reduces
this trouble to a minimum. But sowings of choice and rare
seed should be carefully watched, and the fungus picked off at
the first appearance. Many alpines seem never to form seed in
cultivation, and must be reproduced by division or cuttings.
The skill required to do this varies greatly with different
subjects ; where a shoot can seldom be found more than half an
inch long, as in the case of two or three hybrid alpine Pinks,
the striking needs delicate manipulation. Other things grow
very slowly, though not long-lived, and a constant succession

78 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

from cuttings must be ensured. Some of the terrestrial Orchids,
such as Bee, and Fly, and Spider, we must be contented to keep
as long as they choose to live, as they seem never to increase in
cultivation at all, though they may flower well year after year.
But there are not a few plants which refuse to be tamed, and
from the time they are planted in our gardens, seem always to
go from bad to worse, and are never presentable in appearance
for two seasons together. Of these I may instance Gentiana
bavarica and Eritrichium nanum, which I believe no skill has
ever yet kept in cultivation without constant renewal, and which
perhaps are never likely to repay the trouble of trying to keep
them alive. In all alpine gardening there will be, even where
equal skill is exerted, different degrees of success, according to
the surrounding conditions ; and it must not be expected that
the same soil and treatment which keep a hundred rare alpines
in perfect health at Edinburgh will be equally fortunate at
Kew.

"FRAMES FOR ALPINES.

"Where the area of rockery is considerable, a cold frame
should be assigned for keeping up the supply of plants for it —
cuttings and seedlings — in pots. I think all attempts to imitate
natural conditions, such as snow and long rest, by unnatural
means are mistakes. During warm winters mountain plants
will grow, and must be allowed to grow, and to keep them
unnaturally dark or dry when growing is fatal to their health.
Even in severe frosts, air must be given abundantly in the day-
time, and the frames must not be muffled up. Stagnant air,
whether damp or dry, is their worst enemy ; but if the weather
is warm enough to set them growing, they may easily die for
want of moisture. I will not say more than this, for experience
is the best guide, and every one thinks he can manage his frames
better than his neighbour ; but of the use of frames for flowering
alpines in pots I must add a few words. There are certain very
early-flowering alpines upon which a mixture of admiration and
lamentation is bestowed at the end of every winter. Their

PART L] CULTURAL 79

flowers are often beautiful in a treacherous fortnight at the
beginning of February, and are suddenly destroyed by a return
of winter in its severest form. I may mention, amongst others,
Saxifraga Burseriana and sancta, and their near relatives and
hybrids, Primula marginata and intermedia, Androsace carnea,
Chamsejasme and Laggeri, several dwarf species of Alyssum and
Iberis, and there are a good many more. Pots or pans contain-
ing these may be grouped together in an open sunny spot, and
plunged in sand or coal-ashes in a rough frame made for them, so
that the lights may be not more than 3 inches or 4 inches above
the pots. These lights should be removed in the daytime when
the weather is fine, and air should be admitted, according to the
temperature, at night. Such a sheet of elegant beauty, lasting,
if well arranged, through February, March, and April, may be
obtained in this way, that I often wonder why amateurs attempt
to flower early alpines in any other fashion. With me April
is the earliest month in which I can expect to have anything
gay on the open rockery without disappointment. I am obliged
to disfigure the slopes with sheets of glass and handlights to
preserve through winter at all Omphalodes Lucilise, Onosma
tauricum, Androsace sarmentosa, and others which cannot endure
winter wet, and the real pleasure of the rockery begins when
the frame alpines are waning."

ALPINE FLOWERS IN PANS OR BASKETS.

So long as the exaggerated ideas of the difficulties of grow-
ing alpine flowers were prevalent, it was the custom, even
in good gardens, to grow most of these plants in pots in
frames, while at flower exhibitions we often see them now
shown, and, bearing that in mind, it is important that they
should be well grown in that way. Occasionally, too, we see
them, as in the Alpine House at Kew, shown for their beauty
in the Spring, in cool houses. Where there is the least
difficulty as regards climate, such as the smoke of the town,
having them slightly protected in pots will often gain a point
or two, and in cold districts there is some reason why the early

80 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

habit of flowering of so many beautiful kinds should not be
taken advantage of, and by growing some of these early kinds
in pots or pans, or shallow baskets, we might, when they were
about to flower, transfer them to a very cool greenhouse, or to
frames, to a pit with some path in it, or better still when in
bloom to 'the cooler windows of the house, and so enjoy their
beauty and save them from the vicissitudes of our often
wretched Springs. In the case of the easily-grown kinds, such
as our rosy native Eochfoil, Omphalodes, and Alpine Primrose,
it would be easy to secure well-grown plants, of which pretty
use might be made by many who do not exhibit alpine plants,
while some such plan is essential for those who do.

I do not advocate their culture in pots at all where there
is an opportunity of making a rock-garden ; but there are cases
in which they cannot be well grown in any other way. It is
often well to keep rare kinds in pots till sufficiently plentiful.

Prizes are frequently offered at our flower shows for these
plants, but the exhibitors rarely deserve a prize, for their plants
are often ill selected, badly grown, and such as ought
never to appear on an exhibition stage. In almost every other
class the first thing the exhibitor does is to select appropriate
kinds — distinct and beautiful — and then he makes some pre-
paration beforehand for exhibiting them; but in the case of
hardy plants, anybody who happens to have a rough lot of
miscellaneous rubbish exhibits them. Yet such plants as the
tiny shrubs Cassiope, Menziesia, and G-aultheria, procumbens, the
Alpine Phlox, and many others, might be found pretty enough
to satisfy even the most fastidious growers of New Holland
plants.

The very grass is not more easily grown than plants like
Iberises and Aubrietias, yet to ensure their being worthy of a
place, they ought to be at least a year in pots, so as to secure
well-furnished plants. Such vigorous plants, to merit the
character of being well-grown, should fall luxuriantly over the
edge of the pots or baskets, the spreading habit of many of this
class of plants making this a matter of no difficulty. In some
cases it would be desirable to put a number of cuttings or young

PART L] CULTURAL 81

rooted plants into pots or pans, so as to form good plants
quickly.

To descend from the type that seems to present to the
cultivator the greatest number of neat and attractive flowering
plants, we have the dwarf race of hardy succulents, and the
numerous minute alpine plants that associate with them in
size — a class rich in merit and strong in numbers. These
should, as a rule, be grown and shown in pans : they are often
so pretty and singular in aspect, as in the case of the silvery
Kockfoils, that they are interesting when out of flower. All
these little plants are of the readiest culture in pans, with good
drainage and light soil.

Some few alpine plants are somewhat delicate or difficult to
grow ; and amongst the most beautiful and interesting of these
are the Gentians, and certain of the alpine Primroses. In a
general way, it would be better to avoid, at first, such difficult
subjects. I believe that a more liberal culture than is gener-
ally pursued is what is wanted for these more difficult kinds.
The plants are often obtained in a delicate and small state ;
then they are, perhaps, kept in some out-of-the-way frame, or
put where they receive but chance attention ; or, perhaps, they
die off from some vicissitude, or fall victims to slugs, or, if a
little unhealthy about the roots, are injured by earth-worms,
whose casts serve to clog up the drainage, and thus render the
pot uninhabitable. With strong and healthy young plants to
begin with, good and more liberal culture, and plunging in the
open air in beds of coal-ashes through the greater part of the
year, the majority of those supposed to be difficult would
thrive. I have taken species of Primula, usually seen in a
very weakly and poor state, divided them, keeping safe all the
young roots, put one sucker in the centre, and five or six round
the sides of a 32-sized pot, and in a year made good " specimens "
of them, with a greater profusion of bloom than if I had
depended on one plant only. Annual division is an excellent
plan to pursue with many of these plants, which in a wild
state run each year a little farther into the deposit of decaying
herbage which surrounds them, or, it may be, into the sand and

82 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

grit which are continually being carried down by natural
agencies. In our long summer, some of the Primulas will
make a tall growth and protrude rootlets on the stem — a state
for which dividing and replanting them firmly, nearly as deep
down as the collar, is a remedy.

There are many plants which demand to be permanently
established, and with which an entirely different course must
be pursued, Spigelia marilandica, Gentiana verna, G. bavarica,
and Cypripedium spectabiley for example. The Gentians are
rarely well grown, and yet I am convinced that few will fail
to grow them if they procure in the first instance good plants ;
pot them carefully and firmly in good sandy loam, well drained,
using bits of grit or gravel in the soil; plunge the pots in
sand or coal-ashes to the rim, in a position fully exposed to the
sun ; and give them abundance of water during the spring and
summer months, taking precautions against worms, slugs, and
weeds. And such will be found to be the case with many
other rare and fine alpine plants. The best position in which
to grow the plants would be in some open spot, where they
could be plunged in coal-ashes, and be under the cultivator's
eye. And, as they should show the public what the beauty of
hardy plants really is, so should they be grown entirely in the
open air in spring and summer. To save the pots and pans
from cracking with frost, it would in many cases be desirable
to plunge them in shallow cold frames, or cradles, with a
northern exposure in winter ; but, in the case of the kinds that
die down in winter, a few inches of some light covering thrown
over the pots, when the tops of the plants have perished, would
form a sufficient protection.

ALPINE FLOWERS IN POTS.

Alpine and herbaceous plants in pots, and kept in the open
air all the winter, are best plunged in a porous material on a
porous bottom, and on the north side of a hedge or wall, where
they would be less exposed to changes of temperature, and less
liable to be excited into growth at that season.

The most suitable kind of pots for alpine flowers that I

PART L] CULTURAL 83

have yet seen were those used by Mr G. Maw, in his gardens
at Benthall Hall. These pots are of a peculiar size — 8
inches broad by 4 inches deep. They seem peculiarly well
suited to the wants of alpine plants, securing, as they do, a good
body of soil, not so liable to rapid changes as that in a small
vessel ; while in stature, being only 4 inches high, they are
exactly what is wanted for these dwarf plants. The common
garden pan suits some alpine plants well, but is not so well
suited to the stature of alpine plants, or the wants of their roots,
as a pot of this pattern.

For growing the Androsaces and some rare Rockfoils, a
modification of the common pot may be employed with a
good result. This is effected by cutting a piece out of the side

Pot for Androsaces, etc. Alpine Plant growing between

stones in a pot.

of the pot, 1J or 2 inches deep. The head of the plant
potted in this way is placed outside of the pot, leaning over
the edge of the oblong opening, its roots within in the ordinary
way, among sand, grit, stones, etc. Thus water cannot lie
about the necks of the plants to their destruction. This method,
which I first saw in use in M. Boissier's garden, near Lausanner
is a good one for fragile plants. The pots used there were
taller proportionately than th6se we commonly use, so that
there was plenty of room for the roots after the rather deep
cutting had been made in the side of the pot.

An even better mode is that of raising the collar of the
plant somewhat above the level of the earth in the ordinary
pot by means of half-buried stones.

In this way we not only raise the collar of the plant so that
it is less liable to suffer from moisture, but, by preventing

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

Bed of small Alpine Plants in pots plunged in sand.

evaporation, preserve conditions congenial to alpine plants, and
keep the roots firm in the ground; the small plants looking
more at home springing from tiny rocks. It should, however,
be understood that such attention is required only for the
rarer of the higher alpine plants.

No matter in what way these plants may be grown in

gardens, it is often well
to keep the duplicates
and young stock in
small pots plunged in
sand or fine coal-ashes,
so that they may be
easily removed at any
time. The best way
of doing this is shown
in the wood-cut, which
represents a four-foot
bed in which young
alpine plants are plunged in sand, the bed being edged with half-
buried bricks. In bottoms of beds of this kind there should be
half a dozen inches of coal-ashes, so as to prevent worms getting
into the pots. Sand, or grit, or fine gravel, from its cleanliness and
the ease with which the plants may be plunged in it, is to be pre-
ferred, but finely sifted coal-ashes will do if sand be not at hand.
Such beds should always be in an open situation, near to a
good supply of water, and, if several are made, should be
separated by gravelled alleys of about 2 feet wide. The
watering is important, and in a large collection it should be
laid on. This certainly is the most convenient and economical
way. Over some of the beds in Mr Backhouse's Nursery at
York, may be seen an ingenious way of giving a constant supply
of water to Primulas, Gentians, and
other plants. Two perforated half -inch
copper pipes are laid just above the
plants in the beds, as shown in the cut.
Bed kept saturated by perforated j^^ the perforations in every 2

feet or so of the pipe, drops continually trickle down in summer,

PART L] CULTURAL 85

saturating the beds of sand, and the porous pots and their
contents. In winter or very wet weather the water can be
readily turned off.

ANNUALS FOR THE ROCK-GARDEN.

Although we do not connect annuals much with the alpine
flora of Europe, yet in other mountainous countries, as in
Mexico and California, annuals are less rare, and they need
not be entirely omitted from our view even in the rock-
garden, and some interesting rock plants are biennial or
annual, like the little Sun Eose of the Channel Islands.
Apart from the value of such plants, we have often to face
bare spaces in the rock-garden, owing to clearances, deaths,
or other causes, and it is not always easy to get perennial
rock plants enough to cover them as they ought to be covered.
The plan of dots of green on bare earth is one which it will
take a long time to eradicate from the gardening mind, but
those who care to fight against it may find annuals help us
much in covering freely open spaces, until such times as we can
afford to get plants of a more permanent character.

A choice must be made of the most elegant and dwarf
kinds, and these that, by their stature or other characteristics,
are fitted for the rock-garden.

Where there are plenty of means, these plants may be
raised in the elaborate ways usually recommended in books,
but those are not at all necessary. Eaising them in the ground
work, where we want them, is so simple that a child could do it.
Choosing the last week in April or first week in May in cool
districts, we have only to provide ourselves with the seeds
in packets, and to make level and rake over the different sur-
faces which we want to cover, and sow the seed broadcast over
all the surface destined for each group. Cover the soil lightly,
putting a mere sprinkling over the fine seeds. It will be found
that in that way the choicer annual flowers will come very well,
and be a useful aid, until our stock of the perennial alpine
plants are ready.

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

SOME DWARF AND MORE REFINED ANNUALS FOR THE ROCK-
GARDEN.

We must be very careful in this case
or very vigorous ones, however good ;
colours of more popular than refined
large genera being named below, as
dwarfer annual kinds that are meant,
as elsewhere, having its own sway.

Abronia

Adonis

Alyssum

Anagallis

Argemone

Brachycome

Calandrinia

Campanula

Clintonia

Collinsia

Erinus

Eutoca

Felicia

Gilia

Grammanthes

Gypsophila

Heliophila

Iberis

lonopsidium

Isotoma

Jasione

Kaulfussia

Koniga

Leptosiphon

Linaria

Linum

Malcomia

Nemesia

Nemophila

Nolana

to avoid coarse plants,
also, and particularly,
quality. In cases of
Campanula, it is the
individual taste here,

Nycterinia

Omphalodes

Phacelia

Phlox

Platystemon

Portulaca

Sabbatia

Sapoiiaria

Schizopetalon

Silene

Sphenogyne

Vesicaria

Viscaria

Whitlavia

RAISING ALPINE PLANTS FROM SEED.

The difficulty of getting plants in sufficient numbers to give
us broad effects has to be faced, and there is no royal route
to avoid it— no one way of getting all we seek. We must
get our plants where we can, and in various ways, not trusting
wholly to Nurserymen, who rarely offer the plants liberally
by the dozen or hundred, so as to allow of effective grouping.
And it is not only this that often stops us, but the fact that
even easily raised plants are often sent out in such a feeble
state, that they are useless to clothe our miniature mountain.
So it will often be wise to raise kinds from seed ; as in that
way we get numbers to carpet our fairy fields; the greater
vigour of the seedling plant, and the chances of novelty or
variety that seedlings sometimes gives us. Moreover, there

PART I.] CULTURAL 87

is some reason to believe that plants we often fail with in
cultivation, as some of the beautiful wild Columbines, are not
truly perennial, but in their native countries renewed from seed.
And, apart from the seeds offered in seed-lists, travellers may
often gather the seeds of alpine plants, and send them easily
by post — often where it would be difficult or impossible to
send living plants. So that all who have rock-gardens to
clothe with good plants, must not forget the seed-bed.

ALPINE PLANTS FROM SEED IN THE OPEN GROUND.

Many alpine plants may be raised from seed, and in every
place where there is a good collection, it is well to sow the
seeds of as many rare or new kinds as are worth raising. A
good deal will depend on the appliances of the garden as to
the precise way in which they are to be raised ; but whether
there be greenhouses on the premises or not even a glass hand-
light, alpine plants and choice perennials may be raised there
in abundance. Supposing we are supplied with a good selec-
tion of seeds in early spring, and have room to spare in frames
and pits, some time might be gained by sowing in pans or pots,
and by placing them in those frames, or by making a very
gentle hotbed in a frame or pit, covering it with 4 inches
or so of very light earth, and sowing the seeds on that. If
this mode be adopted, they may be sown in March ; and, thus
treated, many will flower the first year.

In gardens without any glass, they may be raised in the
open air. The best time to sow is in April, choosing mild
open weather, when the ground is more likely to be in the
rather dry and friable condition so desirable for seed-sowing.
But it should be borne in mind that they may be sown at
any convenient time from April till August, as it is not till
the year after they are sown that they display their full beauty,
or perhaps flower at all; and, therefore, should a packet or
more of choice seed come to hand during the summer months,
it is always better to sow it at once than to keep it till the

88 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

following spring, as thereby nearly a whole season is lost.
Those who already possess a collection of good hardy flowers
may find a choice perennial — say, for instance, an evergreen
Iberis, a Campanula or a Delphinium — ripening a crop of seed
in May, June, or July. Well, suppose we want to propagate
and make the most of it, the true way is to sow it at once,
instead of keeping it over the winter, as is usually done. By
winter, the seedlings will be strong enough to take care of
themselves, and be ready to plant out for flowering wherever it
may be desired to place them.

As to the immediate subject of raising them in spring, we
will suppose the seeds provided, and the month of April to
have arrived. If not already done, a border or bed should be
prepared for them in an open but sheltered and warm position,
and where the soil is light and fine. It would be as well to
prepare and devote two or three, or more, little beds to this
purpose of raising rock plants and hardy flowers. They would
form a most useful nursery reserve ground, from which plants
could be taken at any time to fill up vacancies, to exchange
with those having collections, or to give away to friends ; for
assuredly it is one of the pleasures of gardening, to be able to
share with friends who admire one of our " good things " ; and
by raising them from seed we can be more liberal. If the
ground happen not to be naturally fine, light, and open, make it
so by adding plenty of sand and leaf-mould, and then surface
it with a few inches of fine soil from the compost-yard or
potting-shed. The sifted refuse of the potting-bench will do
well. Then level the beds, and form little shallow drills in
them for the reception of the- seed. Let the beds be about 4
feet wide, with a little footway or alley between each about
15 inches wide, and let them run from the back to the
front of the border, not along it. Make the little drills across
the beds, and, instead of making these drills with a hoe or
anything of the kind, simply take a rake handle, a measuring
rod, or any rod perfectly straight that happens to be at hand,
and, laying it across the little bed, press it gently down till
it leaves a smooth impression about 1 inch deep. Do this

PART L] CULTURAL 89

at intervals of about 6 inches, and then the little nursery
bed is ready for the seed. From these smooth and level drills
the seeds will spring up evenly and regularly.

Before opening the seed packets, it is necessary to have
clearly written wooden labels at hand on which to write the
name of each species, so that there may be no confusion when
the plants come up. These labels should be about 8 or 9
inches long, and an inch wide, and the name should be written
as near the upper end as possible, so that it may not be soon
obliterated by contact with the moist earth. Now, this label-
ling process is usually done at the time of sowing the seeds, but
a speedier and better way is to lay out all the seeds on a table
some wet day, when out-of-door work cannot be done, and there
and then arrange them in the order of sowing. Write a label
for each kind, tie the packet of seeds up with a piece of bast,
and then, when a fine day arrives for sowing them, it can be
done in a very short time. In sowing, put in at the end of the
first little drill the label of the kind to be sown first, then sow
the seed, inserting the label for the following kind at the spot
to which the seed of the first has reached, and so on. Thus
there can be no doubt as to the name of a species when the
same plan is pursued throughout. Near at hand, during the
sowing, should be placed a barrow of finely-sifted earth ; with
this the seeds should be covered according to size, and then
watered from a very fine rose. Minute seed, like that of
Campanula, will require but a mere dust of the sifted earth to
cover it.

Once sown, the rest may be left to Nature, save the keeping
down of weeds, the seeds of which abound in the earth in all
places, and will be sure to come up among the young plants.
But these being in drills, we can easily tell the plant from the
weed, and nothing is required but a persevering weeding. In
these little beds the finest rock plants will come up beautifully,
and may be left exactly where sown till the time arrives for
transplanting them. This is a better way than sowing in pots,
where they are liable to vicissitude, and from which they
require to be " potted off." Of course, in the case of a very

90 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

rare kind, the seedlings might be thinned a little, and the
thinnings dibbled into a nursery bed, but, by sowing rather
thinly, the plants will be quite at home where first sown till
the time arrives for planting them out finally.

I am convinced that in finely pulverised earth, with, if con-
venient, an inch or so of cocoa-fibre and sand between the drills
to prevent the ground getting hard and dry, much better results
will be obtained than by sowing in pots. In the open air they
come up much more vigorously, and never suffer from trans-
plantation or change of temperature afterwards.

•ALPINE PLANTS RAISED FROM SEED IN POTS.

Nevertheless, as few will venture the very finest and rarest
kinds of seed in the open air, how to treat them in frames is
of some importance, and the following notes on this matter are
by the late Mr Niven, of the Hull Botanic Garden, in the
Gardener's Chronicle.

"Presuming that the selection of the seeds is made, and
that the seeds themselves are in the hands of the purchaser,
sowing should take place as early as may be in March. First
of all, the requisite number of 5- or 6-inch pots should be
obtained, so that each seed-packet can have a separate pot for
itself. Some nice light soil, mixed with a fair amount of sand
and leaf -mould, should be prepared, and passed through a coarse
sieve, keeping a sharp eye after worms, and at once removing
them ; the rough part which remains in the sieve should be
placed above the drainage in the bottom of the pots to the
extent of two-thirds of the depth, filling the remaining third
with the fine soil ; the whole should then be well pressed
down, so that the surface for the reception of the seeds may
be half an inch below the brim of the pot, and tolerably even.
Each packet of seed should then be sown, and covered with a
sprinkling of fine soil, which should be pressed down by means
of a flat piece of wood, or, what will be perhaps more readily
available, by the bottom of a flower-pot.

" The best guide as to the thickness of covering required is

PART L] CULTURAL 91

to arrange so that no seeds shall be seen on the surface after
the operation. If the seeds are minute, a very small quantity
will be required to attain this end ; if they are large, more will
be requisite. This completed, and each pot duly labelled with
the name of the plant and height of growth, the pots should
then be placed in a cold frame tolerably near the glass, taking
care that each pot is set level or as nearly so as practicable.

" In preparing the frame for their reception, it is desir-
able to have a good thickness of lime-rubbish in the bottom,
say from 9 to 12 inches deep, as a protection against
worms.

" Many seeds come up a long time after others ; in fact,
seed-pots are often thrown away in the supposition that the
seeds are dead, when they are perfectly sound ; and some will
come up a year or so after being sown. All that is necessary
with the seeds that do not come up during the spring is to
give them occasional watering, and to guard against the growth
of the Marchantia. This is frequently a great pest in damp
localities, and is only to be kept in check by carefully removing
it on its first appearance, for if allowed to make too much head-
way, any attempt at removal carries away the surface soil, and
with it the seeds. In the month of October each pot should
be surfaced with a sprinkling of fine soil, well pressed down ;
in fact, the process before described after sowing should be
repeated. The pots may remain in the frame till the spring,
nor should they be despaired of altogether till May or June,
or in some instances later.

" To those who may not have the advantage of a cold frame
to carry out the foregoing instructions, I would still recommend
the use of flower-pots rather than sowing in the open ground ;
but under these circumstances I would say — sow one month
later ; place the pots in a warm sunny corner, and arrange some
simple contrivance so that you can shade with mats during hot
sunshine, and also cover up at night, in order to keep off heavy
rains ; the same care in watering should be observed, and the
same watchful eye after snails, wood-lice, and other depredators,
should be maintained.

92 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

" So much for the seeds in their seed-pots. Now a word or
two as to the treatment of the plants afterwards. My practice
is to pot off, as soon as they are sufficiently strong to handle,
as many as are required, in 3- or 4-inch pots, say three
in each pot. In these they will grow well during the summer,
and become thoroughly rooted, ready for consigning to their
final habitat, be it rock-garden or border, in the early part
of spring, after the borders have been roughly raked over;
thus giving them ample time to establish themselves before
autumn arrives, and their enemy, the spade, is likely to come
in their way. Failing a supply of pots sufficient for all, some
of the stronger-growing ones may be planted in a sheltered bed
of light soil, care being taken to shade them for a few days
after being planted ; or a few old boxes, 5 or 6 inches deep,
may be used with even greater advantage for the same purpose,
as they may readily be moved from the shady side of a wall
to a more sunny locality after they have sufficiently recovered
the process of transplanting ; and, finally, they may receive the
shelter of a cold frame as soon as winter sets in. This recom-
mendation must not be considered as indicative of their inability
to stand the cold weather, but as a preventive of the mechanical
action of frost, which, in some soils especially, is apt to loosen
their root-hold, and force the young plants, roots and all, to the
surface.

" In the case of the smaller-growing alpines, such as the
Drabas, Arabises, etc., I generally find that they stand the first
winter best in pots of the smallest size, and in this form they
may be the more readily inserted in interstices of rocks, where
they will permanently establish themselves."

WATERING ALPINE AND ROCK PLANTS.

The notion that alpine plants want shade arises from the
fact that those placed in the shade do not perish so soon
from drought as those in the sun. The reason that alpine plants
perish so soon on bare flower-borders, the surface of which may

PART I.] CULTURAL 93

be saturated with rain one day and be as dry as snuff the next,
at least to the depths to which the roots of a small or young-
alpine plant would penetrate, is therefore easily accounted for.
Matted through a soft carpet of short grass in their native hills,
or rooted deeply between stones, they can stand many degrees
more heat than they ever endure in this country. As a rule,
it is difficult to water them too freely if the drainage be good,
which of course it will be in a well-formed rock-garden. To
have the water laid on and applied thoroughly with a fine hose,
is the best plan in districts not naturally moist. Some lay
small copper pipes through the masses and to the highest points
of the rock, allowing the water to gently trickle from these,
but, except in special cases, the plan is not so good as the
hose. Whatever way be adopted, the rule should be : Never
water unless you saturate the soil, say with from 1J to
2 inches deep of water over the whole surface. As a rule,
pretentious, wall-like, erect masses of "rock- work" require
half a dozen times as much water as those made with plenty
of soil, so arranged that it is easily saturated by the rains.
Indeed, nothing but ceaseless watering could preserve plants
in a healthy state on the "rock-work" commonly made. As
regards the time of watering, it is a matter of very little im-
portance, though, for convenience' sake, it is better not done in
the heat of the day.

PLANTING ROCK AND ALPINE FLOWERS.

There is a mischievous way of planting almost every kind
of small plant, which is particularly injurious in the case of
the hardy orchids (whose roots are easily injured), and of all
rare alpine plants. I refer to the practice of making a hole
for the plant, and, after a little soil has been shaken over the roots,
pressing heavily with the fingers over the roots and near the
neck of the plant. What is meant will be understood from
fig. 2, if the reader assumes that there is a little soil between
the fingers and the roots. Where the roots are not all broken
off in this way, many of them are mutilated, and often plants

94 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

perish from this cause. The right way, after preparing the
ground, is to make it firm and level, and then make a little
cut or trench. The side of this trench should be firm and

1. Right. 2. Wrong.

smooth, and the plant placed against it, the roots spread out,
and the neck of the plant set just at the proper level, as in
fig. 1. Then the fine earth of the little trench is to be thrown
against the roots, and as much side pressure applied as may be
necessary to make the whole quite firm. In this way not a
fibre of the most fragile plant need be injured.

THINGS TO AVOID.

It is essential to keep clear of the UGLY, unhappily strewn
too freely about the garden world. In man's attempt at rock-
gardeniiig, many hideous things have been made — even in public
gardens, and illustrations of them printed for our guidance in
books. Even now, in the public gardens of London, the most
hideous and wasteful things are done in the shape of ignoble
masses of spoiled brick, as in Waterlow and Dulwich Parks.
It is brickyard waste, valueless for any purpose save a bottom
for roads, and its use in public gardens is hardly to be explained,
except as jobbery or gross ignorance. The mere cost of carting
it to Dulwich Park, if rightly applied, might have given us a
true rock-garden, formed of some of the natural sandstone, found
south of London, that might have been a lesson in beauty. We
have not only to avoid these brutalities in material because of
their ugliness, or of their bad effect on our plants, but because
every cobbler who rushes from his last to write a book on
garden design will assume that the ugly way is the only way,
and so do his little best against truth and beauty.

PART I.]

CULTURAL

WHAT TO AVOID.

In the selection of a few illustrations showing with what
deplorable results rock work is generally made, my first inten-
tion was to have had them all engraved from drawings taken
in various gardens, public and private ; but as this course might
have proved an invidious one, I have preferred to take most of
them from our best books on Horticulture — the works of
authorities like Loudon, Macintosh, and others, and that, if
such ridiculous objects occur in
books of repute, they must be yet
more absurd in many gardens.

The first example is copied
from the frontispiece of a small
book on alpine plants, published
not many years ago. Growing
naturally on the high mountains,
unveiled from the sun by wood or
copse, alpine plants are grouped
here beneath a weeping tree — a
position in which they could not
attain anything like their native
vigour, or do otherwise than lead
a sickly existence.

One form which " rockwork " is made to assume is that of
a rustic arch ; and the following illustration, from Loudon,
is less hideous than many that may be
seen about London. Frequently they
are formed of spoiled clinkers, but even
if composed of good stone, they are
useless for the growth of plants. How
many rock Pinks or Primroses would
find a home on such a structure, set
in a part of the Alps favourable to
vegetation? Probably not one, and what to Avoid,

should a few establish themselves on Rustic Arch (after London).

What to Avoid.
Frontispiece of a book on Alpine Plants

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

its lower flanks, they would in all probability perish from heat
and drought if their roots had not a free course to the earth
beneath. Even persons with some experience of plant life
may be seen sticking plants over such objects as these, as if
they were bits of metal, able to bear as many vicissitudes. The
fact that plants push their roots far into old walls is no justifica-
tion for the rustic arch as a home for alpine flowers. If the
cement, burrs, and clinkers permitted them even to enter it,
they have nothing of any kind into which to descend. There
is rarely an excuse for constructing such arches ; where they
occur, they should be clothed with Ivy or other vigorous
climbers.

The sketch, made at Hammersmith, shows something of the
harsh, bare, and unnatural effect of structures of this sort.

What to Avoid.
Rockwork in Villa at Hammersmith.

The next scene is one in which a miniature representation
of various mountains is attempted. Efforts of this kind usually
end in the ridiculous. Let us succeed
with a few square yards of stony
mountain turf and flowers before we
attempt to build the mountains.

The next illustration shows a rock-
work and fountain in what we may
call the true mixed style — huge shells,
" cascades," and " rockwork." How
any such object can be conceived to
be in any sense ornamental is not

What to Avoid.

PART I.] CULTURAL 97

easily explained, but it has been taken from a work of
authority,

Mrs Loudon's design, while not so repulsive as some of the

What to Avoid.

What to Avoid. Rockwork (after Mrs Loudon).

Fountain and Rockwork.
(after Loudon).

others, shows in its elevated nodding head the tendency to
make such arrangements useless by raising them too high,
and by so placing the stones that the rain cannot nourish
the plants. Like the arches, such structures as this should
in all cases be covered with Ivy, or some kindly veil of
vegetation, or broken up to make the bottom of a road
or path. It should be noted that when rocks or stones are
properly placed in the rock-garden, they do not require any
cementing, but are surrounded by and placed on moist stony
earth or grit, inviting to every fibre of the root that descends.
From this we may deduce the rule — Eockwork consisting of
stones cemented together is bad in all respects.

A " rockery " is occasionally seen bordering drives, often
with large stones arranged in porcupine-quill fashion, and
showing a dentate ridge of rocks springing up close from each
side of the drive for a considerable length near the entrance
gate — a style dangerous for coachmen on dark nights. Such a
position is the last that should be chosen for the rock-garden.
Without alluding to even half the varieties of the ridiculous
rockwork tribe, I have the pleasure of here presenting a plan
of some recently constructed on the margin of a stream in
a great London park. It shows exactly what not to do with
any rocks introduced near the margin of water. So far from
these illustrating exaggerated or extreme instances, I should

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

have no difficulty in finding many, even uglier and more unsuit-
able, in a few hours' walk near London. That such blemishes
are not confined to obscure places, where the light of modern

What to Avoid.
Ground-plan of " Rockworks " recently made in a London Park.

progress in these matters has not yet shone, is evident, as one
of the most absurd was sketched in one of our greatest parks,
and another in one of the most popular of London public
gardens.

No public garden should show anything in the way of rock
or alpine garden that is ugly or useless for its purpose. And

,T«~--v<~*-'V?>lv,_r.-'-N-~v
••\nrfi~*- ^^5V*™*« '

~«: fc4-1 ^x •"

s v«:';^i

-.,.. . i..). » »^o\

What to Avoid.
Sketched at Kew in 1872.

this rule should particularly apply to botanic gardens. Better
far content ourselves with the good effects which we can get
from trees and shrubs, and flowers on the level ground, than add
to the hideous piles of rubbish that go by the name of " rock-
work " all over the country. And where these excrescences do
occur in public gardens, the right thing to do is to convey the
offensive pile to the rubbish-yard some time when the ground is
hard in winter.

Lastly, among the illustrations of how not to do it, is the

PART L] CULTURAL 99

rockwork figured on this page, which occurred in the Botanic
Gardens, Eegent's Park.

What to Avoid.
Sketched in the Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, ]872.

What a check to progress in this direction are such " rock-
works " as these ! And yet there is no way in which our public
gardens would do more good than by growing well, in the open
air, the numerous brilliant flowers of the mountains of our own
and other cold and temperate regions.

ON THE GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ROCKWORK.

When rockwork has to be erected in a garden, it may be
found that success will be attained in the proportion in which
some broad principles, based on a study of Nature's own work,
have been followed.

Every lover of Nature must have envied her power of
adorning rough stony nooks by means of a few of the commonest
plants ; a fern or two and a little moss convert a few weather-
beaten rocks into objects of beauty. And success is attainable
in almost every case, if sufficient attention be only paid to the
rules, which, it will be seen, are as sacred to the physical agents
which model our scenery as they ought to be to every gardener.
It is a trite observation to say that what pleases us in Nature is
the perfect fitness of things which pervades all her belongings.
The most rugged, abrupt, and even grotesque rock masses, when
untouched by man, never repel us by a sense of incongruity ;

100

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

they may be pleasing or awful, as the case may be, but they do
not strike us as being out of place. Who, on the other hand, has
not seen a lovely view marred by some unintelligent human
hand, whether its work took the form of a quarry, a statue, or
a vase ? A secret of the difference lies in the words weather-
beaten : rain, the chief rock-sculptor, working uniformly, slowly
and gently, leaves to each stone which it is fashioning its proper
character, models it according to its peculiarities of composition
and structure — in short, uses it fitly ; while men, with the most

Granite tor.

artistic pretensions, and armed with ruthless tools, too often
misuse their materials.

The first great rule which it behoves constructors of rock-
gardens to look to is one easily followed but constantly broken —
it is that the work should be characteristic of the part of the
country in which it stands. That is to say, use chalk at
Brighton and sandstone at Tunbridge, granite on Dartmoor, and
trap near Edinburgh ; but the experience of every one must
include cases in which this is ignored. Some artists have even
carried their Philistinism in this respect so far, that the more
they have succeeded in giving to their rockwork the appearance
of a miscellaneous collection of mineralogical specimens from all

PART L] CULTURAL 101

parts of the world, the better they have been pleased. The
familiar burnt brick of the South of England, and the slag and
painted coke of the northern coal districts, are better than these.

It is needless to point out in detail what rocks are suitable
for alpine gardens in the different parts of Britain ; a walk in
the country will show the rocks, and a glance at any geological
map will tell their names.

The second rule not to be departed from is one not so easy
to adhere to, but quite as important as the last, viz.: — The
form of your rocks should be that which in Nature is assumed
by the particular kind of rock of which it is composed. In
order to appreciate the amount of observation which this rule
renders necessary, we must consider what are the various
agencies which together bring about on rocks the result
which geologists know by the name of " weathering." Nature's
mode of making her rocks weather-beaten requires such an
amount of time, that we cannot attempt to imitate her in that
respect ; but if we cannot use her means, we can copy her
results. Now, the weathering of a rock depends, before all
things, on the structure of that rock, on its composition, and on
the manner in which it is exposed to sun, rain, frost, wind, and
the atmosphere itself, which are the great weathering and rock-
carving agents. On many rocks water acts mechanically only ;
or, to be more accurate, its power of dissolving some rocks, such
as quartz, is so limited, even when, as is almost always the case,
it is charged with carbonic acid, that it is inappreciable, and
may for practical purposes be left out of the reckoning. On a
great mass of quartzite rock, for instance, the effect of rain
would be of this kind. It could scarcely dissolve any of it
away ; but it would insinuate itself into every crevice and
fissure and crack with which such hard rocks abound near the
surface, and thence, by the help of frost, it blasts to shivers,
winter after winter, layer after layer of this tough rock, just in
the same manner as it bursts the water-pipes of our houses. By
observation it is found that every rock affects a more or less
peculiar kind of fracture; so that in bursting splinters from
them, as has just been shown, the lines of fissure are not

102 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

arbitrary and accidental. They, like everything else in Nature,
form part of a plan. Hence a particular class of form is the
result for each rock of this purely mechanical action of the
weathering agent. In the case of quartzite, for instance, the
fracture is " conchoidal," or shell-shaped, concave and wavy;
this, on a large scale, gives rise to peaks with somewhat hollow
sides and ridged with sharp serrated edges.

This may serve as an example of simple weathering on a
homogeneous, hard, and practically insoluble rock. Let us see
what takes place with more complex rocks, of which granite
may serve as a representative. This rock is made up essentially
of three minerals — quartz, felspar, and mica in various propor-
tions. Now here the water with its carbonic acid will act not
only mechanically, as in the case of quartzite, but as a powerful
solvent and disintegrator. The fissures in granite are large and
continuous, taking the form of immense joints, which cross and
recross each other, often, but not always, in a regular manner ;
but besides these larger lines of weakness, which affect the
whole rock, there are those minute lines which separate the
constituent minerals from one another. Into all these the
water trickles, decomposing the granite k along the joints and
cracks, "widening them, and rounding off the angles of their
intersections, and ultimately only the harder masses, or the
hearts of the blocks defined by the joints, remain as solid
crystalline granite ; some — though little — of the quartz is dis-
solved away by the water ; the iron," which is usually present
in small quantities in granite, " becomes oxidized and weakens
the rock ; but it is chiefly the felspar that is decomposed by the
action of carbonic acid, its alkalies are removed, and its residue
is washed away in the form of fine china clay. . . . The quartz
crystals remain as sand ; the mica remains, but is less observ-
able, and is partially decomposed." (Professor Eupert Jones.)
It is by processes such as that described, that the many fantastic
shapes assumed by granite rocks have been arrived at, whether
they be those of the curious balanced "Logging" stones of
Cornwall or Brittany, the bare rounded tors of Devon, or the
grey sterile mountain-tops of Aberdeenshire. All felspathic

PART I.]

CULTURAL

103

rocks of eruptive origin, such as porphyries, are moulded into
the shapes which they now exhibit in the same way as granite,
and such also is the case with those sedimentary rocks which
consist to a considerable extent of felspar, such as many of our
gritstones. In these, however, a great uniformity of weathering
is caused by the regular lines of bedding which take the place
of the horizontal joints of the former class of rocks. The
vertical joints are similar in both. In igneous rocks, such as

Limestone.

basalt and greenstone, the jointing and fissuring is often of such
a kind as to give rise to very striking effects, very various in
their appearance, though probably closely allied in their origin.
Thus, from the simple dark brown, or black, trap, without
apparent structure, forming shapeless masses of a rounded,
somewhat unpicturesque, outline, there is but one step to the
bold semi-columnar escarpments of trap, which are so con-
spicuous in Northumberland and in many parts of Scotland ;
from these to the wonderful assemblages of rigid geometrical
pillars of Staffa and the Giant's Causeway, with all their
suggestiveness to rock-builders, the transition is shorter still ;
whilst in many parts of the three countries, we have examples
of trap weathering into a mass of many-coated spheres of every

104 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART L

size, decomposing layer by layer, with only a small core of the
untouched rock in the centre of each ball. It is a noteworthy
fact that basalt in this spheroidal condition weathers and
decomposes much more rapidly than it does in the prismatic
or columnar state. Eocks such as those we have been consider-
ing (with the exception of the grits and quartzite) have all
been thrown up in a molten or pasty condition, which precluded
their being subject to many of the rules which water-deposited
rocks are bound by. Their structure is in a great measure the
result of cooling ; and although they frequently have a bedded
appearance, they are not under the rigid sway of dip and strike,,
which in other rocks is all-powerful in producing, or rather in
preparing, the structure of a country. Indeed, in the great
majority of cases, it is the advent of the eruptive rocks which
has given the sedimentary deposits their present positions, or
what is technically called their "lie." Few of the latter,,
whether sandstones, limestones, shales, clays, or sands, are
now lying in the horizontal positions in which they were formed,
especially in much-disturbed and dislocated Britain. Great
geological operations have taken place since then, and have
squeezed, tilted up, and broken these beds of rock into every
shape. And it will be obvious to all that had it not been for
these great changes, the edges of these rocks could never have
been brought under the influence of rivers and glaciers to carve
them on the large scale into hill and dale, and of rain more
delicately to "weather" and ornament them. It is therefore
very necessary to observe the dip, or general mode of lying
of the beds of any district which it is desired to make use of for
rockwork purposes. The writer has seen a large rock-garden in
the north of England which was laid out with great care and
at vast expense, which is spoilt by one apparently small but
fatal oversight — the dip of the beautifully arranged rockery-
blocks is westerly and strongly-marked, while the dip of the
real " live " rock immediately beneath is due east. Now this
seems a small thing to find fault with ; and it is true that an
uneducated eye might be well pleased, in ignorance of the defect.
But consider that this easterly dip in that part of the country is

PART I.]

CULTURAL

105

the raison d'etre of the shape of the hills and valleys which
make its beauty ; without it the fine slope on which this garden
stands would not be in existence — the entire district would be
altered, to say nothing of the fact that, were it not for this dipr
and the vast industries which it fosters, the wealth which built
the rock-garden would have been elsewhere. " Follow Nature
in all things," is the only safe motto for the landscape gardener.
It would be tedious and perhaps not very useful to enumerate

Old Bed Sandstone.

the different kinds of water-bedded rock which can in Britain
be used for rock-gardens. A glance at the chief members will
suffice.

Of the grits we have already spoken, and their mode of
weathering is that of the entire class of sandstones, coarse and
fine-grained, massive and flaggy. With regard to the latter, it

106 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

may be allowable to point out, for special reprobation, a mode
of rock-building which seems to be gaining favour in many
districts. It consists in placing a number of broken flagstones
on end, and in every position relatively to one another ; the result
is peculiarly hideous, and resembles no possible combination of
Nature's art, since the flags, at whatever angle they may be
dipping, must be always parallel among themselves, except in
the case of the arrangement known as " false bedding," which is
one not likely to be successfully imitated. Sandstones are, as
a rule, peculiarly adapted for rock-gardens by the forms they
assume on weathering, by their great frequency, and by the
great variety of their colours. From dark brown to bright
red, from red to yellow, from yellow to white, thence through
•every tint of grey to blue and purple, the choice of colouring
is great indeed in these rocks. They are found everywhere —
as hard grits in the old Silurian and Cambrian districts, as great
rugged crags throughout the Carboniferous regions, forming the
well-known Old Ked and New Eed sandstones, more sparsely
distributed among the Oolites, but forming occasional bands of
striking character among the sands and clays of the Wealden
(witness the "Greys" of the Lover's Seat and other marked
natural rocks in the neighbourhood of Hastings and Tunbridge
Wells), and in the much more recent tertiaries appearing
occasionally, as in the sand of Brussels, as lines of grotesque
fistulous masses running through incoherent sand, very much
as flints lie in our Upper chalk.

Many sandstones and grits pass gradually into more or less
coarse conglomerates, that is to say, rocks formed of rolled
pebbles and blocks of stones derived from other pre-existing
formations. Of such conglomerates there are many examples in
Britain, and they are often very suitable for rockwork, owing
to the uneven weathered surface which is the result of the
different sizes of the pebbles, and occasionally of their different
hardness, and which causes them to be dislodged unequally.
The Permian conglomerates, in many places of Central England,
-are great additions to the natural beauty of the scenery, and
should be taken advantage of for the formation of rock-gardens.

Stybarrow Crag, Ullswater.

108 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

LIMESTONES.

Under the name of limestone must be included a very large
number of rocks different in texture, hardness, and general
aspect, but having this in common — that they are chiefly com-
posed of carbonate of lime. The result of this composition is
that more than any other rocks they are liable to the solvent,
as distinguished from the disintegrating, action of water charged,
as rain- water always is to some extent, with carbonic acid.
This action we see displayed on a large scale in the great
stalactite-lined caverns in the Carboniferous limestone of the
North of England, or in the sand-pipes running deep into the
chalk of the South country. On a smaller scale, the effects of
this dissolving power are marked on every exposed face of
limestone of every age, and help to make them everywhere
worthy of the attention of the rock-gardener. In some
instances thin beds of hard limestone are weathered into a
curious honeycombed state, the exposed parts being of a
lighter colour than the inner stone ; in others the faces of the
beds present the appearance of a clumsy balustrade of the
Louis XIV. style, the interstices having been gradually eaten
away by the water running down the original lines of upright
joints. Sometimes the most peculiar forms are assumed in
this manner by limestones, and each kind has its own special
characteristic shape, to be known only by constant observation ;
but perhaps no rock equals the great Magnesian limestone of
Durham in the eccentricity or in the multiplicity of its dis-
guises. This limestone is of a yellowish colour, and its struc-
ture is wonderfully diversified, sometimes hard and compact,
sometimes friable, often concretionary and botryoidal, occurring
as a mass of radiated concentric spheres of all sizes, generally
crystalline, often as a distinct breccia or agglomeration of
angular fragments held together by a cement of similar
material. A walk along the coast of Durham, from South
Shields to Roker, will show to what vagaries of weathering and
denudation this extraordinary variety of conformation has given

PART L] CULTURAL 109

rise. The high cliffs are in places worn into deep caves, in
others slender pillars of rough rock have been separated from
the main mass, and stand solitary on the beach, while larger
islands of rock stand out at sea, through which arches of every
size and shape have been excavated. No rock can be better
suited for rock-gardens if used rightly, and it is moreover
known that its chemical composition is such as to be very
beneficial to rock-plants. These magnesian limestones are
called Dolomites, and it is notable that their fantastic shapes
are by no means confined to England, since no mountain range
is so remarkable for abruptness and startling variety of con-
figuration as that in the Italian Tyrol, known as the Great
Dolomites. Besides the hard old stony limestones of which
we have spoken, there are in England a number of other kinds,
from the oolitic limestones to the chalk, which can occasionally
serve the landscape gardener's purpose. Their appearance is
too well known to need description here. In the newer
geological series there are frequently beds of a light porous
limestone, very similar in appearance to the sinter which is
deposited by petrifying springs. In many places this is called
•" ragstone," and it is extremely well adapted for our purpose ;
their distribution is, however, very local in Britain, so that,
according to our theory as to aesthetics of rock-gardens, they
cannot be very widely used. Abroad, in Tertiary districts, they
are far more common, especially on the shores of the
Mediterranean, both on the European and on the African
side.

SCHISTS AND SHALES.

These may, for the purposes of rock-building, be considered
together; the former being simply the hardened and altered
form of the latter. Their weathered appearance, where exposed,
varies very much with the angle of their dip and with the
degree of crystallisation to which they have attained. Some
schists are quite as crystalline as granite, and they then weather
in the same manner, with this proviso, that the lines of folia-

110 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART L

tion, or lamination, direct the operation. Where such beds
are highly inclined, as on the south-west coast or in Brittany,
a curious appearance is often seen, which may be called the
" Artichoke form," as it exactly resembles the mode of arrange-
ment of the Artichoke leaves. At lower inclinations, schists
and the harder shales do not form striking features ; but, by
offering slight rocky elevations, above a more or less level
ground, with distinct " craig and tail shapes," they can be made
highly effective in rock-gardening where they occur naturally.
This has been done with the greatest success in the Central
Park, New York. The softer shales may be dismissed as
rockery materials, except for the purpose of forming the lower
of the two beds of rock essential to the construction of a good
waterfall or of an overhanging crag. While on the subject of
waterfalls, it may be as well to remind the landscape gardener
that, with very few exceptions, the rocks forming waterfalls in
Nature dip up-stream, and this holds good for great and small
falls alike. The clays and sands need not detain us ; where
these unrocky materials prevail, the rock-maker is clearly
entitled to do the best he can to try and imitate the rock-
masses of more favoured districts. But even then he should
be bound by what we will call our third rule, which flows
naturally from our other two, enounced above : " In no case
should the rock-garden be constructed in a manner contrary to
the broad geological laws to which all rocks are subject in their
natural state."

In this brief survey of a large and interesting subject, it has
only been intended to suggest some points for the consideration
of rock-builders, and to show that success in their art, as in
every other, is to be attained only by careful observation and
study of Nature's own models. G-. A. LEBOUR, F.G.S.

SOME NOTES OF A JOUENEY IN THE ALPS OF
EUEOPE AND THE EOCKY MOUNTAINS OF
N.W. AMEEICA.

" The best image which the world can give of Paradise is in the
slope of the meadows, orchards, and corn-fields on the sides of a
great Alp, with its purple rocks and eternal snows above ; this
excellence not being in any wise a matter referable to feeling or
individual preferences, but demonstrable by calm enumeration
of the number of lovely colours on the rocks, the varied group-
ing of the trees, and quantity of noble incidents in stream, crag,
or cloud, presented to the eye at any given moment." — MusJcin.

As many lovers of alpine plants have no opportunity of
seeing them in a wild state, I have thought it well to include
a few notes of my first short excursion in an alpine country,
which may serve to give some notion of such regions to those
who have no better means of knowing anything of it. They
relate no exciting accounts of attempts to mount any peaks,
but only deal, in passing, with one of the many texts that may
be read in the great book of the Alps.

The first day's work was devoted to the ascent of the Grande
Saleve, which, though not a great mountain, and with green
meadows instead of snow at its top, is nearly 5000 feet high,

and is a way of commencing training for more serious work.

111

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

The limestone chain, to the highest point of which we have to
walk, is situated a little to the south of Geneva, and has vast
escarpments looking toward that town, with many alpine

flowers, and a noble view of the mountains around, of Lake
Leman, and valleys, hills, and far-off Alps, all aglow with the
sun of a June morning. A few miles' drive through the
fragrant, sparkling air brings us from the margin of the lake
to the foot of the mountain before six o'clock, and then we
begin the ascent, through the last patches of meadow land, for
the most part very like English meadow land, but fuller of
Pinks, Harebells, Sages, and Peaflowers, making the land gay
with colour. Soon we pass the cultivated land, and enter on
the hem of an immense belt of hazel and copse wood, with
numerous little green and bushless carpets of grass here and
there, which cuts off vine, and corn, and meadow, from the
slopes of the mountains. Here, at six in the morning, the
nightingale is singing, while white-headed eagles float aloft,
now over the lake, and now over plain and hill, sometimes on
motionless wing, and silently gliding along on the look-out for
prey. From floating bird in glowing air fragrant with Lily-of-
the- Valley, the white bells of which may be seen leaning out

PART L] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS 113

of its leaves at the base of the bushes, to the flower-clad heaps
of stone, and in every peep which the eye obtains through the
bush and wood to the villa-dotted margins of the lake, the scene
is one of beauty and abounding life.

Some gorges and precipices are reached, every crevice
having some plant in it, and all the ledges being clothed
with the greenest grass or bushes, but as yet few of such as
are generally termed alpine plants are seen. Many of the most
delicate and minute of these would grow well in such spots,
but the long grass and low wood would soon overrun them.
The copse-wood gets a home on the shattered flanks of the
mountain. Among it we find numbers of beautiful flowers
that may be termed sub-alpine, and occasionally plants that
are found of diminutive size near the top of a mountain, are
here met with larger in size. The plants that occur in such
places should have an interest for all who love gardens, because
they flourish under conditions like those of the greater part
of our islands. Every copse, shrubbery, thin wood, or semi-
wild spot in pleasure-grounds, throughout the length and
breadth of the land, may grow scores of these copse-herbaceous
plants, that now rarely find a home in our gardens.

That fine rock-plant, Genista sagittalis, in bushy masses
of yellow flowers, forms the very turf in some spots. Dwarf
neat bushes of Cytisus sessilifolius become very common ; and
soon I gather my first wild Cyclamen. The Lily-of-the-Valley
forms a carpet all under the brushwood. The Martagon Lily
shoots up here and there among the common Orchids and
Grass, and Hawthorn Bush is in flower here later than on the
plain. The Laburnum is mostly past ; but on high precipices
we see it in flower. The great yellow Gentian begins to be
plentiful, and Glolularia cordifolia is in dense dwarf sheets
here and there, showing its latest flowers. Anthericum Liliago
is very plentiful and pretty ; and we see all this by the side
of well-beaten paths, from which many flowers have been
gathered. Trifolium, Dianthus, Anthyllis, and Euphorbia
struggle for the mastery wherever a little grass has a
chance to spread out, and every chink in the rocks where

ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

a little decomposed mould has gathered, supports some
plant.

After a walk of three hours we reach the top, having often
stopped to admire the varied views. From the bottom the
visitor might have expected a barren mountain-top, with
stunted vegetation ; but it is an immense plateau, miles in
length, and covered with the freshest verdure. The best
meadows of Britain could not vie with it in these points,
while the grass is gay with flowers to which they are
strangers, and here and there young plants of the great
yellow Gentian, with their large leaves, form the fine-leaved
plants of the region. Trees there are none ; but occasionally
the Hazel, Cotoneaster, and other shrubs form a little group
of mountain shrubs, enclosing some spot, so that the cattle
that are driven up here in the summer months cannot eat
down the flowers so easily. The mountain is of limestone,
but now and then we meet with a great block of solid granite,
a remembrancer of the days when glaciers from the far-off
Mont Blanc range stretched to this. In several places there
is a large expanse of well-worn rock, a level well-denuded
mass, with cracks in it, in which Ferns grow luxuriantly. The
surface is indented with roundish hollows, as if great lizards
had left their impress on it ; these have in the course of ages
become filled with a few inches of mould from decomposed
moss, etc., and in them grow Yacciniums, Eockfoils and Stone-
crops and Ferns, quite as well as if the " most perfect drainage "
were secured.

I was very glad to meet with my first silvery Eockfoils in a
wild state, having long held that these so often kept in pots, even
in Botanic Gardens, require no such attention, and may be
grown everywhere in the open air. The plants grew in many
positions : at the bottom of small narrow chasms ; under the shade
of the bushes ; in little thimble-holes on the surface of the rocks
in a tiny and sometimes flaccid condition from the drought ; and
here and there among short grass and fern, where the gathered
soil was a little deeper.

The vernal Gentian is known as the type of much that is

PART L] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS 115

charming in alpine vegetation : its vivid colour and peerless
beauty stamp themselves on the mind of the traveller that
crosses the Alps as deeply as the wastes of snow, the silvery
waterfalls, or the dark plumy ridges of Pines, though it be but a
diminutive plant. It is there a little gem of life in the midst
of death, buried under the deep all-shrouding snow for six or even
eight months out of the twelve, and blooming during the
summer days near the margin of the wide glaciers, and within
the sound of the little snow cataracts that tumble off the high
Alps in summer. But it is not confined to such awful spots ; it
descends to the crests of low mountains like this, where the
sun's heat has power to drive away all the snow in spring, and
where the snow is quickly replaced with boundless meadows of
the richest grass, that form a setting for innumerable flowers.
Among these the " blue Gentian " occurs, and blooms abundantly
late in spring, while acres of the same kind lie deep and dormant,
under the cold snow, on the slope of the high neighbouring alp
for months afterwards. This brilliant Gentian is very plentiful
in the pastures here, but it is already passed out of flower, and
the seed vessels, full and strong, are seen among the taller
herbage. Alpine travellers, botanists, and writers say that this
lovely plant and its fellows cannot be cultivated, and Dean
Close echoed this in describing in Good Words his passage
over the Simplon — an idea quite erroneous, as the plant is of
easy culture, even on the level ground.

On one side we have the Jura range, and the wide sunny
valley, cultivated in every spot below the town of Geneva, and,
between the Jura and our position, the lower part of the Lake of
Geneva, scarcely fluttered by the breeze, the countless pleasant
spots along its shores, and issuing from it the blue waters of
the Ehone. Many green and well-pastured mountains lie
beyond, with dark clouds of Pinewoods on their sides and
summits. Others still higher, and with the verdure less visible,
are behind, and, above all, a great, bony, steep-scarped, dark
range, stretching all across the view.

The variety and beauty of the country traversed on descend-
ing the other side of the Saleve, and the margins of calm celestial-

116 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

looking Lake Leman, with vast ranges of snowy mountains
beyond its broad expanse, give the traveller a rose-coloured
impression of the Alps, which forty-eight hours' journey from
Geneva was quite sufficient to modify in my case. The country
has every conceivable variety of attractive pastoral scenery, and,
better still, the human beings in it seem to partake of the felicity
which appears to be here the lot of all animated nature. Their
cottages and houses, nestling in nooks in flowery fields, and
carved out of the abundant wood of the region, snug gardens,
vine-clad slopes, numerous flocks, and high ridges of mountain-
lawn, with noble groups of Pines, in vast natural parks, form
pictures of which the eye never wearies.

THE SAAS VALLEY.

Compared to the shores of the lake I had passed the day
before, the Saas valley, with its deeply-worn river-bed and vast
sides of gloomy rock, looked anything but a cheerful pass to the
Monte Eosa district ; but, fortunately, I had other resources
than those of the landscape or the sky, and as yet the weather
permitted of enjoying them, for here were countless tufts of the
Cobweb Houseleek. It was the first time I had ever met with it
in a wild state, and cushioned in tufts, over the bare rocks, in the
spaces between the stones that here and there had been built
up to support the side of the pathway, and in almost every
chink there were thousands of it. Although some of the House-
leeks are among the most singular of dwarf plants, they are the
succulent plants of the Alps : they are among the hardiest of
all plants, enduring any weather, and living even in smoky
towns.

Next, an old friend, the Hepatica, came in sight, peeping
here and there under the brushwood, but rarely in such strong
tufts as one sees it make in our gardens. In a wild state it has,
like everything else, to fight for existence, and is none the worse
for it. To meet this in its wild home would have rewarded
one for a day's hard walking in these solitudes, and it had many

PART I.] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS 117

interesting companions ; not the least welcome being the Swiss
Club Moss, which mantled over the rocks in many places,
pushing up little fruiting stems from its green branchlets.

The scenery now began to get very bold and striking, and,
after a walk of nearly two hours, we reached a village with a
very poor inn, where we had some black bread and wine. By
this time a slight misty rain had begun to fall, and bearing in
mind the long valley we had to traverse before reaching a place
where we could rest for the night, we resolved to move on
as rapidly as possible, and shut our eyes to all the interesting

An Alpine Village.

objects around us. A soaking rain helped us to carry out this
part of the plan. With rapid pace and eyes fixed on the stony
footway, on we went, the valley becoming narrower as we pro-
gressed, and in some parts dangerous from almost perpendicular
walls of loose stone. Presently a little rough weather-beaten
wooden cross was passed beside the footway.

" Why a cross here?"

" That great stone or rock you see killed, on its way down,

118

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

a man returning with his marketings from the valley," the
guide replies ! He must have formed but a small obstacle to
that ponderous mass — big as a small cottage — which fell from

its bed and leaped from point
to point, at last right over the
torrent-bed, resting on a little
lawn of rich grass and bright
flowers on the other side.

Ten minutes afterwards we
came to a group of three more
rough wooden crosses, and
loosely fixed in the stones at
its sides. They marked the
spot where two women arid a
man had been buried by an
avalanche. "And how," said
I, "do you recover people's
bodies who are thus over-
whelmed?" "We wait till
the snow melts in spring,
and then find and bury them."
In many places along this
valley these wooden crosses,
marking the scene of deaths

An Alpine Waterfall. from }ike causeS) QCCUrred SO

thickly as to remind one of a cemetery.

In the wide valleys and level land about the lakes life
is as easy as need be ; but where man creeps up to occupy the
last tufts of verdure that are spread out where the Alps defy
him with forts of rock and fields of ice and snow, it is very
hard. Even the procuring of the necessaries of life makes him
liable to dangers of which in our own country we have no
experience ; almost every commodity used has to be dragged
up these valleys on the backs of men or mules from the
villages and towns in the Ehone valley ; while in their
dwellings, made of stems of the Pine, and usually placed on
spots likely to be free from danger from avalanches, they are
sometimes buried alive.

PART I.] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS 119

Soon the rain began to be mingled with flakes of snow,
and soon it became a heavy fall; and, as we gradually
ascended, every surface was covered with it, except that of the
torrent beneath, which roared away with as much noise as if
the waters of a world, and not those of one hollow in a great
range, were being dashed down its picturesque bed — sometimes
cutting its way through walls of solid rock of great depth, at
others dashing over wastes of worn and huge stones, carried
down and ground by its action. Often we crossed it on small
rough bridges of Pinewood, fragile-looking, and heavily laden
with fresh-fallen snow. The hissing splash of many cascades
accompanied the tumult of the river-bed — many of these born
of the melting snow and previous heavy rain, the main ones
much swollen by it, the air full of large flakes of snow, the
Pines on the white mountain side began to look quite sharp-
coned from the pressure of its weight.

We had by this time got into a region abounding with
flowers, as every one of the caves was lined with the little
yellow Viola Mflora. Every cranny was golden with its
flowers. On entering one of these caves, I saw some crimson
blooms peeping from under the snow about the roof or brow.
They were those of the first Alpine Rhododendron I had ever
seen wild. Occasionally, pressed by the snow, the handsome
flowers of a crimson Pedicularis might be seen ; and in almost
every place where a little soil was seated on the top of a rock or
stone, so straight-sided that the snow only rested on the top,
the beautiful, soft, crimson, white-eyed flowers of Primula viscosa
were to be seen. It grows in all sorts of positions — wherever,
in fact, decomposed moss forms a little soil. In dry places it is
smaller than in wet ones, and is usually particularly luxuriant
on ledges where a gradual or annual addition of moss or soil
takes place, so that the tendency of the stems to throw out
rootlets is encouraged.

Several hours in falling snow, feet saturated with deep
snow-water, and beginning to chill, notwithstanding the hard
walking, make Saas, and Saas only, the one object to attain
To gain it, we pass through one or two small hamlets, the

120 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

inhabitants of which were as much surprised as ourselves at
the sudden fall of snow early in June, and we reached Saas just
as night was falling. By this time nearly a foot of snow had
fallen on the corn, already far advanced in the ear.

As the country for miles around was covered with a dense
bed of snow, my hopes of seeing the plants of the high Alps in
this region were over ; and rather than return by the same long
and dreary valley, I determined to cross the Alps and descend
into the sunny valleys of Piedmont, where we should, at all
events, probably see some traces of vegetable life.

An Alpine Stream.

Next day we set out for Mattmark, nearly 9 miles from
Saas, more than 7,000 feet higher than the sea-level, and above
the level of the Pine or any exalted vegetation. Only a few
spots under ledges, etc., were bare, but we found many well-
known plants, as well as the rare Ranunculus glacialis in full
beauty, some of the flowers measuring nearly an inch and a half
across. Near where we found this, a great sea-green arch
shows the end of a large glacier, apparently a wide and deep
river of ice beneath a field of snow, except where in places
it is riven into glass-green crevasses. We have to skirt this
field of ice to reach Mattmark, where there is a lake, the over-
flow from which passes right under the glacier.

Lloydia serotina we met with in great abundance in the

PART L] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS

region of the glacial Eanunculus, and also Androsaces and the
alpine Forget-me-not. By scraping off the snow here and
there, we could see the very pretty little Pyrethrum alpinum,
reminding one of a Daisy with its petals down in bad weather.
Several not common Eockfoils and a few Geum, Linaria alpina,
very dwarf, but with the flowers much larger than usual ;
Gentiana verna, abundant ; a pink Linum, Polygala Chamcebuxus,
Loiseleuria procumbens, Senecio uniflorm, with deep orange
flowers, and the most silvery of leaves an inch or so high ; and
the beautiful JEritricMum nanum, from half an inch to an inch
high, and with cushions of sky-blue flowers — were among those
not hidden from us by the snow.

Next morning we were up early to cross the Pass of Monte
Moro into Italy ; the snow was very deep, and we were the
first strangers who had crossed during the year. The snow was
18 inches thick even in the lower parts of our three hours'
walk, so that it was impossible to gather any plants ; and this was
unfortunate, as the neighbourhood of the little lake of Mattmark,
between two glaciers, is said to be very rich in plants. How-
ever, there was quite enough to do to ascend Monte Moro, with
its deep coating of snow. Arrived at the cross which marks
the top, a magnificent prospect bursts upon us — the white
clouds lie in three thin layers along the sides of Monte Eosa,
but permit us to see its crest, while the great mountains whose
snowy heads tower around it are here seen in all their beauty.
On the Swiss side nothing but snow is seen on peak or in
hollow ; on the Italian, a deep valley has wormed its way
among the mountain peaks, crested with sun-lit snow and dark
crags, and guarded by vast ice rivers and unscaleable heights.
We can gaze into this valley as easily as one does from a high
building into the street below ; and, crouched on the sunny
side of a cliff, to gain a little shelter from the icy breeze that
flowed over the pass, view its signs of life and green meadows,
and, above their highest fringes, the vast funereal grove of Pines
on every side, guarding, as it were, the green valley from the
death-like wastes of snow above it. Its effect was much
enhanced by the snow that had just fallen, and covered up

122 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

thousands of acres of the higher ground. The contrast between
the valley flushed with life and the great uplands of snow was
very beautiful.

We had several miles to descend through the snow before a
trace of vegetation could be seen, when fairy specimens of the
nearly universal Primula viscosa began to show their rosy
flowers here and there on ledges, where they were pressed
down by the snow ; and by clearing little spaces with the
alpenstock, we found the ground nearly covered with them.
Then the glacial Buttercup began to make its appearance in
abundance. Another minute gem was here in quantity — the
silvery Androsace imbricata, growing on the hollowed flanks of
rocks — the tufts, not more than half an inch high, sending
roots far into the narrow chinks. These having a downward
direction, the water could reach the roots from above. One
plant was gathered in the hollow recess of a cliff, with at least
one hundred little rosettes and flowers, forming a tuft 3
inches in diameter, all nourished by one little stem as thick
as a small rush, and which was bare for a distance of 2 or
3 inches from the margin of the chink from which it issued.
The tuft, bloom, and minute silvery leaves suspended by this
were, in all probability, as old as any of the great larches in the
valley below.

The Androsaces, with very few exceptions, have not
until quite recently often been successfully cultivated. Their
silvery rosettes are more delicately chiselled than the prettiest
encrusted Saxifrage ; their flowers have the purity of the
Snowdrop, and occasionally the blushes of the alpine Primroses.
They are the smallest of beautiful flowering plants, and they
grow on the very highest spots on the Alps where vegetation
exists, carpeting the earth with loveliness wherever the sun
has sufficient power to lay bare for a few weeks in summer a
square yard of wet rock-dust.

The icicle-fringed cliffs, on the concave sunny faces of which
the only traces of vegetation seen about here were found, and
the rocky precipices seen from the spot, make all this diminutive
flower-life the more interesting.

PART I.] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS

A very pretty dwarf Phyteuma, with blue heads, was found
on the rocks here, and as we got down the mountain, Geum
montanum, with its large yellow flowers, gilded the grass
somewhat after the fashion of our Buttercups, and the fine
Saxifraga Cotyledon was also coming on ; one plant found had a
rosette of leaves 8 inches across. Pyrethrum alpinum here
takes the place of the Daisy, and is full of flower. The Arnica
is in great abundance, and very luxuriant, looking like a small
single Sunflower. Silene acaulis is everywhere, and no descrip-
tion can convey an idea of the dense way in which its flowers
are produced. Starved between chinks, its cushions are as

A Glacier.

smooth as velvet, 1 inch high — though perhaps a hundred years
of age — so firm that they resist the pressure of the finger, and
so densely covered with bright rosy flowers that the green
is totally eclipsed in many specimens. These flowers barely
rise above the level of the diminutive leaves.

124

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

Soon we reached the meadow-land towards the bottom of
the warm valley, and found this Piedmontese meadow almost
blue with Forget-me-nots and strange Harebells, enlivened
by Orchids, and jewelled here and there with St Bruno's Lily.
The flower is nearly 2 inches long, of as pure a white as the
snows on the top of Monte Rosa, each petal having a small
green tip, like the spring Snowflake, but purer, and golden
stamens. The pleasure of finding so many beautiful plants,
rare in cultivation, growing in the long grass under conditions
very similar to those enjoyed in our meadows, was greater than
that of meeting with the more diminutive forms on the high
Alp, verifying, as they did, the conviction that no flowers grow
in those mountain meadows that cannot be grown equally well
in the rough grassy parts of many British pleasure-grounds
and copses.

Alpine Larch-wood.

Coming over the pass of Monte Moro, Primula viscosa was
in perfect condition and full bloom, and yet so small that a
shilling would cover the entire plant, while in lower spots on

PART I.] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS 125

the opposite side of the valley single leaves of it were nearly
3 inches across and 5 inches long. This will help to show
the fallacy of supposing that, because a plant is found in almost
inaccessible places and hard chinks of cold alpine rock, we must
attempt the nearly impossible task of imitating such condi-
tions, or give up the culture of such an interesting class of plants.
The cliffs here rise in some parts like a vast wall to a height
of 8000 feet — stupendous and beautiful towers of rock and sun-
lit snow, perfectly lifeless, but reverberating now and then with
tumbling avalanches of the recently fallen snow. Above the
village of Macugnaga, as in many other parts of the Alps, some
of the Larchwoods are beautiful from the evidences of the
struggle for life. Once the breath of summer has passed over
the earth, the dwarf herbage is all freshness and life — the
smallness and feebleness of the minute vegetation preventing us
from seeing the stamp of the destroyer. The winter snow
weighs down the little stems, and then when in spring their
successors come up in crowds, the earth is covered with a
carpet, as if winter would never come again. But not so with
the trees. Many lay prostrate, dead, barked, and bleached
nearly white among the flowers that crowded up around them.
Others were in the same condition, but leaning half erect amidst
their green companions : others were dashed bodily over the
faces of cliffs : others had their heads and trunks swept over
the cliffs by the fierce mountain storms, but holding on by their
roots, and, in the most contorted shapes, endeavoured to lift their
living tops above the rocky scarp from which in their pride of
youth they had been cast. I never in any wood saw anything
so wildly and grimly beautiful as this.

WOOD PLANTS.

We next resolved to descend into the plains of Lombardy,
cross the lakes of North Italy, go as far as Lecco on the Lake of
Como, ascend Monte Campione, and find Silene Elisabethce, a
plant as rare as beautiful, and any good plants which that
region might afford. The long and ever-varying Val Anzasca,

126

ALPINE FLOWERS

[PART I.

which runs from the foot of Monte Eosa to the great road from
the Simplon, is unsurpassed for the beauty and variety of its
scenery. We started from the Hotel Monte Moro at half-past
three in the morning, when several of the highest peaks were
illumined by a ruddy light, and all the lower ones were in the
dull grey of daybreak. The Orange Lily in the meadows was not
growing higher than the grass, and in single plants, not tufts ;
the effect was not what we are accustomed to see in Lilies. But
by looking over a ledge now and then, those small alpine
meadows, apparently stolen from the vast wilderness, were
thinly studded with large fully-expanded Lily blooms, the

Cascade in a high wood.

flowers relieved by the fresh grass. Asplenium septentrionale
was extremely abundant. Of flowers we saw but few, for the
taller tree vegetation cuts off the view and runs up, and clothes

PART L] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS 127

the secondary mountains to the very summits, except where
grass that is like velvet spreads out, as if to show the small
silvery streams, which soon hide in the woods, and by-and-by
are seen in the form of cascades falling over wide precipices, to
be again lost in deep, wet, tortuous, stony beds, and presently
forming larger cascades. Then lower down they break and
shoot perhaps for 300 feet, till they join the main stream of
the valley below, which has cut itself an ever-winding, diving
and foaming bed between terraces, and cliffs, and gullies of rock,
affording scenes of infinite beauty and variety.

We walked 12 miles down the valley before breakfast,
and every step revealed a new charm. Before us, a great
succession of blue mountains; on each side, mountain slopes
green to the line of blue sky ; behind, all the glory of the Monte
Eosa group, in some places flat-topped and of the purest white,
like vast unsculptured wedding-cakes — in others, dark, scarred,
and pointed to the sky, like some of the aged Pines on their
lower slopes, standing firmly but with branch and bark seared
off by the fierce alpine blast. Lower down, the valley begins to
show signs of human life, with well-built and clean-looking
houses ; the slopes of the hills are frequently terraced, to give
the necessary level for pursuing a little cnltivation. Vines
begin to appear, and for the most part are trained on a high
loose trellis from 5 to 7 feet above the surface of the ground, so
as to permit of the cultivation of a crop underneath. The
trellises are frequently held up by flat thin pillars of rough stone,
which support branches tied here and there with willows. It
seems a good plan for countries with a superabundance of light
and sun.

From nearly every rock and cliff along the valley spring the
pretty rosettes and foxbrush-like panicles of flowers of the
great silvery Eockfoil. But the charm of the valley is its ever-
varying and magnificent scenery — a foreground of Italian valley
vegetation — the deep-cut river-bed below, the ascending well-
clothed mountains to the right and left, and then up the valley
the higher Pine-clad slopes, all again crowned by the majestic
mountain of the rosy crest. The most passionate and unreason-

128 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART L

ing love of country would be excusable in the inhabitants of
these happy spots, enriched with the vine and other products of
the south, sheltered by evergreen woods ,and walled in by arctic
hills.

We will hasten by the streams that feed Lake Maggiore, and
stop for a while near the islands on its fair expanse. Mountains
with dense green woods creeping to their very tops are reflected
in the transparent water, in which they seem to be rooted, so
near do they rise from its margin, and only showing their stony
ribs here and there, where a deep scar or scarp occurs, too
precipitous for vegetation.

The isles look pretty, but not beautiful, because of the
rather extensive and decidedly ugly buildings and terraces
upon them; but they are only specks in a great natural
garden. Brockenden is quite right when he says of one of
the islands : " It is worthy only of a rich man's misplaced
extravagance, and of the taste of a confectioner." The Maiden-
hair Fern is abundant on the islands. The vegetation here
and on the margins of the lake is often of an interesting
character, quite sub-tropical in some places ; but as our busi-
ness is with alpine and rock plants only, we must pass all this
by, and hasten on to the shores of Como. When approaching
Isola Madre, the first thing that struck my attention was a
plant like a greyish heath, covered with light rosy flowers,
growing out of the top of a wall. It proved to be an old
friend, the Cat Thyme, and in beautiful condition ; as grown
in England, nobody would ever suspect it to be capable of
yielding such a bright show of flowers. Trachelium cosruleum
grows very commonly on the walls, and so does the Caper, a
noble plant when seen springing from a wall, bearing numbers
of its large blooms.

MONTE CAMPIONS.

Arrived at Lecco to hunt for the handsome Catchfly on the
crest of this mountain, we start at three o'clock in the
morning, as it is our aim to get up a little out of the warm
valleys before the dew had fled. Soon we find ourselves on

PART L] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS 129

the spur of a mountain, on which Cyclamens peep forth here
and there from among the shattered stones — sometimes hand-
some tufts, where the position has favoured them, and now
and then springing in a miniature condition from some chink,
where there was very little " soil." Lower down we met with
the neat Tunica on the tops of walls, and it continued to
appear for some distance higher up, rarely looking so pretty
as when well cultivated. The Maiden-hair Fern does not
ascend up the mountain sides, nor even find a home in the
villages up the valley, though in the town of Lecco it adorns
the mill-wheels and moist walls near watercourses, with abund-
ance of small plants adhering closely to the wall, and dwarf
from existing on moisture or very little more. As we ascend,
the fine flowers of Geranium sanguineum are everywhere
seen ; while Aconites, Lilies, are here and there. The
Orange Lily is a great ornament hereabouts — one on most
inaccessible cliffs of the mountain, with its bold flowers like
a ball of fire in the starved wiry grass. The Martagon Lily
is also abundant. Dwarf Cytisuses are great ornaments to
the rocks, and here and there the leaves of Hepatica are
mingled with those of Cyclamen, suggesting bright pictures
of spring. The Cyclamens are deliciously sweet, and the
great spread of the alpine Forest Heath, seen in all parts, must
afford a lovely show of colour in spring.

We think we have taken leave of all the meadow-land, when
the hills again begin to break into small pastures, where
Orchises, Phyteumas, Arnica, Inula, Harebells, and a host
of meadow plants, struggle for the mastery. Soon we come
to great isolated masses of erect rock, whose surface is quite
shattered and decayed in every part ; and, after half-an-hour
among these, see, far up, rosettes of the blue flowers of Phyteuma
comosum, projecting about two inches from the rock. The
rosettes are as wide as the plant is high, and much larger
than the leaves, which are of a light glaucous colour. We
ascend far above these rocks, and find the mountain-side has
broken into wide gentle slopes, park-like, with birch and other
indigenous trees here and there, but, for the most part, a great

130 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

spread of meadow-land, adorned in every part with a lovely
carpet of flowers. Conspicuously beautiful was the St Bruno's
Lily, growing just high enough to show its long and snow-
white bells above the grass. It should be called the Lady
of the Meadows, for assuredly no sweeter or more graceful
flower embellishes them. In every part where a slight de-
pression occurred, so as to expose a little slope or fall of
earth on which the long grass could not well grow, or along
by a pathway, Primula integrifolia was found in thousands,
long passed out of flower.

In wandering leisurely over the grass, an exquisite Gentian,
of a brilliant deep and iridescent blue, came in sight. At
first we thought it was the fine Cfentiana verna, but on taking
up some plants, it proved to be an annual kind, quite as
beautiful and brilliant as either G-. lavarica or G. verna. Where-
ever a boulder or mass of rock showed itself, Primula Auricula
was seen, often in the grass and always on the high rocks
and cliffs. A showy Epilobium and Dentaria are also seen
among the taller vegetation, while the compact little blue Globu-
laria creeps from the surrounding earth over every rock. As we
mount, the mist of the higher points begins to envelop us, and
hide the lovely and ever- varying scenery below and on all sides,
except now and then when the breeze clears the vapours away.

As the upper lawns are reached, the extraordinary nature of
the mountain begins to be seen through the increasing mist.
Lower down, and indeed in all parts, erect, isolated masses
of rock are met with ; but towards the great straight-sided
mass that forms the central and higher peak, huge aiguilles
are gathered together so thickly that, dimly seen through
the mist, they seem like the ghosts of tall old castles and
towers creeping one after the other up the mountain-side.
Lower down, cliffs of the same nature and great height form
one side of the mountain, their giant and weird appearance
being much heightened by the mist which completely hid the
valley and made them seem as if poised in the air.

Hereabouts we came upon some little tufts of the most
diminutive and pretty Saxifraga ccesia. In little indentations

PART L] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS 131

in rocks it sometimes looked a mere stain of silvery grey, like
a Lichen ; on the ground, it spread into dwarf silvery cushions,
from 1 to 3 or 4 inches wide. It seemed quite indifferent as
to position, sometimes growing freely along, and even in, a
channel, the sides and bed of which are a mass of shattered
rocks, and which is in winter a stream and a torrent after
heavy rains and thaws. Some plants were as large as a
dessert plate, a mass of Liliputian silvery rosettes, each about
the eighth of an inch across, and formed of from fifteen to
twenty-five diminutive leaves, and hundreds of rosettes going
to form a tuft about an inch high.

This is one of the gems in the large Saxifrage family, which
affords a greater number of distinct plants worthy of cultiva-
tion in the rock-garden than any other. These plants grow
upon the mountain tops, far above the abodes of our ordinary
vegetation, not only because the cool, pure air and moisture
are congenial to their tastes, but because taller and less hardy
vegetation dares not venture there to overrun and finally
extinguish them. But though they dwell so high in -alpine
regions, they are the most tractable of all plants in British
gardens, and grow as freely as our native lowland weeds in
gardens where Gentian and alpine Primula and precious
mountain Forget-me-not require all our care. They are ever-
green, and more beautiful to look upon in winter than in
summer, so far as the foliage is concerned, and their foliage is
beautiful, while, unlike many other plants which have attrac-
tive leafage, or a peculiar form and habit, they flower freely
in the early summer.

One would think that coming from habitats so far removed
from all that is common to our monotonous skies, it would
be impossible to keep these little stars of the earth in a living
state ; but our climate suits them well, and they are the
chief stay of the cultivator of alpine plants. In autumn,
when most plants quail before the approach of darkness,
winter, and frost, and casting off their soiled robes, the Rock-
foils glisten with silver and emerald when the rotting leaves
are hurrying by before the stiff, wet breeze.

132 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

The Lion's-paw Cudweed is very abundant on Monte
Campione. Daphne and Rhododendron in small quantities,
and the pretty little Polygala Chamcebuxus, often crop out

The limit of the Pines.

less beautiful than when in cultivation. A blue Linum,
probably L. alpinum, is very common ; the rare Allium
Victoriale we found sparsely on high rocks ; and Dry as Octo-
petala abundantly in flower, with Anemone alpina in a very
dwarf state ; while pale flowers of the common Gfentiana
acaulis looked up singly here and there. In the higher and
barer parts of the meadows, Aster alpinus was charming, not
in tufts or masses, but dotted singly over the turf. Having
climbed so high for the chief object of our ascent, we failed
to find it there after a long search, and, disappointed, were
descending the mountain down a long and rocky chasm
formed of a vast bed with banks of shattered rock, when,
much to our pleasure, a little plant with a few leaves was

PART L] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS 133

discerned growing from a chink on a low mass of rock. By
carefully breaking away portions of this, we succeeded in
getting the plant, roots and all, out intact, and by very
diligent searching, found a few more specimens of it. It
was not yet in flower, but pushing up the stem preparatory
to it. Then a long trudge down mountain, valley, and hilly
road brought us home to our quarters at half -past nine, after
a day of nearly twenty hours' walking.

With a few words on the vegetation of some parts of the
Simplon great range, these notes will end. The chief feature
of the smaller vegetation alongside the great Simplon Eoad
is the foxbrush-like flowering pyramids of the great Saxifraga
Cotyledon, and on the highest parts of the road, wherever the
ground near it softens into anything like turf, the fine blue
of the vernal Gentian sparkles amongst yellow Potentillas
and Eanunculi. It is pleasant to meet with it in flower weeks
after one has left it in full flower in England in April, and
seen it bear seed on mountains about 5000 feet high. About
the end of June it was in fresh and perfect condition here,
and likely to remain so for some time to come. Observe the
capabilities of the plant, and the changes that it endures with-
out losing health in any case. In perfect health in England,
without a covering of snow through the winter, and flowering
strongly in early spring, it flowers here in the month of June,
and higher up in July.

Let us ascend one of the highest mountains of the range a
little way, climb upwards for two hours, passing the limits of
the Pines, till we get at the base of the bed of an enormous
glacier, a vast high field of snow apparently, which fills the
upper portion of a wide gap between two mountains. The
wide expanse of ground which we are traversing is simply a
mighty bed of shattered rock, which at a remote day was
carried down by this colossal, ever-levelling machine, and it
is now covered with a scanty vegetation of alpine Ehododendron
and high mountain plants.

Everywhere, and very pretty, is the mountain form of the
Wood Forget-me-not, but no trace of the true Myosotis alpestris.

134 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

Everywhere the large white flowers of the mountain Avens are
covering the surface ; but as we are in such rich ground, we
had better confine ourselves to plants not British, and — climb.
That exertion is above all things necessary ; the vast slopes of
shattered rock seem interminable — an hour's hard work only
brings us to a point that we thought we could reach in five
minutes, and this point, instead of proving the resting-place
and exploring-ground we had expected it to be, merely shows
us that still the wide and mighty mass of shattered rock
creeps higher and higher, far beyond our powers of approach,
until at last the wall of ice, " durable as iron, sets death-like
its white teeth against us." On a great ridge beneath it are
some scattered fragments of vegetation rooting deeply among
the stones, and gaining a scanty subsistence from the sandy
grit which results from the decomposition of the fields of
brittle rock. The Crimson Eockfoil is a mass of flower; we
cannot see anything but flowers on its dense cushions, beautiful
in this awful solitude. Here and there a large yellow flower
is seen, which proves to be Cfeum reptans, a fine plant, from
3 to 6 inches high. Presently, while admiring the great
beauty of the crimson Saxifrage here, within a few feet of wide
beds of snow, that lie on each side of the ridge on which we
stand, what appears a giant plant comes in sight ; the flowers
are much larger, so that instead of little cushions made up of a
multitude of blooms, we see the individual cup-like blooms
standing boldly up, of much deeper hue, and the leaves also
grown large and distinct. It is the noble Saxifraga liflora.
It is a pleasure to gather this plant here, and also Linaria
alpina, more familiar to me, and so beautiful here. Some alpine
plants are prettier in cultivation than in a wild state. Not
so Linaria alpina, which grows and flowers well in sandy
soils and moist places at home, and gets so strong that its
glaucous leaves form quite a strong tuft, but which here shows
its rich orange and purple flowers, gathered in dense tiny tufts
here and there among the stones, without any leaves being
seen, and it is more lovely here than in cultivation, though
its beauty in either case is of a high order. The very dwarf

PART L] NOTES OF A JOURNEY IN THE ALPS 135

and pretty little Campanula cenisia was abundant among the
higher plants, its tufts of light green among the debris.
One solitary tuft of Ranunculus alpestris was met with by
the side of a little rivulet ; a plant about 6 inches in
diameter, and quite pretty
where " specimens " are rare,
and where one thing
struggles with another in
the grass.

Descending, the ground,
becoming more level, begins The Home of the purple Sarifrage'

to form an undulating basin between two ranges, and here the
short grass is jewelled with dwarf alpine plants and flowers. The
silky-leaved and very dwarf Senecio incanus occurs in thousands ;
the Cudweeds, too, are abundant, while a few inches above the
dense silvery turf formed by such plants, the large and beautiful
purple flowers of Viola calcarata form, not quite a sheet of
colour — for the flowers occur singly, and are separated one
from the other by bits of green and silvery turf — but some-
times the eye is brought nearly level with the surface of a
bank dotted with blossoms, and the effect is lovely. It is not
the effect of " massing " flowers, but that of " shot " silk. The
flowers of this Violet were generally very large — I measured
several an inch and a half across, while the plants from which
they sprang were almost inconspicuous, and generally I had
to use the flower stem as a guide to the minute rosette of leaves
in the grass. A still more beautiful effect, and perhaps more
so than I have seen either in garden or wild, was observed
when tufts of Gentiana verna occurred pretty freely amongst
this Violet, the vivid blue of the Gentian in patches amongst
the groundwork of the Violet. In quite a valley of Gentians —
a little lawn at an elevation of about 7000 feet — were some
growing in a watery hollow, of a vivid and exquisite blue ;
they were large tufts of Gentiana bavarica. The little Box-like
leaves were in compact tufts, and the flowers were larger, of a
deeper blue than G. verna, which is saying a great deal.

There were spots near at hand where G. verna formed a

136 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

turf of its own, and yet it was not so beautiful as G. bavarica,
which was growing exactly in positions that would suit the
Bog Bean and the Marsh Marigold. Attempts to cultivate
G. bavarica in England have hitherto been a failure. It is very
rarely seen with us even in Botanic Gardens, and, when it is
seen, is usually in poor health. A few words, then, about the
position in which I found it in such perfection, may prove
useful. A little mountain streamlet diverges from its channel
and spreads over the surface of the ground for 20 or 30 yards
across, not destroying the grass, but simply showing itself in
trickling patches here and there. On the little hillocks of
grassy earth that stood a few inches above the water, I found
the plant in very good condition, the roots certainly in the
water, and the "collar" of each plant very little above it.
Somewhat lower down, the waters gathered together again,
leaving the sides of that marshy spot and the intermediate
ground perfectly green, but very wet, and here and there dotted
with clusters of blue stars, to which in brilliancy the choicest
gems were but dull and earthy. In walking on this green
spot the water hissed and bubbled up around. Here the plants
were very fine, the pretty little close-growing tufts of light
green leaves clearing spots for themselves in the longish grass.
The slightest impression made here immediately became a small
pool, and in no place did I find the plant but where the hand,
if pressed into the grass, was at once surrounded by water.
A few steps away, and Gentiana verna was everywhere in full
beauty on dry banks ; but in no case did either species
manifest a tendency to invade the ground of the other. In
fact, proof was there that G. bavarica is a true bog-plant. And
what a beautiful companion for the Wind Gentian, the Water
Violet, the peat-loving Spigelia marilandica, Rhexia virginica,
the little creeping Bell-flower, and like plants !

Scene in the Rocky Mountains.

MOUNTAIN VEGETATION IN AMEEICA.

THE passage of the great American desert which is .crossed on
the way from New York to San Francisco is, perhaps, the best
preparation one could have for the startling verdure and giant
tree-life of the Sierras. Dust, dreariness, alkali — the earth
looking as if sprinkled with salt; here and there a few tufts
of brown grass in favoured places ; but generally nothing better
than starved wormwood, that seems afraid to put forth more
than a few small, grey leaves, represents the vegetable kingdom
in the plains of the desert region. Where the arid hills —
showing horizontal lines worn by the waves of long-dried seas
— are visible, a few thin tufts of alders and poplars mark their
hollows ; while willows fringe the streams of undrinkable water
which course through the valleys. A better idea of the country
can scarcely be had than by imagining an ash-pit several hun-
dred miles across, in which a few light-grey weeds, scarcely dis-
tinguishable from the parched earth, have sprung up.

As the train ascends the Sierra, it passes through dark-
ribbed tunnels of long covered sheds, which guard it from the
snow in winter. Dawn broke upon us as we were passing
through these ; and, looking out, dust, alkali, dreariness, harsh-

137

138 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART L

ness of arid rock and hopelessness of barren soil, are seen no
more, but near at hand a giant Pine rushes up like a huge
mast, while all around and in the distance are great Pines

grouped in stately armies, fill-
ing the valleys and cresting
all the wave -like hills, till
these are lost in the distant
blue.

To the western slopes of the
great chain of the Sierras one
must go to see the noblest trees
isolated Rocks in Rocky Mountains. and the richest verdure. There
every one of thousands of mountain gorges, and the pleasant
and varied flanks of every vale, and every one of the innumer-
able hills, are densely populated with noble Pines and glossy
Evergreens, like an ocean of huge land- waves, over which the
spirit of tree-life has passed. The autumn days I spent among
these trees were among the -happiest one could desire — every
day glorious sunshine, and the breeze as gentle as if it feared to
overthrow the dead trees standing here and there leafless, and
often perhaps, barkless, but still pointing as proudly to the
zenith as their living brothers. Wander away from the little
rough dusty roads, crossing, perhaps, a few long and straight
banks of grass and loose earth — the stems of dead monarchs of
the wood now given back to the dust from which they once
gathered so much beauty and strength — and fancy willingly
reminds us of the mast-groves of the Brobdingnags. There is
little animal life visible, with the exception of a variety of
squirrels, ranging from the size of a mouse to that of a cat, the
graceful Californian quail, and occasionally a hare or a skunk.
Everywhere vegetation is supreme, and in some parts finer
effects are seen than in the most carefully -planted park. This
results not more from the stately Pines (not often crowded
together as in the Eastern States, and often near the crest of a
knoll, standing so that each tall tree comes out clear against the
sky) than from the rich undergrowth of evergreens with larger
leaves that form a smaller forest beneath the tall trees. Grand

PART L] MOUNTAIN VEGETATION IN AMERICA 139

as are the Pines and Cedars (Libocedrus), one is glad they do not
monopolise the wood ; the Evergreen Oaks are so glossy, and form
such handsome trees. One with large shining leaves, yellowish
beneath, and long acorns in thick cups, covered with a dense
and brilliant fringe of fur, was the most beautiful Oak I ever
saw ; but most of the Evergreen Oaks of California, whether of
the plain or hills, are handsome trees. One day, in a deep
valley, darkened by the shade of giant specimens of the Libo-
cedrus, I was astonished to see an Arbutus, about 60 feet
high, quite a forest tree. This is Menzies' Arbutus, commonly
known by the old Mexican name of the " Madrona " ; and a
handsome tree it is, with a cinnamon-red stem and branches.
Here and there, too, the Californian Laurel (Oreodaphne) forms
laurel-like bushes, and tends to give a glossy, evergreen

Mountain Woods of California.

character to the vegetation. Shrubs abound, the Manzanita
(Arctostaphylos glauca) and the Ceanothuses being usually
predominant ; while beneath these and all over the bare ground
are the dried stems of the numerous handsome bulbs and
brilliant annual flowers, that make the now dry earth a living
carpet of stars and bells of brilliant hues in spring.

On the very summit of the Sierra Nevada the vegetation is not
luxuriant ; there, as elsewhere on high mountain chains, is the

140 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

frost that burns and the wind that shears. A solitary Pine that
has been bold enough to plant itself among the rocks of the
high summits, it is usually so contorted that it looks as if in-
habited by demons ; while here and there one has succumbed
to the enemy, and a few blanched branches stick from a great,
dead, barkless base, lapped over the earthless granite. But go
a little lower down the mountain, and most probably you will
find a noble group of Piceas, startling from the size and height
of their trunks, though looking much tortured about the head
by the winds that surge across these summits — the mast-heads
of the continent.

Snow falls early and deep on the Sierras, and the stems
of the higher trees are often covered with it to a depth of
from 6 to 25 feet. Near the railway and near frequented
places, thick stumps of Pines, 6 to 15 feet high, may be
noticed ; these are the trees which have been cut down when
the snow was high and thick and firm about the lower part of
their stems. But if the nights are bitterly cold, the sun is
strong in the blue sky far into the winter months, so that the
snow is melted off the tree-tops, and the leaves of the Pines
live in light, throughout the winter. All the Pines that grow
near the summit must resist intense cold.

The golden light of the sky and the blue of its depth, and
the purity of the fresh mantle of snow, are not more lovely in
their way than the robe of rich yellow Lichen with which the
stems and branches of the Pines are clothed. Imagine a dense
coat of golden fur, 3 inches deep, clothing the bole of a
noble tree for a length of 100 feet, and then running
out over all the branches, even to the small dead twigs, and
smothering them in deep fringes of gold, and some idea may be
formed of the glorious effect of this Lichen (Evernia). It is the
ornament of the mountain trees only ; in the valleys and on the
foot-hills it is not seen.

It is a mistake to suppose the Sequoia (Wellingtonia) is
such a giant among the trees here ; several others grow nearly
or quite as high, and it is very likely that in such a climate
many Pines would attain extraordinary dimensions. There was

PART I.] MOUNTAIN VEGETATION IN AMERICA 141

a small saw-mill near where I stopped for some days, and
several yokes of oxen were constantly occupied in dragging
Pine logs to it. The owner never thought of bringing anything
smaller to this than a log 3 or 4 feet in diameter in its
smallest part, and usually left 100 feet or so of the
portion of the tree above this on the ground where it fell, as
useless. What is it that causes the tree-growth to be so noble
there ? Soil has very little to do with it. I often saw the trees
luxuriating where there was not a particle of what we call soil,
and, indeed, in places where 25 feet or so of the whole
surface of the earth had been washed away by the gold-miners.
A bright sun for nearly the whole year, and an abundance of
moisture from the Pacific Ocean, explains the matter. This
should draw our attention to the fact that, in planting, and
especially in the planting of coniferous trees, we pay far too
much attention to supplying them with rich soil, and far too
little consideration to the climate in which we have to plant.

ALPINE FLOWERS ON THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

There is a foot or two of snow in some places on November
15, 1870 ; but the time for very deep snow has not yet come,
and we are fortunately in time to see a patch of alpine plants
here and there before they are tucked in under their wintry
shroud. What are these brown tufts like withered moss among
the rocks and boulders on exposed spots, some of them
cushioned low and flat ; others looking as if moss had assumed
a shrubby habit, and died full of years, at 3 inches high
perhaps, on a gouty stem nearly as thick as the finger?
These are little Phloxes, withered almost beyond hope by the
heats of summer ; but pull up one, and the old roots are seen
sending out a mass of fragile feeders in the snow-moistened
earth, and in the very centre of each juniper-like truss of
prickly leaves may be discerned a small speck of green.
When the 20 feet of snow melts in spring, and the sun
warms the saturated earth, these mites of Phloxes will be to

142 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART I.

the now arid solitudes as blossoms to the crabbed apple-tree.
The dead moss will change to bright, shining green, and
presently this will be obscured by as fair a host of flowers
as ever fretted over the small herbs on Tyrolese Alp. The
alpine Phloxes of the Eocky Mountains are as indispens-
able to the choice collection of alpine plants as Gentians or
Primroses.

Everywhere on bare places there are tufts of dwarf, bush-
like Pentstemons, from 2 to 5 inches high, and bearing nearly
the same relation to the tall Pentstemon of our gardens
as the alpine Phloxes do to the border Phloxes. The
Pentstemons are among the most beautiful of rock-plants,
their colours being of a more refined and delicate character
than those of the tall varieties, good as these are. Indeed,
no flowers possess such iridescent blues and purples as these.
Like the little Phloxes, many of these have woody stems,
probably as old as some of the Pines near at hand, and
have embellished these lonely heights for ages unadmired,
unless the " grizzlies " or the woodpeckers delight in such
objects.

It might perhaps be thought that, however well the alpine
plants thrive among rocks and boulders, the giant Pines would
require good soil, or, at all events, level ground of some kind, to
start from. It is not so. A seedling Pine springs up in some
shallow chink or narrow crack in a mass of great stones ;
patiently it throws out long feeders on one side, which find
their way down the steep faces of the rocks or run through
any moist or narrow channels into the feeding ground beyond ;
it soon gathers strength enough to build a great trunk above
the narrow chink from which it sprang, lapping its base over
the close-embracing rocks much as a fungus would. I have
seen trunks measuring 18 feet in circumference springing
from masses of raised rocks, where one would not think
a wiry juniper bush could live.

On looking at some compact brownish tufts of leaves,
a few yellow Coronas are seen ; these are somewhat " ever-
lasting" in character, and have only faded with the snow-

PART I.] MOUNTAIN VEGETATION IN AMERICA 143

water. They belong to quite a distinct plant of the Buck-
wheat family — Eriogonum. The family we know is nearly all
composed of weeds, and the genus, which has many members
in America, is seldom in the least attractive ; but this one is
quite a gem of a rock-plant — handsome umbels of primrose-
yellow springing abundantly from dull brownish tufts of leaves
2 inches high, making it as pretty as it is distinct. Far
away, on a bare, gravelly hillside, vivid red tufts are seen ;
these prove to be another equally beautiful kind of Eriogonum,
the leaves of which assume a deep, shining blood colour.

Here and there the withered stems of Lilies may be seen ;
Washington's Lily — a tall, noble, and fragrant kind — and
several other Lilies occur abundantly. The stems of some
which I found in little ravines were quite 8 feet high.
The Soap-plant — a bulbous perennial — is abundant on all the
lower mountains and on the coast hills. Numerous bulbs of a
high order of beauty occur on the mountains and plains of
California, but they mostly bloom in spring and we only see
their withered stems.

Another very beautiful rock-shrub, quite distinct from
anything we have in our European Alps, is the Bryanthus.
After trudging for hours over snow and rock in quest of this,
I had given it up, when a spray, with a withered truss of
bloom, was seen, and soon I had dug a few score plants of
it from beneath a couple of feet of snow. This Bryanthus
may be roughly described as having the leaf of a heath,
with handsome crimson flowers, like those of a small rhododen-
dron, and forming bushes from 4 to 10 inches high.
Another rock-shrub, quite distinct from all others, is a
creeping Ceanothus, which runs along the ground as closely as
Twitch. On the lower hills, where it grows more freely, the
shoots march in parallel lines over the ground, covering
it with a rigid carpet of dark green leaves.

One of my objects in coming here was to see the Calif ornian
Pitcher-plant (Darlingtonia) in a wild state. This plant re-
sembles the Sarracenias of the eastern side of the continent,
the chief difference being that it has a cleft appendage to the

144 ALPINE FLOWERS [PART L

margin of the orifice of the pitcher, each lobe being from 1 to
2 inches long. I came upon the Darlingtonia, greatly to my
pleasure, on the north side of a hill, at an elevation of about
4000 feet, growing among Ledum bushes, and here and there
in sphagnum, and presenting at a little distance the appearance
of a great number of Jargonelle pears, with their larger ends
uppermost, at a distance of from 10 to 24 inches above the
ground. This resulted from the pitchers being quite turned
over at the top, so as to form a full rounded dome, and the
uppermost part of the pitcher being of a ripe pear yellow.
The plants grow in small bogs, from springs on the hillside ;
the soil peat resting on a quartz gravel. The plant is quite a
strong grower. I found one large colony growing so well
among common rushes that Darlingtonia seemed to be quite
beating them in the struggle. I was too late for seeds, but
saw sundry stems 3 feet or more high, bearing empty seed
vessels as large as large walnuts. All the pitchers have a
spiral twist, which is much more marked towards the apex,
and in the large specimens. But perhaps the most remarkable
feature of the plant is its efficiency as a "fly-catcher." In the
houses about here the pitchers are regularly used in summer
for catching flies. Each of the developed pitchers that I cut
off had from 3 to 5 inches of various forms of insect life, dead
and closely packed in the lower part of its chamber. Pass a
sharp knife through a lot of brown pitchers withering round
an old plant, and the stumps resemble a number of tubes
densely packed with the remains of insects. What attracts
them is not so very clear, as the orifice is half hidden in the
turned-over head, and by its two-lobed appendage. But, by
raising the pitcher above the eye, and looking up into its dome,
often 3 inches through in fair specimens, it seems a curvilinear
roof of miniature panes set in a golden network. This is in
consequence of the greater portion of the upper part of the
pitcher being transparent in all the space between the veins,
though no one transparent spot is more than a line or two
across. Within the pitcher the surface is smooth for a little
way down ; then isolated hairs appear ; and soon the chamber

PART L] MOUNTAIN VEGETATION IN AMERICA 145

becomes densely lined with needle-like hairs, all pointing
down, so decidedly indeed that they almost lie against the
surface from which they spring. These hairs are very slender,
transparent, and about a quarter of an inch long, but have a
needle-like solidity, and are colourless. The poor flies, moths,
and ladybirds travel down these conveniently arranged stubbles,
but none seem to turn back. The pitcher, which may be a
couple of inches wide at the top, narrows very gradually, and
at its base is about a line in diameter. Here, and for some
little distance above this point, the vegetable needles of course
all converge, and the unhappy fly goes on till he finds his
head against the firm thick bottom of the cell, and his retreat
cut off by myriads of bayonets ; and in that position he dies.
Very small creatures fill up the narrow base, and above them
larger ones densely pack themselves to death. When held
with the top upwards, sometimes a reddish juice, with an
exceedingly offensive odour, drops from the pitchers. The
plant throws out runners rather freely, by which means it
increases. As to its culture, there can be no doubt about
that — a soil of peat, or peat and chopped sphagnum, kept wet
— not merely moist — the pots or pans to be placed on a moist
bottom. Frame or cool house treatment is best in winter;
warm greenhouse or temperate stove in summer. It is hardy
in the south of England and Ireland.

PAET II.

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

A SELECTION OF ALPINE FLOWERS ALPHABETICALLY ARRAN-
GED, WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR THEIR CULTURE AND
POSITION IN GARDENS.

AC£1NA (Tufted ^ Bur}.— Dwarf
tufted and spreading plants of
secondary value only for the garden,
but often useful for dry banks or
poor places in borders where we seek
a little repose in the shape of a carpet
of soft green or grey. They are of
easy culture in the common soil, in-
crease rapidly by division, and though
mostly South American, the cultivated
kinds are quite hardy. There are,
perhaps, twenty kinds in cultivation
in Europe, but a few only are worth
having, where effect is sought.

Acaena microphylla (Rosy-spined
A.). — A minute trailer from New Zealand,
curious from its small round head of
inconspicuous flowers furnished with long
crimson spines. The plant spreads into
dense tufts, and in summer and autumn
is thickly bestrewn with the showy
globes of spines. It is easily increased
by division, is hardy, grows in ordinary
soil, but thrives much the best in that
of a fine sandy nature. Its home is on
bare level parts of the rock-garden, usually
beneath the eye, and it is also good as
a border, or even an edging plant. Oc-
casionally it may be used with a good
effect as a carpet beneath larger plants
not thickly placed. Syn., A. novce
Zealandice.

AcsBna Argentea is stronger growing,
the leaves always larger and very glaucous.
It is nearly related to

A. pulchella, which, owing to its trail-
ing habit and abundance of bronzy leaves,
is more useful. The graceful branches of
this, when hanging over large stones or
old walls, have a pretty effect, and it is
hardy and evergreen.

A. Buchanan!.— In this, the foliage is
what may be called " Pea-green," although
this fails to convey any idea of the pre-
vailing hues of green which make up
the colour of the finely divided foliage,
thickly set with pretty red spikes of
bloom. Although of free growth, it
does not seem to have the encroaching
habit of some of the New Zealand Burs,
and it should on this account be more
valued for the choicer parts of the rock-
garden.

A. ovalifolia.— This has bright green
foliage, and being of vigorous growth, will
be found very useful for draping large
stones in the rock-garden.

A. millefolia, A. myriophylla, and
A. sanguisorbse are also useful trailers.
The flowers, bright green foliage, and long
graceful stems entitle them to a place.

ACANTHOLIMON (PricUy Thrift).
— Dwarf mountain plants, extending
from the east of Greece to Thibet. The
flowers resemble those of Statice and

147

148

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Armeria, but the plants form branch-
ing, cushion-like tufts; the leaves
rigid and spiny. They are dwarf
evergreen rock-garden plants, but,
coming from eastern regions not now
of easy access, are not easy to intro-
duce, and for this and other reasons
make slow progress in gardens. They
are beautiful plants, flowering usually
in July and August, when many of
the early flowers are past. Slow in
growth and difficult to increase as
regards their general propagation, and

Acantholimon venustum (Prickly Thrift).

where large plants of the rare kinds
exist, it is a good plan to work some
cocoa-nut fibre and sand in equal
parts into the tufts in early autumn.
Before working in this material, some
of the shoots should be gently torn,
so as to half sever them at a heel
or junction ; then gently work in
more material around, and water to
settle the soil. Many of the growths
thus treated will root by spring.
Cuttings made in the ordinary way
are by no means certain, but when

this method is adopted, August or
September is the best time. All
cuttings so-called should be torn off
with a heel and inserted without
further ado.

Acantholimon glumaceum is the best
known as the most vigorous grower, form-
ing cushions of narrow dark green leaves,
spiny at the point, and spikes of rose-
coloured flowers from June to August.
At Tooting, many years ago, this species
formed an edging a foot or more wide, and
about 150 feet long, and when in flower
was a pretty sight.

A. venustum.— A delightful plant
when seen in good condition. I lost the
finest specimen I have ever seen during the
great frost of 1895. The plant, unfortun-
ately, had been left fully exposed with
other alpines in pots. This lovely species
in the summer of 1894 produced some
forty spikes of its pink blossoms. The
tufts are dark green, with a slightly
greyish or glaucous tint overlying the
same. This species is of much slower
growth than A. glumaceum, and requires
some good sandy loam, with leaf -soil and
broken brick rubbish mixed freely with
the soil. It bears its rose-pink flowers
in July, on one-sided, slightly arching
spikes, and is certainly one of the most
charming of midsummer alpines. Firm
planting, a rather sheltered spot, and a
deep soil, well-drained, should be given.
Cilicia.

A. androsaceum.— This species is
distinguished by the more dense tufts
which it forms when established, as
also by the rosettes being less spiny.
This is not so much due to the spines
as to the pliant nature of the leaves. It
is of easy culture, spreads somewhat freely
over a ledge of rock, and bears pink
blossoms on sprays 4 inches high.

A. acerosum. — The dense character of
this species and the grey glaucous hue of
the leaves at a short distance, remind one
of Dianthus ccesius. A closer inspection,
or even an unwary placing of the hand
upon the spines, will quickly dispel any
such idea, since the short, greyish glau-
cous leaves are the most spiny of all.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

149

The flowers are pink, on stems nearly 6
inches high. Asia Minor.

These, I believe, are all the species
at present in cultivation. The follow-
ing information has been gathered
from the dried specimens at Kew : —

Acantholimon kotschyi is about 4
inches high, with distinctly broad leaves,
being spiny and freely flowered, blossoms
white.

A. armenum has pink blossoms on
sprays nearly 6 inches high.

A. cephalotes has rosy pink flowers in
globose heads, while the spiny leaves are
less numerous in the rosettes than in most
kinds. This conies from Kurdistan.

A. laxiflorum is the tallest species,
growing about 9 inches high, the leaves
long and narrow.

A. libanoticum is exceedingly woody
and dense in growth. It is a Syrian
species, with flowers of pink hue.

A. pinardi also has pink blossoms, the
f-pecimens varying in stature, possibly on
account of age.

So far as could be determined by dried
specimens, many of these not now in
cultivation are very beautiful, and, from
the general scarcity of good midsummer
alpine plants in the rock-garden, would be
greatly prized. E. J.

ACHILLE A (Yarrow).— Herbaceous
and alpine plants numerous through
N. Asia, S. Europe, and Asia Minor,
varying in height from 2 inches to 4
feet ; their flowers pale lemon, yellow,
and white, rarely pink or rose. Many
of the cultivated kinds are too ramp-
ant for grouping with alpine garden
plants. The dwarfer kinds, on the
other hand, come in for groups for
the rock-garden or the margins of
rock borders, and as edging plants,
most of them growing freely and being
easy of increase ; some of the higher
alpine kinds are not very enduring
in our open winters, and often in our
gardens get " staggy " after a few years'
growth, requiring division and re-
planting.

Achillea Ageratifolia. — A silvery-
leaved plant from the sub-alpine districts
of Northern Greece, 4 to 7 inches high,
with white flowers resembling Daisies ;
early in summer. The leaves are narrow,
tongue-shaped, crimped, and covered with
white down. This is a very neat and
distinct plant, and easy of cultivation in
light soil.

A. aurea (Golden Yarrow). — One of
the showiest kinds, about 12 inches
high ; leaves finely cut, flowers bright
yellow ; freely on upright stalks.
Caucasus.

A. ^Egyptiaca (Egyptian Yarrow). — A
silvery plant in all its parts, with finely
cut leaves, and handsome heads of vellow
flowers, with something of the grace of
a fern in its leaves. A native of Egypt
and the East, it is not hardy in all soils
and positions, but it survives on well-
drained sunny spots, flowers in summer,
and is easily multiplied by division.

A. cla venae (White Alpine Yarrow). —
A dwarf kind, covered with a short, silky
down, which makes the plant almost of
a silvery white ; flowers in summer of a
good white. It likes a light, free, loamy soil.
Alps of Austria ; increased by division of
the roots, and also by seed.

A. Huteri (Enter's Yarrow), with bright
green foliage, and pure white flowers. It
likes a sunny part of the rock-garden, and
grows well in common soil. Exempt
from the struggle for life in the alpine
turf, this, like so many spreading plants
in our gardens, is best divided and re-
planted every second year.

A. Tomentosa (Downy Yarrow). — One
of the tufted plants that help to form the
carpets of silver, whereon large Violets
and Gentians display their charms on the
Alps, itself sending up flat corymbs of
bright yellow flowers. On such ground
it is dwarf, but in rich soil in gardens
it is taller, 12 inches high. It is a good
plant for the margins of mixed borders,
and also for the rock-garden. European
Alps, thriving in ordinary soil.

A. rupestris (Rock Yarrow).— A pretty
and early-flowering kind from Calabria,
thriving in poor soil and on warm banks ;
A. nana, moscliata, and umbellata, a Greek

150

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

plant, have like value to the above-named
for the rock-garden.

ACIS. — A small genus of bulbous
plants, natives of South Europe, of
which few species are in cultiva-
tion.

Acis autumnalis (Autumnal A.}. — A
like slender-leaved little bulbous mountain
plant, with stems 3 or 4 inches high,
bearing flowers, resembling delicate pink
snowdrops, drooping elegantly on short
reddish footstalks, and blooming in
autumn before the leaves appear. It
is a true gem for the rock-garden, where

lii)

Acis Autumnalis.

it should be planted in a warm soil and
sunny position, sheltered with a few
stones, and on which it would look very
well springing from a carpet of delicate,
feeble - rooting Sedum or other dwarf
plant. I have never seen it in nurseries

except about Edinburgh. Where the soil
is of a fine sandy nature, it will thrive
as a border plant, but is as yet rare.
Europe.

The other kinds are Acis trichpphylla,
rosea, and hyemalis, all of which will
thrive where the soil is of a fine sandy
nature, but are yet so rare as to be worthy
of the best position and care. Mr Elwes
doubts if any of these plants will thrive
in the open air in England. Syn.,
Leucojum.

ADONIS (Ox-Eye). — Handsome
plants of the Buttercup order ; dwarf
in stature, with finely divided
leaves, and red, yellow, or straw-
coloured flowers. There are about
fifteen or sixteen species, most of
which are annuals, and, with the
exception of two or three fine kinds,
they are not suitable for the rock-
garden, but the kinds named are
excellent for it.

Adonis vernalis (Ox-Eye). — A hand-
some alpine perennial, forming dense tufts,
8 inches to 15 inches high of finely divided
leaves in whorls along the stems. It
flowers in spring, when the tufts are
covered with large, yellow, Anemone-like
flowers, 3 inches in diameter, a single
flower at the end of each stem.

Of A vernalis there are several varieties,
the chief being A. v. sibirica, which differs
in having larger flowers. A. apennina is
a later blooming form.

A. pyrenaica is a closely allied kind
from the Eastern Pyrenees, with large
yellow flowers like A. vernalis^ but with
broader petals, flowering in April and
May. It may be grown in free, sandy
moist loam, and not often disturbed,
robbed, or shaded by coarser plants.

A. amurensis. — Like the A. pyrenean
in habit, this flowers with the snowdrops,
and is of easy culture — save that, until
plentiful, it should be grown on the rock-
garden, in moist, sandy loam, well drained.

dSTHIONEMA (Silvery Cress).—
Elegant greyish rock plants, found on
the sunny mountains near the Medi-

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

151

terranean. The little plants grow
freely in borders of well-drained sandy
loam, but their home is the rock-
garden. As the stems are prostrate,
a good effect will come from planting
them where the roots may descend
into deep earth, and the shoots fall
over the face of rocks at about the
level of the eye. Easily raised from
seed, and thrive in sandy loam. There
are many species, but few are in
gardens, owing to their inhabiting
countries often under the rule of the
Turk, and for that and other reasons
not so easy to introduce as the plants
of the Alps and Pyrenees. All the
cultivated kinds are dwarf, and may
be well grouped with rock plants on
the warmer slopes of the rock-garden.
Among the most charming of
plants for gardens, let us hope the
future will see many of the kinds
introduced and grown. The following
is an abstract of a paper on them in
the Garden, by Mr W. B. Hemsley,
of Kew.

The geographical range of the genus
is from the Pyrenees to the Western
Himalaya. There are, perhaps, half-
a-dozen in Europe, including the
beautiful JE. c&pecefolium, better known
as Hutcliinsia rotundifolia and cepece-
folia. One only reaches India, where
it is found at an elevation of from
12,000 to 16,000 feet, and the re-
mainder are natives of the countries
indicated above. Nearly all the
species are natives of alpine regions,
and grow naturally in stony or rocky
places, and many of them are reported
from chalky districts. The perennial
species will, therefore, require to be
kept tolerably dry at the root ; a
light soil in a well-drained border,
or a place in the rock-garden, will
best suit them. Old plants should
be replaced by young ones as often

as convenient. These may be raised
from seed or cuttings, which is better
done in a cool frame or pit. The
annual species, excepting ^E. Bux-
baum.ii, are not, so far as we know,
in cultivation. In habit and foliage
JEthionemas, especially the half shrubby
species, have very much the aspect
of some of the woody Candytufts, but
the petals are all equal in size. The
flower-spikes are usually very dense,
and the seed-vessel relatively large,
and very much crowded, so that in
some species, as JE. Buxbaumii, they
bear some resemblance to the catkins
of the common Hop. The flowers are
usually some tint of red or lilac, or
combination of the two. A few species
have yellow flowers, and there are
white -flowered varieties of several
species. About fifty species are
known, all natives of the mountains
of Europe, Asia Minor, Syria, and
Persia.

.ffithionema cepesefolium (Iberidella;
Hutchinsia rotundifolia, Hort. Kew). — A
densely-tufted, more or less glaucous-
green, glabrous barb, with a long perennial
tap root, that burrows deeply amongst
stones. Stems, 3 to 6 inches long, ascend-
ing ; leaves, mostly opposite, small fleshy,
one-third to three-quarters of an inch
long, those from the root broadly obovate
or almost orbicular, quite entire, or ob-
scurely toothed, those on the stem sessile,
obtuse, or auricled at the base ; flowers,
half an inch in diameter, in cylindrical,
crowded, erect racemes, pale lilac with
a yellow eye ; pedicels, horizontal. A
native of the Alps of Europe, where it
is widely dispersed, and abundant in
many parts of Switzerland.

JB. trinervium. — Leaves, hard, more
or less distinctly three-nerved, oblong or
narrowly lanceolate, the lower ones
narrowed at the base, upper ones obtusely
heart-shaped and stem-clasping. Flowers,
rather large, white, seed-vessel oblong
linear, rounded or truncate at the top,
crowned with the equally long style.

152

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Mountains of Persia. There is a variety
of this species, called ovalifolium, with
broader ovate-oblong leaves. It is a
native of Armenia.

-ffithionema sagi tt at um.— Leaves,
rigid, many-nerved, oblong, or lanceolate,
deeply hastate at the base, with acute lobes ;
flowers, rather large, white ; seed-vessel,
oblong, narrowed at the base. Persia.

JE. tenue heterophyllum and ccespitosum
are dwarf, densely-tufted alpine species,
with small white or pink flowers. The
only Indian species (JE. Andersoni) also
belongs to this group. It is a diminutive
plant, with white or pink flowers.

-33. rubescens.— Leaves, alternate, obo-
vate ; flowers, large, rose : seed-vessel,
elliptical, tapering at both ends. A native
of the alpine summits of the Sicilian
Taurus, etc., at an elevation of 11,800
feet. This is a very showy species.

JE. bourgsei. — Leaves, opposite, obo-
vate ; flowers, large, rose ; seed-vessel,
oblong-elliptical, rounded at both ends.
Found in stony places in the alpine
region of Mount Akdagh, Syria. Differs
chiefly from the last in its opposite leaves.

.33. chlorsefolium (Iberis of Sibthorp
and Smith). — Leaves slightly papillose and
scabrid at the margin ; flowers rather
large ; petals, obovate, rose, much longer
than the calyx. A native of Asia Minor.

JE. rotundifolium. — Very near JE.
oppositifolium, differing chiefly in the
shape of the seed-vessel, and the panicle
being free instead of adnate to the seed.
A native of stony places in the Western
Caucasus. This is quite different from
Iberidella rotundifolia.

JE. thesiifolium.— Stems, tall, slender,
and twiggy ; leaves, long, narrow, lanceo-
late, upper ones, acute ; flowers in an
elongating raceme pink. A native of
stony places in the mountains of Cappa-
docia. It grows about 18 inches high,
has long narrow leaves, and large flesh-
coloured flowers, elegantly marked with
purple.

JE. grandiflorum.— Branches, long,
slender, simple, about 1 foot high ; leaves,
oblong-linear, rather obtuse ; flowers,
purple, as large as those of Arabis alpina;
petals, four times as long as the sepals.

A native of Mount Elbrus in North
Persia ; discovered by Hohenacker in
1843, and subsequently collected by
Haussknecht, in Kurdistan, at an eleva-
tion of 4000 feet in 1857.

^Ithionema pulchellum (JE. coridi*
folium of Botanic Gardens, not of De
Candolle). — Similar to the last, of which it
was formerly considered a variety ; but it
is a more diffuse plant, having smaller
flowers, the petals being about two and a
half times as long as the sepals. Armenia,
Persia, and Kurdistan.

JE. membranaceum.— Stems, erect,
simple, about 6 inches high ; leaves,
oblong-linear, smaller than those of the
two preceding. The seed-vessel of these
three species is very broadly winged, and
the wings are entire, or very slightly
toothed, at the margin. A native of
Persia ; formerly figured in Sweet's
"Flower Garden."

JE. diastrophis (Diastrophis cristata). —
In habit, foliage, and flower, this comes
very near to JE. pulchellum, but it differs
from that and others of this sub-section
in its very long fruiting racemes and
small seed-vessel, with elegantly toothed
wings. It is a native of Russian Armenia,
and was in cultivation at Dorpat in 1841,
and is now in cultivation at Exeter, Mr
Veitch's.

JE. armenum. — This, judging from
dried specimens, although smaller-flowered
than its immediate allies, must be a very
pretty species when growing. It is of
dwarfer (3 or 4 inches high), more diffuse
habit, with more leafy stems and dense
spikes of small purplish rose-flowers ;
seed-vessel, crenate. It inhabits the
mountains of Armenia, and Cappadocia,
growing in stony places.

JE. coridifolium. — Stems, numerous,
thick, only a few inches high ; leaves,
crowded, short, linear-oblong, or linear-
obtuse, or somewhat acute ; flowers, large,
but not equalling those of JE. grandi-
florum; seed-vessel, boat-shaped. This
handsome species is a native of the chalky
summits of the Lebanon and Taurus.

JE. capitatum. — This species, of about
the same stature as the last, but with
longer stems and more scattered leaves,

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

153

is remarkable for its short dense fruiting
heads of boat-shaped seed-vessels with
entire wings ; the flowers are small and
inconspicuous. Alpine region of Cap-
padocia.

^Ithionema speciosum. — A densely-
tufted species with ovate-oblong leaves,
and rather large rose-pink flowers ; seed-
vessel elegantly toothed, and tinged with
purple. It is described as one of the
prettiest of the genus, growing in dense
tufts 3 to 4 inches high, and producing
a profusion of large flowers. JE. lignosum,
sublulatum, stylosum, lacerum, and fim-
briatum belong to the same group. They
have rather small flowers, but in all of
them the seed-vessel is very elegant.
Armenia.

JE. cordiophyllum. — Stems, few,
rigid, densely leafy ; leaves, rigid, quite
sessile, deltoid - cordate, the lobes em-
bracing the stem, the lower ones oppo-
site ; flowers, rose-pink, of medium size ;
boat-shaped seed-vessel, toothed. This
plant grows from 6 to 12 inches high.
Armenia.

JE. cordatum. — Stems, few, rigid,
densely-leafy ; leaves, sessile, deltoid-
cordate, acute ; flowers, rather large,
sulphur-yellow. A native of dry, rocky
places in the alpine region of Armenia
and Syria. It is similar to the last, but
differs in its larger yellow flowers, and
less distinctly toothed seed-vessel.

&. moricandianum.— Stems, few, short,
and leafy ; leaves all opposite, nearly
sessile, ovate, obtuse, the upper ones some-
times cordate at the base ; flowers, large,
yellow. A native of Mount Caira, where
it was discovered by Cinard in 1843.
This species comes very near to JE.
cordatum, differing in its obtuse leaves,
which are all opposite and scarcely cer-
date, and in its flowers, which are twice
as large.

IE. graecum. — Stems, numerous, short ;
leaves, crowded, very small, ovate-oblong ;
flowers, rather large, similar to those of
the European A$. saxatile, but twice as
large. A native of the chalky mountains
of Greece.

AJUGA (Bugle).— Dwarf sage-like
perennials of easy culture and increase ;

and though not of first value among
rock-plants, useful, from their freedom
and good colour.

Ajuga genevensis (Geneva Bugle). —
This has violet-blue flowers, the stem being
a cone of flowers for a length of 4 or 5
inches or more. Suitable for rock-garden,
it will hardly be well to give it a place
there, except by the margins of walks.
The true plant, widely distributed on the
continent, is not found in Britain, but the
variety with the floral leaves large and
longer than the flowers, and having a dense
leafy spike (A. pyramidalis), is found in
Scotland, and is sometimes grown in
gardens.

The British Creeping Bugle (A. reptans)
is grown in gardens under various names,
for the sake of its dark browny-purple
leaves, and a variegated variety of it is
sometimes grown.

ALLIUM. — These plants are often
given in large numbers in Dutch and
other lists, and with slight reason, as
their beauty is little, from the garden
point of view. Beyond a few, they are
hardly worth cultivation, and though
some kinds are often seen among rock-
plants, they are out of place with them,
and the kinds worth growing are easily
grown without the aid of the rock-
garden.

ALLOSORUS CRISPUS (Parsley
Fern). — A beautiful Fern, found in
some mountainous districts, where it
grows out of the crevices of the rocks ;
the fronds grow in dense tufts. It re-
quires light, and should only be shaded
from the hot sun. On the rock-garden it
thrives, planted between stones, with
broken stones about its roots, and just
its fronds peeping out of the crevices.
Growing in this way, it seems to be quite
at home. It is well suited for plant-
ing in chinks on the rock-garden, and
associates well with alpine plants.
Careful division.

ALSINE (see ARENARIA).

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

ALYSSUM (Madworfy— Rock and
alpine plants, numerous in alpine
countries, the species much resembling
each other, so that only few of the
best are worthy of culture for the
rock-garden, and these are of the easiest
culture in almost any soil, and of rapid
increase by cuttings, seed, and some
by division. They are usually more
fitted for borders and banks than for
the select alpine garden.

Alyssum Alpestre (Alpine A.}. — A
pretty species, partaking of the brilliant
colour and free-flowering properties of the
well-knownRock Alyssum, and the neatness
of habit and dwarfness of the Spiny or the
Mountain, forming neat tufts of hoary leaves,
the whole plant being covered with minute,
shining, star-like hairs, and, not growing
more than 3 inches high. A native of the
Pyrenees and Alps, its home with us is in
sunny spots on the rock-garden ; the soil to
be of poor, rather than of a rich, nature.
Flowers in early summer, and is readily
increased by seecl or from cuttings.

The silvery A. (A. argenteum\ a native
of Corsica, is closely related to this species,
but is taller and more robust, has small
flowers, and is not so well worthy of culture.

A. montanum (Mountain A.}. — A
distinct species, spreading into compact
tufts of glaucous green, 3 inches high, the
plants studded with yellow, alpine wall-
flower-like blooms, fragrant, flowering in
early summer. The beautiful stellate hairs
are large enough on this kind to be seen
by the naked eye. It is a native of many
parts of Europe, on hills and low mountain
ranges, chiefly on calcareous soils, and to
succeed, it is best to place it on the rock-
garden in sandy soil, and, well grown, it
will prove a beautiful ornament, especially
when it grows into large cushions, on one
side perhaps falling over a stone. Readily
increased by division, cuttings, or seeds,
though it does not often seed freely with

us.

A. saxatile (Rock A.). — A popular
plant, and one of the best of the yellow
flowers of spring. Hardy in all parts of
these islands, the profusion of its masses
of showy yellow bloom, with its freedom

of growth in any soil, have made it one of
the most grown of rock plants. It is best
for borders and walls or banks, and also for
association with the evergreen Candytufts,
and Aubrietia, and on wet ground it is
better to plant in raised beds and in poor
soil : it perishes in winter in some heavy
rich clays. Very easily raised from seed,
or by cuttings. Comes from Podolia in
Southern Kussia, and flowers with us in
April or May.

There is a somewhat dwarfer variety,
distinguished by the name of A. saxatile
compactum, but it differs very little from
the old plant and forms, differing slightly
in colour (citrinum), but these are not
so effective as the old plant,

Alyssum spinosum (Spiny A.). — The
flowers of this are small and not pretty, but
the plant forms a silvery and pretty' little

Alyssum montanum.

bush on any kind of soil, that I think it has
quite as good a right to be named here as
many others valued for their flowers alone.
Small plants quickly become Liliputian
silvery bushes, 3 to 6 inches high ; when
fully exposed, almost as compact as moss.
The leaves are covered with small stellate
hairs, and form interesting objects under
the microscope. On established plants the
old branches become transformed into

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

155

spines : hence its name. It is distinct in
appearance from anything else in cultiva-
tion, and merits a place on some not over-
valued spot on the rock-garden. It
is readily increased from cuttings. S.
Europe.

Alyssum pyrenaicum is a neat rock-
plant, with white fragrant flowers ; a good
rock-garden plant.

A. serpyllifolium is a grey-green leaved
kind with yellow flowers. Small plants
quickly become Liliputian bushes, 3 inches
to 6 inches high ; and, fully exposed, are
almost as compact as moss.

A. maritimum (Sweet Alyssum}, is a
small annual with white flowers, growing on
the tops of walls in the west country, and in
sandy places. In these situations it is
perennial, but in gardens is grown as an
annual, sowing itself freely, and is for
covering bare spaces as well worth a place
as any.

The taller kinds of Alyssum are not
well suited for the rock-garden.

A. podolicum is a small alpine plant
from S. Russia. It has in early summer
many small white blossoms, and is suited for
the rock-garden, or walls.

ANAGALIS (Pimpernel).— Pretty

dwarf plants, chiefly half-hardy annuals,
the best known of which is the Italian
Pimpernel (A Monelli), with large
blossoms of a deep blue, shaded with
rose. There being several varieties of
this, they are among the annual flowers
I should recommend where bare spaces
occur in rock-garden, pending the
coming of good perennial rock-plants.

Anagalis tenella is a native plant found
in bogs, bearing slender stems with small
round leaves, among which are tiny pink
flowers. It may be grown easily in the
bog- or rock-garden, or anywhere where
the soil is moist and spongy, and the
vegetation dwarf and fragile like itself.

ANDROMEDA.-Various bushy
plants usually called Andromeda in
gardens, belong strictly to several other
genera. There is only one true species
of Andromeda known —

A. polifolia. It is a pretty little grey

bush, grouped in peat beds or in the
bog garden.

For allied plants usually known as
Andromeda, see Cassandra, Cassiope,
Leucothoe, Lyonia, Piwis, and Zenobia*

ANDROS ACE.— Tiny plants of _ the
higher alps, often growing at elevations
where the snow falls early in autumn,
they flower as soon as it melts, grow-
ing on cliffs with a vertical face, or
with portions of the face receding
here and there into shallow recesses.
Here they endure intense cold — cold
which would destroy all shrub or
tree life exposed to it. They are
almost sure to perish in a smoky
atmosphere; their small evergreen
leaves, often downy, retain more dust
and soot than larger-leaved evergreen
alpine plants do. The Androsaces
enjoy in cultivation small fissures
between rocks or stones, firmly packed
with pure sandy or gritty loam, not
less than 15 inches deep. They should
be so placed that no wet can gather
or lie about them, and they should
be so planted in between stones that,
once well rooted into the deep earth
— all the better if mingled with pieces
of broken sandstone — they could never
suffer from drought. A few kinds
will do on level borders, such as A.
sarmentosa, they are usually the jewels
for the most carefully made and tended
rock-gardens.

Androsace alpina. — This is a lovely
little plant, but difficult to grow. It likes,
rather a moist place, and shaded from the
hot sun, although it loves moisture at its
roots. The plant must not be kept damp
overhead ; all the moisture must be
directed to the roots, and so arranged as
to allow of its free escape again. Syn.,
ciliata.

A. brigantica. — A handsome little
kind, with pure white flowers, the foliage
deep green. It loves to grow on sandy
slopes, shaded .from the melting sun.

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[PART II.

Androsace carnea (Rosy A.).— One of
the prettiest and most distinct coming from
the summits of the Alps and Pyrenees,
where it flowers in summer, when the
snow melts. It is known from any of the
other cultivated kinds by its small pointed
leaves, not, as in them, gathered in tiny
rosettes, but more regularly clothing a
somewhat elongated stem, so as to remind
one distantly of a small twig of Juniper,
or of the Jumper Saxifrage. The flowers
are pink or rose, with a yellow eye. It is
not difficult to cultivate in a mixture of
sandy loam and peat — the spot to be ex-
posed, and the soil at least a foot deep, so
that its roots may descend, and be less liable
to suffer from vicissitudes. Thorough
watering should be given during the dry
season, particularly when the plant is
young, and before it has taken deep root.
Treated thus, it will form healthy tufts,
and prove one of the most beautiful plants
in the rock-garden in spring. Like most
of the kinds, it may be raised from seed,
sown in pans of sandy peat as soon as
gathered. A. Eximia is a large form.

A. chamaejasme (Rock Jasmine}.— This
does not nestle into close moss-like
cushions, like the Helvetian and other
Androsaces, the foliage forming large
rosettes of fringed leaves, the blooms
borne on stout little stems, from 1 to 5
inches high. They are white at first,
with a yellow eye, changing to crimson,
the outer part becoming a delicate rose.
It is one of the prettiest alpine plants,
and one of the easiest to grow on an open
spot on the rock-garden in well-drained
light loam, the surface nearly covered
with pieces of broken stone, with abund-
ance of water in summer, exposed to
the full sun, and not overrun by weeds
or grazed down by slugs. A native of
the Tyrolese and Swiss Alps, where it
flowers later than in our gardens. In
Britain it blooms in April, May, and
June, earlier or later according to the
season, is propagated by division, and
may be grown very well in pots along
with the rarer Rockfoils, plunged in sand
or coal-ashes.

A. helvetica (Swiss A.). — This forms
dense cushions, about half an inch high,
of diminutive ciliated leaves, in little

rosettes, each resting on the summit of a
little column of old and dead, but hidden
half-dried leaves. A white flower, with
a yellowish eye, rises from every tiny
rosette, each flower being almost twice
as large as the rosette of leaves from
which it has arisen, and resting on the
little mass of glaucous green. Looked
at from the height of a man, the leaves
are not distinctly seen, the flowers quite
so ; and thus the effect is somewhat as
if one were looking from a height down
on some grey bush, with very large
flowers and diminutive foliage. Requires
some care in cultivation, full exposure to
sun, and a well-drained spot, placed
between and tightly pressed by stones
about the size of the fist, which will
guard it against danger from excessive
moisture, and at the same time permit
of the roots passing into the good soil in
the crevices.

Androsace imbricata (Silvery A.). —
This differs from the Pyrenean and Swiss
Androsaces in having the rosettes of a
beautiful silvery white colour. The pretty
white flowers are without stalks, and rest
so thickly on the rosettes as often to over-
lap each other. It will grow freely in
loamy soil in free well-drained spots.
Pyrenees, Alps, and is propagated by
seeds and division. Syn., A. argentea.

A. lanuginosa (Himalayan A.).— The
European species of this diminutive family
usually have their leaves in tufts as com-
pact as the very Mosses and Lichens. This
kind has spreading and, sometimes, long
stems, branched, and bearing umbels of
flowers of a delicate rose, with a small
yellow eye ; the leaves nearly an inch
long, and covered with silky hairs.

A. 1. leichtlini is a variety ; flowers
being larger and the colour deeper. It
was grown for many years at the York
Nurseries, under the name of A. I.
oculata, which is the best name for it.
Add a little limestone to the rock-garden
light loam, and place the plant so that
its shoots may fall over the edge of a
low rock. Where the soil is free, and
not wet in winter, it may be tried as
a border plant. It is best propagated
by cuttings, and flowers in summer and
early autumn. Himalaya. In a district

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

157

where, from too heavy soil or other
reasons, it does not thrive on the level

Androsace lanuginosa in the Rock-Garden
at The Friars, Henley-on-Thames.

ground, I find it grows between the stones
in a " dry " well.

Androsace obtusifolia (Blunt-leaved A.).
—This has rather large rosettes of leaves,
somewhat spoon-shaped, with stems clothed
with short down, from 1 to 4 inches high,
bearing sometimes one, but generally from
two to five white or rose-coloured flowers,
with yellow eyes. It seems to grow taller
and more vigorously than A. Chamcejasme,
and in a native state is often gathered by
handfuls, and placed in vases, with Gen-
tians and other alpine flowers. Widely
distributed over the European Alps, aiicl
usually flowering in midsummer ; but in
this country opening in spring. The
culture for A. Chamcejasme will suit this
plant.

A. pubescens (Downy A.).— Allied to
the Swiss and Pyrenean Androsaces in its
rather large solitary white flowers, with
pale yellow eyes, just rising above the
densely packed, slightly hoary leaves, the
surface of which is covered with stalked
and star-like hairs. The unopened blooms
look like small pearls set firmly in a tiny
five- cleft cup, and are held on stems barely

rising above the dwarf cushion formed by
the plant. It may be distinguished from
its fellows by a small swelling on the
flower-stem close to the flower, and is an
exquisite little plant, widely distributed
over the Pyrenees, Alps, and other Euro-
pean ranges, flowering in July and August
in its native state, and in our gardens in
spring or early summer. It grows without
difficulty on sunny fissures in deep sandy
and gritty peat.

Androsace ciliata (Fringed A.}.— IB by
some considered a variety of the preceding,
with the flower-stems twice as long as the
leaves, which are glabrous on the surface
and ciliated at the margin, the old leaves
not forming a column beneath each rosette.
It is, however, distinct. A. cylindrica is
a variety with the stems rising to half an
inch high, with persistent leaves, which
form columns on the stems. It is by some
considered a species, bears pure white
flowers in spring, "and should be treated
like A. pubescens.

A. pyrenaica (Pyrenean A.). — This
forms a dwarf, compact, and cushioned
mass of tiny grey rosettes, something like
the Swiss Androsace, but the paper-white
flowers with yellowish eyes are not quite
so well formed, and the flower, instead of
being seated in the rosettes of leaves, rises
on a stem from a quarter to half an inch
high. The leaves are downy, and have a
keel at the back, and, like those of A. hel-
vetica, the old leaves are persistent, and
remain in little columns below the living
rosette. This plant was grown to great per-
fection by the late Mr James Backhouse, of
York, in fissures between large rocks, with
deep rifts of sandy peat and loam in them.
It will also grow on a level exposed spot,
but in that should be surrounded by half-
buried stones.

A. villosa (Shaggy A.).— A very dwarf
species, found on many parts of the Alps,
with leaves, and thickly covered with soft
white hair or down. The leaves are
mostly covered with the silky hairs on
the under side, united in a sub-globular
rosette, and bear in umbels white or pale
rosy flowers, with purplish or yellowish
eyes, on stems from 2 to 4 inches high.
It is more inclined to spread than any of
the nearly allied sorts, as it throws out

158

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

runners. It should be planted in fine
sandy loam ; it may be grown on level
spots on borders.

Androsace villosa himalayica is a
form of villosa, but much more vigorous,
and flowers later in the spring. Pure white,
with a very distinct red eye. In the early
part of the season the foliage is not covered
with the white silky hairs, but the foliage
becomes pure white later in the season.
It is also grown under the name of A.
Arachnoides.

flower and foliage can be obtained. It
also helps to keep the plant dry in
winter.
Androsace sarmentosa Chumleyi

differs in the stalks being shorter and
stronger, and the flower much deeper in
colour. It is a better plant, and is a gem
for the rock-garden. This likes a sprink-
ling of limestone on the soil. If kept well
top-dressed, it will send out young runners
like a Strawberry plant, and root very
freely from the same.

Androsace villosa.

A. sarmentosa.— This is a Himalayan
species, growing at an elevation of over
11,000 feet. The flowers, borne in trusses
of ten to twenty, at first sight resemble
those of a rosy white-eyed Verbena. Like
many other woolly-leaved alpines, this
is difficult to keep alive through our damp
winters. A piece of glass in a slanting
position about 6 inches above the plant
preserves it. Care should also be taken
to put sandstone, broken fine, immediately
under the rosettes of leaves and over the
surface of the soil, to keep every part of
the plant, except the roots, from contact
with the soil. A dry calcareous loam is
best. Where limestone can be had to mix
with the soil, a much better display of

A. vitaliana ( Yellow A.).— Barely grows
above an inch high, and produces, scarcely
above the leaves, flowers large for so small
a plant, and of a good yellow. On the
Alps it reminded me of a Liliputian
furze-bush, looked at through the wrong
end of a telescope. It is lovely for as-
sociation with the freer-growing Andro-
saces and dwarf Gentians, and it may even
be grown on a border in a not too dry
district where the soil is open and sandy.
A dry soil or a heavy one it does not
like, and when in suitable districts it is
tried as a border plant on the level ground,
it should be surrounded by stones, half
plunged in the ground, to prevent evapora-
tion, as well as to protect it. It is abund-

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

159

ant on the Alps in various parts of
Europe, and is increased by careful
division or by seeds. Syn., Aretia
Vitaliana.

Androsace laggeri.— This is one of
the most distinct of the family, and is
easily recognised by its tiny rosettes of
sharp-pointed leaves. The flowers are of
a bright pink, with a lighter centre.

A. foliosa is the handsomest species,
the flowers borne in large bunches, rosy-
red, and larger than in the others. This
plant revels in good deep limestone soil.
The stone should be broken into pieces
about the size of a walnut, and add good
heavy loam in full sun. Thus the plant
will form bushes one foot across in one
season.

A. wulfeniana. — This is a very distinct
plant flowering later than A. ciliata, with
much deeper blood-rose flowers, borne
close to the foliage, the whole plant being
very compact, and forms quite a cushion.
It does much better when planted on the
level, and makes a good companion for
such as A. carnea, A. C. eximia , A.
ciliata, A. vitaliana, A. laggeri, A.
cliamcejasme. The above all love the
sandstone, and should be well looked
to in the autumn and spring, and be well
top-dressed with sand and leaf-mould.

ANEMONE (Windflower}.— Beauti-
ful alpine and meadow plants, to which
is due much of the flower beauty of
spring and early summer in northern and
temperate countries. In early spring,
or what is winter to us in Northern
Europe, when the valleys of Southern
Europe and all round the basin of the
Mediterranean are beginning to glow
with colour, we see the earliest Wind-
flowers in all their loveliness. Those
arid mountains that in the distance
often look so barren, have on their
sunny sides carpets of Windflowers in
countless variety, often belonging to
the old favourite in our gardens — the
Poppy Anemone. Later on the Star
Anemone troops in thousands over the
terraces, meadows, and fields of the

same regions. Climbing the mountains
in April, one finds A. Hepatica nest-
ling in nooks all over the bushy parts
of the hills. Farther east, while the
common Anemones are aflame along
the Riviera valleys and terraces, the
blue Greek Anemone is open on the
hills of Greece ; a little later the blue
Apennine Anemone blossoms. Mean-
while our Wood Anemone adorns the
woods throughout the northern world,
and here and there through the brown
Grass on the chalk hills comes the
purple of the Pasque-flower. The grass
has grown tall before the graceful
Alpine Windflower blooms in all the
natural meadows of the Alps ; while
later on bloom the high Alpine Wind-
flowers, which are soon ready to sleep
again for months in the snow. These
are but a few examples of what is done
for our northern world by these Wind-
flowers, so precious for our gardens
also.

With many handsome kinds, every-
one is not worth growing, and so we
make a choice of the best for the rock-
garden. Whatever the difficulties in
the growth of other alpine flowers,
there are none with the Windflowers ;
free in most soils, and hardy. There
are few groups of plants so precious for
the garden, whether we look at the
more strictly alpine kinds, the free-
growing "florists'" kinds, such as the
Poppy Anemone, or the autumn-
blooming Japanese Anemones.

In the rock-garden alpine kinds are
essential, and, although some are slow,
they are not difficult to grow. As in
the case of so many mountain plants
which grow in soil composed of decayed
rock, open or warm soils are usually
best for the alpine kinds in our country.
The Poppy Anemone is so free in such
soils that many people raise it as an
annual, and flower it within the year

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

It is somewhat too vigorous for the
rock-garden, as are all the forms of the
Japan Windflower.

Anemone alpina (Alpine Windflower}.
On nearly every great mountain range
in northern and temperate climes, this
is one of the most frequent plants. It
may be seen in various stages on the
same day, and on the lower terraces of
the great mountains and on the green
slopes of the valleys, it grows as tall as
in our gardens. The interior of the
flower is white, the outside tinted with
pale purplish-blue. It flowers in its
native country as the snow disappears,

in open, rather bare, and unmown spots
along the margins of wood walks, being
more free in growth than the common
Hepatica.

Anemone apennina (Apennine Wind-
flower}. — This has erect flowers of a fine
blue, starlike, larger in size than a half-
crown piece, paler on the outside than
within, and thickly scattered over a low
cushion of soft green leaves. Although
figured in most of our works on British
plants, and naturalised in various places,
it is not a true native ; but the hardiest
of our native plants take not more kindly
to our clime. It is one of the hardy

Alpine Windflower.

and in our gardens at the end of April
or in the beginning of May. When plants
are well established in good soil, they
may be taken up and divided ; it may
be raised from seed. Sometimes the
flowers are yellow, in which state the
plant is known as A. sulphurea.

A. angulosa (Great Hepatica}. — This
is larger than the common Hepatica, with
flowers of a fine sky-blue, as large as a
crown piece, and with five-lobed leaves.
It thrives in spaces between American
plants and choice dwarf shrubs, as well as
on the rock-garden. Where plentiful, it
may be used as an edging to beds of
spring-flowering shrubs, and for planting

spring flowers, and, among the best plants
that gem the Apennine hills, there is
not one more worthy of being naturalised.
It flowers in March and April, is readily
increased by division, and grows from
6 inches to 10 inches high.

A. blanda (Greek Windflower}. — A very
lovely, dwarf, hardy plant, with flowers
of a deep sapphire blue, opening in the
dawn of spring, during mild open winters,
and in warm districts showing as early
as Christmas, flowering continuously too.
From the harder and smoother texture
of the leaves, it can stand exposure to
cutting winds even better than the
Apennine Anemone. It has every good

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

161

quality of a hardy alpine plant ; should
be grown in every rock-garden, planted
on bare banks that catch the early sun ;
when plentiful, may be naturalised on dry
and bare banks. Increased by division
and by seeds. Frequent on the hills
of Greece.

Anemone coronaria (Poppy Anemone).
— A showy handsome plant, grown in our
gardens from the very earliest times, and
of which there are a great number of
varieties, both single and double. The
single sorts may be readily grown from
seed. These double varieties may be
planted in autumn or in spring, or at
intervals all through the year, to secure
a succession of flowers ; but the best
bloom is secured by September or October
planting, where the winters are not severe.
The Poppy Anemone does best in a rich
deep loam, but is not very fastidious. It
flowers in April and May, and often
through the winter, but though vigorous
on many soils, is not quite hardy on
heavy soils in cool districts. For the
rock-garden choose the best single uni-
coloured forms. The ordinary mixed
kinds are for borders. Seed or division.

The Greek Anemone (A. blanda).

A. fulgens (Scarlet Wind/tower). — A
brilliant, hardy, vigorous kind, the large
scarlet flowers on stems about a foot
high, springing from a dwarf mass of
hard, deeply-lobed leaves. It does well
as a border plant, thrives in the rock-
garden, and I find it grows readily in
Grass. The flowers, borne in April and
May, are vivid scarlet. There are various
forms of this. Division or by seeds.

A. halleri (Hatter's Windflower).—Tbis
is one of the finest, as well as perhaps
the rarest, of the alpine Pasque-flowers.

The deep lilac flowers grow singly on
longish slender stems, and are larger than
those of any of the same group. It does
best in well-drained soil, rich, and not
too heavy. It was first found by the
gentleman whose name it bears, in the
Valley of St Nicholas, in the Upper
Valais, and since then, though sparingly,
in the Eastern Pyrenees.

Anemone hepatica (Hepatica). — A
beautiful mountain plant, long known in
our gardens. It is hardy everywhere, is not
fastidious as to soil, though it loves a
warm loam, and presents a diversity of
colour — single blue, double blue, single
white, single red, double red, single pink
(Garnea), single mauve-purple (Barlouri),
crimson (splendens), and lilacina. Every
variety of the Hepatica is worthy of care
and culture, but I think the best of all
is the wild plant with its lavender-blue
flowers so free and so pretty, early in
the year. The plant, a native of many
hilly parts of Europe, is usually found
in half shady positions, which will be
found to suit it best in a cultivated state
also. It is readily increased by division
or by seed, the double kinds by division
only.

A. nemorosa (Wood Anemone). — In
spring this native plant adorns our woods,
and also those of nearly all > Europe and
Asia. In heavy soils in the open fields
it does not vary, but in woods, where the
soil is gritty and free, it often varies
much ; so that we may now and then
gather several varieties from the same
place, and so large forms worthy of
culture have been obtained. There is
a large white form in cultivation, as well
as the blue and purplish ones.

A. palmata. — Distinct, with leathery
leaves and large handsome flowers in
May and June, glossy, yellow, only open-
ing to the sun. A native of N. Africa
and other places on the shores of the
Mediterranean, this fine plant should be
grown in deep turfy peat, or light loam
with leaf-mould, placed on level spots,
where it can root deeply and grow into
strong tufts. There is a double variety.
Increased by division or seed.

A. patens (Woolly Pasque-flower). — This
blooms early in March in England, and

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

on this account it is worth growing. It
somewhat resembles A. pulsatilla, but
has larger flowers and leaves. Germany.
Anemone pulsatilla {Pasque-flower). —
This fine plant is a true native one, and
when it occurs on a bleak chalk down it is
freely dotted over the turf. In the garden
it forms handsome tufts, and flowers
abundantly as a border or rock plant ;
it should "be planted in various aspects
to secure a longer season of bloom. There
are several varieties, including red, lilac,
and white kinds, but these are rare. It
prefers well- drained and light but deep
soil. Flowers in spring, purplish, on
stems 5 inches to 12 inches high. Divi-
sion or by seeds.

A. pratensis (Meadow Pasque-flower] is
a native of most of the northern parts of
Europe, and in some places grows abund-
antly in dry meadows, bearing small,
drooping flowers of a deep purple colour,
the leaves finely cut. Central Germany.

A. ranunculoides (Yellow Wind/lower).
— Not unlike the common Wood Anemone
in habit, this is distinct in its yellow
flowers coming in March and April. It
is S. European, and though usually less
free on common soils than the Apennine
Anemone, it is happy on light, open soil.
On limestone soils it is best. It is charm-
ing for association with tufts of the Apen-
nine or the Greek Windflower.

A. Robinsoniana (Azure Windflower).
— A lovely plant ; a large form of
the Wood Anemone, or thought to be
so. Whatever its origin, it is the most
precious of all for its colour, hardiness,
and use in all sorts of places. It is a
vigorous plant, 6 inches to 10 inches
high, with firm leaves, the flowers large
and of a lilac-blue colour. The flower-
bud is well formed and drooping, the
flowers well opened out, always erect, and
bearing in the centre a sheaf of yellow
stamens. Nothing is more lovely than
a patch of this in full bloom on a bright
spring day, and it should form carpets
on every rock-garden, on the sunny slopes,
and also on the northern ones to prolong
the bloom.

A. stellata (Star Windflower).— Wiih
star-like flowers, ruby, rosy purple, rosy,
or whitish, usually having a large white

eye at the base, contrasting with the
delicate colouring of the rest of the petals,
and the brown-violet of the stamens and
styles of the flower. It is not so vigorous
as the Poppy Anemone, and in Britain
requires a warm position and a light,
sandy, well-drained soil. In the rock-
garden, where we may give this a raised and
warm place, we may succeed with it, but
generally it is not a hardy plant in Britain.
Division and seeds. Syn., A. liortensis.

Anemone sylvestris (Snowdrop Wind-
flower). — Distinct, with white flowers in
spring as large as a crown piece, and beauti-
ful buds,form a vigorous tufted plant, 12 to
15 inches high. A native of Central Europe,
it is at home in Britain, but in some soils
fails to flower. It is best in the lower part
of the rock-garden or among the shrubs
near it. Growing almost anywhere freely,
it should not have the choicer places
needed for the rarer alpine kinds. Division.
A. vernalis (Shaggy Pasque-flower).—
One of the Pasque-flower division of the
Anemones, but very dwarf, the flowers
large and shaggy, and covered with
brownish silky hairs. A native of
Norway, and extreme northern countries,
also of very elevated positions on the
Alps and Pyrenees, and rarely seen in
good condition in our gardens. It should
be grown in some select spot on the
rock-garden in well-drained and deep soil.
The flowers, borne early in spring, are
whitish inside.

The above-named Windflowers are the
most beautiful. Some kinds are omitted
which, if distinct as species, are too
vigorous for our purpose, such as A.
rivularis, and A. narcissiflora, and for
the rock -gardener the best way is to
make good use of the proved kinds. It
is only where the aim is a botanical
collection that every kind that comes
will be sought.

ANTENNARIA (Caffs-Ear).— Small
moor or mountain plants, the cultivated
kinds of which are all perennial. They
are of quite secondary use in the rock-
garden. The Mountain Cat's-ears, A.
dioica and A. alpina, and varieties
minima and tomentosa, are neat-grow-
ing dwarf plants, with white downy

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

163

foliage, hence useful as carpeting plants.
All are of the simplest culture in any
ordinary soil. These are good rock-
garden plants, and the pretty little
rosy heads of one form of the Mountain

A. tomentosa (Hort.) is a plant of a
similar character that has been much
used as a dwarf silvery plant in the
flower garden. It is hardy, and of easy
increase and culture in bare spots.

Anemone vernalis. (Engraved from a drawing by H. G. Moon.)

Everlasting may be seen in the cottage
gardens of Warwickshire. These last
kinds only grow a few inches high, and
are very easily increased by division.

ANTHEMIS (Camomile). — Of the
kinds of these in cultivation there are
few worth a place on the rock-garden.
A. Aizoon is a dwarf silvery rock-plant

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II,

— from 2 inches to 4 inches high,
having small white Daisy-like flowers.
Its chief beauty is in the leaves, which
are covered with a white downy sub-
stance. It should be grown in the
rock-garden in exposed places. Some
handsome kinds are too vigorous for
the rock-garden.

Anthemis Macedonica.

ANTHERICUM (St Bruno's Lily).—
Graceful Lily-like alpine pasture-
plants, among the most beautiful of
hardy flowers. Though rather taller
than most rock-plants, their alpine
associations as well as their beauty
should give them a place among the
more vigorous plants or among the
rock-garden shrubs.

Anthericum hookeri. — A showy plant,
1 foot to 20 inches high, flowering in early
summer, bright yellow, nearly half an
inch across, freely in racemes, 3 inches
to 5 inches long. The leaves form dense
tufts in ordinary soil, but the plant
grows best in one that is moist and deep,
or in peaty bog. New Zealand.

A. liliago (the St Bernard's Lily). — From

1 foot to 2 feet high, with flower-spikes
that bear numerous pure white flowers in
early summer. An easily grown plant, not
so pretty as the St Bruno Lily.

A. ramosum has the flower-stems about

2 feet high, much branched, and bearing
small white flowers ; it has narrow Grass-
like leaves, and the plant soon grows into
large tufts.

Anthericum liliastmm (St Bruno's
Lily). — A most graceful alpine meadow
plant, in early summer throwing up spikes
of white, Lily-like blossoms. The plants
must be protected from slugs and cater-
pillars, from attacks of which they are
liable to suffer. It thrives as a good colony
or group in an open space between dwarf
shrubs. Where plentiful, it would be
an interesting subject to naturalise in a
grassy place in cool soil. Syns., Paradisea
and Czackia.

The major variety of the St Bruno's
Lily has much larger flowers (2 inches
across) than the wild plant, and has the
peculiarity of sending up large single
flowers from the root. These open before
the flowers on the spike, and are larger,
resembling the white blooms of a Pan-
cratium. This habit of the plant points
to it as distinct from the ordinary type of
St Bruno's Lily. It grows 3 feet high in
good soil, and is a fine plant, but though
many think highly of it, the species is
more elegant in form.

ANTHYLLIS (Kidney Vetch).—
Dwarf mountain plants of the Pea
family, of which there are some half
a dozen species in cultivation. As far
as now known, few are worth growing
on the rock-garden.

Anthyllis montanus, the Mountain
Kidney Vetch, is a very hardy rock-plant ;
dwarf, about 6 inches high, the leaves
pinnate, and nearly white with down,
the pinkish flowers in dense heads, rising
little above the foliage, and forming with
the hoary leaves pretty little tufts. I
have never seen any alpine plant thrive
better on the stiff clay of North London.
Eesisting any cold or moisture, it is
among dwarf plants of the first order of
merit as a rock-plant. Alps of Europe ;
division and seeds.

A. erinacea is a singular-looking, much-
branched, tufted, spiny, almost leafless
shrub, about 1 foot high, with purplish
flowers.

A. Vulneraria (Woundwort). — A
native plant, is pretty, and well worth
growing on d ry banks. There are varieties,
white and red.

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165

ANTIRRHINUM (Snapdragon).—
Rock-plants and perennial herbs,
mostly hardy and many of them from
mountainous regions, but none so
popular in gardens as the handsome
Snapdragon (A. majus) which, like the
Wallflowers, often grows on walls and
stony places. Among the many
species, some few are seen in cultiva-
tion from time to time, but they do not
take a large place in gardens, among
the best being A. Asarina, A. rupestre,
glutinosum, and sempervirens, throwing
in poor soil and dry spots. It is pro-
bable there are not a few of these plants
of much beauty not yet in cultivation.

AQUILEGIA (Columbine).— Alpine
or mountain copse perennials, often
beautiful in habit, colour, and in form
of flower, widely distributed over the
northern and mountain regions of
Europe, Asia, and America. Among
them may be found great variety in
colour — white, rose, buff, blue, and
purple, and intermediate shades even
in the same flower, the American kinds
having yellow, scarlet, and delicate
shades of blue. Though often taller
than most of the plants strictly termed
alpine, they are true children of the
hills, and the alpine kinds, living in
the high bushy places in the Alps
and Pyrenees, and North Asian moun-
tain chains, are among the fairest of
all flowers. Climbing the sunny hills
of the sierras in California, we meet
with a large scarlet Columbine, that
has almost the vigour of a Lily, and
in the mountains of Utah, and on
many others in the Rocky Mountain
region, there is the blue Columbine
(A. ccerulea), with its long and slender
spurs and lovely cool tints. Although
many cottage gardens are alive with
Columbines in early summer, there is
some difficulty in cultivating the rarer
alpine kinds. They require to be

carefully planted in sandy or gritty
though moist ground, and in well-
drained ledges in the rock-garden,
in half-shady positions or northern
exposures. Most wild Columbines,
however, fail to form enduring tufts
in our gardens, and they must be
raised from seed as frequently as good
seed can be got. It is the alpine
character of the home of many of the
Columbines which makes the culture
of some of the lovely kinds so difficult,
and which causes them to thrive so
well in the north of Scotland, while
they fail in our ordinary dry garden
borders. No plants are more cap-
ricious ; take, for instance, the charm-
ing A. glandulosa, grown like a weed
at Forres, in Scotland, and so short-
lived in most gardens. Nor is this
an exception; it is characteristic of
other alpine kinds. The best soil for
them is deep, well-drained, moist loam.

It is probable many of the species
are biennial, and that it is well to
raise them from seed frequently ; and
to avoid the results of crossing, it is
better to get the seed, if we can, from
the home of the species. The seeds
should be sown early in spring, and
the young plants pricked out into
pans, or into an old garden-frame, as
soon as they are fit to handle, remov-
ing them early in August to the
borders ; select a cloudy day for the
work, and give them a little shading
for a few days.

Mr Whittaker, of Mosely, near
Derby, has been very successful with
both A. glandulosa and the blue
variety of A. leptoceras, and he grew
them in a thoroughly drained, deep,
rich, alluvial soil ; the same were the
conditions of Mr Grigor's success.

Mr Brockbank speaks hopefully of
growing the finer kinds from seed.
He says : "I attribute failures to

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

plants sent by nurserymen in very
small pots, and it will be found that
you can never get up a good stock
of Aquilegias by purchase. The
proper way is to grow your own
from seed. Sow in shallow wooden
trays, or in pots, and grow the plants
on carefully in a cold frame. When
the seedlings are sufficiently large,
prick them out into the places wherein
you wish them to grow — some in pots
and some in the garden — and plant
them in various situations, here in
the shade and there in the open, so
as to have as many chances of success
with them as possible. I always plant
three plants in a triangle, 4 inches
apart, so that any group can readily
be taken up and potted if we wish
it. Once planted, leave them alone
ever afterwards, or, if you move them,
take up a large ball of earth with
them, so as not to loosen the soil
about the roots more than can be
helped. When the plants have
flowered and the seed has ripened,
my practice is to gather some for
future sowing, and to scatter the rest
around the plant, raking the soil
lightly first, and shaking the seed
out of the pods every three or four
days. From the seed thus scattered
young plants come up by hundreds,
often as thick as a mat, and may be
transplanted, when suitably grown,
into proper situations. In this way,
I have here abundance of Columbines,
and amongst these plenty of A. glan-
dulosa self-sown, and as strong and
hardy as any."

The late^ Mr J. C. Niven, of the
Hull Botanic Gardens, one who knew
alpine and hardy plants so well, sug-
gests that all the Columbines, except
the common one, should be looked
upon as biennials rather than good
perennials. The seeds should be

sown early in spring, and the young
plants pricked out into pans or into
an old garden-frame as soon as they
are fit to handle, removing them
early in August to their permanent
positions ; select a cloudy day for
the work, and give them a little
artificial shading for a few days.
Carry out the same process year after
year, the old plants being discarded
after flowering. Any attempt at divid-
ing the old roots usually fails. There
are, however, instances, especially on
light soils and hilly districts, where
several of them remain good for years.

Aquilegia alpina (Alpine Columbine).
— A pretty alpine plant, widely distri-
buted over the higher parts of the Alps
of Europe, the stems from 1 foot to 2 feet
high, bearing showy blue flowers. There
is a lovely variety with a white centre to
the flower, which, from its colour, is
certain to be preferred, and many will
say they have not got the "true" plant
if they possess only the variety with
blue flowers. It does not require any
very particular care in culture, but should
have a place among the taller plants of
the rock-garden, and be planted in a
rather moist but not shady spot in deep
loam, with leaf-soil.

A. calif ornica (Californian Columbine).
— One of the stoutest of the American
kinds ; the spurs are long, bright orange,
attenuated. To appreciate the beauty of
the flower, it must be turned up from its
pendent position ; then the beautiful
shell-like arrangement of the petals is
seen, the bright yellow marginal line
gradually shading off into deep orange.
The seeds of this kind should be saved,
as having once blossomed, the old plant
is apt to perish. I have never been disap-
pointed with the seedlings diverging from
their parent type in character. This plant
thrives best on a deep loam and moist.
Syns., A. eximia, A. truncata.

A. canadensis (Canadian Columbine). —
The flowers of this are smaller than those
of the Californian kinds ; this, however,
is compensated for by the brilliancy of
the scarlet colour of the sepals and the

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

167

bright yellow of the petals. It is a
slender grower, about 1 foot in height, with
sharply-notched leaves, and is easily raised
from seed. There is a yellow form.
Writing of this species, Mr W. Falconer
says : " To see it at its best, you should
see it among the rocks, where it grows
in abundance in our woods, and always
in high rocky places ; .there it springs
from the narrowest chink, a little bush
of leaves and flowers, or maybe in an
earthy mat upon a rock you find a colony
of Columbines, Virginian Saxifrages, and
pale Corydalis ; they usually grow to-
gether."

Aquilegia chrysantha (Golden Colum-
bine).— This plant was at first by persons
who look at herbarium distinctions only,
erroneously supposed to be a variety of the
Blue Columbine, and named such by
Torrey and Gray. After cultivating the
plant, however, for several years, Dr
Gray described it as a new species. The
plant comes from a different geographical
range, grows taller, flowers nearly a
month later, and blooms for two months
continuously. It has a very long and
slender spur, often over 2 inches in
length, is hardy, and thrives even on
the stiff clay soils north of London, and
enjoys wet, though it is none the less
free in more happy situations. It comes
true from seed, which is best raised under
glass, the seedlings being pricked out
carefully when young. Attaining a height
of 4 feet under good culture, it is a fine
plant for grouping among the shrubs of
the rock-garden. It would be a pity if
such a distinct, beautiful, hardy plant
should degenerate in our gardens, by
crossing with other kinds.

A. cserulea (Blue Columbine}.— Beauti-
ful and distinct, the spurs of the flower
almost as slender as a thread, a couple
of inches long, twisted, and with green
tips. It is in the blue and white erect
flower that the beauty lies, the effect
being even better than in the blue and
white form of the alpine Columbine. It
is a hardy plant, blooming rather early in
summer, and continuing a long time in
flower. It grows from 12 inches to 15
inches high, and is worthy of the choicest
position on the rock-garden. Unlike the

Golden Columbine, it is not a true
perennial on many soils, though a better
report in this respect comes from the cool
hill gardens. To get strong healthy plants
that will flower freely, seeds of this kind
should be sown annually, and treated
after the manner of biennals, as it rarely
does well after standing the second year,
and in many cases dies out before that
time. The flowers are, however, so lovely
and so useful for cutting, that it is de-
serving of care to have it in good
condition.

This is one of the plants which deserve
a home in the nursery in a choice little
bed to itself, from which its flowers could
be gathered for the house. The seed is
best sown as soon as may be after it is
ripe, in cool frames near the glass, or in
rough boxes in cool frames. With abund-
ance of fresh seed, there will be no
difficulty in raising it in fine beds of
soil in the open air, protecting the beds
from birds or slugs. The seed is usually too
precious to risk in the open air.

What is supposed to be a white variety
of this plant is sometimes called A.
leptoceras, which was indeed the first name
given to the plant.

" M.," writing from Utah, says : " Some
plants of this species seen in Utah seem
to belong to a distinct variety ; their
colour is not blue, or blue and white,
but pure white or yellowish-white. They
were flowering in great quantity 10,000
feet above the sea, wherever any tiny
stream trickled down the mountain slopes,
and the flowers at a little distance re-
minded one more of those of Eucharis
amazonica than anything else. The plant
grows in handsome tufts 2 feet or 3 feet
high, the flowers large and broad, and
the spurs very long (2 inches at least),
with a rounded knob at the top."

Aciuilegia fragrans (Fragrant Colum-
bine).— This is very distinct, growing about
1 foot high, with downy, somewhat clammy
leaves, and very free-flowering. The flowers
are pale yellow or straw, with short hooked
spurs. Himalayas.

A. glandulosa (Altai Columbine). — A
beautiful species, with handsome blue
and white flowers, and a tufted habit,
flowering in early summer — a fine blue,

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

with the tips of the petals creamy -white,
the spur curved backwards towards the
stalk, the sepals dark blue, large, and
nearly oval, with a long footstalk. A
native of the Altai Mountains, and one
of the best kinds for the rock-garden,
in well-drained, deep, sandy soil. In-
creased by seed and by very careful
division of the fleshy roots, when the
plant is in full leaf. Mr William
Jennings informs me that, if divided

sowing, and when full grown is impatient
of removal, but if not transplanted when
more than two years old, it continues to
flower for at least five or six years, some-
times for more. Those who can get true
seed of this fine plant will do well to
raise it with care and plant out when
very young into well-prepared beds of
moist, deep peaty or sandy soil, putting
some of the plants in a northern or cool
position. It would be well, also, to sow

Flower of Blue Columbine.
(Aquilegia ccerulea).

when it is at rest, the roots are almost
certain to perish— at least, on cold soils.
The Forres Nurseries, in Morayshire,
have long been famed for the successful
growth of this plant ; it has no special
care there, and there is no secret about
the culture, which is wholly in the open
air. The soil is described as "a rich
mellow earth, partaking a little of bog
or peat earth, and rather cool and moist
than otherwise." It flowers the year after

some seeds where the plants are to remain,
and in various other ways to try and
overcome the difficulty which has hitherto
generally attended the culture of this
lovely plant. The seeds of other Colum-
bines have a bright perisperm, while those
of this species are unburnished, arising
from little corrugated markings with
which the microscope shows them to be
covered.

Mr Brockbank writes : " I have referred

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

169

to the original specimen of A. glandulosa,
sent by Prof. Regel, of the St Petersburg
Botanic Gardens, from the Altai Moun-
tains. It is a different plant from the
A. glandulosa jucunda, being more than
twice as tall, and in every way more
robust. The specimen at Kew is nearly
one and a half times the height of the
large folio paper in which it is preserved,
and the flower measures 4|- inches in
diameter. The plants in Kew Gardens
are not this variety — the true variety —
of A. glandulosa, and, as far as I know,
it is not to be found with any of our
Nurserymen."

Aquilegia glauca (Grey -leaved Colum-
bine).— A distinct and interesting plant,
though not so showy as some of the other
kinds. It grows from 18 inches to 2 feet
high, with glaucous foliage, the spurs of
the flowers being rather short and red,
and shading into the pale yellow of the
other parts of the flower.

A. Skinneri (Skinner's Columbine).— A
distinct and beautiful kind, the flowers
011 slender pedicels, the sepals being
greenish, the petals small and yellow ;
the spurs nearly 2 inches long, of a
bright orange-red, and attenuated into
a slightly-incurved club-shaped point, the
leaves glaucous, their divisions sharply
incised ; the flower-stems 18 inches to
2 feet high. Though coming from so far
south as Guatemala, owing to the fact
that it is met with in the higher mountain
districts, it is nearly, if not quite, hardy.
Here, again, crossing steps in, and too
frequently mars its beauty. While the
name may be often seen, the plant is
rare, nor are the conditions that insure
its thriving well known, if they exist with
us. It is a late bloomer.

A. Stuarti (Stuart's Columbine).— This,
a cross between the true A. glandulosa
and A. Witmanni, was raised by the
late Dr Stuart, who tells us that it is,
in his opinion, an improved form of A.
glandulosa, refined in colouring, free
flowering, very large and attractive. It
is perfectly hardy, flowers three weeks
before any other Columbine, and always
comes true from seed. He recommends
that a bed be trenched 2 feet deep, with
plenty of manure in the bottom, sowing

the seed in rows, and allowing the seed-
lings to flower where they are to stand.
The plants may be thinned out to 8
inches apart, allowing 12 inches between,
the rows. In time the foliage will cover
the entire bed, and the plants will pro-
duce an abundance of bloom. By top-
dressing in the autumn the plants improve
in vigour every season, a three-year-old
bed being a mass of bloom.

Aquilegia viridiflora (Green Colum-
bine).— A modest and pretty kind, with
sage-green flowers. Out-of-doors in the
border the plant may not be noticed, but if
a flowering spray or two be cut and
placed in a small glass, its beauty of form
and colour too, may be seen. There is a
variety of it, known as A. atropurpurea,
of which the sepals are green, the petals-
deep chocolate. The plant is a strong
grower, a native of Siberia, and is the
same as Fischer's A. dahurica. It has
a delicate fragrance, too. It is a rare
plant in gardens. Seed.

A. vulgaris (Common Columbine). — The
only native Columbine, and as beautiful,,
I think, as some of the rarer alpine kinds,
and no one who has once seen it wild,,
will readily forget its beauty. It would
be most desirable also to select and fix
varieties of the Common Columbine of
good distinct colours. Being a native of
mountain woods and copses, this may be
grouped with good effect in the shrubby
part of the rock -garden. The best white
form of this plant is a beautiful and
stately Columbine, which sows itself
freely in various positions when once
brought into the garden, and looks well
wherever it comes. The hybrid forms-
raised in gardens and much grown and
talked of, are not so beautiful as this and
other wild kinds.

ARABIS (Rock Cress).— Early and
brave, these mountain plants have
few of striking importance for the
rock-garden, and these are of easy cul-
ture, and increase so free, indeed, that
they are grown as edgings, and often
fall over cottage garden banks and
rough walls, giving pretty effects.
In this family, it may be that, as the

170

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

mountain world becomes better known,
gems for the rock-garden may appear,
but, so far, as already tried in our
gardens, few of the kinds are attractive
in colour.

Arabis albida (White Rock Cress).—
Through long years of neglect of all sorts
of dwarf hardy plants, this, the " white
Arabis " of our gardens, has held its own,
and is now seen in almost every garden.
A native of the mountains of Greece, and
many parts in adjacent regions, it is as
much at home in Britain as is the Daisy,
and will grow in any soil or situation, in
cities as well as in the open country,
where its profuse sheets of snowy bloom
may expand unblemished under the
earliest suns of spring. By seed, or
cuttings, it is easily increased, and a
valuable ornament of the border and the
spring garden. On the rock-garden it
is well fitted for falling over the brows
of rocks ; it may also be used as an edging.
It is closely allied to the Alpine Rock
Cress (A. alpina), so widely distributed
on the Alps, and by some would be con-
sidered a sub-species of that plant, but
it is sufficiently distinct, and by far the
best kind.

A double form has recently been grown,
and it is a good plant. There is a varie-
gated variety in cultivation, known by
the name of Arabis albida variegata, which
is useful as an edging-plant, both in spring
and summer flower-gardens. It is the
dwarfest and whitest of the variegated
Rock Cresses that are grown under the
names of A. albida variegata. The yellower
and stronger variety, frequently called
A. albida variegata, and which is the best
for general purposes, is a form of Arabis
crispata, of which the ordinary green form
is not worthy of cultivation.

A. blepharophylla (Rosy Rock Cress). —
Like the white Arabis in its habit, size,
and leaves, the flowers are of a rosy purple,
and like a miniature Rocket, and thriving
as freely as the old single plant, distinct
from any flower of the same order in
cultivation. It varies a good deal, and
there is no difficulty in selecting a strain
of the brightest rose, but it does not
seem to take to our country, and is rare.

It is best raised every year from seed,
which it yields freely. In mild districts,
and on light soils, plants should be tried
out in winter. The brighter forms are
effective a considerable distance off. A
native of North America.

Among other kinds of Arabis, A. pro-
currens is a dwarf spreading kind, with
shining leaves and small whitish flowers.
There is a variegated form of it (A. p. varie-
gata) which is worthy of a place among
variegated hardy plants. The prettiest
of the variegated Rock Cresses is A. lucida
variegata. It forms very neat and effec-
tive edgings in winter, spring, and summer
flower gardens, thrives best and is easiest
to increase by division in open, sandy,
and yet moist soil. The best time to
divide it is early in autumn, April, or
very early in May. A. purpurea, an
interesting species for botanical, large, or
curious collections, and bearing pale bluish
and lilac flowers, is not worthy of general
cultivation while we possess such brilliant
plants as the Aubrietias. A. arenosa, from
the south of Europe, is a pretty annual
kind that may prove useful in the spring
garden, and which might be naturalised
on dry banks. A. petrcea is a neat, sturdy
little plant, with pure white flowers, a
native of some of the higher Scotch
mountains, and very rarely seen in
cultivation, but when well developed in
a moist yet well- exposed spot, is pretty.
A. aubrietiodes is a pretty soft rosy kind,
not yet much known.

ARCTOSTAPHYLOS (Beartery).
— Trailing mountain shrubs, usually
evergreen, of good habit and hardy,
and useful among the dwarf shrubs
of the rock-garden. The berries of
some kinds are a favourite food of
game.

All are interesting little shrubs,
thriving in peaty loam. Seeds offer
the readiest means of increase, though
all may be increased by layer. The
two native kinds are excellent rock-
plants.

Arctostaphylos alpina (Black Bear-
berry). — A plant very rarely seen in culti-
vation, a native of high alpine or arctic

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

171

regions, and of the northern Highlands
of Scotland, distinguished by its thin,
toothed leaves, which are not evergreen,
but wither away at the end of the season,
and by its bluish-black berries.

Arctostaphylos alpina (The Black Bear-
berry). — The badge of the Clan Ross is rare
as a native plant, being confined to dry,
barren Scotch mountains from Perth and
Forfar northwards, and ascending to eleva-
tions of nearly 3000 feet above sea level.
It forms compact, woody patches, with
stout, leafy branches, and scaly bark.
The deciduous leaves, wrinkled above,
have ciliated margins, and are narrowed
into a short stalk. They vary in length
from ^ inch to 1| inches, and are coarsely
toothed above the middle ; the white
blossoms are produced in twos or threes,
and appear with the young leaves. The
berry is black, and measures | inch in
diameter.

A. uva-ursi (Bearberry). — A small and
prostrate creeping mountain shrub, with
leathery leaves, and their under side
netted with veins, and with the sepals
at the base and not at the crown of the
berry. The flowers are of a rose-colour
in clusters at the apex of the branches ;
the berries of a brilliant red. It is a
native of dry heaths and barren places
in hilly countries, and is easier to culti-
vate than almost any other small
mountain or bog shrub, thriving well
in common garden soil. It is a useful
plant in the rock-garden, when its shining
evergreen masses of leaves fall over rocks,
and also on the margins of beds of
shrubs.

Another kind widely different from
all the foregoing, is one cultivated in
the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens under
the name of A. calif ornica; this is -"a
very vigorous, trailing, evergreen shrub,
with spathulate, leathery, entire leaves.
A. pungens is a much branched, erect-
growing shrub, with leathery-pointed
leaves, from 1 inch to 1^ inches long,
downy when young and smooth, when
old, the blossoms white, tinged with
rose.

A. Manzanita.— A native of Cali-
fornia, where it gets to be a good-
sized shrub, and bears abundantly large

drupe-like fruits of a pleasant taste,
which are much used as food by the
Indians of that region, but it is not of
proved hardiness in our islands.

ARENARIA (Sandworfy— Moun-
tain and heath plants of great variety,
of dwarf and sometimes mossy habit,
and some bearing pretty flowers. They
are easy to cultivate, quite hardy,
and though not alpine plants of the
highest importance, they are, never-
theless, of value in the rock-garden,
grow freely in almost any garden
soil, and are of facile increase by
division or seed.

Arenaria balearica (Stone Sandwort). —
A tiny self -nourishing plant, coating the
face of stones with a close, Thyme-like ver-
dure— as with Moss — and then scattering
over the green mantle countless little
starry flowers. I write this sitting on
a rock, to which it clings closer than
Moss. It has crept over the edge of
some rocks which slope to water, and
dropped its little mantle of green down
to within 18 inches of the water, but
all the flowers look up from the shade
to the lig;ht. Right and left there are
boulders in various positions, on every
face of which it may be seen, as every
tiny joint roots against the earthless face
of the stones. To establish it on stones,
plant in any soil near on the cool side,
and it will soon begin to clothe them.
It flowers in spring, is readily increased
by division, and quite easy to grow on
most soils, and even on the face of walls
(north side), and on stones and rocks in
the sunnier districts on the cool sides.
Easily naturalised in rocky places.

A. Huteri (Huter's Sandwort), is a
charming alpine form, growing freely
in sandy loam in the level parts of the
rock-garden. A top-dressing of sand and
leaf -mould is very beneficial, enabling the
young shoots to root freely.

A. laricifolia (Larch-leaved Sandwort).
— The leaves of this are narrow, and
arranged in clusters, bearing some slight
resemblance to those of the Larch, the
flowers white, in clusters of three to six
on each stem. This is a native of Swit-

172

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II

zerlaiid, and should be placed on a rather
high ledge.

Arenaria montana (Mountain Sand-
wort). — A handsome plant, having the habit
of a Cerastium, and large white flowers.
It forms spreading tufts, on which the
flowers come so thickly in early summer
as to obscure the foliage. It is one of
the prettiest early summer flowering
plants, succeeding the white evergreen
Candytufts and like flowers. S. Europe.

A. grandiflora is a large-flowered form
of A. montana.

A. multicaulis.— From the south of
Spain, resembles A. balearica, but has
more ovate leaves, its flowers higher
above the foliage and larger.

quence of the prostrate habit of both
shoots and flowers, the plant is seen to
much greater advantage when placed on
some little bank above the eye. It is a
native of the northern parts of Great
Britain, and is readily increased by
seed.

Of other Arenarias in cultivation, the
best and most interesting are A. ciliata,
a rare British plant ; A. triflora, a neat
species in cultivation in some curious
collections ; and A. graminifolia. These,
however, and many others are scarcely
worth growing, except in botanical col-
lections.

Some of the species above-named will
be found in some books under Alsine.

Arenaria laricifolia.

A. purpurascens (Purplish Sandwort).
—Distinguished from other kinds by
its purplish flowers on a densely-tufted
mass of smooth, pointed leaves. It is
frequent over the Pyrenean Chain ; and
it should be associated on the rock-
garden with the smallest Kockfoils and
plants which, though dwarf, are not slow
growers.

A. tetraquetra (Square-stemmed A.).
— This forms compact and singular-
looking tufts, in consequence of the
leaves, each with a white cartilage along
the margin, being in four rows. The
sepals are also margined. It is worth a
place where the other small Sandworts
are grown.

A. verna (Vernal Sandwort). — Grows in
prostrate tufts, covered in April and
May with multitudes of starry white
flowers with green centres. In conse-

Syn., Alsine laricifolia.

ARETHUSA BULBOSA— A beauti-
ful American hardy Orchid, which
grows in wet meadows or bog-land,
blossoming in May and June. Each
plant bears a bright rose-purple flower,
showy on its bed of Sphagnum, Cran-
berry^ and Sedge. The little bulbs
grow in a mossy mat formed by the
roots and decaying herbage of plants
and moss. In cultivation it requires
the same soil in a shady moist spot,
with a northern exposure, the soil a
mixture of well-rotted manure and
Sphagnum. During winter, protect
the bed with some cover, for it is not
so hardy in gardens as in its marshy
home. Newfoundland to Ontario and
southward to N. Carolina.

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

173

ARMERIA (Thrift or Sea-Pink).
— Modest perennials, natives of the
rocky shore and mountain ground ;
of much beauty of colour. They are
plants of easy culture and increase,
and they may be used as carpets and
edgings, one or two kinds being native.

Armeria vulgaris (Thrift).— This in-
habitant of our sea-shores, and also of the
tops of the Scotch mountains and the Alps
of Europe, is very pretty, with its soft lilac

15 inches to 20 inches high, each bearing
a large, roundish, closely-packed head of
handsome satiny rosy flowers. It comes
from North Africa and S. Europe, and,
though hardy on free and well-drained
soils, occasionally perishes during a very
severe winter, especially on cold soils ;
it should therefore be placed in a warm
position on the rock-garden, and in deep,
sandy loam. It is known under various
names — A.formosa, A. latifolia, A. mauri-
tanica, A. pseudo-armeria, Statice lusitanica.

Thrift on the hills at Anglesey. (Engraved from a photograph by Miss A.
Cummings, King's Buildings, Chester.)

or white flowers springing from cushions
of grass-like leaves ; but it is the deep
rosy form of it, rarely seen wild, that
deserves a place in rock-gardens. It is
like the common Thrift in all respects
but the colour of the flowers, which are
of a showy rose. It is useful for the
spring garden, for covering bare banks
or borders in shrubberies, and for edg-
ings. Occasional division (say every two
or three years) and replanting are desirable.
A. cephalotes (Great Thrift}.— From a
dense mass of crowded leaves, 4 inches
to 6 inches long, spring numerous stems

It is, fortunately, easily raised from seed ;
and, as it is not easily increased by divi-
sion, it is a good plan to sow a little of
it every year. Varies a little when raised
from seed ; but all the forms I have seen
are worthy of cultivation.

ARNEBIA ECHIOIDES (Prophet-
flower). — Borage-worts, and among the
handsomest of flowers, distinct and
singular.

A. echioides is 1 foot to 18 inches
high, the flowers primrose-yellow, with

174

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

five black spots on the corolla, which
gradually fade to a lighter shade, and
finally disappear. It is hardy, succeeds
either on the rock-garden or in a well-
drained border, and prefers partial
shade. It is a native of the Caucasus
and Northern Persia, and is best in
fine, deep loam. Young plants bloom
long, which adds to their charms.
Seeds are not freely produced, but it
may be increased by cuttings. A.
Griffithi is a tender annual, and though
pretty, not so valuable as A. echioides.

ARTEMISIA ( Wormwood).— Half
shrubby and perennial plants of the
steppes, arid plains, and mountains ;
of a bitter flavour and pungent odour,
and which give a distinct greyish hue
to many arid regions, but are often of
secondary interest only for the rock-
garden. Among a large number of
species known, there are many of slight
interest for the rock-garden, and a
few are neat in habit and pretty in
flower, such as the Silvery Wormwood,
A. frigida, glacialis, nana, sericea, and
Baumgarteni, all of easy culture and
increase.

_ ASARUM (Wild Ginger).— Curious
little plants resembling Cyclamens in
their leaves, but of little garden value.
A. canadense is the Canadian Snake-
root, which bears in spring curious
brownish-purple flowers, the roots
being strongly aromatic, like Ginger.
A. virginicum is the Heart Snake-
root, with leaves thick and leathery,
with the upper surface mottled with
white. A. caudatum is from Oregon,
and much like the others in habit,
but the divisions of the flower have
long tail-like appendages. A. euro-
pceum is the Asarabacca, the flowers
being greenish, about J inch long, and
appearing close to the ground. The
plants are only valuable for the effect
of the leaves in dry poor spots.

ASPERULA ( Woodruff).— Dwarf
plants of the Bedstraw (Galium} order,
so far as known of secondary use in
the rock-garden.

Asperula odorata ( Woodruff).— A. little
wood plant, abundant in some parts of
Britain, is worthy of a place in the rock-
garden, in localities where it does not occur
wild. It is sometimes used as an edging to
the beds in cottage gardens, and it mixes
prettily with Ivy where that is allowed to
clothe the ground. It belongs to a numer-
ous genus of plants, few, however, of which
are worth a place among the choicer
rock-plants.

A. azurea setosa is a pretty early spring
flowering hardy blue annual, flowering
in April and May. Sow the previous
autumn. A. cynanchica is a rosy red
perennial, a good rough rock plant.

ASTER (Starwort).—A beautiful
family of northern plants, chiefly
American, but also some, and among
the handsomest, European. Although
mostly tall and often too vigorous,
there are some beautiful mountain
kinds, and, to a great extent, the
family are found on mountains ; but
they are rarely suitable for the rock-
garden. One of the handsomest
plants in the alpine meadows of
Europe and other countries is the
alpine Starwort, but in cultivation
and richer ground it is not so at-
tractive as in the wild state. Never-
theless, in large rock-gardens some of
the dwarfer kinds may often be useful,
all the more so to those who enjoy
their gardens mostly in the autumn.

Among the best of all, however,
are the European Starworts, A. amellus
and A. acris, of which last there are
dwarf forms, precious for their fine
colour and not too tall for the bolder
parts of the rock-garden, and for
growing among the shrubs near it,
as advised elsewhere in this book.

Some of the Indian Starworts are
dwarfer and more refined in habit

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

175

than the American, and in the vast
and not yet explored regions, there
may be gems for the rock-garden.

The dwarf habit of these Hima-
layan Daisies makes them valuable
for the rock-garden. They are all
found in the temperate regions of
the Himalayas, a few at high eleva-
tions, and are hardy.

Aster stracheyi.— A pretty plant, more
or less hairy, and rarely more than 1
inch to 3 inches or 4 inches in height.
The flowers are about the size of those of
the Michaelmas Daisy, the involucre
bracts few, scarcely overlapping, all
about one length, and usually narrow
and pointed. Native of the Western

Aster stracheyi.

Alpine Himalayas, Kumaon, at 13,000
feet elevation, flowering with us in early
summer. It is hardy in the open air,
and forms a charming rock-garden plant,
thriving best in half -shady spots.

A. alpinus (Alpine Starwort). — This
might be called the blue Daisy of the
Alps, so diminutive is it when met with
high up or even in rich green alpine
meadows. In a wild state it does not
form the sturdy tufts which it does in
gardens, and, like the wild Orange Lily,
is more beautiful when isolated in the
grass. The flower is of a pale blue, with
an orange-yellow eye, 2 inches across on
plants cultivated in gardens, smaller in

a wild state. It forms tufts 8 to 10
inches high, slightly downy, and some-
times velvety. There is a white variety.
Easily multiplied by division, thrives,
well in any sandy soil, and begins ta
flower in early summer.

Of the very large Aster family there
are few dwarf enough for our purpose,
one of the best being that known a&
versicolor, which, as it is somewhat pros-
trate, might be planted with good effect
on the lower parts of the rock-garden.
A. altaicus is also a dwarf species, with
mauve-coloured flowers, and A. Keevesii
is a dwarf kind.

ASTRAGALUS (Milk-Vetch).— PQT-
ennial and alpine plants of the Pea
flower order, the species numerous,
but, so far as is now known, not very
important for the rock-garden. The
Tragacanth plant (A. Tragaeanthd)
forms a dwarf grey bush, and is
hardy, and may be grown even in
towns, but it is not attractive in
flower. Some are natives of Britain.

Astragalus hypoglottis (Purple Milk-
Vetch). — A dwarf, prostrate perennial, and
large heads of bluish-purple flowers. In
Britain it is found chiefly on the eastern
side of the island from Essex and Herts
to Aberdeen, and on dry, gravelly, and
chalky pastures. It is pretty on level
spots, and should always be" associated
with very dwarf subjects; and though
it is not particular as to soil, it will be
found to thrive best in open, well-drained,
sandy loam, or in chalky soil. A variety
has paper-white heads of flowers sitting
close upon the dwarf carpet formed by
the leaves. It looks showy for such a
dwarf white plant, and the flowers look
singular from contrast with the short
sooty or black hairs. It is so distinct
from any other cultivated alpine plant
in flower about the same period, that it
would be wise to form a little carpet of
five or six plants of it in some level spot,
as it is not at all difficult to grow.

A. MonspessulailUS (Montpellier Milk-
Vetch). — A vigorous kind, with leaves a
span long, the leaflets smooth on the
upper surface, and with short whitish;

176

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

hairs thinly but almost quite regularly
scattered over their under sides. The
flowers are borne on stalks from 6 inches
to a foot long, the racemes of bloom being
from 2 to 5 inches long, according to the
strength of the plant. The closely-set
and unopened flowers at the head of the
raceme are usually of a deep crimson, but
as they open, they become of a pale rosy
lilac, with bars of white on the upper
petals. The shoots, though vigorous, are
prostrate, which causes it to be seen to
greater advantage when drooping over
rocks, and it grows well in any soil. A
native of the South of France, easily raised
from seed. There are several varieties.

Astragalus onoloTychis(Saintfoin Milk-
Vetch). — A fine hardy kind, in some varie-
ties spreading, and in others growing about
18 inches high, with pinnate leaves about
4 inches long, the leaflets smooth, and
handsome racemes of purplish-crimson
flowers. As the individual flowers, when
fully open, are a shade more than five-
•eighths of an inch long, and borne in
clusters of from six to sixteen on each
raceme, it is an attractive plant, and will
thrive well in any good loam. There
.are several varieties enumerated, three of
which, alpinus, moldavicus, and micro-
phyllus, are prostrate in habit, and would
prove valuable. ^The plant is particu-
larly suited for the rougher parts of the
rock-garden, and for positions where a
rich effect rather than minute beauty is
sought. There are white forms of all
the varieties. Europe and N. Asia.

A. pannosus (Shaggy Milk-Vetch). —
A dwarf kind, with silvery, woolly pin-
nate leaves, which, growing in compact
tufts about a span high, give the plant
somewhat the appearance of a silvery
fern. Attracted by this appearance, when
I saw the plant in cultivation in Switzer-
land, I brought home some seeds, from
which plants have been raised by Mr
J. Backhouse and Mr W. Bull. I have
not yet seen it in flower, but from the
beauty of its leaves alone, it is likely to
prove an excellent rock-garden plant. It
is easily increased by seeds, and comes
from Asia Minor.

ATRAGENE (see CLEMATIS).

AUBRIETIA (Purple Hock-
Cress). — If there were but one
family of rock-plants known to us.
this which gladdens the rocks oi'
Greece and all near countries with
its soft colours in the dawn of spring,
would be almost enough to justify
the lovers of rock flowers for any ex-
travagance in their behalf. In these
plants all difficulties of culture, in-
crease, soil, etc., fly away, and though
from the hills above the cities of
Greece or the sites ennobled in human
story, they are as happy in our British
land as the grasses of our fields.

These rock plants will succeed on
any soil, and never fail to flower, even
should the cutting winds of spring
shear all the verdure of the budding
Willows. There is hardly a position
selected for a rock plant that may
not be graced by them. Rocks, ruins,
stony places, sloping banks, and walls,
suit them perfectly ; and no plant is so
easily established in such places, nor
will any other alpine plant so quickly
clothe them with the desired kind
of vegetation. Growing in common
soil, in the open border, or on any ex-
posed spot, they thrive as well as on
the best -made rock-garden, forming
round spreading tufts ; and on fine
days in spring the flowers come out
on these in such crowds as to com-
pletely hide the leaves, making hillocks
of colour. They are quite easy to
naturalise in bare rocky places, and
often sow themselves on walls. They
are easily propagated by seeds, cuttings,
or division. Grown together, their
affinity is clearly seen, and few things
may be more safely united under one
species than the Aubrietia at present
in cultivation.

Among the several varieties, A. del-
toidea grandiftora and A. Campbelli
are the best. Dr Mules is the richest

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

177

colour. A. grceca is simply a variety.
Aubrietias vary a good deal from seed,
but their little differences make them
all the more valuable as garden-plants,
and they all agree in carpeting the
earth with dense cushions of compact
rosettes of leaves, profusely clothed
with beautiful purplish-blue flowers
in spring, and, in the case of young
plants, in moist and rich soils, almost
throughout the year. There are one
or two pretty variegated varieties.

AZALEA (Swamp Honeysuckle).
—Thinking as I do, that the
most satisfying and enduring kind
of rock-garden cannot be made with-
out the aid of mountain shrubs, or in
which they take the main part, such
lovely mountain bushes as the Azaleas
cannot be left out of our view, as they
are true mountaineers, and of splendid
value for their flowers in summer and
foliage in the autumn, and even in
habit, if naturally grown. Their hardi-
ness, fine colour, and ease of culture,
should almost give them the first place
with the happy people who have rocks
of their own, as so often happens in the
north, and in Scotland, Wales, and
Ireland. There is scarcely a plant
among the Azaleas that is not worth
growing, but I am now thinking more
of the wild kinds, chiefly American,
which deserve to be grown, and grouped
each kind by itself, these wild kinds
being, I think, more beautiful, and
more worthy of a place on the shrubby
rock-garden than the hybrids, though
all are good. More brilliant than any
other shrubs, they are lovely in flower
in early summer, in some cases continu-
ing into midsummer, and hardy as the
mountain, rocks. They are much
varied, coming from European, Ameri-
can, Chinese, and Japanese species,
both in their wild forms and in the
varieties raised. It is not only the

often brilliant flowers they give us we
have to think of, but the finest leaf
hues in autumn, especially when massed
in the sun. They are not so difficult
to grow as the Rhododendron, owing
partly to that being on their own roots
they can be grown in a greater variety
of soils. From an artistic point of
view, their form in winter is better
than that of rhododendrons, and they
do not run into heavy dark masses
like the commoner Rhododendrons.

A great advantage is that they are
tender to life below them, and, instead
of devouring all other plants, like the
Rhododendrons, they are very kind to
all sorts of beautiful things, such as
Blue Anemones, Trillium, Double Prim-
roses, and a great variety of bulbs and
choicer hardy flowers, growing beneath
them, the effect of which below the
bushes is far better than when by
themselves, the inter-relations of
colour being so much better than
from solid masses of green. It is
usual to regard them as only to be
grown in peat soils ; but it is by no
means necessary, and the absence of
peat should never be a bar to their
growth. Even if they do not on sands
or loams grow as rapidly as on good
peats, the beauty is none the less,
especially on the rock-garden, where
we seek beauty of form and colour,
shown in no matter how small a scale,
rather than the too vigorous vulgarity
of shrubbery growth. My Azaleas are
grown in soil and situation wholly
different from what is usually and
rightly supposed to favour Azalea
growth, and the growth of my plants
is certainly less vigorous than in good
peat soil, but I enjoy the beauty of
the plants just as much.

Although from a botanical point of
view there is no distinct line between
Azalea and Rhododendron, and the

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

two genera are merged into one by
nearly all botanists, for purposes it
may be convenient to treat Azalea
as a separate genus. Loudon united
it with Rhododendron upwards of
forty years ago, and all writers of
any weight have followed in his foot-
steps. Still, as the plants treated of
in this article — or, at any rate, most
of them — are, almost without excep-
tion, mentioned in Catalogues and
spoken of by gardeners as Azaleas,
it has been thought preferable to
keep up the older name.

The introduction of a number of
kinds from Japan, China, India, and
Borneo, destroyed the old lines of
demarcation between the two genera,
for the number of stamens in some
of the so-called Azaleas is often ten,
and in several the leaves are ever-
green.

No attempt is made to include here
any of the so-called Indian Azaleas,
the fact of these succeeding in the
open air in some parts of the south-
west of England and the Channel
Islands not being ground enough to
class them in a list of hardy shrubs,
though it is likely that most of the
beautiful garden plants, so deservedly
popular under the name of Ghent
Azaleas, are hybrids, derived from
A. calendulacea, A. nudiflora, A. vis-
cosa, and A. pontiea. Of late, how-
ever, A. sinensis (better known as A.
mollis), and the Western American,
A. occidentalism have been used for
crossing, and from the latter a beau-
tiful race of late -flowering forms has
sprung. Both double and single
varieties, ranging from white through
every shade of yellow, orange, and
red to crimson, with many uncommon
intermediate tints, are to be seen in
many gardens, and the beautiful
colours assumed by the decaying

leaves in autumn make them worth
growing, even apart from the flowers.

All the hardy Azaleas thrive best
in peat, and like best a moist situa-
tion, but it is astonishing how well
they will do without peat, provided
they have an abundance of leaf-mould,
and are well supplied with water
during the summer months. They
are readily raised from seeds, but if
it is desired to increase any particular
sort, layering is the best way.

Azalea arborescens (Tree A.}.— This is
a native of the Alleghany Mountains, from
Pennsylvania to North Carolina. Its
leaves are margined with short hairs, are
slightly leathery when mature, bright
green and shining above and glaucescent
beneath. The corolla is fully 2 inches
long, white or tinged with rose, and the
long red stamens and style add to the
beauty of the plant and give it a fine
character. It was introduced in 1818,
but was probably lost to cultivation soon
afterwards, and not re-introduced until
a few years ago. The leaves in dying
exhale an odour similar to that of the
Sweet Vernal Grass ; they are well
developed before the flowers appear in
June.

A. calendulacea (Flame A.).— In this
the corolla varies in a wild state from
orange-yellow to flame-red ; the flowers,
not fragrant, appear before or with the
leaves in May. It is a native of woods
in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Vir-
ginia, Kentucky, and varies in height
from 3 feet to 10 feet.

A. linearifplia (Slender A.). In all
probability this is not so hardy as the
other species here mentioned, but it has
stood for several years without protection
in the open air at Kew. It is a small
shrub, with slender branches beset with
rigid, red-brown hairs ; the long, narrow
leaves, with wavy margins, crowded at
the ends of the twigs. The flowers in
clusters at the tips of the branches, with
five recurved, red-purple petals.

A. nudiflora (Pinxter Flower).— This
is the purple Azalea, of the United
States, where it occurs in swamps from

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

179

Massachusetts and New York to Illinois
and southward. Flowering in April or
May, either before or at the same time
as the leaves. In a wild state the more
or less fragrant flowers vary from flesh
colour to pink and purple. Of this
species there are numberless varieties and
hybrids, no fewer than forty-three being
enumerated in Loddiges' Catalogue in 1836.

Azalea occidentalis (California A.).—
One of the most beautiful flowers when
the glossy leaves are well developed, and
after most other Azaleas are past. The
species is a native of the western foot-
hills of the Sierra Nevada throughout the
length of California, and in the coast
ranges along streams. This fine distinct
kind is a free grower, even where there
is no peat.

A. Pontica (Pontic A.).— An immense
number of varieties and hybrids have been
raised from this species both in British
and Continental gardens. The wild plant
has fragrant flowers of a bright yellow
colour, blossoming in May and June.
This comes from the same country as
the Pontic Rhododendron — the Caucasus
and near regions — and is supposed with
good reason to be the source of the honey
that led to the poisoning of Anophon's
soldiers. It is a free and handsome shrub
in almost any soil, and in rocky spots
in woods or copses quite at home.

A. rhombica. — The near allies of this
distinct-looking plant are Chinese or
Japanese ; it has bright, rose-coloured,
bell-shaped flowers, with a very short
tube, l£ inches to 2 inches across, gener-
ally in pairs at the tips of the branches.
The dull green hairy leaves are in
whorls of three, and of the ten stamens
the five upper are much the shortest.
In autumn the decaying leaves turn a
bronzy-purple colour. This is one of the
earliest to flower, and the spring frosts
frequently disfigure the blossoms. Moun-
tain woods of Japan.

A. sinensis (Chinese A.).— A native of
alpine shrublands in Japan, but is largely
cultivated both in that country and in
China. The flowers vary much in colour ;
ranging in a wild state from a dull, almost
greenish-yellow to orange-yellow or orange-
red, but many hues have arisen in nur-

series from crossing. Loddiges was the
first to publish a figure. Upwards of
forty years afterwards Regel gave it the
name of A. mollis, and subsequently the
late Dr Gray described it under the name
of A.japonica. Syn., A. mollis.

Azalea vaseyi (Vasey's A.).— A. pretty
shrub from 3 feet to 10 feet high, with leaves
3 inches to 6 inches long, a roseate corolla,
the upper lobes spotted towards the base.
As a rock shrub it is very precious, and
its pink or purple flowers are distinct and
beautiful. N. America.

A. viscosa (Swamp Honeysuckle). — Is a
shrub from 4 feet to 10 feet high, with
clammy, fragrant flowers, white or tinged
with rose-colour in a wild state. In-
numerable varieties of this have originated
under cultivation, no less than 107 being
given in Loddiges' Catalogue for 1836.
Several wild forms have at various times
received specific names ; of these glauca
has paler leaves, generally white, glaucous
beneath ; nitida is a dwarf variety, with
oblanceolate leaves, green on both sur-
faces ; hispida and scabra do not require
detailed description. N.E. America.

BELLIUM (Rock Daisy).— These
are nearly allied to the common
Daisy. Three kinds are in cultiva-
tion : B. bellidioides, crassifolium, and
minutum, none of which are so beauti-
ful as the common Daisy, nor so hardy,
and therefore scarcely worthy of cul-
tivation, except in large collections.
Where grown without protection in
winter, they should be planted in
sandy warm soil, and in sunny spots,
on which I should certainly not be
anxious to give them a place, con-
sidering the numbers of brilliant
plants we have more fitted for the
embellishment of the rock-garden.

BERBERIS (Barberry).— Of these
handsome shrubs having much beauty
of foliage and fruit, while the greater
number would not be in stature
suited for the rock-garden, certain
kinds might be useful where the
idea of the shrub rock-garden is

180

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART IT.

carried out. The dwarf evergreen,
Thunbergs' 'barberry, and B. steno-
phylla, are suitable for giving a good
effect among rocks. Nor does the
absence of rocks debar us from group-
ing them near the rock-garden, and
enjoying in such positions their
beautiful colour in autumn.

Herberts empetrif o]ia,(Fuegian Berberis).
— A dwarf, shrubby, trailing species, from
the Straits of Magellan, well adapted for
rock cultivation, provided a good depth
of peaty soil be given it for its under-
ground shoots to ramble in. Its flowers
are of a bright orange colour, singly along
the whole length of the previous year's
growth. It has a delicate fragrance.

BERGENIA.— A name used by
some Continental botanists for the
large-leaved Indian Rockfoils, known
in our gardens by the names of Saxi-
fraga and Megasea.

BETULA (Birch}.— Though we
know the Birch as a forest tree, it may
be as well to remember that there are
little northern and antarctic Birches,
and those from the high mountains,
such as the Scrub Birch (B. glandu-
losa), the dwarf Birch (B. nana), and
the Bog Birch (B. pumila), which
might be readily used near rock and
marsh gardens of the bolder sort.

BLETIA HYACINTHINA.-A tall
and graceful hardy Orchid, with slender
flower-stems 1 foot or more high, bear-
ing about half a dozen showy flowers
of a deep rosy-purple colour. It
thrives in sheltered and half-shaded
spots in peaty soil, with some leaf-
mould added. In some localities it
would be advisable to cover the roots
with a handful of protective material
during severe cold. It is also known
as B. japonica. A very interesting
plant for association with the peat-
loving Cypripediums in the drier parts
of the bog-garden. China.

BORETTA.— One of the recent
botanical names for the Irish Heath,
which will be found in this book under
ERICA

BRACHYCOME SINCLAIRI, ac-
cording to a writer in the Garden, is
a gem for the rock-garden, hardy and
perennial, bearing little white Daisy-
like heads on stems 2 inches or 3
inches high, all the summer months,
and having a distinct habit of growth.
The plant spreads moderately by short
stolons, and the foliage is arranged
in tufts or rosettes, and is brownish
or bronzy-green, and very downy.
Those seeking for beautiful miniature
plants should take note of this. I
grow it in loam and leaf-mould, mixed
with small stones, and in a position
where it can have plenty of moisture
and sunshine.

The pretty little B. iberidifolia
(Swan River Daisy), is one of the
annual flowers which may be used
with good effect to clothe any bare
spaces that may occur in the rock-
garden from winter losses or other
causes.

BRUCKENTHALIA SPICULI-
FOLIA. — A dwarf-plant, belonging to
the Heath family. The flowers are

Bruckenthalia spiculifolia.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

181

pale purple or lilac, on stems rarely
more than 9 inches high. It is suited
to dry, peaty positions, or in peat
or leaf-soil will make itself at home in
a half shady spot in the garden.

BRYANTHUS (Rocky Mountain
Heath). — Alpine bushes of the Heath
family, mostly natives of the mountains
of North America, and little known
in gardens. I brought one handsome
species from the sierras of California,
but it is lost. They are pretty little
shrublets which well deserve introduc-
tion, and growing as they do on some
of the coldest mountains of the world,
I have little doubt that they will prove
as easy to cultivate as many other
American bushes which thrive in our
gardens. Mr Bulley, in the Gardener's
Chronicle, describes Bryanthus glan-
duliformis as a dwarf, peat-loving
plant, not reaching a greater height
than 3 inches, and notable for the
large size and striking colour of its
Pentstemon-like flowers. These, which
are borne profusely, are l£ inches
long, and of the most vivid magenta-
red.

Bryanthus erectus. — A dwarf ever-
green bush, from 8 inches to a foot high,
bearing pretty pinkish flowers. It is said
to be a hybrid. In very fine sandy soil or in
that usually prepared for American plants,
it grows well, and is worthy of a place
in collections of very dwarf alpine shrubs,
whether planted in the rock-garden or in
peat beds.

B. Breweri. — A neat little plant has
been introduced under this name, but is
little known in cultivation.

BULBOCODIUM VERNUM (Spring
Meadow Saffron.) — Grown in our
gardens for generations, this very early
bulb is one of the earliest of spring
bulbs, sending up its large rosy-purple
flower buds earlier than the Crocus.
The flowers are tubular, nearly 4
inches long, and usually best when

in the bud state, the colour being
a violet purple, the large buds ap-
pearing before the concave leaves,
which attain vigorous proportions after
the flowers are past. Associated with
very early flowering plants like the
Snowflake and Snowdrop, it is welcome
in the rock-garden, or in warm sunny
borders. A native of the Alps of
Europe, easily increased by dividing
the bulbs, in July or August. B.
Versicolor is a variety.

BUXUS (Box).— The dwarf forms of
the common Box are very pretty little
evergreens, and the Japanese Box has
the merit of being extremely hardy,
as it endures the winter in North
Germany, where the common Box does
not. In dealing with those limestone
and other rocks which abound in many
parts of the country, I think this and
dwarf forms of our native Box might
be very well used in giving ever-
green effects. Many stony and rocky
districts which are now uninhabited
will some day be valued as among
the most pleasant places to live in, and
planting the naturally rocky surface
will have to be faced, and I can think
of no more beautiful way of adorning
it than with such hardy mountain
shrubs, among which this is one of
the most pleasant of evergreens.

CALAMINTHA GLABELLA is a

minute plant, forming neat little tufts
about 3 inches high, flowering in
summer, tubular, lilac-purple, scented,
very numerous and large for its size.
May be grown on the rock-garden
in sandy loam, and among the very
dwarfest plants. Division.

CALANDRINIA UMBELLATA

(Brilliant (7.). — A native of Chili,
with reddish, much branched, little
stems, half-shrubby, and rarely grow-

182

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

ing more than 3 or 4 inches high.
For brilliancy of colour there is
nothing to equal it in cultivation,
the flowers being of a dazzling
magenta crimson, yet soft and
refined. In the evenings and in
cloudy weather it shuts up, and
nothing is then seen but the tips of
the flowers. It does very well in
any fine sandy, peaty, or other open
earth, is a hardy perennial on dry
soils. It is easy to raise from
seed, either in the open air in
fine soil, or in pots. As it does
not like transplantation, except when
done very carefully, the best way
for those who wish to use it for
very neat and bright beds in the
summer flower-garden is to sow a
few grains in each small pot in
autumn, keep them in dry sunny
pits or frames during the winter,
and then turn the plants out without
much disturbance into the beds in
the end of April or beginning of May,
and it may also be treated as an
annual, sown in frames very early in
spring, associated with diminutive
plants.

CALLA PALUSTRIS (Bog Arum).
— A small trailing Arum, with pretty
white spathes, hardy, and, though
often grown in water, likes a moist
bog better. In a marsh or muddy
place, shaded or otherwise, it thrives,
and in a bog carpeted with the dark
green leaves of this plant the effect
is good, as its white flowers crop up
here and there along each running
shoot, just raised above the leaves.
Those having natural bogs would
find it an interesting plant to intro-
duce, while for moist spongy spots
near the rock-garden, or by the side
of a rill, it is worth a place. N.
Europe, and also abundant in cold
marshes in N. America, flowering in

summer, and increasing rapidly by its
running stems.

CALLUNA. (See ERICA).

CALOPHACA WOLGARICA.— A

prostrate half-shrubby plant of the pea
flower order, with deep yellow flowers
in racemes in summer, and small
pinnate greyish leaves. A pretty rock
shrub, easily grown and best from seed.
Avoid grafted plants, and plant in full
sun.

CALTHA (Marsh Marigold}. —
Showy dwarf perennials of essential
use in the marsh-garden. The native
kind is so frequent in a wild state that
there is rarely need to give it a place,
except on the margin of water. Its
double varieties, however, are worth a
place in a moist rich border, or, like the
single form, by the water-side. There
is a double variety of the smaller
creeping C. radicans, about half the
size of the common plant. In addi-
tion to the common species, C. palus-
tris, and the rarer variety, C. radicans,
there are double-flowered forms, C.
monstrosa, bearing golden rosettes, and
C. minor fl.-pl., a small kind. There
are also C. leptosepala, a Californian
kind, and C. purpurascens, distinct
and handsome, about 1 foot high,
with purplish stems, and bright-orange
flowers, the outside of the petals
flushed with a purplish tinge.

The various forms of the Marsh
Marigold are handsome in colour, and
in groups or bold masses are effective ;
and they are easily grown, and increase
freely.

CAMPANULA (HairbelT).—K large
family of northern pasture, mountain
and alpine plants, many of these last
among the best for the rock-garden,
dwarf, graceful in form, lovely in
colour, and for the most part easy
to grow and increase. The tall per-

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

183

ennials are too coarse for the rock-
garden, and neither these nor the
medium-sized kinds require its aid,
growing, as they do, freely in any
soil ; but the dwarf mountain kinds
are essential to its beauty — all the
more so, as they rarely demand any
special position, but may be grown
in chinks or between steps on any
aspect. Where there is no good
rock-garden they may be grown well
and with good effect behind and
about stone or flint edgings. Among
these plants garden-hybrids are not
now uncommon, but it is better on
the rock-garden to keep to the wild
forms. Some hybrids, however, like
G. F. Wilson, are pretty. Ordinary
garden-soils suit well even the moun-
tain kinds, with a little change in
the case of the kinds inhabiting high
moraines, and a rather peaty soil
for the graceful G. pulla. In con-
genial soils they bear seed freely, and
often sow themselves. In a numerous
group like this, where beauty of effect
is sought, we arrive at it more surely
by growing well and placing rightly
the more beautiful kinds, than by
collecting every kind we can.

The following Hairbells are mostly
of dwarf stature, natives of rocky or
mountain ground, excluding the more
vigorous herbaceous kinds as unfit for
the rock-garden and delicate or doubt-
ful species. They will fairly represent
in the rock-garden and on walls the
beauty of a fine family of northern and
high mountain plants — many of which
are not in cultivation : —

Campanula Allioni (Allioni's Hairbell).
— A dwarf kind, the flowers very large for a
plant growing seldom more than 3 inches
or 4 inches in height, purplish-blue (rarely
white), almost erect on a slender stalk.

It is an excellent rock-plant, and though
plenty of moisture, it should
have a well-drained position, and is there-

requiring

fore best grown in a narrow crevice filled
with sandy loam with small stones and
grit. Flowering summer. Piedmont.
Syn., C. alpestris.

Campanula alpina (Alpine Hairbell).—
This is covered with stiff down, which gives
it a grey hue, with longish leaves and erect,
not spreading, habit, like the Garganica
group, and with flowers of a fine dark
blue, scattered in a pyramidal manner
along the stems. It is a native of the
Carpathians, hardier than the dwarf
Italian Campanulas, and valuable for the
margins of borders as well as for the rock-
garden. In cultivation it grows from 5
inches to 10 inches high, and may be
readily increased by division or seeds.

C. barbata (Bearded Hairbell).— One of
the blue Hairbells that abound in the
meadows of Alpine France, Switzerland,
and N. Italy. It is readily known by
the long beard at the mouth of its pretty
pale sky-blue flowers, nearly 1J inches
long, nodding from the stems, which
usually bear two to five flowers, and
rise from rough, shaggy leaves. In high
ground in its native country, it grows no
more than from 4 inches to 10 inches
high, but nearly twice as high in the
valleys in Piedmont. There is a white-
flowered form, both thriving freely in
loam.

C. csespitosa (Tufted Hairbell).— One
of the most beautiful plants in the alpine
flora, abundant over the high ranges in
the central parts of Europe, and thriving
in all parts of the British Isles. It grows
only a few inches high, and looks the
same fresh, purely-tinted, ever-spreading
and bravely-flowering little plant in a
British garden as it is when seen
mantling round the stones and crevices
of rocks on the mountains. There is a
white variety as pretty as the blue,
and both are admirable for the rock-
garden or mixed border. It is easily
increased by division and also by seed,
but as a few tufts may be divided into
small pieces, and quickly form a stock
large enough for any garden, it is scarcely
worth while raising it from seed. As it
occurs so freely by the roadsides along
the roadways into Italy, it was one of
the first alpine plants to be grown in

184

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Britain, and thriving so well in our
climate, it is the one so often seen. Syn.,
G. pumila.

Campanula Carpatica (Carpathian Hair-
bell). — This, while bearing cup -shaped
flowers as large as those of the Peach-leaved
Hairbell, has the dwarf neat habit of the
alpine kinds. It is a native of the Car-
pathian Mountains and other parts of the
same region, and fortunately easy of
culture, growing from 6 inches to over
a foot in height, according to the
depth, and richness of the soil. It begins
to flower in early summer, and
often continues in bloom for a long
time, especially if the plants are young,
and the seed-vessels be picked off. There
is a white variety, G. c. alba ; a pale blue
one, pallida; and a white and blue kind,

five lobes. It should have a gritty, stony
and moist soil. Alps of Central Europe.

Campanula excisa. — An interesting
species, usually found at high altitudes ;
the flowers pale blue and deeply cut.
At the base between each two lobes this
incision takes the shape of a round hole,
and it is this which suggested the name.
The whole plant is not more than 4 inches
or 5 inches in height, and likes a position
not fully exposed to the sun, but where
the air would be cool and moist.

C. fragilis (Brittle Hairbell).— In hand-
ling this the stems break off as if made of
ice. It is a pretty Hairbell, the root-
leaves on long stalks heart-shaped in
outline, and bluntly lobed, those of the
stem more lance-shaped, the rather large
blue open flowers somewhat bell-shaped,

Campanula Garganica. (Engraved from a photograph bi
Mrs Stafford, Waldeck, JRidgeway, Bnfield.)

bicolor — names for the most noticeable
variations raised from seed.

C. Cenisia (Mont Genis Hairbell).— An
alpine growing at very high elevations.
I have found it abundantly among the
fine Saxifraga biflora, at the sides of
glaciers on the high Alps, scarcely ever
making much show above the ground,
but, like the Gooseberry-bush in Australia,
very vigorous below, sending a great
number of runners under the soil. Here
and there they send up a compact rosette
of light green leaves. The flowers are
solitary blue, somewhat funnel-shaped,
but open, and cut nearly to the base into

borne on half prostrate steins, the plant
rarely reaching 6 inches in height, smooth
and rather fleshy. A native of the South
of Italy. Invaluable for the rock-
garden in well-drained chinks into which
it can root deeply without being too wet
in winter ; on light soils not requiring
this care. G. fragilis hirsuta is a form
covered with stiff down.

C. Garganica (Gargano Hairbell).— -A.
showy kind, with somewhat of the habit
of the Carpathian Hairbell, but smaller ;
the leaves that spring from the root are
kidney-shaped, those from the stem heart-
shaped, all toothed and downy. In

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185

summer the plant becomes a prostrate
mass of bluish -purple starry flowers with
white centres, from 3 inches to 6 inches
high ; it is seen best in interstices on
vertical parts of the rock-garden, in warm
and well-drained spots. The better and
deeper the soil the finer and more pro-
longed the bloom will be. It is a native
of Italy, flowers in summer, and is
easily increased by cuttings, divisions,
or seeds.

Campanula hederacea (Ivy Hairbell). —
A fragile, creeping thing, with almost thread -
like branches bearing small, delicate leaves,
its flowers of a faint bluish-purple, less than
half an inch long, and drooping in the bud.
It is a native of Britain, creeping over bare
spots by the sides of rills and on moist
banks, and wherever there is a moist
boggy spot near the rock-garden, or by
the side of a streamlet, or in an artificial
bog, it will be found worthy of a place.
It occurs chiefly in Ireland and Western
England ; less in the East. Division.

C. isophylla (Ligurian Hairbell). — A
free flowering Italian species, the
leaves roundish or heart-shaped, deeply
toothed, and nearly all of about the same
size, the flowers of a pale but very bright
blue, with whitish centre, and protruding
styles. It is a charming ornament for the
rock-garden, and should be placed in
sunny positions in well-drained, rather
dry fissures in sandy loam, and then it will
repay the cultivator by a brilliant bloom.

C. macrorrhiza (Ligurian Hairbell).—
"This is one of the most beautiful of the
southern plants, and one of the most free-
flowering of the Campanulas. The root-
stock is thick and woody ; it throws out
a large number of drooping branches ;
flowers very numerous, of a fine blue,
two to eight in a spreading cluster. ' I
can never forget the impression I received
on first seeing it in flower in the walls of
the small town La Turbie above Monaco.
The little flowers were in myriads,
brightening up the dismal streets of this
decaying place, and giving it life and
colour. It must have a vertical position
in full sun, and in a fissure of wall or
rock, calcareous if possible. It is increased
by cuttings, divisions, or seed." — H.
Correvon (in Garden).

Campanula mollis. — Though the native
home of this Bellflower is on the shores of the
Mediterranean, it has nevertheless proved
hardy in this country. The flowers are of
a dark purplish-blue, borne freely during
May and June, the plant from 6 inches to
8 inches high ; forming a spreading carpet
of glossy leaves even at midwinter. It is
a very useful kind of free dwarf habit. S.
Europe.

C. muralis (Wall Hairbell).— This, a
native of Dalmatia, is a pretty and useful
plant as a dense carpet, from 6 inches to
8 inches high, with a bell-shaped corolla
about ^ inch in length, flowering through-
out the summer. The radical leaves are
reniform, smooth, dark green, and more
than 1 inch in diameter ; the cauline
leaves smaller, and with coarsely serrated
edges. There is also a more robust variety
named G. m. major. Syn., C. Porten-
schlagiana.

C. pulla (Violet Hairbell).— A. distinct
plant, the stems only bearing one
flower, of a deep bluish-violet, the
habit very graceful. On the rock-
garden it should be placed on a
level spot, free from other Hairbells or
rampant plants of any kind, and in sandy
peat. It spreads underground, and sends
up shoots in a scattered manner. A native
of the Tyrol and of other mountains in
Central and Southern Europe, it is in-
creased by division or by seeds, but
in heavy soil is apt to disappear.

C. Raineri (Rainer's Hairbell). — One of
the most beautiful, quite dwarf in habit,
the distinct stems not more than 3 inches
long (though it is said to reach twice that
height), and quite sturdy, branched, each
little branch bearing a large somewhat
funnel-shaped erect flower of a fine dark
blue. A native of high mountains in the
North of Italy, it should be grown in
gritty or sandy loam, with a few pieces
of broken stone half -sunk in the soil near
the plant.

C. rotundifolia (Common Hairbell).—
There is no fairer flower on the mountains
than this, so often adorning roadside and
hedge bank. It is well worthy of a place
in the rougher part of the rock-garden.
There is also a white form. G. r. Hosti
is a variety distinguished by larger flowers

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

of a deeper blue and by stronger wiry
flower-stems, but, according to Mr Corre-
von, writing in the Garden, it is a distinct
species and a native of the Eastern Alps.
C. r. soldanelkeflora is another distinct
form with semi-double blue flowers split
into many narrow divisions.

Campanula turbinata ( Vase Hairbell).
— A neat sturdy showy kind, the leaves rigid,
of a greyish-green, toothed and pointed,
forming stiff tufts from 2 inches to 3
inches high, and an inch or so above them
rise the cup-shaped flowers, of a deep

Campanula turbinata.

purple, and each nearly 2 inches across.
It comes from the mountains of Transyl-
vania, is hardy in our islands, not
fastidious as to soil, and is one of the
best plants for the rock-garden, on which,
in deep light soil, the flower steins some-
times reach a height of 6 inches or 8 inches.
C. Waldsteiniana (Waldsteiris Hair-
bell). — A pretty little kind, 4 inches to
6 inches high, the flowers in racemes of
from five to nine blossoms each, of a pale
purplish-blue colour, with lobes spread

out almost flat, so as to give the flowers
quite a star-like appearance. Forms
carpets for the rock-garden. Croatia.

Campanula Zoysi.— This plant grows
scarcely more than 3 inches or 4 inches in
height and bears pale blue flowers with
a rather long tubular corolla. It is not
common, perishing in our changeable
winters. Alps of Austria.

CARDAMINE (Ladies' Smock).—
For rock-gardens, there are not many
of these attractive, but several deserve
cultivation in the marsh garden. The
double forms of our Wild Ladies' Smock
are pretty in such places, and among
other kinds worth growing are C. lati-
folia, C. trifolia, and C. asarifolia, all of
the simplest culture and easy increase
by division.

CASSIOPE (Arctic Heath).— Beauti-
ful dwarf alpine and Arctic shrub-
lets ; of great interest, but not easy to
grow in lowland gardens : they are
best in moist sandy peat, and in cool
but not shady spots among very dwarf
plants. Syn., Andromeda.

Cassiope fastigiata (Himalayan C.).— A
tiny shrub, with the leaves overlapped along
the stems, so as to make them square like
those of 0. tetragona, but distinguished
from that plant by the leaves having a
white, thin, chaffy margin, and a deep
and broad keel. The flowers, of a waxy
white, produced at the top of each little
branchlet, are turned down bell-fashion ;
the reddish-brown calyx spreads half-way
down the waxy flowers. This, one of the
most beautiful Himalayan plants, is, hap-
pily, not so difficult to grow, though it re-
quires care. It has been successfully grown
by Dr Moore, in the Botanic Gardens at
Dublin, and should have a sandy, moist
peat soil. It thrives best in moist and
elevated districts ; but, safely planted in
deep, moist soil, and guarded against
drought during the warm season, it may
be grown in cool spots never shaded.

C. hypnoides (Mossy C.). — A minute
spreading, moss-like shrub, 1 to 4 inches
high, with wiry branches, densely clothed

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

187

in all their parts with minute bright green
leaves, and bearing small, waxy, white
flowers, borne singly and drooping on
slender reddish stems. It is one of the
most beautiful of all alpine plants, and
one of the most difficult to grow, being
very rarely seen in a healthy state even
in the choicest collections. Drought is
fatal to it. It is a native both of Europe
and America, either far north into the
coldest regions of these countries, or on
the summits of high mountains. It is
such a delicate and fragile evergreen
shrub, that any impurity in the air is
sure to injure it. In elevated and moist
parts of these islands, it will succeed in
very sandy or gritty moist but well-
drained peat, freely exposed to the sun
and air, and placed quite apart from more
vigorous plants on rockwork. The chief
difficulty would seem to be the procuring
of healthy plants to begin with ; once
obtained, it would be desirable to care-
fully peg down the slender main branches,
and to place a few stones round the neck
of the plant, so as to prevent evaporation.
Cassiope tetragona (Square-stemmed (7.).
— One of the prettiest of the diminutive
shrubs introduced to cultivation, seldom
growing more than 8 inches high. When
in health, the deep green branches grow
so densely that they form compact
tufts. The flowers are produced singly,
but rather freely ; of a waxy white, five-
cleft, contracted near the mouth, and
drooping. It is not likely to be con-
founded with any other plant except the
much rarer C. fastigiata, from which it
may be distinguished by the absence of
the thin chaft'y margin of the leaf. It
is a native of Northern Europe and
America, quite hardy, requiring a moist
peat or very fine sandy peat for its
thriving. I have not elsewhere seen it
so healthy as in the nurseries near
Edinburgh ; loves abundance of moisture
in summer, and is easily increased by
division.

CERASTIUM (Mouse-Ear Chick-
weed). — Tufted rock plants of the
pink order, rather numerous, but so
far as known in gardens, not among
the best rock plants.

Cerastium alpiimm (Shaggy C.).— -A
British plant, found on Scotch mountains,
and also more sparsely on those of England
and Wales. Dwarf, tufted, and prostrate,
spreading freely, but seldom rising more
than a couple of inches high, with leaves
broader than those of the common weedy
species, and densely clothed with a dewy-
looking down, giving the plant a shaggy
appearance, and with rather large white
flowers in early summer. It is not, like the
common kinds, a plant fitted for forming
edgings. Messrs Backhouse say that it
flourishes best under ledges that prevent
the rain and snow falling on the foliage,
but I have found it stand all sorts of
weather, and winters in the open border
in London. Division, by cuttings, or

C. Biebersteinii (Bieberstein's Mouse-
Ear C.). — A silvery species, useful for the
same purposes, and cultivated with the
same facility, as C. tomentosum. It was
once expected that it would surpass in
utility the common kind, but this it has
failed to do. A very good plant for
borders or rough rock or root work. A
native of the higher mountains of Tauria
flowering with us in early summer.

C. grandiflorum (Large flowered C.). —
This is readily known from either C.
tomentosum or C. Biebersteinii by having
narrower and more acute leaves, and being
less hoary, and it usually grows somewhat
larger than either of the two very silvery
kinds, rapidly forming strong tufts, and
bearing pure white flowers. A fine plant
for the front margin of the mixed border,
or for the rougher parts of the rock-
garden, but only in association with many
fast-growing plants, as it spreads so quickly
that it would overrun delicate and tiny
plants if placed near them. Like the
other cultivated kinds, it is readily propa-
gated by division or by cuttings inserted
in the rudest way in the open ground,
and is a native of Hungary and neighbour-
ing countries, on dry hills and mountains,
flowering with us in early summer.

C. tomentosum (Common Mowe-Ear
Chickweed). — This was once used in almost
every garden for forming silvery edgings
to flower-beds, its hardiness, power of
bearing clipping, and facility of increase,

188

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

making it worthy of its work. It is also
useful as a border-plant, and for rough
rockwork South of Europe, flowering
freely with us in early summer.

The preceding include all the kinds
that are worth growing, except in
botanical collections. The other kinds
enumerated in Catalogues are : — G. m-
canum, lanuginosum, ovalifolium, ovatum,
tenuifolium, Wildenovii, and trigynum.

CHEIRANTHUS ( Wallflower).—
Perennial and biennial plants of
pleasant association with our subject,
one being the best of wall-gardeners.
They are mostly of easy culture and
increase.

Cheiranthus cheiri (Wallflower).— In a
book advocating the culture of alpine plants
on walls, we must not forget the old plant
that has so long dwelt on walls and ruins,
loving a wall better than a garden ; while
it grows rank in garden soil, it forms a
dwarf enduring bush on an old wall, and
grows even on walls that are new, planted
in mortar. There is no variety of the
Wallflower yet seen that is not worthy
of cultivation ; but the choice old double
kinds — the double yellow, double purple,
double dark orange, are plants
worthy of a place beside the finest rock-
shrubs. These are the varieties most
worthy of a place on dry stony banks
near the rock-garden, and also on walls,
on which the common kind is likely to
find a home for itself. To scatter seeds
on any wall we wish to adorn with this
plant is enough, using seed of the common
dark or yellow Wallflower, or that of the
wild plant.

Among other kinds are C. Marshall!
(Marshals Wallflower).— This, which is
said to be a hybrid between Cheiranthus
Ochroleucus and Erysimum Perqffskinum,
is a half shrubby plant, 1 to l£ foot high,
with erect angular branches. The flowers
appear in spring or early summer, are
nearly f of an inch across, of a deep clear
orange at first, afterwards becoming some-
what paler. The fine orange-colour of
the flowers of this plant makes it a pretty
one for the rock-garden, in well-drained
soil. It is increased by cuttings, and a

young stock should be kept up, as it is not
perennial, and is apt to perish in winter.

Cheiranthus mutabilis (Madeira Wall-
flower).— A low bushy plant, distinct, and of
much value as a plant for dry walls. The
flowers are a soft orange colour, the buds
forming a central boss of a dark red.
I find it hardy and of easy culture, but
it may be delicate in the north. Easily
increased by division.

C. alpinus (Alpine Wallflower).— This
handsome plant forms neat, rich green
tufts, 6 to 12 inches high ; in spring
covered with sulphur-coloured flowers.
The rock-garden is the best home for it ;
it does very well on level ground, but
is apt to get naked about the base, and
may perish on heavy soils in severe
winters ; it does best when often divided,
and the conditions that best suit it on
old walls, or even new walls made against
banks, as shown in the first part of this
book. Alps and Pyrenees, flowering in
spring and early summer. There are
several varieties. Syn., Erysimum Ochro-
leucum.

CHIMAPHILA MACULATA

(Spotted Wintergreen). — A dwarf
wood plant of North America, having
leathery, shining leaves, the upper
surface of which is variegated with
white, and bearing whitish flowers —
one to five — on rather long stems.
The plant attains a height of
3 to 6 inches, and is a very pretty
one for a half shady and mossy, but
not wet, place in the rock-garden,
associating well with such plants as
the Pyrola, and succeeding best in
very sandy decomposed leaf-soil.

C. umbellata, with glossy unspotted
leaves, and somewhat larger reddish
flowers, is suited for like positions.
Both are rare in cultivation, and very
seldom seen well grown. They flower
in summer, and are increased by care-
ful division.

CHIOGENES HISPIDULA (Creep-
ing Snowlen^y). — A slender creeping

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

189

evergreen plant, bearing small white
flowers, followed by white globular
berries. It is like a small cranberry,
a native of cold boggy places and wet
woods in Newfoundland and Canada
to British Columbia and southward
on the mountains. It is a plant for
the bog bed or a moist corner, with
such plants as the Linnwa.

CISTUS (Rock Rose}.— Small shrubs
and bushes of distinct beauty ; mostly
from the sun -burnt hills of Southern
Europe, and for that reason none the
less welcome to rock-gardeners. Many
people complain that the great heat
of recent years has affected the cul-
ture of alpine plants, especially on dry
soils in the south. These Rock Roses
enjoy the hot sands, and rocks, and
arid places, which are death to the
true alpine of the icy fields of the
north and of the alpine slopes. The
only drawback to their successful cul-
ture is our climate, in which certain
kinds are tender, and may perish in
hard winters ; but several are hardy,
especially in such positions as we may
give them in the rock-garden and on
the tops of dry walls or on poor banks.
In such soils as the poor sands of
Surrey, they are at home. Among
other rock plants we have to pick
and choose, rejecting many from the
rock-garden point of view ; but here
all are pretty ; the larger kinds
taking their place among shrubs, and
the smaller on the rocks. Some are
evergreen shrubs, and have a spicy
fragrance of the warm south, grateful
to the northerner. I feel sure that
in certain districts one might have
a pretty rock-garden of the Rock
Roses and Sun Roses, and a few
other sun-loving shrubs, like Rose-
mary and the Heaths that love the
sun. £jui£2$K^

Many of the species vary in colour,

and not a few appear to hybridise
freely. In spite of the fugacious
character of the flowers (they do not
last more than one day), their bright
colours, and the profusion in which
a succession is kept up for a consider-
able time, place them amongst the
most welcome of garden shrubs during
the summer months.

Cistus albidus ( White Rock Rose).— The
name of this is derived not from the colour
of the flowers, for these are a fine rose, but
to the whitish tomentum which clothes the
leaves and young shoots. It forms a com-
pact bush 2 to 4 feet high ; the old branches
are covered with a brownish bark. The
rose-coloured flowers are nearly 2 inches
across, and the style is longer than the tuft
of yellow stamens. Southern Europe.

C. Bourgseanus is a native of the Pine
woods of Southern Spain and Portugal,
where it flowers in the month of April,
grows a foot in height, and has somewhat
prostrate branches, covered with Kose-
mary-like dark-green leaves. The white
flowers are about an inch across, and it
is a charming plant for a sunny spot in
the rock-garden.

C. Clusii (Clusiutfs Rock Rose).— In habit
this is more erect than the last-named,
but the flowers are the same colour and
size, as are also the leaves. As a rock
plant, or grown for cool house decoration,
it is charming. It is met with under the
name of C. rosmarinifolius.

C. crispus.— This forms a compact bush,
1 to 2 feet high, with tortuous branches,
the rose-coloured flowers nearly li inches
across. There are some hybrids between
this species and G. albidus which are
nearer the seed-bearing parent than they
are to 0. albidus.

C. florentinus (Florence Rock Rose).— A
pretty bush, flowering freely and of easy
culture. I find it hardy and enduring on
soils where other kinds perish. It is
evergreen and charming on the tops of
high walls and banks ; and for the rock-
garden one could not desire a prettier or
more easily grown plant. It is about 1
foot to 18 inches high, bearing myriads of
white flowers.

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Cistus formosus (Beautiful Rock Ease).
— Much-branched, bushy shrub, with
leaves greenish when old, but whitish when
young, and large bright yellow flowers,
with a deep purplish-brown blotch near
the base of each petal. The plant thrives
well in any rich, dry soil, but is apt to
succumb in severe English winters. It is,
however, such a beautiful plant, that it
is well worth the trouble of putting in a
pot of cuttings each autumn in a cold
frame, planting these out in the open the
following spring. If raised from

young shoots and flower-stalks are hairy,
as are the leaves on both surfaces ; the
flowers whitish, smaller than those of G.
glaucous, and the style is shorter than the
stamens. South- Western Europe.

Cistus ladaniferus (Gum Cistus}.— This
is one of the most beautiful of all the
Cistuses; the leaves, smooth and glossy
above, clothed with a dense white wool
beneath. The very large flowers are
white, in the more handsome forms with
a large dark vinous-red blotch towards
the base of each petal ; in others without

A. uxua

Cistus formosus.

some variation in the colour results. I
find it does well on the top of dry walls.

C. glaucus. — A much-branched bush, 1
to 2 feet in height, with reddish-brown
bark ; the upper surface of the leaves is
dull green, glossy, and glabrous, the lower
strongly veined and clothed with a hoary
down. The flowers are large, white with
a yellow blotch at the base of each petal,
and the very short style is much exceeded
by the stamens. Southern France.

C. hirsutus (Hairy Rock Rose), is a
shrub from 1 to 3 feet in height ; the

blotch. It also varies in the size of the
leaves, the extreme forms having narrow,
almost linear leaves.

C. laurifolius (Bush Rock Rose).— This
is the hardiest Kock Rose ; in some
southern shrubberies large plants exist,
which have withstood many winters.
The flowers are less than those of
C. ladaniferus, are white with a small
citron-yellow blotch at the base of each
petal. It requires no protection, and
may be raised from seeds, which ripen
in abundance, and also by cuttings, which,

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

191

however, do not strike so freely as in
some of the other kinds. This attains
a height of about 6 feet ; it is a native of
South- Western Europe.

Cistus Monspeliensis (Montpelier Rock
Rose). — A species widely distributed
throughout the Mediterranean region ; is
very variable in size of its leaves and also in
stature of plant ; in some spots it hardly
grows more than 6 inches in height ; in
others it attains a height of about 6 feet.
The flowers are white, about an inch in
diameter, each petal bearing a yellow
blotch at the base.

C. populifolius (Poplar-leaved Rock
Rose) is a robust kind, with large rugose,
stalked, Poplar-like leaves and medium-
sized white flowers, tinged with yellow
at the base of the petals. Varieties of
G. salvifolius are often misnamed G.
populifolius in Nurseries and gardens.
Amongst the numerous garden forms of
this species may be mentioned C. narbon-
nensis, with shorter flower-stalks, smaller
leaves — altogether a smaller plant than
the type — and G. latifolius, another with
broader leaves. Southern France, in
Spain, and Portugal. It is an erect
branched shrub, 3 or 4 feet high.

C. salvifolius (Sage-leaved Rock Rose). —
This is a very variable kind, and of slender .
habit, with Sage-like leaves and long-
stalked, white, yellow-blotched flowers.
In a wild state it is found all along the
Mediterranean, and a number of slightly
varying forms have received distinctive
names, but do not appear to have been
introduced to gardens.

C. vaginatus is the largest of the red-
flowered section ; robust, with large-
stalked, hairy leaves, and large, deep
rose-coloured yellow-centred flowers. The
stamens are more numerous in this than
in, perhaps, any other Cistus, and form
a dense, brush-like tuft, overtopped by
the long style. It is a native of the
Canary Islands. For many years a fine
plant flowered freely against the wall of
the herbaceous ground at Kew, but the
severe winters of several years ago proved
too much for it.

C. villosus, a widely-distributed Medi-
terranean kind, is a very variable plant,
an erect bush with firm-textured leaves.

The flowers of all the forms are rose-
coloured, with long styles. C. undulatus
is a variety with wavy-margined leaves,
G. incanus represents what may be re-
garded as the common typical form. G.
creticus is another with deeper rose-red
flowers than those already mentioned.

CLAYTONIA VIRGINICA (Spring
Beauty). — A pretty American plant of
the Purslane family, sending up in
March and April simple stems bear-
ing a loose raceme of rose-coloured
flowers marked with deeper veins,
which, unlike the flowers of most of
the species of this family, remain
open for more than one day. Suited
for the rock-garden or borders, in
loam and leaf-mould. C. sibirica
and G. alsinoides, although only
biennials, or perhaps little better
than annuals, sow themselves freely
in crevices, and so often find a
place among alpine plants.

CLEMATIS.— Though the showy
hybrids of these climbing shrubs are
not .the best fitted for the rock-
garden, I know nothing more graceful
about rocks than the Alpine Clematis
(C. alpina), and also the common C.
Viticella, and any of the smaller
kinds. The winter-flowering Cle-
matises, which are so pretty along
the mild coast districts in Britain
in winter and early spring are excel-
lent for scrambling over rocks or
banks. These plants, which should
always be raised from seed and layers,
are more enduring than the hybrid
kinds, which are usually grafted, and
perish very quickly.

COLCHICUM (Meadow Saffron).—
Hardy bulbs of the meadows and
mountains of Europe and the East.
They have not the fine colour of the
Crocus, but some of the kinds intro-
duced of recent years are very inter-

192

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

esting for the rock-garden. Among
these more than perhaps any other
plants for our purpose, we should
seek out the more beautiful among
the many-named, and, once found,
make effective use of them. The in-
dividual flowers do not, as a rule, last
long, but, as they are produced in
succession, there is a long season of
bloom. The flowers are often destroyed
through being grown in bare beds,
where the splashing of the blooms
during heavy rainfalls impairs their
beauty. A good way is to plant
them in grass, where the soil is well
drained and rich. In the rock-garden,
too, among dwarf Sedums and similar
subjects, Colchicums thrive, and make
a pretty show in autumn, when rock-
gardens are often flowerless. They
look better in grassy places or in the
wild garden than in any formal bed
or border. Their naked flowers want
the relief and grace of grass and
foliage. The plants have a rather
wide range, some species extending
to the Himalayas; others are found
in North Africa; but the majority
are natives of Central and Southern
Europe. Though there are so many
names to be found in Catalogues, the
distinct kinds are few, and there is
such a striking similarity among these,
that they may be conveniently classed
in groups. The best known is —

Colchicumautumnale, commonly called
the autumn Crocus. The flowers appear
before the leaves, rosy-purple, in clusters
of about six, 2 or 3 inches above the sur-
face, flowering from September to Nov-
ember. There are several varieties, the
chief being the double purple, white and
striped ; roseum, rose-lilac ; striatum, rose-
lilac, striped with white ; pallidum, pale
rose ; album, pure white ; and atropur-
pureum, deep purple. Similar to G.
autumnak are 0. arenarium, byzaMinum,
montanum, crociflorum, Icetum, lusitanicum,
neapolitanum, alpimim, hymetticum; all,

like autumnale, are natives of Europe,
and, from a garden standpoint, are very
similar in effect.

Colchicum Parkinson!.— A distinct and
beautiful plant, readily distinguished from
any of the foregoing by the peculiar
chequered markings of its violet-purple
flowers. It produces its flowers in autumn,
and its leaves in spring. Other allied
kinds are Bivonce, variegatum, Agrippinum,
chionense, tessellatum, all of which have
the flowers chequered with dark purple 011
a white ground.

C. speciosum, from the Caucasus, is
large and beautiful, and valuable for the
garden in autumn, when its large rosy-
purple flowers appear nearly 1 foot above
the ground. Like the rest of the Meadow
Saffrons, G. speciosum is as well suited
for the rock-garden as the border, thriv-
ing in any soil ; but to have it in per-
fection, choose a situation exposed to the
sun, with sandy soil. There are several
varieties of it.

C. Bornmulleri.— According to M. S.
Arnott, writing in the Garden, " this is one
of the most handsome of all the Colchicums,
which is admired by every one who sees
it here. It is larger than speciosum, and
comes pale-coloured when in bud, passing
off purple, with a broad white zone in the
interior."

C. variegatum (Chequered Meadow Saf-
fron}.— This is one of the prettiest kinds,
and is often grown under the name of,
and mixed with, the common meadow
Saffron, but is distinguished by its
rosy flowers being regularly mottled
over with purple spots, and its leaves
undulated. Like the common species, it
flowers abundantly in autumn, grows well
in ordinary soil, and may be associated
with the autumn-flowering Crocuses on
the rock-garden.

C. Sibthorpii (Sibthorp's Meadow Saf-
fron).— Of rather recent introduction to
gardens, this is thought by lovers of those
plants to be the finest of all. It is an
inhabitant of the mountains of Greece,
ascending to a height of 5000 feet. Its
flowers are distinctly tessellated, the
segments of the perianth broad, and the
leaves not undulated. It is a good
grower in free sandy or gritty loam.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

193

CONANDRON RAMONDIOIDES.

— A small Japanese plant, allied to
Ramondia, having thick wrinkled
leaves, in flat tufts, from which arise
erect flower-stems some 6 inches high,
bearing lilac-purple and white blos-
soms. Though said to be hardy, it
is better in a sheltered spot in the
rock-garden. Plants placed between
blocks of stone thrive if there is a
good depth of soil in the chink, and
the soil is moist. Japan.

CONVALLARIA MAJALIS (Lily-
of -the- Valley). — So long have we been
accustomed to this in our gardens that
we can scarcely think of it as an
alpine plant. But, as the traveller
ascends the flanks of many a great
alp, he sees it blooming low among
the Hazels and other mountain
shrubs ; and it grows through Europe
and Russian Asia, from the Mediter-
ranean to the Arctic Circle. A few
tufts of it taken from the matted
and often exhausted beds in which
it is usually grown in the kitchen-
garden to half shady spots near wood
walks, and among low shrubs on the
fringes of the rock-garden or hardy
fernery, would be quite at home. It
might also be planted in tufts among
shrubs, and in any of these positions
its beauty _ will be more appreciated
than when it is seen grown as prosaic-
ally as kitchen Spearmint. There
are several good forms, a variety
with double flowers, one with single
rose flowers, one with double rose
flowers, one with the leaves mar-
gined with a silvery white, and one
richly striped with yellow. Although
growing in almost any soil, it flowers
best in a free sandy loam, and thrives
in poor healthy places better than in
rich heavy ground.

CONVOLVULUS (Bindweed-). —

Graceful climbing and creeping plants,
some of the more northern kinds of
a refined and elegant habit, which
makes them welcome on the rock-
garden, and having distinct value for
draping stones. It is well to keep
out vigorous growing kinds which
may even be too vigorous for a
garden, let alone for the choicer
morsel of our earth we call our rock-
garden. The kinds of best use for
our present purpose are the North
African Blue Bindweed, a charming
rock-garden plant, and I find it quite
hardy even on cool soil. It grows
abundantly in walls and rocky banks,
and even if the plants perish in hard
winters, is so easily raised from seed
or cuttings. The silvery C. Soldanella
of Southern Europe is also worthy of a
place on the rocks, and also Althceoides
and the Sea Bindweed.

Convolvulus althseoides (Riviera Bind-
weed) is one of the commonest plants around
the basin of the Mediterranean. It is
chiefly found on dry banks and among the
Olive terraces, and flowers all through April
and May. Although a very variable species,
both in the leaves and flowers, the form
which grows freely round Mentone seems
to be the one in general cultivation. This
species and its various forms stand our
English climate very well. Being a non-
climbing sort, it is at home on the rock-
garden, where its large, purplish flowers
are pretty. Seed or division of root.

C. cantabricus.— A pink-flowered
species from Southern Europe, growing
a foot or so high, and producing its
blossoms in clusters of two or three.
The shaggy or dwarf nature of the
peduncles, and the distinctly narrow sepals,
are distinguishing features of this kinu.

C. Cneorum (Silvery Bindweed). — A
distinct sub-shrubby kind, having pink
blossoms and silvery leaves, and forming
a capitate cluster. It is a beautiful
plant for a warm position against a
rock. In the north it is probably
tender, but not so in the southern
counties. S. Europe.

194

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Convolvulus lineatus (Dwarf Silvery
Bindweed}. — This is quite a pigmy, the
whole plant often showing nothing but a
tuft of small silky, rather narrow, and
pointed leaves above the ground. Among
these appear in summer delicate flesh-
coloured flowers more than an inch across,
and in full perfection at less than 3 inches
high, though in warmer soils and districts
than those on which I have seen the
plant, it sometimes grows an inch or two
higher. Few plants are better for embel-
lishing some arid part of the rock-garden
near, and somewhat under the eye as its
beauty is not of a showy order. Mediter-
ranean region. Better increased by divid-
ing the root.

C. mauritanicus (Blue Rock Bindweed).
— A beautiful plant, without the ram-
pant growth of many of its race, but
withal throwing up graceful shoots, which
bear numbers of clear, light-blue flowers.
It is quite distinct from any other plant,
and, happily, is hardy in sunny chinks.
It is seen to the best advantage in a
somewhat raised position, so that its free-
flowering shoots may fall freely down,
though it may also be used with good
effect on the level ground in the flower-
garden, or as a vase plant. Mountains
of North Africa ; readily increased by
cuttings and by seeds.

C. scammonia (Scammony). — A twining
kind of slender growth, and bearing in
summer creamy -white flowers. Although
doing well in any position, it seems to
want plenty of sun, and thrives best in
a light deep sandy soil, as the large roots
go a long way down. Syria.

C. soldanella (Shore Bindweed). — This
is recognised by its leathery, roundish
leaves, and by its stems being short,
heavy, and without the twining habit
so common in the family. The flowers
are large, of a light pink colour ; thrives
and flowers freely in ordinary soil far
away from the seaside, and therefore the
plant is worthy of a place among the
trailers of the rock-garden. A native
of maritime sands, in many parts of the
world ; not uncommon on our own coasts,
and flowering in summer. Where difficult
to establish, plenty of coarse river sand
might be mixed in the soil.

Convolvulus tenuissimus. — A pretty
climbing species from the Mediterranean
region, much in the way of C. althceoides, but
in the present kind the foliage is much
more divided. A marked feature is the
way the leaf segments radiate around a
common centre, the central leaf being
of considerable length and of long linear
lance-shaped outline.

The plant known in gardens as Calys-
tegia pubescens fl.-pl. is really a Bindweed,
and a pretty kind, with double flowers
of white and pale rose. In warm or
light stony soil this plant grows apace,
and in summer for a long time the
twining stems are thickly studded with
the flowers.

COPTIS TRIFOLIATA (Gold
Thread). — A little evergreen bog-plant,
3 inches or 4 inches high, with three-
leafleted or trifoliate shining leaves. It
derives its common name from its long
bright yellow roots. It is occasionally
grown in botanic gardens. A native
of the northern parts of America, Asia,
and Europe, flowering in summer ;
white, and easily grown in moist peat
or very moist sandy soil. Division.

CORIS MONSPELIENSIS (Mont-
pelier (7.).— A rather pretty dwarf,
branching plant, about 6 inches high,
usually biennial in our gardens.
Thrives on dry and sunny spots of
the rock-garden, in sandy soil, and
among dwarf plants. Seed. South
of France.

CORNUS (Dogwood).— Hardy and
valuable shrubs with, so far as yet
grown, few kinds dwarf and compact
enough for our purpose.

Cornus canadensis (Canadian Cornel).
— A very pretty but neglected miniature
shrub, of which each little shoot is tipped
with white bracts, pointed with a tint
of rose. I know nothing prettier than
this Cornus when well established, and
it is not at all difficult to grow, but
rarely conies in for a proper situation.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

195

It is lost among coarse herbaceous plants,
and totally obscured by ordinary shrubs,
and should therefore be planted in the
bog-garden, or near the edge of a bed
of dwarf Heaths or American plants.
Wherever placed, rather damp sandy
soil will be found to suit it best. N.
America, in damp woods.

Cornus suecica is a native of Northern
and Arctic Europe, Asia, and America. In
Britain it occurs on high moorlands from
Yorkshire northwards, and is a charming
little plant, flowering in summer, with
conspicuous, rather large white bracts,
followed by red fruit. It grows but a
few inches high, and has unbranched
stems from slender creeping rootstocks.
It should be grown in light soil or in
peat under the shade of bushes.

CORONILLA (Grown Vetch).—
Pretty shrubs, herbaceous and alpine
plants of the Pea-flower family, one or
two shrubs interesting and hardy in
the warmer districts, but the smaller
kinds hardy and free everywhere,
and in any soil.

Coronilla iberica (Caucasian Grown
Vetch). — A plant with glaucous foliage and
decumbent habit, not rising 4 inches from
the ground, and producing freely umbels
of yellow blossoms. Somewhat similar
in appearance, but much larger than our
own familiar Lotus corniculatus. It
flourishes admirably with its woody
roots well bedded in the rock-garden,
and will cover completely 2 or 3 square
feet of rock surface, when so placed.
The Caucasus.

C. minima (Dwarf Crown Vetch).— A
small evergreen herb, prostrate, glaucous
green, with many rich yellow flowers, six
to twelve in each crown, in April and May.
It is a plant of easy culture, and well
worthy of a warm spot on the rock-
garden, where its tiny shoots may lap
over the stones. Deep 'light soil in sunny
fissures will suit it best, and in such places
its diffuse little stems will be best seen.
Division and seeds. S. Europe.

C. varia (Rosy C.). — A handsome and
graceful plant, with many rose-coloured
flowers, frequent on many of the railway

banks in France and Northern Italy. It
forms low dense tufts, sheeted with rosy
pink, and the most graceful use that could
be made of it would be to plant it on some
tall bare rock, and allow its vigorous shoots
and bright little coronets to flow over and
form a curtain. It is also admirable for
chalky banks, or for running about among
low trailing shrubs. When in good soil,
the shoots grow 5 feet long, and therefore
it should not be placed near the smaller
alpine plants, but rather among the shrubs
on banks near. Seeds.

Coronilla montana is from 1 5 to 1 8 inches
high, and bearing many yellow flowers,
is somewhat too large for association with
small alpine plants, but, being a showy
species, is excellent for the rougher parts
of the rock-garden or among its shrubs.

CORTUSA MATTHIOLI (Alpine
Sanide). — Somewhat like the tender
Primula mollis, with large seven- or
nine-lobed leaves, the leaf- stalks and
the leaves covered with colourless
short hairs. A wiry thread of vas-
cular matter runs through the stem
leaves, and may be drawn through
the blades as well as footstalk of the
leaves, without breaking. The flowers,
borne on stems about 15 inches high,
are pendulous, and of a peculiarly
rich and deep purplish crimson, with
a white ring at the base of the cup,
six to twelve being borne on a stem.
It does well in the angle formed by
two rocks, where its leaves cannot
be torn by the wind. Flowers in
early summer, and comes from the
Alps. Increased by careful division
of the root, or by seed sown soon
after being gathered.

CORYDALIS (Fumitory). — All
these plants are attractive in some
way or other, and several kinds are
valuable, and as such deserving a
place according to their kind. The
following are among the more im-
portant : —

196

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Corydalis bracteata, a distinct kind,
with sulphur-yellow flowers produced in a
nearly horizontal manner on the stems,
that attain nearly 1 foot high. A distinct
feature is the long spur, this frequently
exceeding the length of the foot-stalk.
More erect than some other kinds, the
flowers cluster together at intervals, but
by no means in a crowded manner. The
leaf growth is not abundant, and the seg-
ments of the leaves being cut, render the
leafage only more thin-looking. The
plant is of quite easy culture, and may
be best used around the base of the rock-
garden. It is a native of Siberia, and
quite hardy.

C. cava is one of the dwarfest of this
race, flowering early in the year. The
purplish blossoms, however, are not very
attractive. A prettier kind is the variety
albiflora, which is in every respect similar,
save the colour of the flowers.

C. Ledebouriana is distinct and pretty,
the glaucous leaves being divided into
several rather small segments, the main
leaves keeping quite close to the soil.
The blossoms are of a pinkish hue, and
have a dark spot on the upper portion
of the sepals. The plant rarely exceeds
6 inches or 8 inches in height, and is best
suited for sunny positions in the rock-
garden.

C. lutea ( Yellow Fumitory). — This plant
is not so much grown as it deserves, for
not only are its graceful masses of delicate
pale-green leaves dotted over with yellow
flowers, but it grows to perfection on walls.
I have seen it in the most unlikely spots
on walls in hot as well as in cold countries,
and know nothing to equal it for ruins,
walls, stony places, and poor bare banks,
the tufts often looking as full of flower
and vigorous when emerging from some
old chink where a drop of rain, never
falls upon them, as when planted in good
soil. It also makes a handsome border-
plant, and is well suited for the rougher
kind of rock and root work. A natural-
ised plant in England, and widely spread
over Continental Europe. Readily in-
creased by seeds ; in any stony position
it spreads about with weed-like rapidity.

C. nobilis (Noble Fumitory). — A hand-
some plant, the flower-stems stout and

leafy to the top, and bearing a massive
head of flowers, composed of many in-
dividual blooms in various stages. The
open flowers are of a rich yellow, with
a small protuberance in the centre of
each, of a reddish-chocolate colour ; and
this, with the yellow and the green rosette
when the bloom is young, makes the plant
very ornamental. It is easy of culture in
borders, but is rather slow of increase,
and, where it does not thrive as a border
plant, should be planted in light, rich soil
on the lower flanks of the rock-garden.
It is a native of Siberia. Increased by
division, and flowers in early summer.

Corydalis solida (Bulbous Fumitory). —
A dwarf tuberous-rooted kind, from 4 to 6
or 7 inches in height, with dull purplish
flowers. It has a solid bulbous root, is quite
hardy, of easy culture in almost any soil,
pretty, and is good for rougher portion of
the rock-garden, or for naturalising in
open spots in woods. It is naturalised in
several parts of England, but is not a true
native, its home being the warmer parts
of Europe ; easily increased by division,
flowers in April. Syn., Fumaria solida.

C. Semenovii. — A rather pretty kind
from Turkestan. The flowers, which are
rich yellow, cluster together in the upper
part of the stem and assume a somewhat
pendent position. The spur in this kind
is very short. It flowers usually in early
spring.

C. thalictrifolia. — A new kind from
China that promises to make a very
charming addition to rock-garden plants.
Barely 1 foot high, tufted, and spreading
in habit of growth, it is distinct in various
ways from the other species of the genus.
The thin, wiry stems each carry two pairs
of oppositely-placed leaves on pedicels an
inch long, and a terminal leaflet, all beine
distinctly and rather deeply notched and
rounded at the top. The blossoms are
yellow, each about an inch long, horizontal
or slightly ascending, and produced some-
what after the manner of C. lutea. The
leaf character is a most distinct feature
of this kind. The plant flowers profusely
from May to October, and in autumn the
foliage assumes a reddish tone.

COTONEASTER (RocJcspray).—Oi\e

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

197

of the most interesting and brilliant of
the shrubs which adorn the rocks,
and every year seems to add to their
variety and beauty. They are so
hardy and so pretty in habit, in
flower, and fruit, that we cannot
associate any better shrubs than these
with our larger rock-gardens. Some
kinds are very small and earth-cling-
ing in growth. They are mostly
natives of India, and of the mountains
of China, as well as Northern Europe,
and one is a native of our own
country. In gardens, generally, these
plants are often neglected. Their best
use is for banks near the rock-garden,
and all the dwarf and bushy kinds are
worth a place.

Cotoneaster buxifolia (Box-leaved Rock-
spray).— A free-growing bush that at times
attains the height of 6 feet, the branches
clothed with deep-green box-like leaves ;
the crimson berries, nestling in profusion
among the leaves, are pretty in autumn.

C. horizontalis (Plumed C.). — In this
the branches are frond-like and almost
horizontal, while the small leaves are
regularly disposed along the thick sturdy
branches. The berries are bright ver-
milion, and the flowers large and pretty.
I find this one of the best of shrubs for
rocky banks. China.

C. microphylla (Wall Eockspray).—An
evergreen clothed with tiny deep-green
leaves, in the spring crowded with whitish
blossoms, the berries crimson, and remain-
ing on the plants for a long time. There
are some well-marked varieties of C.
microphylla, one of which — thymifolia —
is smaller in all its parts, while congesta is
even more of a procumbent habit. C.
microphylla is useful for stony banks, and
its variety, congesta, is more at home when
draping a large stone than in any other
way. Himalayas.

C. rotundifolia is like the preceding,
but with thicker branches and rounder
leaves, while the berries are of a brighter
tint.

COTYLEDON UMBILICUS (Wall
Navelwort). — A native of Britain and

Ireland and many parts of Western
Europe, in some districts common on
walls. Of little importance for cultiva-
tion, except perhaps now and then as
a hardy fernery or bog plant.

CROCUS. — Some ordinary kinds of
Crocus are very easily grown, and are
so free in the common soil of many
gardens, that there is no occasion to
make rock-garden plants of them.
But some wild species are so refined
and beautiful in colour, and in many
cases so rare, that the rock-garden
would be improved by them, and there
we could easily give them the kind
of soil that suits them best, usually
open warm soil, and also get them
out of harm's way a little. The
autumn kinds, too, are among the
most lovely of wild flowers, and in
little groups on our rock-gardens they
would be most at home, until we got
them plentiful. The very late-flower-
ing kinds of delicate colour are best
in a sheltered part of the rock-garden.
In the case of the pretty autumn
Crocuses, their beauty is best seen
when the flowers rise from a ground-
work of some creeping rock plant.
The midwinter blooming species,
charming in their own country, will
rarely bloom well in our winters.
Only the kinds known to be pretty
and free under rock-garden conditions
are named here.

Crocus biflorus (Cloth-of-Silver Crocus).
— A very dwarf early and free kind which
varies much. In var. estriatus, from
Florence, the flowers are a uniform pale
lavender, orange towards the base. In
var. Weldeni, from Trieste and Dalmatia,
the outer segments are externally flecked
with bright purple. In C. nubigenus, a
small variety from Asia Minor, the outer
segments are suffused with brown ; G.
pestalozzce is an albino of this variety. In
G. Adami, from the Caucasus, the segments
are pale purple, either self-coloured or
feathered with dark purple.

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Crocus chrysanthus.— A vernal Crocus,
flowering from January to March, accord-
ing to elevation, which varies from a little
above the sea-level to a height of 3000 or
4000 feet. The flowers are usually of
bright orange, but occasionally bronzed
and feathered externally. A white variety
is also found in Bithynia and on Mount
Olympus above Broussa ; this species also
varies with pale sulphur-coloured flowers,
occasionally suffused with blue towards
the ends of the segments, dying out to-
wards the orange throat. There are
several varieties of this Crocus.

C. Imperati (Naples Crocus). — This is
very early flowering, and one of the very
best kinds, even in this large family. Ex-
cepting G. vernus and its varieties, it is
one of the most variable species we have
in the colour markings and size of its
flowers. It is splendid for lawns, useful
on the rock-garden as being an early and
certain flower, while it will remain in
condition without lifting, as long or longer
than any other species. Majus is a large
form of it. In addition to being one of
the most free-flowering, it is one of the
easiest to manage, and flourishes where
many of the others would fail. It is
admirable to grow among shrubs near
the rock-garden, or in the grass around,
flowering in the earliest days of spring.

C. iridiflprus. — Bears in September and
October bright-purple flowers before the
leaves. Remarkable for purple stigmata
and the marked difference between the
size of the inner and the outer segments
of the perianth.

C. aureus (Yellow C.). — One of the
commonest and most vigorous of all our
garden Crocuses, a native of Eastern
Europe, and, it need hardly be added,
at home everywhere in Britain. "It is
observable that all the wild specimens
of this species seem to have grown with
the bulbs 5 inches or more underground.
Depth is very necessary to their preserva-
tion, for mice, which I have found usually
to meddle with no other species, will
scratch very deep in quest of them. All
the varieties of this species seem to prefer
a very light soil upon a clay subsoil."
(Herbert, in " Trans. Hort. Soc.").

C. nudiflorus (Purple Autumn C.).— A

beautiful bright purple Crocus, flower-
ing in autumn after the leaves of the
year are withered, thriving freely in any
light soil, and naturalised in meadows
about Nottingham and Derby. Flower
with the tube from 3 inches to' 10 inches,
and the segments l£ inch to 2 inches
long ; stigmas reddish-orange, cut into
an elegant fringe. It is very beautiful
in colour, and groups charmingly on the
rock-garden.

Crocus Orphanidis (Orphamdes1 C.). —
Lovely soft lilac-blue flowers, having yellow
throats, 2^ inches in diameter, and open-
ing in autumn. The bulbs are large,
nearly 2 inches long, "closely covered
with a bright chestnut-brown tissue."
The leaves appear with the flowers, ex-
ceeding them in length, and getting much
longer afterwards. A native of Greece,
and, till plentiful, should be exclusively
planted on warm slopes of the rock-
garden.

C. pulchellus. — An autumnal species,
invaluable for the garden. The pale
lavender flowers, with bright yellow
throat, are freely produced from the
middle of September to early in December.
Seed.

C. reticulatus (Cloth-of-Gold a).— This
is the little rich golden Crocus with the
exterior of its flowers of a brownish black.
It is the earliest of the commonly culti-
vated spring Crocuses, and a native of
South-Eastern Europe. There are several
varieties, and among them a lilac and a
white, but these I have never seen in
cultivation. Suitable for association with
the earliest and dwarfest flowers of the
dawn of spring, thriving in ordinary soil.
It is generally known as G. susianus.

C. sativus (Saffron C.). — This species
was formerly cultivated in England for
the production of saffron, which is made
from the fringed and rich orange style.
Its native country is not known with
certainty, but it is probably from S. Europe.
It blooms in autumn from the end of
September to the beginning of November,
according to position and soil. The
flowers have a delicate odour. The bulbs
of the Saffron Crocus should be planted
from 4 to 6 inches under the surface, and
it loves a sandy loam and a warm position.

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199

Where the natural soil is too cold for this
plant, it will be best to give it a home on
sunny parts of the rock-garden.

Crocus Sieberi (Sieber's (7.).— A small
species, from the mountains of Greece. We
have Crocuses that flower in Spring, and
Crocuses that flower in autumn ; but this
hardy mountaineer flowers in winter and
earliest spring, anticipating all the others.
Very dwarf, with pale violet flowers ; is
not at all difficult to cultivate, and should
be placed on some little sunny ledge or
other spot where it may be safe from
being overrun

C. speciosus (Showy Autumn (7.).— The
finest of the autumn-flowering Crocuses,
and coming into beautiful bloom when the
wet gusts begin to play with the fallen
leaves, at the end of September or begin-
ning of October ; the flowers, bluish- violet,
striped internally with deep purple lines,
smooth at the throat, the divisions most
deeply veined near their base ; the stigmas
of a fine orange colour, cut so as to appear
as if fringed ; the leaves appearing about
the same time as the flowers, but not
attaining their full development till the
following spring. It seeds freely in this
country, and may be readily increased in
that way, and by division. Crimea and
neighbouring regions.

C. vernus (Spring Crocus).— One of the
earliest cultivated species. Alps, Pyrenees,
Tyrol, Italy, and Dalmatia. Naturalised
in several parts of England. Kemarkable
for its range of colour, from pure white
to deep purple, endless varieties being
generally intermixed in its native habitats,
and corresponding with the horticultural
varieties of our gardens. Flowers early
in March at low elevations, and as late as
June and July in the higher Alps. The
parent of nearly all the purple, whitef and
striped Crocuses grown in Holland.

C. versicolor (Striped 0.).— This is a
distinct spring-flowering kind, which has
spread into a good many varieties, and is
abundantly grown in Holland. The
ground colour of the flower is white, but
richly striped with purple, the throat
sometimes white, sometimes yellow, the
inside being smooth, by which it can be
readily distinguished from Crocus vernus,
which has the inside of the throat hairy.

Dean Herbert says this "likes to have
its conn deep in the ground. If its seed
is sown in a three-inch pot plunged in a
sand-bed, and left there, by the time the
seedlings are two or three years old, the
bulbs will be found crowded and flattened
against the bottom of the pot ; and, if the
hole in the pot is large enough to allow
their escape, some of them will be found
growing in the sand under the pot." It,
however, thrives in any ordinary garden
soil.

Crocus zonatus. — Bright vinous-lilac
flowers golden at the base, abundant about
the middle of September ; highly orna-
mental and free-flowering, and easy of
culture. The flowers come before the
leaves, which do not appear till spring.

CYANANTHUS LOBATUS (Ldbed
C.). — A distinct Himalayan rock plant,
about 4 inches high, flowering in late
summer ; purplish blue with a whitish
centre. It thrives in the rock-garden
in sunny chinks in a mixture of sandy
peat and leaf-mould, with plenty of
moisture during the growing season.
Increased freely by cuttings. The
seed requires a dry, favourable season
to ripen it ; in wet weather the large
erect, persistent calyx becomes filled
with water, which remains and rots
the included seed vessel.

Cyananthus incanus. — This quite
differs from G. lobatus, flowering more
freely ; like that species, it should be
planted in a dry, sunny, well-drained
position, as, if the situation be too damp,
the fleshy root-stock is liable to rot. It
is a good plan to place something over
the plant during the resting season. The
flowers are not so large as those of lobatus,
but they are more charming in colour,
which is enhanced in effect by the white
tuft of hairs in the throat of the corolla.

CYCLAMEN (Sowbread).— Except
the Persian kind, these are as hardy
as Primroses ; but they love the
shelter and shade of low bushes or
hill copses, where they may nestle and
bloom in security. In the places they

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

naturally inhabit there is usually the
friendly shelter of Grasses or branch-
lets about them, so that their large
leaves are not torn to pieces by wind
or hail. The Ivy-leaved Cyclamen is
in full leaf through winter and early
spring, and for the sake of the beauty
of the leaves alone, it is best to place
it so that it may be safe from injury.
Good drainage is necessary to their open-
air culture. They grow naturally among
broken rocks and stones mixed with
vegetable soil, grit, etc., where they are
not surrounded by stagnant water. The
late Mr Atkins, of Painswick, who
paid much attention to their culture,
and succeeded in a remarkable degree,
thought that the tuber should be
buried, and not exposed like the
Persian Cyclamen in pots. His chief
reason was that in some species the
roots issue from the upper surface
of the tuber only. They enjoy plenty
of moisture at the root at all seasons,
and thrive best in a friable, open soil,
with plenty of leaf-mould in it. They
are admirably suited for the rock-
garden, and enjoy warm nooks, partial
shade, and shelter from dry, cutting
winds. They may be grown on any
aspect if the conditions above men-
tioned be secured, but an eastern or
south-eastern one is best.

Perfect drainage at the roots is in-
dispensable for the successful culture
of all Cyclamens, growing as they
often do in their native habitats
amongst stones, rock, and debris of
the mountains, mixed with an ac-
cumulation of vegetable soil — the
tubers being thereby often covered to
a considerable depth, and not exposed
to the action of the atmosphere, as
is too often the case under culture
if placed on the surface of the
soil. This practice is in most in-
stances injurious, drying up the

incipient young leaf and flower buds
when the tubers are apparently at
rest : for I find in most species that,
though leafless, the fibres and young
buds for the ensuing year are still
making slow but healthy progress
under favourable circumstances. Col-
lectors from abroad should be specially
careful in this particular. We seldom
find tubers of some of the species that
have been much dried or exposed to
the air vegetate freely or sometimes at
all. I have now by me some roots
imported nearly six years since (I
believe from the Greek Isles), that
were thus exposed, and though the
tubers have remained sound and sent
out tolerably healthy fibres, they have
not until this season made healthy
leaves. In C. hedercefolium and its
varieties the greater portion of their
fibres issue from the upper surface and
sides of the tuber, indicating the
necessity of their being beneath the
soil. The habit in C. coum, C. vernum,
and their allies, of the leaf and flower
stalks, when in a vigorous state, run-
ning beneath the soil, often to a con-
siderable distance from the tuber,
before rising to the surface, points in
the same direction.

Cyclamens generally like a rich soil,
composed of friable loam, well-decayed
vegetable matter, and cow manure,
reduced to the state of mould, and
rendered sweet by exposure to the
atmosphere before use. They are all
admirably adapted for the rock-garden ;
they enjoy warm nooks, partial shade
from mid- day sun, and shelter from
the effects of drying, cutting winds.
An eastern or south-eastern aspect is
best, screened from cutting winds, but
a northern one will do well, and they
love an open yet sheltered spot.

Cyclamens are best propagated by
seed sown as soon as it is ripe, in well-

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201

drained pots of light soil. I generally
cover the surface of the soil after sow-
ing with a little moss, to ensure
uniform dampness, and place them in
a sheltered spot out of doors. As
soon as the plants begin to appear,
which may be in a month or six weeks,
the moss should be gradually removed.
As soon as the first leaf is half de-
veloped, they should be transplanted
about an inch apart in seed pans of
rich light earth, and encouraged to
grow as long as possible, being
sheltered in a cold frame, with abund-
ance of air at all times. When the
leaves have perished the following
summer, the tubers may be planted
out or potted, according to their
strength.

From the earliest times there ap-
pears to have been great difficulty felt
by our best botanists in clearly defin-
ing the species of Cyclamen, from the
great variation in shape and colouring
of the leaves both above and below.
Too much dependence on these
characters has been the cause of much
confusion and an undue multiplication
of species. Some of the varieties of
this genus become so fixed, and repro-
duce themselves so truly from seed,
as to be regarded as species by some
cultivators. The following are some
of the more important synonyms —
cestivum (europceum) ; anemonoides
(europcsum) ; autumnale(Hiedercefolium);
Clusii (europceum) ; hyemale (coum) ;
littorale (europcewnj ; neapolitanum
(hedenefolium) ; repandum (vernum) ;
vernum of Sweet (coum, var. zonale).
Anemonoides, Clusii, and littorale, are
southern varieties of 0. europceum, quite
distinct from the northern type.

Cyclamen coum (Round-leaved C.).—
Tuber round, depressed, smooth, fibres issu-
ing from one point on under side only.
Leaves of a plain dark green, cordate,
slightly indented ; these, with the flowers,

generally spring from a short stem rising,
from the centre of the tuber. Corolla
short, constricted at the mouth ; reddish
purple, darker at the mouth, where there
is a white circle ; inside striped red*
Flowers from December to March, and
is a native of the Greek Archipelago.
This, with the others of the same section
— viz. vernum of Sweet, ibericum, Atkinsii,
and the numerous hybrids from it —
though hardy, and frequently in bloom
in the open ground before the Snowdrop,
yet, to preserve the flowers from the effects
of unfavourable weather, will be the better
for slight protection, or a pit or frame
devoted to them, in which to plant them
out.

0. vernum of Sweet is considered by
many as only a variety of coum, and for
it I would suggest the name of G. coum>
var. zonale (from its marked foliage). I
was for a long time unwilling to give it
up as a distinct species, but now doubt
there being sufficient permanent specific
distinction to warrant its being retained
as such, especially after seeing the many
forms and hues the leaves of other species
of this genus assume. Though this, as
well as G. coum, retains its peculiarities as
to markings very correctly from seed, so
do some undoubted varieties of other
species of Cyclamen.

Cyclamen Ibericum (Iberian (7.).— This
also belongs to the coum section. There is
some obscurity respecting the authority
for this species and its native country ;
but there are specimens of it in the Kew
and Oxford herbariums, marked "ex
Iberia." Leaves very various. Flowers :
corolla rather longer than in coum ; mouth
constricted, not toothed ; colour various,
from deep red-purple to rose, lilac, and
white, with intensely dark mouth ; pro-
duced more abundantly than by coum.

C. europseum (European (7.). — Tuber of
medium size and very irregular form,
sometimes roundish or depressed and
knotted, at other times elongated. The
rind is thin, smooth, yellowish, sometimes
"scabby." The underground stem or
rhizome is often of considerable length
and size, sometimes even more than a foot
in length. The leaves and flowers origi-
nate from stalks or branches, which emerge

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

from all parts of the tuber. The root
fibrils spring from the lower surface of
the tuber as freely as from the upper, and
there are usually two or three stems
springing from different parts, and grow-
ing in different directions, from which the
leaves and flowers arise. The leaves ap-
pear before and with the flowers, and
remain during the greater part of the
year. Flowers from June to November,
or, with slight protection, until the end
of the year. The petals rather short, stiff,
and of a reddish-purple colour. I have
often seen them luxuriate in the debris
of old walls, and on the mountain-side,
with a very sparing quantity of vegetable
•earth to grow in.

Cyclamen hedersefolium (Ivy-leaved (7.).
— A native of Switzerland, South Europe,
Italy, Greece and its isles, and the north
coast of Africa. Tuber not unfrequently
a foot in diameter when full-grown ; its
shape somewhat spheroidal, depressed on
the upper surface, rounded beneath. It
is covered with a brownish rough rind,
which cracks irregularly, so as to form
little scales. The root fibres emerge from
the whole of the upper surface of the
tuber, but principally from the rim ; few
or none issue from the lower surface. The
leaves and flowers generally spring direct
from the tuber without the intervention
of any stem (a small stem, however, is
sometimes produced, especially if the tuber
be planted deep) ; at first "they spread
horizontally, but ultimately become erect.
The leaves are variously marked, and the
greater portion of them appear after the
flowers, continuing in great beauty the
whole winter and early spring, when they
are one of the greatest ornaments of our
borders and rockeries, if well grown. I
have had them as much as 6 inches long,
5i inches in diameter, and a hundred to
a hundred and fifty leaves springing from
one tuber. The flowers begin to appear
at the end of August, continuing until
October. Mouth or base of the corolla
ten-toothed, pentagonal, purplish red,
frequently with a stripe of lighter colour,
or white, down each segment of the corolla.
There is a pure white variety, and also a
white one with pink base or mouth of
corolla, which reproduce themselves toler-

ably true from seeds. Strong tubers will
produce from two hundred to three
hundred flowers each. The varieties from
Corfu and other Greek isles are very dis-
tinct. They generally flower later, and
continue longer in bloom. Their leaves
rise with or before the majority of the
flowers, both being stronger and larger
than the ordinary type, with more decided
difference of outline and markings on the
upper surface of the leaves, the under
surface being frequently of a beautiful
purple. Some of them are delightfully
fragrant. They are quite hardy, but are
worthy of a little protection to preserve
the late blooms, which often continue to
spring up till the end of the year.

This species is so hardy as to make it
essential for the rock-garden. It will
grow in almost any soil and situation,
though best (and it well deserves it) in a
well-drained place on the rock-garden. It
does not like frequent removal. It has
been naturalised successfully on the mossy
floor of a thin wood, on a very sandy, poor
soil.

G. grcecum is a very near ally, if more
than a variety ; it requires the same treat-
ment. The foliage is more after the
southern var. of C. europmum type than
most of the hedercefolium section ; the
shape of corolla and toothing of the mouth
the same. C. africanum much larger in
all its parts than C, hedercefolium, other-
wise very nearly allied, is hardy in warm
sheltered situations.

Cyclamen vernum (Spring C.).— Tuber
round, depressed, somewhat rougher russety
on outer surface ; fibres issue from one point
on the under side only ; under cultivation
it has little or no stem, but leaves and
flowers proceed direct from the upper
centre of the tuber, bending under the
surface of the soil horizontally before
rising to the surface. Corolla long, seg-
ments somewhat twisted, mouth round,
not toothed ; colour from a delicate peach
to deep red purple, very seldom white ;
fragrant. Flowers from April to end of
May. Native of South Italy, the Medi-
terranean and Greek isles, and about
Capouladoux, near Montpellier. Leaves
rise before the flowers in the spring ; they
are generally marked more or less with

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

203

white on upper surface, and often of a
purplish cast beneath ; fleshy ; semi-trans-
parent whilst young. For many years I
believed this species to vary in the out-
line and colouring of the foliage less than
any other, but I have now received im-
ported tubers from Greece, with much
variety in both particulars, some of the
leaves quite plain and dark green, others
dashed all over with spots of white, others
with an irregular circle of white varying
much in outline.

This, though hardy, is seldom met with
cultivated successfully in the open air. It is
impatient of wet standing about the tubers,
and likes a light soil, in a nook rather
shady and well sheltered from winds, its
tender fleshy leaves being soon injured.
The tubers should also be planted deep,
say not less than 2 inches to 2£ inches be-
neath the surface. I have grown them
for many years in a border and on rocks
without any other protection than a few
larch-fir boughs lightly placed over them,
to break the force of the wind and afford
a slight shelter from the scorching sun.
Some authorities give C. repandum as a
distinct species, but I consider them
identical, the only difference being in
the shape and markings of the leaves,
which are very variable. It is generally
cultivated in England under the name
of repandum, but most of the best conti-
nental botanists adopt the name of
vernum for it, and it is, no doubt, the
original 0. vernum of L'Obel.

CYPRIPEDIUM (Lady's Slipper) —
Beautiful Orchids, the northern species
of which are prettier in colour than
the tropical ones, and of the highest
interest for the rock-garden. In-- it
the variety of surface and aspect offer
means of growing these charming hardy
Orchids better than borders. As most
of them come from the coldest countries,
it is not our climate that is against
them, but the soil, when not of the
leafy, moist, and nearly always open
soil of the moist woods in their native
countries.

The best plants of C. acaule, C.

Calceolus, and C. speddbile I have
ever had were grown in the flanks
of a piece of rootwork under a canopy
of Beech. In preparing a station for
them, the soil should be taken out to
a depth of 20 inches, and if the upper
spit consists of fairly good fibrous
loam, it may be laid aside for mix-
ing with the compost. Place a good
layer of rough stones or broken brick
in the bottom, and fill in with about
equal parts of rough fibrous peat, leaf-
mould, and loam, the leaf-mould to
be only partly decayed. A little
limestone grit, gravel, or similar
material may be added with advan-
tage, as some species delight in it,
while it will do no harm to any. The
roots should be planted from 4 inches
to 6 inches deep as soon as received,
and a soaking of water given to settle
the soil. They may then have a light
mulch of rough material, and usually
no more water will be required until
the leaves are pushing up. The time
for lifting and potting varies a little
in different species, but, as a rule,
the best time is just as the growth
has died off. One of the finest
species is :—

Cypripedium macranthum, a large
and handsome species, but it is rare. It
thrives in sound fibrous loam of good texture
broken into lumps, with some finely
broken charcoal and crocks suiting it
well, not disturbing the roots oftener
than is necessary. The downy flower-
spikes are about 1 foot high, and each
bears a single large flower of a rosy pink,
streaked with red and white.

C. parviflorum is an old and useful
American species that thrives well in a
very moist, shady position, or it may be
grown in pots in a frame. The sepals
and petals are narrow, twisted, shining
brown, lined with deep purple ; the lip
large, drooping, lemon-yellow, spotted
with red. It is one of the best.

C. japonicum (Japanese Lady's Slipper}.
A graceful plant about 1 foot high, its

204

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

hairy stems, which are as thick as one's
little finger, bearing two plicate fan-
shaped leaves of bright green, rather
jagged round the margins. The flowers
are solitary, the sepals being of an apple -
green tint ; the petals, too, are of the same
colour, but are dotted with purplish-
crimson at the base ; the lip large, and
folded in front ; the colour of the lip is
a soft creamy yellow, with bold purple
dots and lines. Thrives in half-shady
spots, with plenty of leaf-soil.

Cypripedium spectabile (Noble Lady's
Slipper). — A noble hardy Orchid ; a native
of meadows, peat bogs, and woods, in the
Northern,andon mountains in the Southern,
United States. When grown in the open
air, I know of no hardy plant to surpass
this in delicate purity of colour. The best
plants I have ever seen were at Glasnevin,
on the cool side of one of the ranges of
plant-houses there, planted close against
the wall in deep rich soil — a mixture of
free moist loam and peat. Wherever
there is any kind of a rock- or marsh-
garden, there should be no difficulty in
succeeding with this fine plant. It should
be placed on the lower flanks, and in
different positions and aspects, mostly
sheltered ones ; and if it does not in all
cases attain the stature of the Glasnevin
plants, it will command admiration as
the finest of hardy Orchids.

C. calceolus (English Lady's Slipper). —
The handsomest of our native Orchids,
and therefore an object of much interest.
When grown under tolerably favourable
conditions, the stem rises to a height of
from 16 to 20 inches, with large pointed
leaves, and bearing large flowers ; the lip
yellow, variegated with purple ; the long
sepals and petals of a brownish-purple.
Although reputed to be extinct in Britain,
it is known to exist yet in a wild state
with us, but in very few places, and let
us hope the last remaining plants may
long remain undisturbed ; it is abund-
antly distributed over Continental Europe,
and should not be difficult to obtain. I
have never seen this fine plant nearly so
well grown as by the late Mr James
Backhouse, of York. He planted it on
an eastern shaded aspect of his rock-
garderi, in deep, fibrous loam, in narrow,

well-drained fissures, between limestone
rocks. The condition in which this and
other Orchises are obtained, has a great
influence on their well-being. The roots
are often dried up, arid nearly or quite
dead when obtained ; and in this con-
dition they would have but a poor chance
of surviving, even if planted in the wilds
most favourable to their natural develop-
ment. Given good sound roots, there will
not be the least difficulty in establishing
plants in deep loam, in any well- drained,
half shady spot, with some shelter afforded
by low bushes and plants to prevent the
leafy growth of the plant from being de-
stroyed or injured by wind. It is propa-
gated by division of the root, but should
not be disturbed for that purpose till the
plants are well established, and have
begun to spread about.

Cypripedium acaule (Moccasin Flower).
— A handsome, fragrant, hardy dwarf
Orchid, with a large purplish-rose flower,
blooming in summer nearly 2 inches long,
with a deep fissure in front. It is common
in North America, usually growing in sandy
or rocky woods under evergreens, and the
best position for it in cultivation is in
some sheltered and half shaded spots on
the lower flanks of the rock-garden, or
among shrubs planted near it in sandy
loam, with plenty of leaf-mould. It also
succeeds in sheltered and shaded spots.
It is found with pale, and, more rarely,
with white flowers.

C. guttatum (Spotted Lady's Slipper). —
A beautiful Siberian plant, growing from
6 to 9 inches high, flowering in June ;
solitary, rather small snow-white flowers,
blotched with deep rosy-purple. The
flower-stem rises from a single pair of
broadly-ovate downy leaves. It requires
a shady position in leaf-mould, moss, and
sand, and should be kept rather dry in
winter. In heavy soil the roots soon
perish, and it does not care for lime, but
if planted shallow and kept moist, it will
usually thrive in the leafy soil.

C. hirsutum (Yellow Lady's Slipper) is
a tall-growing, handsome Orchid. The
flowers are large and handsome, the sepals
and narrower petals pale yellow, streaked
and spotted with brown ; the lip pale
yellow. A far northern kind, Nova Scotia

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

205

and Canada, in copses and woods, also
ascending high on the mountains of the
southern country. Syn., C. pubescens.

Cypripedium arietinum is a beautiful
little Orchid, difficult to grow, and liking
much moisture. The upper sepal and
petals are greenish-white, lined with red-
brown, the lip white in the throat, suffused
with rose in front and streaked with red.
Canada and the colder parts of the United
States in cool damp woods.

CYSTOPTERIS (Bladder Fern) —
The cultivated kinds of this native
group are small elegant Ferns of
delicate fragile texture, growing on
rocks and walls, chiefly in moun-
tainous districts. The best known
are : C. fragilis, which has finely-cut
fronds about 6 inches high. It is of
easy culture, succeeding in an ordinary
border, though seen to best advantage
on shady parts of the rock-garden
in a well-drained soil. There are
two or three varieties, Dickieana
being the best. C. alpina is much
smaller, and, when once established,
not difficult to cultivate or increase,
but more affected by excessive
moisture than C. fragilis. A shel-
tered situation in a well-drained part
of the rock-garden suits it. C. mon-
tana is another elegant plant requiring
the same treatment as C. fragilis.

CYTISUS (Broom).— These graceful
and brilliant shrubs, though mostly
too large for our purpose in the select
rock-garden, wherever we deal with
the natural rocks are valuable shrubs,
being so free and easily raised by
merely shaking the seed on the
ground. Even the most arid railway-
bank may be adorned by shaking a few
seeds over them ; and of course the
natural rock would be the very place
for them. The purple Broom is natur-
ally a trailing shrub with purplish
flowers, but is generally seen grafted

mop fashion on Laburnum stems.
It is really an alpine shrub, and its
place is among rocks and boulders,
where its wiry branches can fall over
and make dense cushion-like tufts.
C. Ardoini is a pretty alpine shrub
a few inches high, and suitable for
the rock-garden ; its tufted growth
is covered in summer with yellow
flowers.

Cytisus albus is the graceful white
Portuguese Broom, an aid where our rocks
are bold. The Montpellier Broom is only
hardy in mild sea-shore districts, and
various other kinds are not hardy in our
country. C. scoparius, the common Broom
of Britain, is one of the most beautiful
shrubs, and well worth naturalising where
it is not common wild. C. andreanus is a
fine broom variety of it. The Spanish
Broom is a very fine plant like the above,
but it is put under the name of Spartium
Junceum. Some of these are so free
and vigorous that one can sow the seed
out of hand on poor and stony places and
in a very short time see the plants arise
(even without covering the seed) on such
surfaces as railway banks, sandy slopes,
and thin copsey places, rough hedge
banks and road - sides. The common
Broom comes freely in this way, and also
the Spanish Broom, though not a native
plant, is superb on railway-banks, coining
later than our own Broom. I have raised
many in this way by merely shaking the
seed in passing, and in the spring of this
year (1902) sowed over half a hundred-
weight of seed of the common Broom in
young woods, on rail-banks, and the most
likely places for it in or near my own
place. The seed is saved in quantity by
all the great seed houses, so there should
be no difficulty in obtaining it. I recom-
mend the pastime to gentlemen who have
had enough of more fashionable forms of
amusement. It has even claims from the
musical side, as one may hear the nightin-
gale when sowing of an evening in May.

DALIBARDA REPENS (Violet-
leaved Dalilmrda). — A low tufted plant,
about 2 inches in height, with white

206

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

blossoms shaded with the most deli-
cate rose-colour. It loves a deep,
peaty soil ; and, though hardy, by no
means of rapid growth. Nova Scotia
and N.E. America.

DAPHNE (Garland Flower).— M-
pine and mountain shrubs, some dwarf
as well as beautiful, fragrant, and of

can scarcely hope to witness in our
gardens under ordinary treatment.
They have but few roots, and are
best transplanted when young. The
best soil is a mixture of free loam and
decayed leaf-mould, with some old
road sand added. None of the
Daphnes require a rich soil, and some
of them even prefer old road sand to

Daphne Blagayana.

the highest value for the rock-garden.
Where the bushy rock-garden is made,
the larger kinds will be useful ; the
smaller may go with the choicer and
more diminutive alpine plants. They
are chiefly natives of Europe, and in
cultivation do best when shaded in
summer from the mid-day sun, and in
winter screened from cold winds. If
nurtured by the fallen leaves of trees,
they will grow with a vigour that we

any other ; this is especially the case
with the Mezereon.

Daphne alpina (Mountain Mezereon). —
A dwarf summer-leafing and distinct rock
shrub, reaching 2 feet high, the flowers
yellowish-white, silky outside, fragrant,
in clusters of five from the sides of the
branches. It is a low, branching shrub,
flowering from April to June, and bearing
red berries in September. Central and
S. Europe.

D. Blagayana (Tlie King's Garland

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

207

Flower}. — A dwarf alpine shrub, 3 inches
to 8 inches high, of straggling growth, the
leaves forming rosette-like tufts at the
tips of the branches, encircling dense
clusters of fragrant, creamy- white flowers.
It blooms in spring for several weeks,
and thrives in the rock-garden in well-
drained spots surrounded by stones for its
wiry roots to ramble among. It is hardy,
and in open spots thrives in any good
soil ; increased by layers pegged down in
spring and separated from the plants as
soon as roots are emitted.

Daphne Cneorum (Garland Flower}. — A
little spreading shrub, growing from 6
inches to 10 inches high, and bearing rosy-
lilac flowers, the unopened buds crimson,
and so sweet that, where much grown, the
air often seems charged with their fra-
grance. It is a native of most of the great
mountain chains of Europe, and is one of
the best of all plants for the rock-garden,
thriving in peaty and very sandy soils,
but in stiff soils often fails. Wherever
the soil is favourable, it should be much
used, and is usually increased by layers.

D. Collina (Box-leaved Garland Flower).—
The leaves of this much resemble in shape
and size those of the Balearic Box, the
upper surface of a dark glossy green.
The flowers are in close groups, and of a
light lilac or pinkish colour, the tubes
rather broad and densely coated externally
with silky white hairs. It forms a low,
dense, evergreen shrub, the branches of
which always take an upright direction,
and form a level head, covered with
flowers from February to May. S. Europe.
D. Neapolitana is a variety of it.

D. Fioniana (Fioris Garland Flower). —
A compact shrub, not uncommon in
gardens, the heads of bloom are in clusters,
five fragrant flowers in each, of a pale
lilac colour, the tubes densely covered
externally with short silvery hairs. This
shrub flowers from March to May, and is
hardy about London.

D. Genkwa (Lilac Garland Flower), is
a summer-leafing shrub of from 2 feet to
3 feet in height, with downy branches
and fragrant violet-coloured flowers thickly
set on the leafless branches in early spring,
giving the plant the appearance of a small
Persian Lilac. There appear to be several

varieties of D. Genkwa, some with much
larger flowers than others, and some of a
darker shade of purple. It is not quite
hardy in cold districts. Syn., D. Fortunei.

Daphne Houtteiana (Van Houttes
Mezereon). —This singular kind forms a
robust spreading bush, 3 feet or 4 feet high,
with all the leaves collected on the young
branches, while the old ones are naked.
It is a distinct bush, hardy, flowering in
the spring before the leaves appear, and
is said to be a hybrid, which originated
in one of the Belgian Nurseries, between
the common D. Mezereumand Spurge Laurel.
Its leaves are from 3 inches to 3^ inches
long, and 1 inch broad, stained with
purple on the upper side when fully
developed, and when quite young and in
the bud state, of a dark purple colour.
The flowers are small, dark purple, quite
smooth, and are borne along the shoots of
the previous year, before the young leaves
appear.

D. Mezereum (Mezereon).— A wild
plant in English woods, is a charming
and fragrant bush, and the earliest to
flower, often in February. Where the
shrubby rock-garden is carried out, no-
thing is more lovely for its adorning than
a group of this. Though quite hardy, it
is slow, and not so pretty on some cold
soils ; but on such soils as we use on the
rock-garden it will thrive. It is best to
begin with little plants ; and it is easily
raised from seed.

D. odora (Sweet Daphne). — A fragrant
and beautiful kind, in mild and southern
districts hardy on the rock-garden, usually
best on western aspects. It is a green-
house plant of exceptional merit when
well grown. We know no fragrance more

Sleasant than that emitted by the pinkish
owers of this Daphne. There are
varieties called alba, rubra, Mazeli, punc-
tata. Mazeli is, according to Max Leicht-
lin, hardier than the older kind. Syn., D.
indica. China.

D. rupestris (Bock Garland Flower) is a
neat little shrub, with erect shoots form-
ing dense, compact tufts, 2 inches high
and 1 foot or more across, often covered
with flowers of a soft-shaded pink, in
clustered heads. It is essentially a rock
plant, growing wild in fissures of lime-

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

stone in peaty loam, but is of slow growth,
and it takes some years to form a good
tuft. It seems to thrive in very stony
and peaty earth, with abundance of white
sand, and should be planted in a well-
drained but not a dry position.

Daphne striata (Striated Garland
Flower). — A sweet-scented hardy trailing
species. It forms dense, twiggy, spreading
masses, 1 foot to 3 feet across, which, in June
and July, are covered with rosy-purpled,
scented flowers in clusters. The trailing
and spreading habit of this plant recom-
mends it for covering bare spots. France.

DARLINGTONIA CALIFORNIA

(Calif ornian Pitcher -plant). — A most
singular plant, resembling the North
American pitcher-plants, but distinct ;
the leaves, which rise to a height of
2 feet or more, are hollow, and form
a curiously shaped hood, from which
hang two ribbon-like appendages, the
hood often a crimson-red, and the
flowers are almost as curious. Found
to grow in our climate, if care be taken
with it, and it would be difficult to
name a more interesting plant for a
bog garden. It is less trouble out of
doors than under glass; indeed, it
only requires a moderately wet bog
in a light spongy soil of fibrous
peat and chopped Sphagnum Moss.
Place by the side of a stream, in
any moist place, the plants fully ex-
posed to direct sunlight, but sheltered
from the cold winds of early spring
when they are throwing up their young
leaves. They require frequent water-
ing in dry seasons, unless they are in
a naturally wet spot. When they
become large they develop side shoots,
which, taken off and potted, soon make
good plants. The plant is also raised
from seed, but this requires several
years. I found it on the Californian
Sierras about little springs on the hills
thickly tufted among the common
Bush.

DENTARIA (Toothwort).— Pretty
and interesting perennials of the Stock
family, of which there are some half a
dozen species in cultivation, all worth
growing in half-shaded positions in
peat beds among rock shrubs. They
grow best in a light sandy soil, well
enriched by decayed leaf-mould, or in
soil of a peaty nature. Their flowers
are welcome in the early days of
spring, and remain in beauty for some
time. They are of easy propagation
by the small tuber-like roots. Some,
such as D. bulbifera, bear bulblets on
the stem, and from these the plant
may be increased. The species are —
D. bulbifera, 1 foot to 2 feet high.
Flowers in spring; purple, sometimes
nearly white, rather large, produced
in a raceme at the top of the stem.
D. digitata, a handsome dwarf kind,
about 12 inches high, flowering in
April ; rich purple, in flat racemes
at the top of the stem. A native of
Europe. D. diphylla is a pretty plant,
growing from 6 inches to 12 inches
high, and bearing but two leaves.
The flowers are purple, sometimes
white, and occasionally yellowish.
Woods in North America. D. ennea-
phylla is about 1 foot high; flowers
creamy white, produced in clusters in
April and June. A pretty plant for
a shady border. Mountain woods in
Central Europe. D. maxima is the
largest of all the species, growing 2
feet high. Flowers pale purple in
many flower-heads. N. America. D.
pinnata is a stout species, at once
distinguished by its pinnate leaves;
14 inches to 20 inches high; flower-
ing from April to June ; large, pale
purple, lilac, or white, in a terminal
cluster. Switzerland, in mountain
and sub-alpine woods. D. polyphylla,
similar to D. enneaphylla, is about
1 foot high, with flowers in clusters,

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

209

cream coloured. A handsome plant;
from woods in Hungary.

DESFONTAINEA SPINOSA.— A

brilliant flowering shrub in favoured
gardens along the sea-coast, this
beautiful ever-green shrub from Chili
may be flowered out-of-doors. It is
of moderate growth, having foliage
like a Holly ; flowers are in the form
of a tube, scarlet tipped with yellow.
It usually flowers about the end of
summer, and in some parts of Devon-
shire it blooms freely, thriving in a
light, loamy, or peaty soil. It
may here and there thrive among
rock-garden shrubs, and it is not a high
temperature that seems to help it,
but nearness to the sea, as one may
see it thriving even in the north of
Ireland within a few miles of the sea.
A few miles inland, and it fails.

D I A N T H U S (Pink). — Usually
dwarf evergreen herbs, alpine rock,
shore, or heath dwellers, many beautiful,
and among them two which have given
us the many garden Pinks and Carna-
tions we now have. The Pinks, es-
pecially the alpine kinds, are moisture-
loving plants, and during spring and
summer water must be given in such
a way as to interfere as little as
possible with the tufted crowns, as
moisture about the neck or stagnant
soil is often fatal. This can best be
done by half-buried stones around the
plants. The wireworm is the deadliest
enemy of this family, and when an
affected tuft is found, lift it, wash
off all the soil, and replant in a fresh
mixture.

The higher and rarer Pinks, such
as the alpine and glacier Pinks, deserve
the best places in the rock-garden,
and in cool stony ground. More
lowland kinds, like our common
Pink, are much more free than the

others, and may be used in bold
ways for edges and groups, and the
same may be said of certain hybrid
kinds, which are often good in colour.
Some mountain kinds, like the
Cheddar Pink and also kinds like it
in habit, are easily established on
old walls and bare stony ground.
Many Pinks are easily increased by
division, but of the rarer kinds the
seed should be saved, and sown where
we desire the plants to grow on the
rock-garden. In this very large family
there are many annual kinds, such as
the Chinese Pinks, and probably some
brilliant species not yet introduced
from the large area of distribution of
the genus in Europe, Asia, and N.
Africa. A cool but open soil of
sandy loam and a little leaf -mould
suits the alpine kinds best. The alpine
kinds are apt in our warmer gardens
to get a little drawn and leggy, and
a good way is to top-dress the tufts
with a fine leaf-mould with river sand
or grit among it, gently working it
among the shoots. The following is a
selection from a large number of kinds
of the best for the rock-garden. There
as in other cases where the aim is not
to have a botanical collection only, we
can best enjoy the beauty of the
plants by cultivating well and group-
ing effectively the more distinct kinds.
The various races of garden flowers
derived from the wild Dianthus : Pinks,
Carnations, Picotees, Cloves, variously
coloured double forms of the Pink,
so much grown in our gardens and
as cut flowers for market; the many
forms of the Chinese Pink, so much
grown among annual flowers, and the
mule Pinks, effective border flowers,
do not rightly belong to the alpine
garden, and are not included here.

Dianthus alpinus (Alpine Pink). — A
distinct and lovely plant, with dense green

210

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

and obtuse leaves, each stem bearing a
solitary flower, deep rose spotted with
crimson, and often so freely, as to hide the
leaves. In poor, moist, and sandy loam it
thrives and forms a dwarf carpet, the
flower-stems little more than 1 inch in
height. Wireworms, rather than unsuit-
able soil, often cause its death. It should
be in an exposed spot, and guarded against
drought. It comes true from seed, and
is not difficult to increase in that way,
or by division. Alps of Austria, flower-
ing in summer.

Alpine Pink (Dianthus alpinus).

Dianthus Atkinson!.— This is one of

the richest coloured of all the family, its
flowers crimson and very striking in the
early summer. Owing to its flowering so
freely, shoots for cuttings are very few,
and it is well to reserve some plants for
stock, not allowing them to flower.

D. arenarius (Sand Pink). — A neat,
compact rock plant, about 6 inches high,
with very dense foliage, and white, fim-
briated or fringed flowers. It blooms in
May and June, and should have a dry
sunny position. North Europe.

Dianthus csesius (Cheddar Pink), — One
of the best of the dwarf Pinks with which
rocky places are studded over so great an
area of northern regions. The short
leaves are very glaucous, and the fragrant
rosy flowers borne on stems 6 inches in
height in. summer. In winter it may
perish in the ordinary border, but thrives
and flowers abundantly on old walls, as
at Oxford. It is a native plant, and grows
on the rocks at Cheddar, in Somersetshire.
To establish it, the best way is to sow
the seeds on the wall in a little cushion
of Moss or a little earth in a chink.
It may also be grown in calcareous or
gritty earth, and placed in a chink between
stones. Increased by seeds.

D. callizonus is one of the most dis-
tinct of the alpine Pinks, a native of
Transylvania, and has the habit of D.
Plumarius, with the flowers of D. Alpinus,
but larger. It strikes readily from cut-
tings, and may be raised from seed, which,
however, it ripens sparingly. The flowers
are bright rose-purple.

D. caryopiyllus (Carnation).— The
parent of all the races of Carnations,
Picotees, and Clove Pinks, so variously
coloured, so fragrant and profuse in
flower, as to make them among the
most valuable of our hardy border flowers.
The plant occurs in a wild state on old
castles or city walls in various parts of
England, and more abundantly in similar
places in the West of France, the flowers
of the wild form being usually red or
white. The wild plant is worth a place
on the rock-garden or on walls.

D. Caucasicus.— Flowers bright rose,
on stems 12 inches high ; foliage glaucous,
very compact.

D. cruentus.— This European Pink
has sparse foliage, but its crowded heads
of deep crimson fragrant flowers are at-
tractive. It is one of the easiest to grow
in the border or rock-garden. Seeds
freely, and by this means the plant may
be grown to any extent in gritty loam.
Height 15 inches.

D. deltoides (Maiden Pink).— This
native of Britain forms close spreading
tufts of smooth, pointless leaves, and
bright pink-spotted or white flowers on
stems from 6 inches to 12 inches long

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

Although the flower is little more than
J inch across, there is a bright look about
it which makes it welcome. It will grow
almost anywhere, not appearing to suffer
from wireworm, as most other Pinks do,
and often flowers several times during the
summer. Seed or by division.

Dianthus dentosus (Toothed Pink).— A
distinct and pretty Pink ; dwarf, with
violet-lilac flowers, more than an inch
across, the margins toothed at the edge, the
base of each petal having a regular dark-
violet spot, giving the effect of a dark eye,
nearly ^ an inch across. It comes readily
from seed, and should be raised periodi-

Flowers in July and August ; native of
Bosnia.

Dianthus glacialis, a brilliant alpine
Pink. It does best in crevices of the rock-
garden, as high up as possible, in peaty or
leafy soil, well mixed with granite chips.
It forms compact tufts of narrow leaves
which, during the summer, are thickly
studded with rosy-tinted flowers. In the
variety

D. glacialis gelidus the habit is much
the same, the flowers being rich rosy-purple
spotted white in the throat.

D. Knappi.— Distinct by reason of the
sulphur-yellow flowers in clustered heads

The Cheddar Pink (D. ccesius) in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.

cally, as the once-flowered plants often die.
A native of southern Russia, flowering in
May and June, and thriving in sandy
soil.

D. Fischeri (Fischer's Pink). — A beauti-
ful, and as yet rare, species from Russia,
3 inches to 4 inches high, blooms in
summer ; of a light rose colour, with the
petals not much cut, and solitary. De-
serves a good position in the rock-garden,
in moist, sandy, or gritty loam.

D. Freynii. — A dwarf alpine species,
with linear glaucous leaves and purplish
flowers about f of an inch in diameter.

after the manner of D. Cruentus. The
species attains 12 inches or 15 inches high,
grows and flowers freely, and gives seeds
in plenty also. By this latter means the
plant may be grown in quantity.

D. monspessulanus.— Flowers some-
what resemble those of D. superbus, but
not quite so deeply cut. A useful rock
plant.

D. neglectus (Glacier Pink).— Forms,
close to the ground, tufts like short, wiry
Grass, of glaucous leaves, from £ inch
to 1 inch long, the flowers on stems from
1 inch to 3 inches high. The petals are

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

level and firm looking, with the outer
margins slightly notched, and the flower
about an inch across of brilliant rose.
In a wild state, plants of it may be seen
in bloom at 1^ inches high, and even
less ; but when cultivated in deep, sandy
loams, it is larger, is surpassed by no
alpine plant in vividness of colouring, and
is easily grown. Alps and the Pyrenees.
Division and seed.

Dianthus superbus (Fringed Pink).— A
fragrant Pink, its petals cut into lines or
strips for more than half their length,
which gives the plant a singular effect.
It inhabits many parts of Europe from
the shores of Norway to the Pyrenees, and
is a true perennial, though it perishes so
often in our gardens, when very young,
that many regard it as a biennial. It is
more apt to perish in winter on rich and

Dianthus neglectus.

Dianthus petrous (Rock Pink).— With
short sharp-pointed leaves, forming hard
tufts an inch or two high, and fine rose-
coloured flowers in summer. It seemed to
escape the attacks of wireworm when
nearly every other species was destroyed.
A dry and sunny position is most con-
genial to this species. Hungary.

D. plumarius (Pink). — This plant, the
parent from which the varieties of Pinks
have sprung, has single purple flowers,
rather deeply cut at the margin, and is
naturalised on old walls in various parts
of England, though not a true native. It
is rather handsome when grown into
healthy tufts, but on the level ground it
is not long-lived.

D. proliferus. — Flowers of a beautiful
reddish-purple, of easy culture, and very
useful.

D. pungens. — Flowers rosy -pink, plant
forming nice tufts ; leaves glaucous.

D. rupicola. —Flowers deep red, late,
and very useful.

D. Seguieri.— Flowers large, deeply cut,
rosy-purple, with a deeper ring at base of
each petal. Flowers late in summer.

D. subacaulis. — Of tufted growth, with
glaucous leaves ; flowers small, pink,
solitary.

moist soil than on that which is somewhat
light and well-drained, and it should be
planted in fibrous loam, well mixed with
sand or grit. Unlike some of the other
kinds, it comes quite true from seed,
generally grows more than a foot high,
flowering in summer or early autumn.

D. tymphresteus. — A free and con-
tinuous blooming species from Northern
Greece, growing from 15 inches to 18
inches high, with deep rosy flowers ;
makes a good perennial and showy border
plant.

D. vaginatus — This belongs to the
clustered-flowered section of this genus,
the flowers carmine, on stems only 6
inches high. It is a rare species, continu-
ing in bloom for nearly two months.

DIAPENSIA LAPPONICA (Lap-
land D.) — A sturdy and dwarf little
evergreen alpine shrub, rarely seen
even in botanic gardens, and con-
sidered impossible to cultivate, but
which may be grown well on fully
exposed spots in deep sandy and stony
peat, kept moist during the dry season.
It grows in very dense rounded tufts,
with narrow closely packed leaves, and

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

213

solitary white flowers about J an inch
across, with yellow stamens the whole
plant being often under 2 inches high.
A native of N. Europe and N. America,
on high mountains or in arctic lati-
tudes, flowering in summer, and most
easily increased from seed.

DICENTRA (Bleeding Heart).—
Graceful perennials of the Fumitory
Order, including about half a dozen
cultivated species, of which the follow-
ing are the finest : —

Dicentra chrysantha. — A handsome
plant, forming a spreading tuft of
glaucous foliage, from which arises a stiff
leafy stem, 3 feet to 4 feet high,
bearing long panicles of bright yellow
blossoms, each about 1 inch long. It
flowers in August and September ; the
seedlings do not bloom till the second
year. California.

D. eximia combines the grace of a Fern
with the flowering qualities of a good
hardy perennial. It grows from 1 foot to
1^ feet high, and bears its numerous
reddish-purple blossoms in long drooping
racemes. Thrives in a rich sandy soil,
but it will grow anywhere. N. America.
Division.

D. formosa is similar to the preceding,
having also Fern-like foliage, but is
dwarfer in growth, the racemes are
shorter and more crowded, and the colour
of the flowers is lighter. California. .

D. spectabilis is a beautiful plant, too
well known to need description, nearly
every garden in the country being em-
bellished with its singularly beautiful
flowers, which open in early summer,
gracefully suspended in strings of a dozen
or more on slender stalks, and resemble
rosy hearts. It succeeds best in warm,
rich soils, in sheltered positions, as it is
liable to be cut down by late spring frosts.
Besides a position in the mixed border,
it is of such remarkable beauty and grace
that it may be used with the best effect
near the lower flanks of the rock-garden,
or on low parts where the stone or
" rock " is suggested rather than exposed.

There is a " white " variety, by no means
so pretty as the common one. Propagated
by division in autumn.

Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's
Breeches) and D. thalictrifolia are less
important, belonging more to the curious
garden.

DIPHYLLEIA CYMOSA.— An in-
teresting perennial of the Barberry
family, about 1 foot high, having large
umbrella-like leaves in pairs. Flowers
white, in loose clusters in summer,
and succeeded by bluish-black berries.
N. America, on the borders of rivulets
and on mountains, thriving in peat
borders and fringes of beds of American
plants, in the most moist spots.
Hitherto only seen as single weak
specimens, this plant, if more plenti-
ful, might be made good use of in a
rock-garden. Division.

DODECATHEQN (American Cow-
slip).— Graceful and distinct per-
ennials, quite hardy and charming
for the rock-garden, where they
usually grow well in soils of an open
nature. They are plants of wide
distribution in North, Western, and
Eastern America, and also the Pacific
coast, and they vary without end,
according to the region. They are
very often found towards the arctic
circle, and also on the high moun-
tains and even the islands of the
Behring Straits. The American
botanists consider these plants to be
varieties of the same, but this, from
the garden point of view, is of little
moment, as there is considerable
distinction among them when culti-
vated. There are a number of cross-
bred forms, which are pretty.

The American Cowslips are per-
ennial and hardy, requiring a cool
situation and light, leafy, or open
sandy soil. In cool spots on the
rock-garden, where Primulas and Sol-

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

danellas thrive, Dodecatheons will be
found to grow well, and form lovely
and attractive objects. All the
species and varieties grow freely, and
soon form large tufts, which require
dividing every third or fourth year.
The best time is the latter end of
January or beginning of February,
when the roots are becoming active,
taking care not to divide them into
too small pieces, as in that case there
is danger of losing the plants. They
may also be easily raised from seed,
but this can only be obtained in
very favoured situations.

Dodecatheon Meadia (American Cow-
slip). — Bright, graceful, and perfectly
hardy, is second to none of our old border-
flowers, supported in umbels on straight
slender stems from 10 to 16 inches high,
each flower drooping elegantly, the purplish
petals springing up vertically from the
pointed centre of the flower, much as
those of the greenhouse Cyclamen do. It
inhabits rich woods in North America, from
Maryland and Pennsylvania, in the North,
to North Carolina and Tennessee, in the
South, and far westward, loves a rich light
loam, and is one of the most suitable plants
for the rock-garden. In deep light loams,
the plant flourishes without any prepara-
tion, but where a place is prepared for it,
as is often necessary, it is well to add
plenty of leaf -mould. In a somewhat
shaded position, it attains its greatest size,
and beauty, though it thrives in exposed
borders, and is best increased by division
when the plants die down in autumn ;
when seed is sown, it should be soon after
being gathered.

D. Integrifolium (Small American G.).
— A lovely and gaily-coloured flower, deep
rosy crimson, the base of each petal white,
springing from a yellow and dark orange
cup, and appearing in May on stems from
4 to 6 inches high. The leaves are much
smaller than those of D. Meadia, oval, and
quite entire. A native of the Rocky
Mountains, a gem for the rock-garden,
planted in sandy loam with leaf-mould,
and increased by careful division of the
root and by seed, which it ripens freely

in this country. It is easily grown in
pots, plunged, in the open air, in some
sheltered and half-shady spot during
summer, and kept in shallow cold frames
during winter.

Dodecatheon Jeffreyanum (Great
American C.). — A noble kind, which I
have grown as high as 2 feet in favourable
soil, and have known to grow much larger
even in( London gardens than the old
American Cowslip. It has much larger
and thicker leaves, of a darker green, and
with very strong and conspicuous reddish
midribs, the flower being like that of the
old kind, except that it is somewhat
larger and darker in colour. It is a
hardy and first - class plant, flourishing
freely in light deep loam, and thriving
in a warm and sheltered spot, where
its great leaves may not be broken by
high winds.

DONDIA EPIPACTIS (Dwarf
Masterwort). — A most unusual form
of the umbel - bearing plants, and
amongst our earliest flowers. It
grows only some 3 or 4 inches high,
and though the blossoms individually
are small, they are surrounded with
a bright yellow involucre, retaining
its fine colour for nearly two months
of the spring. It is a strong-rooted
plant, likes a good stiff loam, and is
perfectly hardy. Carinthia and Car-
niola. Syn., Hacquetia.

DRABA (Whitlow Grass}.— Minute
alpine plants, most of them having
bright yellow or white flowers, and
leaves often in neat rosettes. They
are too dwarf to take care of them-
selves among plants much bigger
than Mosses, and therefore should
be grouped with the dwarfest plants.

In addition to the golden colour of
the flowers of one section, the plants
are characterised by a dwarf compact
habit, and by much neatness in the
arrangement of the bristly ciliated
hairs, which not unfrequently become
bifurcate ; thus the attractive appear-

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

215

ance in the matter of colour is en-
hanced on a closer inspection by the
beauty of form. In another section
we find white to be the predominant
colour, and though in many cases
the flowers are small, still, in the
mass, filling up a nook or crevice,
and contrasted with the dark-green
leaves, they become very effective.
They should be placed in the sunniest
aspects ; the more effectually the
plants are matured by the autumn
sun the more freely will they return
these favours by an abundant bloom
in early spring. The third section,
which includes plants of a purple and
violet colour, is chiefly, if not altogether,
confined to the high mountain lands
of South America. Of these we have
but one in cultivation, Draba violacea,
and of so recent introduction that it
may be considered rash to pass any
opinion on it beyond the fact that
it is a remarkably beautiful plant, of
doubtful hardiness.

Draba aizoides (Seagreen Whitlow-
Grass). — This may be taken as typical of the
Golden Draba ; it is indigenous to Britain,
but only found in one locality in South
Wales. In growth it does not exceed 3
inches in height, and when planted on the
slope of a sunny border, in sandy soil,
which it loves, it forms a dense yellow
carpet in the early part of March. It
does not ripen seed freely, but increases
readily by division.

D. aizoon (Evergreen Whitlow-Grass). —
A native of the mountains of Carinthia,
and a vigorous grower ; the leaves" of a
dark green, and arranged so as to form
a complete rosette, not unlike the Semper-
vivums. From the centre of this rosette
it sends up a stem 5 or 6 inches long,
bearing numbers of bright-yellow flowers,
and ripens its seeds freely. Draba bceotica
I am disposed to consider a narrow-leaved
form of the above. In the cultivation of
both it must be borne in mind that, un-
like D. aizoides, the old stems will never
throw out roots, consequently they cannot

be classed as spreading plants. They
increase freely from seed, some of which
it would be interesting to sow on old
walls.

Draba alpina (Alpine Wliitkiv-Grass). —
An arctic plant, with dark green, smooth
leaves, growing about 2 inches high, and
bearing bright golden flowers. It is
rather a delicate plant, and best adapted
for pot culture, or well-drained chinks
in the rock-garden. The true species is
somewhat scarce in cultivation. It, like
D. tridentata, is liable to suffer from slugs,
and both should be carefully guarded
against their attacks, especially during
the winter months. Allied to this is
Draba aurea, a Danish plant, with flowers
produced in a dense corymb, on a leafy
stem some 8 or 9 inches high ; the habit
is not neat, otherwise it is a well-defined
species.

D. ciliata (Eye-lashed Whitlow-Grass).—
This is a good white Draba, not unlike
a diminutive specimen of Arabis albida.
The leaves are sparsely but distinctly
ciliated, in loose rosettes. Flowers in
early spring ; pure white, about eight on
a stem, the whole plant when in bloom
not being more than 2 inches high.
Mountains of Croatia and Carniola.

D. cinerea (Grey Wliitlow-Grass). — This
native of Siberia, frequently called D.
borealis, is the most effective of the white-
flowering Drabas. Of dwarf habit, bear-
ing many clear white flowers in the
earliest spring, well relieved by the dark
green leaves, and of a free-growing habit,
it should be in every collection. Seeds
abundantly, and by that means, as well
as by division, it may readily be in-
creased.

D. CUSpidata (Pointed Whitlow-Grass)
— A native of the highest mountains in
Spain, with the points of each of the
ciliated leaves, of which the dense little
rosettes are formed, somewhat incurved,
and for close examination it is the gem
of the yellow Drabas, forming a thick
woody stem. It is only to be increased
by seed.

D. lapponica, a native, as the name
indicates, of the arctic regions, though
bearing the aspect of D. rupestris, is
dwarfer in habit, and devoid of the

216

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

ciliated hairs on the leaves ; it forms
dense tufts, and flowers freely in early
spring, producing an almost equally
abundant bloom in the autumn ; it also
seeds freely.

D. rupestris, frigida, and Chamcejasme,
are three very dwarf plants, closely allied,
in fact so much so that they may be con-
sidered as varieties. The flowers in each
case are small, but are produced abund-
antly. Considering the neat habit of the
plants, every collection should possess at
least one of them.

D. nivalis, a native of the Swiss Alps,
is the most diminutive of the genus. The
leaves are of a whitish-green, owing to the
presence of minute stellate hairs. The
plant, when in flower, is not over 2 inches
nigh, of nice compact habit, but rather a
shy grower, and is rarely met with.

Draba glacialis (Glacier Draba). — A
very dwarf kind, forming dense little
cushions 1 to 2 inches high, which in April
are covered with bright golden-yellow
flowers. Leaves linear, smooth, ciliated,
forming small rosettes closely packed in
pincushion-like masses. The plant very
much resembles a small specimen of D.
aizoides, and is considered by Koch to be
a variety of that, growing at a higher
elevation ; but it differs from it by
having a few-flowered stem, pedicels
shorter than the pod, and a short style.
It is found on the granitic Alps of
Switzerland, and is suited for exposed
spots in the rock-garden, in moist and
very gritty soil, and associated with the
dwarfest alpine plants.

DRACOCEPHALUM (Dragon' a-

head). — Plants of the Sage family,
among which are a few choice per-
ennials, suitable for the rock-garden,
succeeding in light garden soil, and
increased by division or seed.

Draco cephalum Austriacum (Austrian
D.). — A showy species, with blue flowers
more than an inch and a half long, in
whorled spikes, the plant of rather a
woody texture, spreading into masses about
a foot high, the floral leaves velvety, and
with long fine spines. A native of nearly
all the great mountain chains of Europe,

thriving in light soil, and increased by
seed or division. Quite free to grow in
most garden soils, but, like many other
mountain plants, only attaining ripeness
of texture on well-drained, warm, and
sandy soils.

Dracocephalum grandinonun (Betony-
leaved D.). — A plant rarely seen in our
gardens ; it is distinct, not diffuse or pro-
cumbent, in habit more like a dwarf
Betony ; the flowers, handsome, blue, in
whorled oblong spikes, 2 to 3 inches long ;
the plant little more than half a foot high,
though it varies from 2 inches to a foot
high. Native of Siberia, and thriving in
sandy and thoroughly -drained loam, it
should be guarded against slugs, which
may quickly destroy young and small
plants. Flowers in early summer, and in-
creased by division.

D. Ruyschianum (Ruysch's D.).—
Flowers in rather close spikes at the
summit of the stem ; the floral leaves
also entire. A pretty perennial, flower-
ing rather late in the summer, and
thriving on slightly elevated spots, for
which it is well fitted by its spreading,
somewhat prostrate, habit, forming tufts
about a foot high. Division or seed.

Other kinds (omitting the taller, more
herbaceous kinds) are : Botrioides, with
purple flowers, Ruyschianum, japonicum,
argumense, and Ruprechtii; but though
likely to thrive, seldom effective in south-
ern gardens.

DROSERA (Sundew). — Interesting
little bog-plants, of which all the
hardy species but one are natives of
Britain and characterised by leaves,
their surfaces covered with dense
glandular hairs. When the native
kinds are grown artificially, the condi-
tion of their natural home should be
adopted as far as possible. In a bog
on a very small scale it is not easy to
secure the humid atmosphere they have
at home, but they will grow wherever
Sphagnum grows. The native kinds
are intermedia, longifolia, olovata, and
rotundifolia. The North American
Thread-leaved Sundew (D. filiformis)

PAKT II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

217

is a beautiful plant, with very long
slender leaves covered with glandular
hairs, the flowers purple-rose colour,
half an inch wide, opening only in the
sunshine. Quite hardy, but difficult
to cultivate.

DRYAS OCTOPETALA (Mountain
Avens). — Few have travelled in alpine
districts without seeing how abund-
antly the mountains are clothed with
the creeping stems and large creamy-
white flowers of this plant. An ever-
green, good in habit as well as hand-
some in bloom, it ought to be grown
in every collection of rock-plants.
Widely distributed through the moun-
tain region of Europe, Asia, and North
America, and very abundant in Scot-
land. Easy of culture in moist peat
soil, in which it grows so freely about
Edinburgh, that it is used for edgings
to beds in some nurseries. Seed, or
by cuttings and division. The var.
minor is dwarfer and dense in habit.
D. tenella is a rare species from Labra-
dor. D. Drummondi, very like it, but
with yellow flowers, is also in cultiva-
tion.

ECHINOCACTUS SIMPSONI.— A

beautiful little Cactaceous plant, native
of Colorado, high on the mountains,
and hardy enough for our climate. It
grows in a globular mass, 3 or 4 inches
across, covered with white spines.
Flowers early in March in this country,
the blossoms large, pale purple, and
very beautiful. The natural conditions
should be imitated as far as may be.
It enjoys a dry climate, and is, more or
less, protected from the effects of frost
by a covering of snow. In this country
it has withstood 32° of frost without
injury, and, therefore, if in a dry spot,
it may escape and flourish.

EMPETRUM NIGRUM (Crpwberry).
— A small evergreen Heath-like bush,

of the easiest culture. May be planted
with the dwarfer and least select rock
shrubs. It is a native plant, and the
badge of the Scotch clan M'Lean.

EPIGJEA REPENS (May Mower).—
A little trailing evergreen bush, found
in sandy or rocky soil, especially in
the shade of pines, common in many
parts of North America, with delicate-
rose-coloured flowers in small clusters,
exhaling a fine odour, and appearing
in early spring. It is a plant very
seldom met with in good health in
this country, and, in planting it, it
would be well to bear in mind that
its natural habitat is under trees, and
plant a few in the shade of pines or
shrubs. In New England it is known
as the May Flower. It is so common
in the cold sandy woods of Eastern
America in poor sandy soils, that it
is not easy to see why it should not
thrive with us.

EPILOBIUM (Willow Herb).—
Some of these perennials are occasion-
ally grown among alpine plants, but
are usually too large for the rock-
garden, with the exception of E.
obcordatum. This, which is by far
the dwarfest of the alpine Willow-
herbs, forms handsome little tufts, 3
or 4 inches high, and bearing late in
summer large rosy-crimson blossoms.
Coming from the summits of the Sierra
Nevada, it is hardy, and one of the
most attractive of rock plants, thriving
in sandy loam.

EPIMEDIUM (Barrenworf).— Inter-
esting and graceful perennials with
finely formed leaves, evergreen in
favourable conditions, and precious for
the rock-gardener; all the more so,
for those who think with me that the
hard-and-fast idea of a rock-garden
should give way to the more natural

218

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

one of the association of the mountain
shrub, and the best perennials with
the smaller alpine plants. The Barren-
worts thrive nowhere so well as among
the peat-loving shrubs. We should use
in such a case the partial shade of
the shrubs as well as the soil suiting
them. They also form beautiful
carpets below the shrubs, covering
the ground as it always should be.

Epimediums are typical of many
garden plants, which, though of great
beauty when naturally grown, are
rarely artistically used — I mean by the
word rightly used, both as regards
culture and placing. It should never
be forgotten that good culture and
effect may often go together. Such
plants as these are often dotted singly,
and among other and coarser things,
and they suffer and eventually may
disappear under some coarse shrubs or
plants. But if we plant them so that
they form an effective group, we are
not so likely to forget them, and it is
then better worth our while to give
them the shade and position they
want. I have seen these plants grown
in the open in botanic and other
gardens without a bit of shade ; but
place them in partial shade of what
we call American shrubs, in peaty
soil, and within good broad groups,
and the effect will be one of the best
we can see in the garden. It would
be a case of cultivation and effect
and simplicity of culture going well
together, because, if we know that one
place is given up to a certain group,
we are not likely to make mistakes
with it, as in the general muddle of
the mixed border.

E. pinnatum is a hardy perennial
from Asia Minor, 8 inches to 2j feet
high, with handsome leaves, and bear-
ing long clusters of yellow flowers.
The old leaves remain until the new

ones appear in the ensuing spring.
It is not well to remove them, as
they shelter the buds of the new
leaves during the winter, and the
plants flower better when they are
allowed to remain. Cool peaty soil
and a slightly shaded position are
most suitable. They thrive in half-
shady spots in peat, or in moist sandy
soil. None are so valuable for general
culture as the first-mentioned. The
other species are E. alpinum, Europe ;
concinnum, Japan ; elatum, Himal. ;
macranthum, Japan ; Musschianum,
Japan ; Perralderianum, Algeria ; ptero-
ceras, Caucas. ; pubescens, China ; pubi-
gerum, Caucas. ; and rubrum, Japan.

EPIPACTIS PALUSTRIS (Marsh
#).— A pretty hardy Orchid, 1 to Ij
feet high, flowering late in summer,
with handsome purplish flowers. A
native of moist grassy places in all
parts of temperate and Southern
Europe. A good plant for the bog-
garden, or for moist spots near a
rivulet, in moist peat. In wet dis-
tricts, it thrives very well in ordinary
soil.

ERANTHIS HYEMALIS (Winter
Aconite). — A small plant, with yellow

Eranthis Hyemalis (Winter Aconite).

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

flowers, surrounded by a whorl of
shining-green divided leaves, with a
short, blackish, underground stem re-
sembling a tuber ; the flowers, an inch
or more across, being thrown up on
stems from 3 to 8 inches high. It is
naturalised in woods and copses in
various parts of the country, but has
probably escaped from cultivation, and
is not considered a native, its true
home being shady and humid places
on southern continental mountains.
It is pretty well known, being fre-
quently sold by our bulb merchants,
and is too common a plant for the
choice rock-garden.

Eranthis cilicica is another kind of like
use, but which may for a time deserve a
better place on the rock-garden than the
easily-grown winter Aconite, as free as a
weed in any open and chalky soils.

ERICA (Heath). — "Wiry and usually
rather dwarf hill and moor shrubs of
much native charm. Some of the
prettiest inhabit our own country, and
these break into varieties of distinct
value for the garden. If there were
no other plants than these, we
could make pretty rock or moor
gardens of them, even in hot and
poor soils, and these and a few other
plants, such as Brooms, Sun Roses
and Rock Roses, might adorn many
a hot slope of poor ground, the smaller
kinds the rock-garden, the larger com-
ing into the shrubby parts near. Even
some of the tender ones of Southern
Europe are very happy in mild dis-
tricts in our climate. Several of the
taller and less hardy Heaths are here
omitted — the best kinds for the rock-
garden given.

Erica Australis (Southern Heath).— A
pretty bush Heath of the sandy hills and
wastes of Spain and Portugal, 2 feet to
3 feet high, flowering in spring in Britain.
The flowers are rosy purple and fragrant.

Erica carnea (Alpine Forest Heath}. — A
jewel among mountain Heaths, and hardy
as the Rock Lichen. On many ranges of
Central Europe at rest in the snow in
winter, in our mild winters, it flowers early,
and in all districts is in bloom- in the
dawn of spring — deep rosy flowers, the
leaves and all good in colour. Syn., E.
herbacea.

E. cinerea (Scotch Heath). — A dwarf
Heath, common in many parts of Britain,
very easily grown, and with pretty
varieties of white and various colours.
Its flowers of reddish purple begin to ex-
pand early in June. Among its varieties
are alba, bicolor, coccinea, pallida, purpurea,
and rosea.

E. ciliaris (Dorset Heath). — A lovely
dwarf Heath, and as pretty as any Heath
of Europe. A native of Western France
and Spain in heaths and sandy woods, it
also comes into Southern England. The
flowers are of a purple-crimson, and fade
away into a pretty brown, thriving also in
loamy as well as in peaty soils, and flower-
ing from June to October.

E. hybrida (Hybrid Heath). — A cross
between E. carnea and E. mediterranea.
It is a charming bush, and flowers freely
in winter and far into the spring, thriving
in loamy soil almost as well as in peat.

E. hibernica (Irish Heath).— Mr Bos-
well Syme, whose knowledge of British
plants was most profound, considered this
Irish plant distinct from the Mediter-
ranean Heath, " the flowering not taking
place in the Irish plant till three or four
months after the Mediterranean Heath ; "
a fine shrub in Mayo and Galway, growing
from 2 to 5 feet high.

E. lusitanica (Portuguese Heath). — This
is for Britain the most precious of the
taller Heaths, 2 to 4 feet high, and, hardier
than the Tree Heath, it may be grown
over a larger area. Even in a cool district
I have had it in a loamy soil ten years,
and almost every year it bears lovely
wreaths of flowers in mid-winter, white
flowers with a little touch of pink, in fine
long Foxbrush-like shoots. In about one
year in five, it is cut down by frost, but
usually recovers, and is a shrub of rare
beauty for sea coast and mild districts.
Syn., E. codonodes.

220

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Erica mediterranea (Mediterranean
Heath}.— A bushy kind, 3 to 5 feet high,
best in peat, and flowering prettily in
spring. Although a native or Southern
Europe, it is hardier in our country than
the Tree Heaths of Southern Europe. Of
this species there are several varieties.

E. stricta (Gorsican Heath). — A wiry-
looking shrub, compact in habit, about
4 feet high, and a handsome plant. A
native of the mountains of Corsica, flower-
ing in summer.

E. tetralix (Marsh or Bell Heather).—
This beautiful Heath is frequent through-
out the northern, as well as western,
regions, thriving in boggy places, but also
in ordinary soil in gardens. This Heath has
several varieties, differing in colour mainly.
E. Mackaiana is thought to be a variety of
the Bell Heather. E. Watsoni is a hybrid
between the bell heather and Dorset Heath.

E. vagans (Cornish Heath) is a vigorous
bush Heath, thriving in almost any soil,
3 to 4 feet high. A native of Southern
Britain and Ireland, and better fitted for
bold groups in the pleasure ground or
covert than the garden. There are several
varieties, but they do not differ much from
the wild plant.

E. vulgaris (Heather: Ling).— As pre-
cious as any Heath is the common Heather
and its many varieties, none of them
prettier than the common form, but worth
having, excluding only the very dwarf
and monstrous ones, which are useless,
except in the rock-garden, and not of
much good there. Heathers are excellent
to clothe a bare slope of shaly soil, not
taking any notice of the hottest summer
in such situations. Among the best
varieties are alba, Alporti, coccinea, de-
cumbens, Hammondi, pumila, rigida,
Searlei, and tomentosa. Syn., Calluna.

E. dabcecii (Dabcecs Heath). — A beauti-
ful shrub, 18 inches to 30 inches high,
bearing crimson-purple blooms in droop-
ing racemes. There is a white variety
even more beautiful, and one with purple
and white flowers, called bicolor. I have
had the white form in flower throughout
the summer and autumn on a slope fully
exposed to the sun, and in very hot years,
too. Syn., Menziesia polifolia, also Dabcecia
and Boretta. West of Ireland.

ERIGERON (Fleabane*).— Michael-
mas Daisy-like plants of dwarf growth,
somewhat alike in general appearance,
and having pink or purple flowers with
yellow centres, and a few of the
dwarfest suited for the rock-garden.
Of these, E. alpinum grandiflorum is
the finest. It is similar to the alpine
Aster, having large heads of purplish
flowers in late summer, and remaining
in beauty a long time. E. Roylei,
a Himalayan plant, is another good
alpine, of very dwarf tufted growth,
having large blossoms of a bluish-
purple, with yellow eye. E. mucron-
atus, known also as Vittadenia triloba,
is a pretty Daisy-like flower, compact,
and for several weeks in summer is a
dense rounded mass of bloom about 9
inches high. The flowers are pink
when first expanded, and afterwards
change to white. All are easily in-
creased by division in autumn or
spring.

ERINUS ALPINUS (Wall E.)— A
pretty and distinct little plant, with
many violet -purple flowers in short
racemes, over very dwarf tufts of
downy, toothed leaves. A native of
the Alps of Switzerland, the Tyrol, and
the Pyrenees, perishing in winter on
the level ground in most gardens, but
permanent on old walls or ruins. I
have seen brick garden walls with
every chink between the bricks filled
with this plant, so as to look at a
distance as if covered with moss in
winter, and in summer becoming
covered with masses of lovely colour.
It is easily established on old walls,
by scattering the seeds in mossy or
earthy chinks, and is of course well
suited for the rock-garden, growing
thereon in any position, often flower-
ing bravely on earthless mossy rocks
and stones, naturalised on the Roman
remains at Chesters, Northumberland

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

On my own walls there is a pretty
variety of colour, purple, white, and
a pretty rose. Do not try to cover the
" in.

ERIOGONUM.— North American
plants which, as seen on the Rocky
Mountains and alpine regions in,
California, are of much beauty, but
which I have never seen good in cultiva-
tion, except, perhaps, E. umbellatum,
which, from a dense spreading tuft of
leaves, throws up numerous flower-
stems, 6 inches to 8 inches high, with
yellow blooms in umbels 4 inches or
more across, forming a pretty tuft.
It is worthy of a place on any rock-
garden or border, in light, sandy soil,
in which it has never failed to bloom
profusely. Other species are E. com-
positum, flavum, racemosum, ursinum.

ERITRICHIUM NANUM (Fairy
Forget-me-not^. — An alpine gem, closely
allied to the Forget-me-nots, which
it far excels in the intensity of the
azure-blue of its blossoms. Though
reputed to be difficult to cultivate,
a fair amount of success may be en-
sured by planting it in broken lime-
stone or sandstone, mixed with a small
quantity of rich fibry loam and peat,
in a spot in the rock-garden where it
will be fully exposed, and where the
roots will be near masses of half-buried
rock, to the sides of which they de-
light to cling. The chief enemy of
this little plant, and indeed of ajl
alpine plants with silky or cottony
foliage, is moisture in winter, which
soon causes it to damp off. In its
native mountains it is covered with
dry snow during that period. Some,
therefore, recommend an overhanging
ledge, but if such protection be not
removed during summer, it causes too
much shade and dryness. A better
plan is to place two pieces of glass

in a ridge over the plant, thus keeping
it dry, and allowing a free access of
air, but these should be removed early
in spring. Alps of Europe, at high
elevations.

ERODIUM.— Dwarf, greyish rock
plants of the Geranium order, but less
vigorous, and suited for warm and
sunny spots on the rock-garden, also
for dry walls where such are made.

Erodium carvifolium (Caraway-leaved
Heronsbill). — A good perennial species, 6
to 10 inches high, producing red flowers
larger than those of E. romanum, the whole
plant being more vigorous, and more
decidedly perennial than that species. A
native of Spain.

E. macradenium (Spotted Heronsbill).—
Allied to the rock Heronsbill, but dis-
tinguished from it by the two upper petals
being marked with a large blackish spot,
the lower petals being larger and of a
delicate flesh-colour, veined with purplish
rose, two to six flowers being borne on stalks
from 2 to 6 inches high. The flowers
are pretty, and the entire plant has an
agreeably aromatic fragrance. It is easily
grown in chinks and dry spots, in warm
rather than rich soil, and is increased from
seeds, and also by division. Pyrenees.

E. manescavi (Noble Heronsbill).— A.
showy kind, with long, much divided
leaves, from which spring many stout
flower-stems, each bearing an umbel of
from five to fifteen handsome purplish
flowers, each more than an inch across.
It is distinct, and deserves a place in
every collection, flourishing on the level
ground, and being a vigorous grower, it
should be associated with the strongest
rock plants only. A native of the
Pyrenees, flowering in summer, and, when
the plants are young and in fresh soil,
for a long time in succession. Easily
raised from seed, and in cultivation grows
from 10 inches to 2j feet high.

E. petraeum (Rock Heronsbill). —A small
kind, with much divided, somewhat
velvety leaves, and rather large, lively
rose, or white-and- veined, but not spotted
flowers, from 3 to 6 inches high, and
thriving in warm and dry chinks or

222

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

nooks on the sunny sides of rock. It is
a plant to try on old walls ; on the level
ground the leaves grow fat at the
expense of the flowers, and the softness
of tissue resulting, causes them to perish
in winter. There is a smooth variety,
E. luridum, and one with more curled
and downy leaves, E. crispum; all are
natives of dry rocky places in the Pyrenees
and Southern Europe, and are increased
by seed or division.

Erodium Reichardi (Reichard's Herons-
bill}. — A tufted stemless plant, a native
of Majorca. The heart-shaped little leaves
rest upon the ground, and the flower-
stems attain a height of 2 or 3 inches,
each bearing a solitary white flower,
faintly veined with pink. It flowers
freely, and usually from spring or early
summer till autumn ; is quite easy of
culture in moist sandy soil, on bare ex-
posed spots or in chinks.

E. Romanum (Roman Heronsbill). — A
pretty species, with gracefully cut leaves
like those of the British Erodium cicu-
tarium, to which it is allied ; but it differs
in having larger flowers, in being stemless
and a perennial ; the flowers purplish, in
the end of March or beginning of April.
It is easily grown, and comes up thickly
from self-sown seeds, at least in light and
chalky soils ; would thrive on old walls.
S. France and Italy.

ERPETION RENIFORME (New
Holland Violet). — This mantles the
ground with a mass of small leaves,
has slender, creeping stems, and blue
and white flowers of exquisite beauty,
rising not more than a couple of inches
from the ground. A Violet it is in-
deed, but a Violet of the southern
hemisphere, and without the vigour
and depth of colour of our northern
sweet Violet. It is good for planting
out over the surface of a bed of very
light earth, in which some handsome
plants would be put out during the
summer in a scattered manner, and
the little Violet allowed to creep over
the surface. Being small and delicate
as well as pretty, it should not be used

under or around coarse subjects. It
must of course be treated like a half-
hardy plant — taken up in autumn,
and put out in May or June. In
every place where alpine plants are
grown in pots, it should find a home ;
and in mild parts of these islands, say
the south and west coast, it would
probably maintain its ground without
perishing during winter. Syn., Viola.

ERYNGIUM (Sea Holly).— Though
some of the plants of this are beautiful,
and some inhabit alpine lands, they
are almost, without exception, too large
for the rock-garden, though they may
be grown with good effect among
shrubs near it. The same remarks,
however, apply to many fine
perennials.

ERYSIMUM.— This is a little genus
of alpine plants, very much resembling
alpine wall-flowers, but of much less
value, though one or two are pretty
for the alpine garden.

Erysimum pumilum (Liliputian Wall-
flower}.— Resembling in the size and colour
of its flowers the alpine Wallflower, but
without the rich green foliage of that, but
with flowers large for the size of the plant,
often only an inch high, above a few
narrow leaves barely rising above the
ground. I have seen it in bloom with
flowers nearly as large as those on the alpine
Wallflower, and yet flowers and all could
be almost covered by a thimble. In richer
soil and less exposed spots it is larger. A
native of high and bare places in the Alps,
it should be grown in an exposed spot in
very sandy loam, surrounded by a few
small stones to guard it from drought and
accident, and associated with the smallest
alpine plants.

E. Rhseticum (Rhcetian Wallflower). — A
pretty mountain flower which, though
rare in cultivation, is a common alpine
in Rhsetia and the neighbouring districts,
where in early summer its broad dense-
tufted masses are aglow with clear yellow
blossoms. E. canescens, a South European

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

species, with scentless yellow flowers, is
also a good alpine plant, and so is E.
rupestre easy to grow, and thriving in
gritty soil and well-drained spot.

ERYTHREA (Centaury).—K small
genus of rather pretty dwarf biennials,
belonging to the Gentian family. The
native species, E. littordlis, common
in some shore districts, is worth
cultivating. It is 4 to 6 inches high,
and bears an abundance of rich pink
flowers, which last a considerable time
in beauty, and will withstand full
exposure to the sun, though partial
shade is beneficial. The very beauti-
ful E. diffusa is a similar species. It
is a rapid grower, with a profusion of
pink blossoms in summer.

Erythrsea Muhlenbergi is another
beautiful plant. It is neat and about
8 inches high, putting out many slender
branches. It bears many flowers, and the
blossoms are 3^ inches across. They are
of a deep pink, with a greenish-white star
in the centre. Seeds should be sown in
autumn, and grown under liberal treat-
ment till the spring ; the plants will then
flower much earlier and produce finer
flowers than spring-sown plants. They
are excellent for the rock-garden and the
margins of a loamy border, but the soil
must be moist. On account of their dura-
tion or other peculiarities, they are of
more botanical than garden interest.

ERYTHRONIUM (Dog's - Tooth
Violet). — Graceful and distinct bulbous
plants, dwarf, hardy and well suited
for our purpose. The European kind
is a charming flower with handsome
spotted leaves and drooping flowers,
of which there are various coloured
varieties. No need to speak here of
its cultivation, as it is one of the
easiest plants to naturalise in grass.
The most interesting of the family
are the American kinds recently come
to us ; these have a graceful habit
and beauty. Like so many other

plants, they are best in warm light
soils.

Erythronium dens-canis (Dog's-tooth
Violet). — One of the hardiest of the moun-
tain plants, its handsome oval leaves
pointed above, marked with patches of
reddish brown, the flowers singly on steins
4 to 6 inches high, drooping, and
cut into six rosy purple or lilac divi-
sions. There is a variety with white,
one with rose-coloured, and one with
flesh-coloured flowers. It is one of the
best plants for the spring or rock-garden,
and will grow in any ordinary soil. The
bulbs are white and oblong ; hence its
common name ; and it is increased by
dividing them every two or three years,,
replanting rather deeply. Alps.

E. Americanum.— The commonest kind
in the Eastern United States of North
America, narrow in foliage, with bright
yellow pendent flowers. It is a good and
free growing plant, but in our country
fails to flower 011 some cold and heavy
soils. To ensure its doing so, plant in
warm open sandy soil. The main interest
of these plants, however, is centred in the
fine kinds from the North Pacific coast,
including the Rocky Mountains and a
vast region of tree-clad mountains, a
thousand or more miles across, from which
all of these plant treasures are not yet
gathered. In some soils in our countries
they do not thrive, requiring soils of a
leafy and open nature, which accounts
for their slow and uncertain growth in
heavy soils, like some of those around
London. The following by one who knows
them well in their native homes, is invalu-
able as a guide : —

Erytlironiums are woodland plants, and
need some shade to develop the leaves-
and stems. Partial shade by trees will
answer. I give my beds a lath shade.
I have for several years been experi-
menting with soils for them. While
often found in heavy soils, they make
better growth in a soil of rocky debris
mixed with leaf mould. Much of the
charm of Dog's-Tooth Violets is in their
large leaves and tall slender stems.
Rocky debris has not been available, and
I have tried several substitutes, but have
discarded all for a soil of one-half to one-

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

third half-rotten spent tan-bark with sandy
loam. Our tan-bark here is the bark of
the Tanbark Oak (Quercus densiflora), and
is ground at the tannery. This gives a
soil rich in mould and always loose and
porous. It suits the needs of Erytliro-
niums exactly, and answers well for many
•other bulbs. They should always be planted
early, as, with few exceptions, the bulbs
are not good keepers after the fall, and
the sooner they are in the ground after
the first of October the better. I plant
them so that the top of the bulb is about
2 inches from the surface. The drainage
should be good. With these essentials,
shade, drainage, and a loose soil, success
is very probable. Although quite hardy,
a heavy coat of leaves, such as Nature
protects them with in their woodland
home, would be a wise precaution in cold
-climates. They do not seem to have any
peculiar disease, and growing and flower-
ing as early as they do, artificial watering
is not necessary. In the region including
the Kocky Mountains and the country
westward to the Pacific, fifteen forms are
now known, classed as species and
varieties. A more charming group of
bulbous plants does not exist. Their
leaves show a variety of mottling, and in
the flowers delicate shades of white, straw-
colour, and deep yellow, deep rose, pink,
light and deep purple are represented. To
describe all of these forms, so 'that even
a botanist could readily identify them by
the descriptions, would be difficult, but in
the garden each has some charm of leaf,
of tint, or of form. In their native homes
they grow throughout a wide range as to
•climate and altitude, and in cultivation
they maintain their seasons, so that the
display which is opened by E. Hartwegi
with the Snowdrops and earliest Narcissi,
is closed by E. montanum and E. purpur-
ascens when the others have flowered
and become dry. E. Hartwegi can be
propagated freely by offsets ; all of the
others come from seed. A bulb may have
an offset occasionally, and sometimes a
clump of four or five will form in some
years, but the contrary is the rule. It is
all important in handling the bulbs of
Erythroniums that they should not be
allowed to dry out. Many of the failures

are owing to lack of care in this respect.
If properly handled, they can be kept in
good condition out of the ground until
midwinter or even February, although
early planting is always advisable. The
bulbs should be kept in a cool place in
barely moist earth or peat or Sphagnum,
and in shipping carry best in Sphagnum
barely moistened. In dry or hot air, they
soon become hollow, and their vitality is
impaired.

Erythronium grandiflorum.— The
species is not to be confused with E. gigan-
teum, which has straw-coloured flowers and
richly mottled leaves. Nearly all of the
bulbs grown heretofore as E. grandiflorum
are really E. giganteum. The true E.
grandiflorum has light green leaves, entirely
destitute of mottling, the filaments slender
and the style deeply three-cleft. There
are four strong-coloured forms, each of
which has a wide distribution. Mr
Watson, in his revision, only mentions
two of these, and is incorrect as to
localities. They are

(1) The type of the species, one to five-
flqwered, stout, flowers a bright clear
yellow. This is the species which Avas
exhibited recently in London as E.
Nuttallianum. Eastern Oregon.

(2) Var. Nuttallianum.— This only
differs from the type in having red
anthers.

(3) On the high peaks of Washington,
there is a form with white flowers with
yellow centres. It is one to five-flowered,
and from very low to 18 inches, according
to soil and situation. Watson's var. parvi-
florum is accredited to the same localities,
but, acccording to him, is bright yellow.

(4) Var. album, a form having pure
white flowers with a yellow centre and a
greenish cast, one to five-flowered. This
handsome form grows in the Pine forests
in a low rolling region of Eastern
Washington. In cultivation I find some
difficulty with E. grandiflorum, from its
tendency to flower too quickly. The
plants will often come through the
ground with the flower half expanded.
Inthe cooler climate of Northern Europe,
which is more similar to that of its native
home, it will do much better. Eocky
Mountains, Colorado, and British America.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

225

Erythronium Hartwegi is not only the
earliest but also the most easily grown of
all, and unique in its habit. Its leaves are
mottled in dark green and dark mahogany-
brown. The two to six flowers are each
borne on a separate slender scape, and
form a sessile umbel. The general effect
of a well-grown plant is of a loose bouquet
with the two richly mottled leaves as a
holder. The segments recurve to the
stalk, and are light yellow with an orange
centre. Well-grown flowers measure 2
inches to 2^ inches across. Its bulbs are
short and solid, producing small offsets,
and, unlike most sorts, they retain their
vitality until late in the season, and are
in good condition in February, when bulbs
planted earlier are in flower. Sierra
Nevada of California.

E. montanum. — This is an alpine
species from the high peaks of the Cas-
cades, in Oregon and Washington. The
leaves are without mottling, and alone
among Erythroniums are abruptly con-
tracted at base with a slender unmargined
petiole. The flowers are pure white with
an orange centre, resembling in shape those
of E. giganteum. Its bulbs are peculiar
in having the old rootstock persistent, and
showing the annual scars of many years.
Often it forms a spiral around the bulbs.

E. purpurascens has uiimottled leaves,
which in the earlier stages of growth are
strongly tinged with purple and become
dark green. The segments of the perianth
are not reflexed, as in all the others, but
spreading white to creamy, with orange
centre, and turning purplish. The flowers
are small and crowded in a raceme, style
not divided. A very distinct species, grow-
ing in the higher regions of the Sierra
Nevada, in California. As a garden plant
it is not to be compared to the others
here described. Bulbs obtained from high
altitudes flower very late with E. mon-
tanum ; from lower altitudes they flower
a little earlier than E. giganteum.

E. revolution is a widely scattered
species, extending along the coast from
Sonoma County, California, to the central
part of British America, usually in deep
forests. It is a plant of low altitudes, the
leaves always mottled ; filaments broad
and awl-shaped, the style large and pro-

minent and three- cleft ; the scape stout
and usually one-flowered, but sometimes
three to five-flowered. E. revolutum can
always be identified by the broad filaments
and prominent appendages. I have seen
six well-marked variations.

(1) The Species. — This has broad leaves
mottled with white or seldom with light
brown, scapes stout, 6 inches to 15 inches
high. The petals are narrow ; at first
white to delicate pink, they soon become
purple. This form was the first Ery-
thronium collected, being found by
Menzies in British Columbia over a
hundred years ago, and described as E.
revolutum. It was lost sight of until
a year ago I found a form in the
Redwood forest of Mendocino County,
California, which is identical with the
original. These two points are 1000 miles
apart, but I have since found several
intermediate habitats, and it stretches
along the coast the entire distance in a
long narrow band.

(2) Var. Bolanderi.— This seems to be
a local low-growing form very similar to
the last, but the flowers are white, only
tardily becoming purplish. Eel River
Valley, Mendocino County, California.

(3) Var. Johnson! (E. Johnsoni, Bo-
lander). — This exquisitely beautiful kind
has broad leaves mottled with white, and
looking as if varnished. The flower is of
a delicate reddish tint with orange centre.
Well illustrated in a Garden plate, 20th
February, 1897. North- Western Oregon.

(4) Erythronium revolutum (Creamy
Form). — This, according to Mr Watson, is
the type of the species, but as variety No. 1
is proved to be the original, it becomes a
variety. The leaf is more darkly mottled
than in either of the others with brown or
dark brown. The petals are broad and of
much substance, and become reflexed more
tardily than most Erythroniums, although
at length closely reflexed. In colour it
is from light to dark cream, with a
greenish cast, and a yellow centre. It is
one of the best in cultivation. Coast ranges,
Oregon and British Columbia.

(5) E. revolutum var. albiflorum.—
This beautiful variety is like the preced-
ing, except that the ground colour is pure
white, with a slight greenish cast. It was

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

described in Europe as E. grandiftorum
var. albiflorum in Gardeners' CJironicle, 1888,
t. 77. It had also been described as E.
giganteum var. albiflorum. It is one of the
most beautiful of Erythroniums.

Eiythronium giganteum has long been
known and grown as E. grandiftorum.
While its flowers are no larger than in the
other kinds, it excels all in height and
number of blossoms. I have often seen
it with eight or ten flowers, and once
with sixteen. The leaves are mottled
with white and brown, or deep brown ;
the flowers light yellow, with a deeper
centre, and often banded with brown.
The filaments are very slender, and the
style three-cleft. It can be distinguished
from E. grandiftorum by its mottled leaves,
from E. revolutum by the slender filaments
and small appendages. Its range is a
broad belt in the coast ranges from
San Francisco Bay north to Southern
Oregon.

E. citrinum resembles E. giganteum,
but has an undivided style. The leaves
are mottled, the flower light yellow, with
an orange base. Southern Oregon.

E. Henderson! is another species also
closely resembling E. giganteum, but easily
distinguished by its undivided style and
purple flowers with an almost black centre.
Southern Oregon.

E. Howelli. — This alone of the western
Erythroniums has no appendages at the
base of the petals. By this character,
with its undivided style, it can always
be identified. The flowers are pale yellow
with an orange base. Southern Oregon.
CARL PDRDY, in Garden.

FRAGARIA(^raw;&em/).— Thewild
strawberry is very pretty on banks,
and occasionally most useful on
old mossy garden walls, where it estab-
lishes itself. One kind, F. monophylla,
is a beautiful rock-garden plant,
with large white flowers. The Indian
strawberry, F. indica, is a pretty little
trailer, bearing many red berries and
flowering late. All are of the easiest
culture in any not too wet soil, and
of facile increase by division.

FRANKENIA UEVIS (Sea Heath}.
— A very small Evergreen, with
crowded leaves like a Heath. Common
in marshes by the sea in many parts
of Europe and on the east coast of
England. Best for the rock-garden,
but mainly of botanical interest.

FRITILLARIA (Snakeshead).—
These distinct and graceful bulbous
flowers are so hardy and free in many
soils, that there is no need of rock-
garden luxuries for them. But in
this large group of plants there are
rare and beautiful kinds which the
variety of surface and of aspect in a
well-formed rock-garden may be very
welcome to, and some American and
European plants of this race are very
striking and deserving of our best
care. Their singular grace is charm-
ing on a carpet of rock plants, which
can be easily established on any
aspect of the rock-garden. The lovely
yellow kinds, although long in cultiva-
tion— I have seen them admirably
drawn in Dutch pictures two hundred
years old — are slow to establish in
gardens, and I found aurea tender
in Sussex. This, no doubt, arises from
the fact that in their own countries
they lie under the snow until the winter
is quite gone.

Mr Carl Purdy, writing to the
Garden from California, says that some
American kinds, including those of
most striking beauty, are woodland
plants, and, therefore, in planting them,
we ought never to omit plenty of leaf
mould. The shrubby rock-garden I
so heartily advocate will give us for
these plants the little shelter and
half shade which is desirable.

The following are a few of the more
select for the rock-garden, omitting
our handsome native Snakeshead,
which grows so freely in grass in any
moist field. In so large a family, there

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

227

are no doubt other alpine and choice
kinds worth seeking by rock gardeners,
and not a few yet to be introduced to
gardens.

Fritillaria alpina is a pretty species,
of dwarf growth, and bearing drooping
flowers, chocolate on the outside and
yellow within, while its margin of brighter
yellow gives the flower a pretty effect.
It blooms quite early in spring, and is of
easy culture.

F. armena, from Asia Minor, is a dwarf
form, with soft yellow bell-shaped blossoms
on frail stems less than 6 inches high.
This kind is best suited for sunny spots
in the rock-garden or for planting freely
in pots or pans for very early flowering.
A soil of peat and loam suits this admir-
ably. Next in order is

F. aurea (Golden Snakeshead). — A large
and beautiful flower, though the plant is
quite dwarf, and perhaps the gem of the
family. I have often found it stricken
with frost in my garden, owing, no doubt,
to its coming from a country where the
snow protects it long, and, therefore, I
think it is safer to put it on the cool side
of the rock-garden where it might flower
later. A dwarf carpet of Sandwort or
Rockfoil above looks well, and may be
otherwise a gain.

F. Burnati, a handsome hardy plant
about 9 inches high, with solitary droop-
ing blossoms, 2 inches long, which are of
a plum-colour, chequered with yellowish
green. Alps. Flowers with the Snow-
drop, and is as easy to grow.

F. Moggridgei is a beautiful kind, with
handsome drooping blossoms of golden-
yellow, prettily chequered with chestnut-
brown on the inner surface. It is a dwarf
kind, requiring treatment like F. atirea
above noted. Maritime Alps.

F. pudica, a lovely kind with blossoms
of a clear yellow, about three-quarters of
an inch across, of much substance, and
lasting long. Not the least attractive part
of the plant is the fragrance of its golden
bells. It is quite hardy, and, grown in
mixture of loam and leaf soil with plenty
of sand and a little manure, gives a charm-
ing effect. California.

F. Whittalli, a recent introduction, is

beautiful and quite distinct, the blossoms
of a red-brown on a yellow ground, tes-
sellated on both surfaces.

GALANTHUS (Snowdrop).— Of late
a host of forms of the Snowdrops have
come into gardens, many of them with
Latin names, and some as beautiful
in their way as the old Snowdrop.
There is reason to believe that these
are not species, but varieties from
very different localities, but this can-
not affect their garden value. They
are, however, so easily grown in any
open soil, that there is no occasion
to devote the rock-garden space to
them, fair as they are, springing here
and there in groups through moss-like
rock plants. Usually, however, the
Snowdrops are best naturalised in
grass.

GALAX APHYLLA (White Wand
Plant). — A distinct Evergreen perennial
from North America, forming a thick
matted tuft of scaly creeping root-
stocks, thickly set with fibrous red
roots, from which it sends up a
number of roundish, shining leaves
(about 2 inches wide) on slender
stalks. The flowers appear in June,
and form a wand-like spike of small
and minutely-bracted white flowers,
on the summit of a slender stem, 1 to
2 feet high. Useful for the rock-garden,
in loam and leaf-mould.

GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS

(Creeping Wintergreeri). — This plant
barely rises above the ground, on
which it forms dense tufts of shining
leaves, with small drooping white
flowers in June, succeeded by a multi-
tude of bright red berries about the
size of peas. The neat little shrub is
of itself pretty, and the berries give
it a charm through the winter months.
A native of North America, in sandy
places and cool damp woods, often

228

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

in the shade of Evergreens, from
Canada to Virginia. London says it
is difficult to keep alive, except in a
peat soil kept moist; but I have
never seen it prettier or so full of
berries as on stiff loam. The plant
was thoroughly exposed, and the only
advantage it had corresponding to
those usually mentioned as necessary
was that the soil was moist. It
thrives also in moist peat. There are
few other plants of these important
for the rock-garden, except G. num-
mularicefolia, a dwarf creeping Ever-
green. The large Partridge Berry of
the Rocky Mountains (G. shallon) is
too strong a grower for any but the
roughest of stony banks in woods or
elsewhere.

GENISTA (Rock Broom).— These
shrubs are dwarf and very often tufted
in growth, bearing yellow flowers of some
beauty. They are easily grown and
raised, and, being good in habit, should
be worth a place in hot sandy soils
where the true alpine flowers are
despaired of. They would go well
with the Rock Roses, Heaths, and
Rosemary, which might be happy in
such soils. From the following selec-
tion, we omit those that are too large
for the rock-garden, or that have been
found to be tender in the neighbour-
hood of London.

Genista anglica (Heather Wliin) is a
dwarf spiny shrub, not often growing to a
height of 2 feet. It is widely distributed
throughout Western Europe, and in
Britain occurs on moist moors from Ross
southwards. The short leafy racemes of
yellow flowers appear in May and June.

G. anxantica, found wild in the neigh-
bourhood of Naples, is very nearly allied
to our native Dyer's Greenweed (G. tinc-
toria). It is very dwarf in habit, and its
many racemes of golden-yellow flowers
come in late summer. A beautiful rock-
garden plant.

Genista aspalathoides, a native of
South-western Europe, makes a densely
branched, compact, spiny bush from 1 foot
to 2 feet in height. It flowers in July and
August (the yellow blossoms are somewhat
smaller than those of G. anglica), and is
a good shrub for the rock-garden.

G. ephedroides, a native of Sardinia,
etc., is a much-branched shrub, 2 feet in
height, bearing yellow flowers from June
to August.

G. germanica, a species widely distri-
buted throughout Europe, makes a bright
rock-garden shrub, not more than a couple
of feet in height. It flowers very freely
during the summer and autumn months,
and the stems are inclined to arch when
1 foot or more high.

G. hispanica, a native of South-Western
Europe, is a compact undershrub, ever-
green from the colour of its shoots. It
scarcely attains more than 1 foot or 18
inches in height, and the crowded racemes
of yellow flowers are borne at the tips of
the spiny twigs from May onwards.

G. pilosa, a widely distributed Euro-
pean species, is a dense, prostrate bush and
a rock-garden plant. In Britain it is rare
and local, being confined to gravelly
heaths in the south and south-west of
England. It grows freely, flowering in
May and June. Like the rest of the
British species of the genus, it has bright
yellow blossoms.

G. prsecox is a garden name for Cytisus
prcecox, a beautiful hybrid between the
white Spanish Broom (Cytisus albus) and
C. purgans, a golden-flowered species.

G. radiata, a native of Central and
Southern Europe, is 3 feet or 4 feet in
height, evergreen from the colour of its
much-branched spiny twigs. The heads
of bright yellow flowers appear through-
out the summer months. It is quite hardy
at any rate in the south of England.

G. ramosissima.— A native of Southern
Spain, and one of the best garden plants
in the genus, grows about 3 feet high, and
the slender twigs are laden in July with
bright yellow flowers. This also passes
under the name of G. cinerea.

G. sagittalis (Winged Rock Broom).— A.
singular plant, its branchlets winged (by
the stem expanding into two or three

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

229

green membranes), and bearing rich
yellow flowers in summer ; the shoots
are usually prostrate, and the plant is
rarely more than 6 inches high. It is
met with in the grass in the mountain
pastures of many parts of Europe. In
cultivation, it is hardy and vigorous in
the coldest soil, forming profusely flower-
ing tufts when fully exposed. Seed.

Genista tinctoria (Dyer's Greenweed}. —
A dwarf native shrub, with numerous
slender branches, forming compact tufts
from a foot to a foot and a half high, pretty
yellow flowers in early summer. It is
grown in many of our Nurseries, and merits
a place among rock-shrubs. There is a
double variety. Not unfrequent in many
parts of England, but rare in Scotland
and Ireland.

G. tinctoria var. elatior is a tall-grow-
ing form from the Caucasus, which under
cultivation frequently grows from 4 feet
to 5 feet high, and bears huge paniculate
inflorescences.

GENTIANA (Gentian).— Alpine and
mountain pasture plants of classic
beauty and variety, some herbaceous,
some evergreen herbs, some annual
plants. Beautiful as the Gentians are
on the mountains of Europe — and it
is not easy to describe their beauty
at its best, as, say, of a plateau of
acres of the vernal Gentian on the
Austrian Alps, or of the Bavarian
Gentian along the side of an alpine
streamlet — I think I was even more
struck with the beauty of the American,
fringed, and other Gentians which do
not seem easy of cultivation in Britain.
There is no serious difficulty as "to
the culture of the best European
kinds, save, perhaps, bavarica, but the
American kinds are more liable to
perish in some of our soils. Gentians
are not all worthy of cultivation on
the rock-garden. I never could see
any beauty from that point of view,
hi the tall Gentian of the Alps (G.
luted), and some of the annual kinds
are of no value for the rock-garden,

but there are not a few kinds among
the fairest of known rock plants.

If any plants justify the formation
of a good rock-garden, it is these ;
and we should seek to get their
best effect from an artistic point of
view by, if possible, grouping them
in a natural way. There will be no
difficulty in this as regards some
kinds, particularly Gentianella, which
is very effective on some soils, and in
its various forms might be grouped
well when sufficiently increased. The
Willow Gentian also lends itself to
good effect among the bushes in the
rock-garden, and is readily increased.
One or two good kinds, well grown
and grouped, will be better than a
dozen dotty examples of ill-grown kinds,
however rare or curious.

It is curious in growing the vernal
Gentian how little way is made, with
perhaps the most brilliant of alpine
plants that flower on the higher moun-
tains in late summer. There we see
acres of it in every sort of position ;
in banks by streams, in open grassy
places, in little green vales ; some-
times in wide peaty flats, almost blue
with its fine colour. In gardens it
is too much coddled, wanting nothing
really but moist, peaty, or fine loamy
soil, not shallow, and the plants never
cocked up on the ridiculous "rock-
work" of the garden, but kept on
low ledges or borders, and never
placed near herbaceous or any other
vigorous plants.

Gentiana acaulis (Gentianella).—
Among the most beautiful of the Gentians,
easily cultivated, except on dry soils. In
some places edgings are made of it, and
where the plant does well, it should be
used in every garden to some extent in
this way. It is at home on the rock-
garden, where there is moist loam into
which it can root. It is sometimes sold
in Covent Garden in pots, when in flower

230

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

in spring, and is readily propagated by
division, and also by seeds ; but these are
so small, and so slow in germinating, that
its propagation in this way is never worth
the trouble. It is abundant in many
parts of the Alps and Pyrenees. I have
grown this plant very well in " battered "
walls, and it flowered freely thereon. My
friend, M. Francisque Morel of Lyons,
tells me that the form of this fine plant,
which is cultivated in British Gardens, is
unknown on the Savoy mountains and
those near. He thinks it is an Italian form,
but there are other handsome Gentians
among its allies on those mountains and
others near, which are well worth the
attention of rock gardeners. As the old
plant we have is so easily grown in
Britain, there is no reason why these
should not be equally so. I think they
would all do grown on walls in the way
described in the first part of this book —
that is to say, on " battered " walls against
earth banks, with the stones so set that
they will catch all the rainfall.

According to M. Correvon, there are
four or even five well-marked forms of
G. acaulis, viz. :

Gentiana angustifolia.— A stolonifer-
ous plant, emitting underground runners.
Flowers large, handsome, of a fine
deep sky-blue colour, and spotted on
the throat with sprightly green. This is
the handsomest species. It flowers in
May and June, and is found on calcareous
parts of the Alps at an altitude of 3000
feet to 4000 feet.

G. a. Clusii. — The flowers of this are
of a fine dark blue colour, and have no
green spots on the throat. The plant
blooms in May and June, and is found
on calcareous rocks of the Alps and the
Jura range at an altitude of 3000 feet to
5000 feet.

G. a. Kochiana.— Flowers of a violet-
blue colour, marked on the throat with
five spots of a blackish-green colour in
May and June. Common in pastures on
the granitic Alps.

G. a. alpina. — Leaves small, of a
sprightly green colour, glistening, curving
inwards and imbricated, forming rosettes
which incurve at about the middle part
of their length. Blooms in May and June.

Found on the granitic Alps at an alti-
tude of 6000 feet to 9000 feet ; also on
the Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada.
The two last-named species require a
compost of one-third crushed granite, one-
third heath soil, and one-third vegetable
loam, and should be planted half exposed
to the sun.

Gentiana a. dinarica (Beck)— This is a
form of G. acaulis with broad, thick leaves
and erect, slender, almost cylindrical
flowers of a dark blue colour. Alps of
Southern and Eastern Austria.

G. Andrews!! (Blind Gentian). — The
kinds of Gentian which attract so much
attention for their beauty on European
mountains open their flowers wide when
the sun shines. This does not do so,
having closed tubes each about an inch
long, in clusters, and of a deep dark blue.
Then, instead of spreading low and mant-
ling the ground with rosettes of leaves,
the shoots grow erect, and a foot or more
high. It is handsome, thrives in a sandy
peat, but has been hitherto so little grown,
that experiences of its likes and dislikes
are not yet obtainable. The flowers are
closely set in clusters near the tops of the
shoots. A native of moist rich soil in
North America, flowering in autumn, and
increased by division and by seed.

G. asclepiadea (Swallow-wort).— A true
herbaceous plant, i.e., dying down every
year, thus keeping out of danger in winter
time, and easily cultivated in almost any
soil. It grows erect, with shoots almost
willow-like, and from 15 inches to 2 feet
high, according to the nature of the soil ;
bearing numerous large purplish-blue
flowers, arranged in handsome spikes.
Little need be said of its culture, as it is
not fastidious, but in a deep sandy loam
or peat it will grow twice as large as in a
stiff clay. In a wild state it inhabits
pine woods. In consequence of its tall
habit, this species is best adapted for the
bushy parts of the rock-garden, or in the
borders near at hand. It is a native of
European mountain woods. Division.

G. bavarica (Bavarian Gentian}. — In
size this resembles the vernal Gentian, but
has smaller Box-like leaves of a yellowish
green, all its tiny stems being thickly
clothed with foliage, forming close, dense

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

231

little tufts, from which spring flowers of
the most lovely blue, which seems oc-
casionally flushed with a slight tinge of
purplish-crimson. The plant is a native
of the high Alps of Europe. G. verna
occurs abundantly in the same localities ;
but, while it is found on ground not
overflowed by water, G. Bavarica is in
bloom in very boggy spots, where some
diminutive rill has left its course and
spread out over the Grass, not covering it,
but saturating it so that, when walked
upon, the water bubbles up around. The
best thing to do with it is to plant it near
the margin of a rill, taking care to let no
Carices, Cough Grass, Cotton Grass, or
other strong-growing subjects get near the
spot, or they would soon cover and destroy
the plant. It may also be grown in pots,
plunged in sand during the summer ;
sandy loam to be the soil used, the plants
to have repeated and abundant waterings
from early spring till the heavy autumnal
rains set in, or be placed standing half-
plunged in water, with free exposure to
light.

Gentiana ciliata. — A rare and beautiful
species, with flexuose, almost simple, stems,
about 1 foot high, bearing large, solitary,
azure-blue, deeply fringed flowers, each
from 1 inch to 1^ inches long. It is a
native of the Alpine regions of Central
and Southern Europe, and the Caucasus in
dry pastures, and requires to be planted
in a mixture of rich fibrous loam and
broken limestone, in sunny fissures of
rock ; or it may be grown in well-drained
pots, using the same compost. In all
cases it should be kept rather dry in
winter. Young plants flower freely when
only 2 inches or 3 inches high.

G. crinata (Fringed Gentian). — A singu-
larly beautiful plant, frequenting .-wet
ground and river sides, about 1 foot in
li eight, with the loveliest fringed deep
indigo-blue flowers I ever saw. It is a
biennial plant, very beautiful for the bog
garden, if we could get it established in
our country from seed. It grows in moist
woods and pastures, and also near rivers
and streams, and has a wide range in N.
America and Canada.

G. cruciata (Cross-wort). — This species
has somewhat erect, spreading leaves, ar-

ranged at right angles or cross-like on
simple ascending stems, which are from
6 inches to 1 foot in height, the flowers
blue, and in whorls. It is a native of
dry pastures in Central and Southern
Europe. In growing this plant, fibrous
loam should be plentifully mixed with
small pieces of broken limestone.

Gentiana decumbens. — Stem erect,
12 inches to 16 inches high. Flowers
numerous, of a fine blue colour, and borne
in terminal spikes, from June to August.
Native of Siberia, at an altitude of 2000
feet to 3000 feet. Syn., G. adscendens.
There is a good white variety of this.

Gentiana decumbens alba.

G. gelida.— Forms dense tufts, or carpets,
a foot high, with bent, ascending stems,
and blunt leaves, closely set, the flowers
very nearly 2 inches long, in large heads
of a brilliant blue colour. A native of
alpine districts in the Caucasus and
Armenia, thriving in rich, moist loam.
Division or seed.

G. Kurroo.— One of the most beautiful

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

of the Himalayan Gentians, and one of
the easiest to cultivate. In the south of
Scotland it does well, but then alpine
Indian plants find there a congenial home.
Near London, on a north aspect, it has
flowered well. The compost in which it
grows is a rich peaty mixture, and it
receives copious waterings during the
summer months. It forms a tuft, or
rosette, of smooth leaves about 3 inches
long, from the base of which rises the
flower-stalk, and from the upper joints

short stalks bearing single flowers, each
an inch broad, and of the brightest azure-
blue, in July and August. Himalayas.

Gentiana macrophylla.— A taller kind,
with lower leaves from 10 inches to 12
inches long. Flowers blue, small, numer-
ous, borne in closely set heads. It comes
very near G. cruciata, from which it is dis-
tinguished by the size and shape of its
leaves, and, lastly, by the lobes of the
corolla standing erect instead of spreading
out.

Gentiana, G. macrophylla. (Engraved from a photograph sent by Miss Willmott.)

PART II.]

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233

Gentiana pneumonanthe (Marsh Gen-
tian).— A British perennial, scarcely less
beautiful than any alpine Gentian, with
tabular flowers, an inch and a half or more
long, of a beautiful blue within, with five
greenish belts without, the lobes of the
mouth short and spreading ; on stems
6 inches to a foot high. A native of
boggy heaths and moist pastures, and in
cultivation requiring moist peat. It is
not recorded from Scotland or Ireland,
though not rare in some parts of England.
Few plants are more worthy of a place
on the rock-garden, and where the plant
occurs wild, it might well be guarded
against extermination.

G. Punctata. — A free, rather bold, dark
yellow kind, growing plentifully in Alpine
meadows, the flowers very distinct in
colour and form too.

G. pyrenaica (Pyrenean Gentian}.—
Somewhat like the vernal Gentian in size,
but with narrow, sharp-pointed leaves,
and dark violet almost stalkless flowers,
the flat portion of the flower being formed
of five oval lobes, with a triangular ap-
pendage between each, nearly as long as
the lobes. It requires much the same
treatment as G. verna, flowering in early
summer, and is well worthy of a place
in the choice rock-garden, though not of
such a vivid hue as G. verna.

G. septemfida (Crested Gentian}.— A.
lovely plant, bearing on stem 6 inches to
12 inches high flowers in clusters, widen-
ing towards the mouth, of a beautiful
blue and white inside, greenish-brown
outside, having between each of the
larger segments of the flowers one smaller
.and finely cut. A native of the Caucasus,
.and one of the best for cultivation on the
rock-garden, thriving well in moist sandy
peat. Division.

G. verna (Vernal Gentian}.— This covers
the ground with rosettes of small leathery
leaves, often spreading into tufts from
3 inches to 5 inches in diameter, and pro-
ducing in spring, flowers that even the
botanist calls "beautiful bright blue,"
though botanical books are usually above
taking any notice of colour at all. Some-
times the blooms barely rise above the
leaves, and at other times are borne on
stems 2 inches or 3 inches high. A few

things are essential to success in its cultiva-
tion, and far from difficult to secure.
They are good, deep, gritty loam on a
level spot, perfect drainage, abundance of
water during the dry months, and full
exposure to the sun. Grit o£ broken
limestone may be advantageously mingled
with the soil, but if there be plenty of
sand, they are not essential ; a few pieces
half buried on the surface of the ground
will help to prevent evaporation and guard
the plant till it has taken root and begun
to spread about. It is so dwarf that, if
weeds be allowed to grow around, they
soon injure it. In moist districts, where
there is a good, deep, sandy loam, it may
be grown on the front edge of a border
carefully surrounded by half-plunged
stones. It may also be grown in pots or
boxes of loam, with plenty of rough sand,
well drained and plunged in beds of sand,
well exposed to the sun, and well watered
from the first dry days of March onwards
till the moist autumn days return. In.
all cases, good, well-rooted specimens
should be secured to begin with, as failure
often occurs from half-dead plants that
would have little chance of surviving, even
if favoured with the air of their native
wilds. In a wild state this plant is
abundant over mountain pastures on the
Alps of Southern and Central Europe, and
those of like latitudes in Asia.

GERANIUM (Cranesbill}.— Showy
hardy perennials, for the most part
too rampant for the rock-garden, and
in no need of its soils or other refine-
ments. Therefore we should keep in
this case to the dwarfer and more
alpine kinds, such as the following :

Geranium argenteum (Silvery Cranes-
bill). — A lovely alpine plant, with leaves of
a silvery white, and large pale rose-coloured
flowers, on stems seldom more than 2 inches
high, and nearly prostrate. It comes from
the Alps of Dauphiny and the Pyrenees, is
hardy, flowering in early summer, and is
a gem for association with the choicest
plants. It loves a firm, sandy, and well-
drained soil, and should, as a rule, be
placed near and somewhat below the eye,
as, though the plant is of a high, it is not

234

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

of a conspicuous, order of beauty. In-
creased freely by seed.

Geranium cinereum (Grey Cranesbill).—
A beautiful dwarf plant, with five- or
seven-parted leaves, clothed with a slightly
glaucous pubescence, and bearing very
large and handsome pale pinkish flowers,
veined with red. A native of the
Pyrenees, 2 to 5 or 6 inches high, grow-
ing freely, and easily propagated by seeds.
On the rock-garden it is at home, and
fitted for association with the choicest
kinds. It seeds abundantly, and may be
easily raised from seed.

G. sanguineum (Blood Cranesbill).— A.
native plant, forming spreading close
tufts from 1 to 2 feet high ; the flowers
are large, nearly or quite 1^ inches across,
of a deep crimson purple. Its close habit
instantly distinguishes this plant from
any other Geranium, and the flowers being
more beautiful than those of any other,
it deserves to have a place in every rock-
garden, among the larger and more easily
grown plants. It grows on any soil, is
readily propagated by division or seeds,
and occurs in a wild state in some parts
of Britain, though not a common plant.

There are two forms or varieties of the
Blood Geranium. One, the common or
" true " species, with ascending stems
matting into vigorous but compact tufts ;
the other more hairy, less vigorous in its
growth, and usually prostrate in habit.
This last form usually occurs on sandy
sea-shores. A form of this variety, with
pale pink flowers veined with red, was
found at Walney Island, in Lancashire,
and has been distinguished as a species
under the name of G. lancastriense, but it
differs only in colour from the sea-shore
variety. Both these forms, being smaller
and less vigorous than the common one,
are worth having for the rock-garden.
There is also a white variety, a good
plant.

G. Striatum (Striped Cranesbill). — An
old and charming plant, still to be seen
in many cottage gardens. "This beauti-
ful Cranes-bill," says Parkinson, writing
nearly three hundred years ago, "hath
many broad yellowish green leaves arising
from the root, divided into five or six
parts, but not unto the middle as the first

kinds are : each of these leaves hath a
blackish spot at the bottom corners of the
divisions : from among these leaves spring
up sundry stalks a foot high and better,
joynted and knobbed here and there,
bearing at the tops two or three small
white flowers, consisting of five leaves
apeece, so thickly and variably striped
with fine small red veins that no green
leaf e that is of that bigness can show so
many veins in it, nor so thick running
as every leaf of this flower doth." It is
a native of Southern Europe, growing
very freely in warm sandy soils, and is
easily increased by seed or division.

GEUM (Avens). — Perennial her-
baceous plants with red or yellow,
rarely whitish, flowers, some of which
are too vigorous in growth for the
rock-garden.

Geum montanum (Mountain Avens),
which is found on turfy declivities and pas-
tures on the Alps, Pyrenees, Apennines,
Carpathian Mountains, the Sudetic Kange,
and Mount Scardo, in Macedonia. The
plant has a thick root-stock and large
leaves of a cheerful bright green colour ;
the flowers are of large size, on stalks
from 4 inches to 10 inches high, and are
succeeded by a cluster of feathery awns
of a reddish-brown colour. It thrives well
on any kind of rock-garden, and also on
walls.

G. reptans. — A handsome kind, found
in clefts of rocks and in rocky debris on
the Upper Alps at an altitude of 2000
metres to 2500 metres, also on the
Pyrenees, the Carpathian Mountains, and
the high mountain ranges of Macedonia.
It is the rock form of G. montanum, and
requires to be grown in the full sun.
The flowers are very large (sometimes
nearly 2 inches across), and of a pale
yellow colour. The leaves are more
deeply incised than those of G. montanum,
ana are of a greyish-green colour, velvety
and not glistening. Moreover, the plant
sends out long thread-like runners, bear-
ing at their extremities small buds or
shoots, which take root often at a
distance of more than 10 inches from the
plant.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

235-

GLOBULARIA NANA (Dwarf £.).
— A dense trailing shrub, forming a
firm mass of thyme-like verdure, about
half an inch high, and dotted over
with compact heads of bluish-white
flowers, with stamens of a deeper blue
or mauve. The flower heads are not
half an inch across, and barely rise
above the foliage. It should be
planted in sandy or gritty soil, and
so that it may crawl some little way
over the face of the surrounding stones,
and in a very open sunny spot in such
a position, it will not be so liable to
be overrun by coarse plants. A native
of the Pyrenees, and increased by
division. There are several other
Globularias in cultivation : G. nudi-
caulis, trichosantha, and cordifolia, but
these are scarcely worthy of a place
except in large collections.

GOODYERA PUBESCENS (Rattle-
snake Plantain) is a beautiful little
Orchid, with leaves close to the ground,
delicately veined with silver. It
thrives in any shady spot, such as
may be found in any good rock-
garden, planted in moist peaty and
leafy soil, with here and there a bit of
soft sandstone for its roots to cling
to and run among. It is quite hardy.
Native of Eastern United States. G.
repens and Menziesi are less desirable.

GYPSOPHILA.— Perennials and
annuals of the Stitchwort family. The
larger kinds are elegant, bearing tiny
white blossoms in myriads on slender
spreading panicles. These are mostly
too vigorous for our purpose, but G.
prostrata is a pretty species for the
rock-garden. It grows in spreading
masses, and has white or pink small
flowers, borne on slender stems in
loose graceful panicles from mid-
summer to September. It is a very
useful plant, and blooms for a long

season. G. cerastioides grows about
2 inches high, and has a spreading
habit, bearing small clusters of
blossoms, which are half an inch across,
white with violet streaks. It is from
Northern India, and unlike any of
the group now in our gardens, being
dwarfer, and having larger flowers. It
is a rapid grower, and soon spreads
into a broad tuft if in good soil, and
in an open position on the rock-
garden. Increased by seeds or cut-
tings in spring.

HABENARIA (Rein Orchis).— Ter-
restrial Orchids from N. America, some
of which are pretty and interesting,
and all grow from 1 foot to 2 feet high.
To succeed in out-door culture, a spot
should be prepared with about equal
parts of leaf-mould, or peat, and sand,
with partial shade ; the soil should be
well mulched with leaves, grass, or
other material to protect the roots
from the heat of the sun, and to keep-
it moist. H. blephariglottis flowers in
July, in spikes, white and beautifully
fringed. H. ciliaris is the handsomest,
the flowers bright orange-yellow, with
a conspicuous fringe upon them. H.
fimbriata flowers in a long spike, lilac-
purple, beautifully fringed. H. psy-
codes, flowers purple, in spikes 4 inches
to 10 inches long, very handsome and
fragrant. They are charming plants
for the bog-garden, or for a quiet nook
with moist, peaty soil.

HABERLEA RHODOPENSIS.—

This is a pretty little rock-plant, re-
sembling a Gloxinia in miniature. It
forms dense tufts of numerous small
rosettes of leaves, which somewhat
resemble those of the Pyrenean Ra-
mondia (R. pyrenaica\ each rosette
bearing in spring from one to five
slender flower-stalks, with two to four
blossoms each, nearly 1 inch long, of

236

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

purplish-lilac colour, with a yellowish
white. Messrs Frcebel, of Zurich,
who grow it well, write to us : "We
have treated this plant in the same
manner as the Pyrenean Ramondia, i.e.
we have planted it on the north side
of the rock-garden ; therefore, the sun
never directly reaches it. We grow it
in fibrous peat, and fix the plants, if
possible, into fissures, so that the
rosettes which it forms hang in an
oblique position, just as they do in
their native country. It succeeds
well in this way; but if no rock be
.at hand it may be grown equally well
on the north side of a Rhododendron
bed. We have it thus situated quite
close to a stone edging, a way in which
we also grow the Mamondia, and the
Haberlea flowers profusely every year
in May and June. The plant is
very hardy, having withstood several
very hard winters, without any pro-
tection, quite unharmed." It is a
native of the Balkan Mountains, where
it is found growing among moss and
leaves on damp, shady, steep declivities
at high elevations.

HABRANTHUS PRATENSIS.— A

brilliant bulbous plant of the Amaryllis
family, hardy, at least in the southern
and eastern parts of the country. It
has stout and erect flower-stems, about
1 foot in height, and flowers of brightest
scarlet, feathered here and there at the
base with yellow. The variety fulgens
is the finest form of the plant. It
grows freely in loam, improved in
texture by the addition of a little
leaf-mould and sand. Its propagation
is too easy, for in many soils it breaks
up into offsets, instead of growing to
a flowering size. A choice plant for
the rock-garden. Chili.

HEDYSARUM OBSCURUM (Creep-
ing-rooted H.). — A handsome, creeping,

vetch-like plant, with large purplish-
violet flowers in long spikes, from 6
to 12 inches high, and sometimes more
in rich soil. Readily increased by
division or seeds, grows freely in
ordinary garden-soil on level ground,
and is a valuable rock-plant. A
native of the Alps of Dauphiny and
the Tyrol.

HELIANTHEMUM (Sunrose).—
Mostly dwarf and wiry shrubs, in-
habiting rocky, sandy, and heathy
places ; of much beauty of colour,
for the most part hardy, and easy to
grow, and, therefore, very useful for
the rock-garden, or for dry walls or
banks. If we had only the varieties
of our native Sunrose, they would be
a precious aid ; but there are also
other species of much beauty, and
well deserving the care of the rock
gardener. It is not a group in which
we have to pick and choose, as every
known kind is worth growing.

Helianthemum canum (Tlie Hoary Sun-
rose). — A native of limestone rocks in
Britain, but somewhat rare, is much
dwarfer than the common kind, and pro-
duces small pale yellow flowers. The whole
plant does not grow more than 3 inches
high, and forms a pretty rock-shrublet.

H. guttatum (Annual Sunrose). — The
pretty annual spotted Sunrose, found in
the Channel Islands, on the Holyhead
Mountain, in Anglesea, and widely on
the Continent, deserves a place in the
curious collection, and indeed has beauty
enough to recommend it. It is quite
easily grown, but is best raised in pots
in spring, and then planted out in May.
Once established, it sows itself annually.

H. ocymoides (Basil-like Sunrose). — A
native of dry rocky hills in Spain and
Portugal, with bright yellow purple-eyed
flowers nearly an inch and a half across,
and hoary leaves an inch to an inch and
a half long ; and very useful on the
warmer and drier parts, among the stronger
alpine shrubs. Increased by seed or cut-
tings. Syn., Cistus algarvensis.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

237

Helianthemum Pilosella (Downy Sun-
rose). — A dwarf kind, with a woody pro-
strate stem ; about 6 inches high, flowering
in summer ; small, yellow, in clusters.
Pyrenees. The rock-garden and margins
of dry borders, in ordinary soil. Seed and
cuttings.

H. polifolium is also a native of our
country, though rare. It seems to me
that there are many plants of this genus
not yet in cultivation, worth introducing,
especially for sandy and poor hot soils.

H. rosmarinifolium (Rosemary-leaved
H.). — A neat, erect little bush, about 1
foot high, flowering in summer ; white,
on short stalks, bearing each from one to
three flowers. North America. Pretty in
the rock-garden, in sandy loam. Cuttings
and seed.

H. Tuberaria (Truffle Sunrose). — A dis-
tinct and beautiful rock-plant, bearing
flowers like those of a single yellow rose,
2 inches across, and with dark centres,
drooping when in bud, and on stems about
9 inches high. It is quite distinct from
all the other cultivated Sunroses in not
having woody stems, but sending up large
hairy leaves, somewhat like plantain-
leaves, from the root, and scarcely looking
like a Sunrose. It flowers in summer, and
continuously, if in good health and in good
soil. It is said to grow abundantly where
truffles abound, and is well worthy of a
position in a well-drained spot, or dry
fissure on the sunny side of the rock-
garden. S. Europe.

H. Vlllgare (Common Sunrose). — A well-
known British under-shrub, growing in
dry pastures and heaths, with bright
yellow flowers, on stems from a few
inches to nearly a foot long. In a culti-
vated state this plant varies a good deal
in colour, and numerous plants passing
under different names in our gardens are
really forms of this species, and some well
worthy of cultivation. While thriving in
almost any soil, they attain ripest health,
and flower most profusely, on chalky and
warm ones, and on soils of this description
they may be used with good effect on the
margins of shrubberies, especially the
copper-coloured and red varieties. They
are only suited for the rougher parts of
the rock-garden. The best way to obtain

varieties of different colours is by seed,
which is offered in most of the Catalogues ;
but some of the named varieties are very
bright, and should be secured, such a$
amabilis, sunbeam, venustum, and Ball of
Fire.

HELICHRYSUM ARENARIUM

(Yellow Everlasting}. — This is the
beautiful little plant which affords-
the " everlasting flowers " so much
used for immortelles. The grey
leaves are closely covered with long-
down, and the flower-stems, ascending
from 4 to 10 inches, are clothed all
the way up with narrow hoary leaves,,
having their edges turned backwards,
and support a number of flowers of a
bright, glistening yellow. To preserve
the flowers, they should be gathered
when fresh and newly-blown, as, if
allowed to mature, they are apt to-
fall away. A native of sandy and
sunny places in Central and Southern
Europe, and in this country on warm,,
sandy, and drained soils. Division.

HELLEBORUS (Christmas Rose). —
Though these plants are not usually
included among alpine and rock-plants,
they are true mountaineers : being
often slow to grow in our gardens
I think that the advantages of aspect
and improved soil and good drainage,
which a well-made rock-garden gives,
might be well for these noble plants.
In any case, where we work with
mountain shrubs, these will come in
well, and there can be nothing more-
attractive in winter, in warm or chalky
soils, than the winter kinds, or in
spring, when the eastern kind blooms
so early.

Helleborus Niger (Christmas Rose).—
Although this familiar old plant may be
thought too vigorous for association with
the often minute gems to which this book
is chiefly devoted, yet its fine evergreen
foliage and handsome large flowers entitle

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

it to a place. Although hardy enough to
grow almost anywhere, yet, as it flowers at
the dreariest season, when low ground is
often saturated with cold rain, it always re-
pays for being planted in slightly elevated
spots, and where it may enjoy as often as
possible the faint wintry sun, by giving
•clearer and larger flowers, and finer foliage.
And as in the warmer and more sunny
countries it misses the shade of the big
rocks, it is often well to group any of its
fine forms on the cool side of the rock-
garden.

The following are some of the best-
known varieties of this fine plant : —

H. n. altifolius is the most vigorous of
the group. It is early in bloom, often
commencing to expand its flowers in
.autumn. The flower stems are mottled
with red, and the backs of the petals
faintly rosy.

St Brigid's Christmas rose is a very
beautiful flower, the blossoms pure white,
and cupped in form.

The Riverston variety is a very free-
blooming one. Its flower-stems are apple-
green, but the leaf -stalks are red-spotted,
the leaves themselves being of a pale
green.

The Bath variety is the form perhaps
most generally in use for providing blooms
.at Christmastide. It is larger and taller
than the type.

H. n. Madame Fourpade is in habit of
growth not unlike H. n. altifolius, but
flowers a full month later, and the blooms
are whiter and more cup-shaped.

These fine plants deserve a better fate
than they often meet with in gardens.
The full exposure of the ordinary plain,
.and perhaps cold and wet soil, does not
always suit them. In the lowly moun-
tain valleys they come from, there are
" many mansions," so to say, and, although
the heat is greater than ours in summer,
the shades of the rocks often give them
relief, and there is the open, gritty soil,
•and other advantages. In certain parts
of our country, where the natural soil is
warm and good, they do well, but in
others they fail, and require a well-made
soil that has plenty of sand or grit and
some leaf-mould. We may also have to
think of the aspect. I have known them

succeed in the shade of walls when they
failed in the open.

It is all the better to group them so that
as they flower in the middle of winter,
the flowers may be easily protected with
a few bell-glasses or hand-lights.

Besides the true Christmas Rose, there
are other species of Helleborus well worthy
of cultivation ; and among the best is H.
atrorubens, with flowers of a dark purple.
The colour, though somewhat dull, by
turning up the usually pendent flower
is seen to greater advantage, being then
contrasted with the yellow stamens. It
has the quality of throwing its flowers
well above ground to a height of 9 to 12
inches, and is a free grower, but rather
scarce, requiring, as all the Hellebores do,
a considerable time to establish itself after
being disturbed. H. olympicus, with large
rose-coloured flowers, and good habit, is
very similar. H. argutifolius is remark-
able for its beautiful, whitish, trifoliate
leaves, each secondary vein being termin-
ated by a well-defined point. Its flowers
are a lively green, and come about the
month of March.

Helleborus Hybrid (Lenten Lilies).—
By far the most important group after
the true Christmas Rose, and its forms,
are the fine varieties raised in gardens,
the hardiest of them : — from the bold and
free H. Orientalis, a native of Greece and
Asia Minor, and in some cases crossed
with other species. The spotted and
variously coloured forms raised in this
way are excellent, and, while quite dis-
tinct from the true Christmas Rose and
its forms, are more vigorous in growth,
and 'coming into flower at the end of
winter or dawn of spring, they open well
without protection in many parts of the
country. They are not nearly so difficult
about soil as H. Niger and its forms,
growing in any free and good soil in
many cases without any special making
of the soil, liking it deep. They do best
in partial shade in the southern countries.
Almost too vigorous for the choice parts
of the rock-garden, it is easy to place
them near its approaches among the
shrubs, or in a half-shaded wall approach-
ing. A great many beautiful varieties
have been raised in England, and also

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

239

in France and Switzerland, and these
varieties have been given fine names ;
but, to some extent, they are repetitions
of each other, and it is not worth while
being very particular as to whether they
are named or not, if we have kinds that
please us in colour.

HELONIAS BULLATA (Stud
Flower}. — A distinct and handsome
marsh perennial, growing 12 inches
to 16 inches high, and having hand-
some purplish-rose flowers arranged
in an oval spike. It is suitable for
the artificial bog, or for moist ground
near a rivulet. In fine sandy and
very moist soils it thrives well as a
border plant. North America. Syn.,
H. latifolia.

HEMIPHRAGMA HETERO-
PHYLLA. — A dwarf trailing plant of
the Figwort family, bearing incon-
spicuous flowers, succeeded by bright
red berries about the size of small
Peas, on slender creeping stems. It
is rather tender, and requires a
sheltered and well-drained spot in the
rock-garden. Himalaya.

HEPATICA. (See ANEMONE.)

HERNIARIA.— Dwarf trailing per-
ennial plants, forming a dense turfy
mass that remains green throughout
the year. There are two or three
species, but the most important is
H. glabra, useful on account of its
dwarf compact growth, and is always
of a deep green, even in a hot and
dry season. They grow in any soil,
but the flowers are inconspicuous.

HESPEROCHIRON PUMILUS.—

A pretty Californian rock plant, stem-
less, dwarf in growth, with leaves
borne on slender stalks, forming a
tuft, the flower bell-shaped, half -inch
across, white, varying to a purplish

tinge. It grows in marshy ground,
and in damp places in the Rocky
Mountains and Northern Utah, and
is apparently quite hardy, as it thrives
in ordinary soil in well-drained parts
of the rock-garden. H. californicus
is a species of somewhat the same
habit.

HIERACIUM (Hawkweed).—Avery
extensive genus of Composites, con-
sisting chiefly of perennial herbs with
yellow flowers. Some of the yellow
alpine and other kinds are valuable
in botanical collections, and many of
them are beautiful, but the prevalence
of yellow flowers of the same type
makes them less important, and not
a few are too large and coarse for the
rock-garden.

HIPPOCREPIS COMOSA (Horse-
shoe Vetch). —A small prostrate British
plant, with pretty little deep-yellow
flowers, in coronilla-like crowns, the

Zper petal faintly veined with brown,
3 pinnate leaves small, and leaflets
smooth. It is a capital little plant
for the upper ledges of rocks in dry
positions, as in such places the shoots
will fall down some 18 or 20 inches ;
easily raised from seed; partial to
chalky soils; rather common in the
South of England, but not a native
of Ireland or Scotland.

HORMINUM PYRENAICUM.— A

Pyrenean plant, forming dense tufts
of foliage and having purplish-blue
flowers, in spikes about 9 inches high,
which appear in July or August. It
is hardy and of easy culture, but is
not a plant of much character from
a garden point of view.

HOTTONIA PALUSTRIS (Water
Violet). — A beautiful British water-
plant, which I include here in conse-

240

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

quence of having seen it thrive better
on soft mud banks than when sub-
merged. The deeply-cut leaves formed
quite a deep green and dwarf turf
over the mud, and from these arose
stems, bearing at intervals whorls of
handsome pale-lilac or pink flowers,
which might perhaps be more justly
called the Water Primrose, as it
is nearly allied to the Primulas, and
it may be grown either in the water
or on a bank of soft wet soil at its
margin. It grows from 9 inches to
2 feet high, flowers in early summer,
and may be found in abundance near
London on the banks of the Lea
river, and in many other places,
and is pretty freely distributed over
England.

HOUSTONIA CJERULEA (Bluets).

A delicate North American mountain
plant, with many pale sky-blue flowers,
fading to white, and with yellowish
eyes, crowding on thread-like stems
to a height of 1 inch to 2j inches,
from close low cushions of leaves
shorter than many mosses, less than
half an inch high when fully exposed.
It is usually considered somewhat
difficult to grow, but this arises chiefly
from its minuteness ; in level exposed
spots it does very well in moist peaty
soil, the chief care required being to
keep it quite clear of weeds or coarse-
growing neighbours. It is suitable for
association with the choicest mountain-
plants. I have grown this plant well
in the open air in London; it with-
stood the evil influences of showers of
soot.

Houstonia purpurea is another good
kind ; both inhabit open grassy places
and among wet rocks.

HUTCHINSIA ALPINA (Alpine
H.}. — A neat little rock-plant, from

moist and elevated parts of nearly
all the great mountain-chains of
Central and Southern Europe, with
shining leaves, and pure white
flowers, in clusters on stems about
1 inch high. It is quite free in sandy
soil, and easily increased by division
or by seeds. Planted in an open
spot, it becomes a dense mass of white
flowers.

HYACINTHUS (Hyacinth}.— Usu-
ally the cultivated Hyacinths are not
plants for the rock-garden, but a few
species come in gracefully, particularly
the Amethyst Hyacinth.

Hyacinthus azureus (Azure Hyacinth}.
—A very dwarf and pretty plant, hardy
and amenable to ordinary culture, and
one of the earliest as well as the most
charming of our early spring flowers. It
is a jewel for the rock-garden, arising
from close carpets of little plants, that
save it from the splashings of the winter
rains.

H. amethystinus (Amethyst Hyacinth\
though nearly related to H. azureus, is a
charming hardy plant, flowering at a time
when there is a dearth of flowers. The
mistake with a bulb like this is to have
two or three or even a dozen in a clump.
Instead of by the dozen it should be groMTi
by the hundred, and no prettier sight can
well be imagined than a large sheet of this,
with its racemes of amethyst flowers. I
find it most precious in a group between
rock-shrubs, or arising from carpets of
Cinquefoil Sandwort, or any creeping rock-
plant, and it is as hardy and enduring,
good in form, and delicate in colour.
3. Europe.

Hyacinthus Orientalis.— This is said
to be the parent of all the garden Hyacinths
in cultivation. The wild types of the
garden and Eoman Hyacinths, or at
least as near as possible to their original
forms, are in cultivation at the present
time, but so inferior to the varieties we
now grow, that no one would care to
have them. The varieties are albulus and
provincialis.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

HYDROCHARIS MORSUS-RANjE

(Frog-bit). — A pretty native water-
plant, having floating leaves and white
flowers, and well worth introducing in
pools. It may often be gathered from
neighbouring ponds in spring, when
the plants float again after being sub-
merged in winter.

HYDROCOTYLE (Pennywort) —
Small creeping plants, usually with
round leaves and inconspicuous flowers.
There are several kinds grown, their
only use being as a surface growth
to the artificial bog. The most desir-
able are H. moschata and microphylla,
two New Zealand species, and nitidula,
though all of these are somewhat
tender. The common H. vulgaris is
rather too rank a grower.

HYPERICUM (St John's Wort).-
Handsome shrubs, some dwarf, and
occasionally of much beauty for the
rock-garden, where the best of the
larger ones may be used among the
shrubs. They are usually of easy
culture in ordinary soils. Some of
the perennials are good rock-plants,
and the best of these is H. olympicum,
one of the largest flowered kinds,
though not more than 1 foot high.
It is known by its very glaucous
foliage, and erect single stems, with
bright yellow flowers about 2 inches
across. It may be propagated easily
by cuttings, which should be put in
when the shoots are fully ripened,- so
that the young plants may become
well established before winter. H.
nummularium and humifusum, both
dwarf trailers, are also desirable, and,
owing to their dwarf compact growth,
several of the shrubby species are well
suited for the rock-garden. Of these,
the best are H. cegyptiacum, balearicum,
empetrifoliwn, Coris, patulum, uralum,
and oUongifolium. The last three

are larger than the others, but as they
droop they have a good effect among
the boulders of a large rock-garden,
or on banks. H. Hookerianum, tri-
florum, aureum, orientals are among
the kinds having some beauty, but
the species from warmer countries
than ours are apt to disappear after
hard winters. H. Moserianum is a
handsome hybrid kind.

Hypericum reptans is a beautiful
dwarf, and graceful trailer, with small
leaves, and wiry prostrate branches, each
of which bears a single flower at its tip.
In proportion to the size of the foliage the
flower is very large, as it reaches If inches
in diameter. This is, best seen when
grown between stones, and allowed to
carpet a sloping or perpendicular surface.
Himalaya.

Among other kinds worth a place are
H. Budlleyi, and H. empetrifolium.

Hypericum polophyllum.

IBERIDELLA ROTUNDIFOLIA

(Hound-leaved /.). — A distinct plant,
rarely more than a few inches high,
with pretty, rosy-lilac, sweet-scented
flowers in April, May, and June. The
leaves are thick, smooth, leathery, and
of a glaucous olive-green, and the
flowers are produced in short racemes
or corymbs, and usually attain a
height of from 3 to 6 inches. Flower-
ing with the vernal Gentian, the Bird's-
Eye Primrose, the alpine Silene, and

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

the little yellow Aretia, it is admir-
able for association with such plants.
It grows naturally very high on the
Alps, but thrives in loamy soil, and
is easily raised from seed. A native
of the Alps of Switzerland, Savoy, and
Austria. It is occasionally found with
white flowers in a wild state.

IBERIS (Candytuft}.— For the rock-
garden, these perennial, half-shrubby
plants are essential, hardy, of great
endurance, and good effect, and they
can be grown anywhere, in any soil,
and are easily increased. Although
dwarf, they are so wiry and enduring,
that they might well be used in bold
groups between the rock-garden and
its surroundings.

Iberis corifolia (Coris-leaved Candytuft).
— A very dwarf kind, only 3 or 4 inches
high when in flower, and covered with small
white blooms in May. Few alpine plants
are more worthy of general culture. It is
probably a small variety of the Evergreen
Candytuft, but for garden use it is distinct
enough. Southern Europe ; easily pro-
pagated by seeds, cuttings, or division, and
thriving in any soil.

I. correaefolia (Correa-kaved Candytuft).
— This plant is readily known from any
other cultivated kind by its entire and
rather large leaves, by its compact head
of large white flowers, and by flowering
later than the other white kinds. Both
the flowers and the corymb are larger
than in the other species, and the blooms
stand forth more boldly from the smooth
dark-green leaves. It is an invaluable
hardy plant, and particularly useful in
consequence of coming into full beauty
about the end of May or beginning of
June, when the other kinds are fading
away. Of its native country we know
nothing ; but once Mr Jennings, of the
Wellington Nurseries, informed me that
it was raised in, and first sent out from,
the Botanic Garden at Bury St Edmunds,
and it is probably a hybrid. Mr J. G.
Baker considers it to come nearest to /.
Pruitij of the Nebrode Mountains, in

Sicily. Readily increased by cuttings,
and also by seed.

Iberis Gibraltarica (Gibraltar Candy-
tuft).— This is larger in all its parts than the
other cultivated kinds, has oblong spoon-
shaped leaves, nearly 2 inches long ; the
large flowers, often reddish-lilac, being
arranged in low close heads, and appear-
ing in spring and early summer. I am
doubtful of its hardiness, and should ad-
vise its being wintered in pits or frames
till sufficiently abundant to be tried in
the open air. It should be planted 011
sunny spots. A native of the South of
Spain ; increased by seeds and cuttings.

I. Tenoreana (Tenore's Candytuft).— A
dwarf species, with toothed leaves, which,
with the stems, are hairy, and a profusion
of white flowers changing to purple. As
the commonly cultivated kinds are white,
this one will be the more valuable from
its purplish hue, added to its neat habit.
It, however, has not the perfect hardiness
and fine constitution of the white kinds,
and is apt to perish on heavy soils in
winter ; but on light sandy soils it is
a good plant. A native of Naples, and
easily raised from seed.

I. sempervirens (Evergreen Candytuft).
— This is the common rock Candytuft of
our gardens, as popular as the yellow
Alyssum and the white Arabis. Half-
shrubby, dwarf, evergreen, and perfectly
hardy, it escaped destruction where many
herbaceous plants were destroyed ; and
as in April and May its neat tufts of
dark-green are transformed into masses
of snowy white, its presence has been
tolerated longer than many other fine
old plants. When in good soil, and fully
exposed, it forms spreading tufts often
more than a foot high, and they last for
many years. Like all its relatives, it
should be exposed to the full sun rather
than shaded, if the best result is sought.
A native of Greece, Asia Minor, Dalmatia,
and S. Europe, and readily increased by
seeds, cuttings, or division.

I. Garrexiana is a variety of the Ever-
green Iberis, not sufficiently distinct to be
worthy of cultivation ; in fact, it and
several other Iberises prove to be mere
varieties, and very slight ones, of I.
pervirens when grown side by side.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

243

Iberis jucunda. — A beautiful and very
dwarf Candytuft, with soft, rosy, lilac-
flowers in corymbed clusters, on slender
twisted stems, over small sea-green foli-
age, the plant rarely more than 4 inches
or 5 inches high. It is easily raised from
seed, and should be cultivated in numbers,
so as to form good -sized patches.

INCARVILLEA — Distinct and
beautiful perennials of recent intro-
duction, probably hardy, coming from
the high mountains of China, where
there are, no doubt, many other
beautiful things in Nature's vast store-
house. Though the habit is bold,
they may very well find a home on

from two to a dozen or more flowers, 2
inches long and 2 inches wide, rich
rose, with a few purple streaks, and a
tinge of yellow in the throat.

Mr C. M. Mayor, of Paigntpn, Devon,
sending me a photo of a very fine plant,
says : " It was planted in deep, light,
ordinary garden-soil, in a sunny spot, the
crown covered with sand to a depth of
3 inches. I found that mulching with
rotten manure or other moisture-holding
material, if in contact with the bases of
the frond-like leaves, causes them all to
rot off — a rot which quickly spreads to
the tuberous root itself."

Incaryillea grandiflora resembles I.
Delavayi in general characters, differing in
its shorter leaves, more rounded leaflets,

Violet Cress (lonopsidium acaule). Engraved from a photograph by Miss Wolley Dod.

the rock-garden until more plentiful
and better known. They, so far as
now known, flower in summer, are of
easy culture in ordinary soil, and do
not seem difficult of increase.

Incarvillea Delavayi.— We owe the in-
troduction of this beautiful plant to the
Abbe Delavay, who found it in Yunnan,
Western China, at a height of 8,000 feet
to 11,000 feet. It has a stout root-stock,
with a very short subterranean stem, from
which spring the bright green leaves, each
a foot or more long. The flower-scape
varies from a foot to 2 feet, and bears

bearing only one or two large flowers,
whilst the colour is a deep rose-red.

I. Olgae is hardy in the southern
counties, and has bright green pinnate
leaves and, borne upon the upright ends
of the branches, panicles of rose-pink
tubular flowers, each an inch long and
wide. Turkestan.

There are other beautiful species of these
not yet introduced or sufficiently tried.

IONOPSIDIUM ACAULE (Violet
Cress). — This, being an annual plant,
is only introduced here in consequence

244

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

of its peculiar beauty for adorning
bare spots on the rock-garden devoted
to very minute alpine plants. As it
sows itself, the cultivator will have
no more trouble with it than with a
hardy perennial. It frequently flowers
at 1 inch high, and rarely exceeds 2
inches, the small flowers being of a
pale violet tinge, and the leaves
roundish and compactly arranged.
It will flower a couple of months
after being sown ; and, when sown
in spring in the open ground, the
self-sown seeds of the summer flowers
soon start into growth, and the second
crop flowers in autumn, and far into
winter. A native of Portugal and
Morocco.

IRIS (Flag}.— Of these wonderfully
varied and beautiful plants, the
majority are too vigorous for the rock-
garden ; but a certain number of the
dwarf species might well find a home
on it, such as the little American
crested Iris. Also some of the new
cushion Irises may there find condi-
tions that suit them. The various
forms of the Dwarf Flag (/. pumila),
are often very pretty in colour, and
are easily grown.

Iris cristata (Crested /.). — A dwarf and
charming Flag, usually running about
with its creeping and rooting stems ex-
posed on the surface, not rising above the
ground more than a few inches, having
flowers, however, as large as many of the
coarser species. It flowers in May ; blue
with spots of a deeper hue on the outer
petals, and a stripe of orange and yellow
variegation down the centre of each. The
plant is readily distinguished at any
season from any other dwarf species by
the creeping stems growing well above
the ground. Even young tufts push so
boldly out of the ground that a top-
dressing of an inch of fine soil placed
around them cannot fail to help the
roots. It loves and flourishes luxuriantly
on rich but free and light soil, in a warm

position. I have never seen it do so well
as in the Glasnevin Botanic Gardens, but
have seen it thrive both to the north and
south of London. On the rock-garden,
it thrives best on level sandy spots. A
native of mountainous regions in North
America, with all the gem-like loveliness
of the choicest Swiss alpine flowers ; was
introduced by Mr Peter Colliiison, so long
ago as 1756.

Iris pumila (Dwarf Crimean I.}. — Often
flowering at 4 inches, the dwarf Iris, even
in favourite soils, rarely exceeds 10 in
height ; the stems usually bear one or
two deep-violet flowers, large and beautiful
in April and May. It thrives in ordinary
garden soil, the lighter and deeper the
better ; the finest specimens I have ever
seen were in a deep sandy peat, and they
were twice the ordinary size. There are
several varieties : yellow, white, light blue,
and deep dark violet, respectively. known
under the names of /. pumila, lutea, alba,
ccerulea, and atroceerulea. Each of the
varieties is worthy of cultivation, and
easily increased by division of the
rhizomes.

I. reticulata (Early Bulbous /.). — Dis-
tinct from other early Irises, and perhaps
the most valuable of all, considering its
early bloom, violet scent, and rich colour.
The root is a tuber ; leaves four-angled
and rather tall when fully developed ; and
the flowers, borne on stems 3 to 6 inches
high, are of the most brilliant purple, each
of the lower segments marked with a
deep orange stain. It blooms in early
spring, long before any other Iris shows
itself, and loves a deep sandy soil and a
warm well-drained position. There is
no more beautiful plant for a sunny bank
on the lower slopes of the rock-garden.
Southern Europe, Asia Minor. Increased
by division.

I. Stylosa (Algerian Flag).— A. lovely
winter-blooming Iris, quite hardy on all
warm, dry soils, but its flowers are of
delicate texture, and suffer from rough
gales. There are several varieties having
flowers of lighter or darker shades of soft
lilac or lilac-purple, and there is a white
form with golden-crested petals. All are
beautifully and easily grown in the open
air, but it only flowers well in warm

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

245

.sandy soil, and therefore where such soil
does not occur naturally, the best place
for it is the rock-garden, in well-drained

Iris stylosa (Algerian Flay). (Eugraved from
photograph by Mr S. W. Fitzherbert.)

and warm slopes, where its tufts of grassy
leaves will look well throughout the year.

Dwarf Bulbous Iris.— Apart from the
.above older plants of our gardens of recent
years, a number of dwarf bulbous Iris
have come into cultivation, for which the
rock-garden will often afford a good place.
Of these, some of the prettiest are :

Iris Bakeriana. — A charming little
hardy Iris about 5 inches high ; standards
pale blue, falls white with purple spots
and a rich black purple lip ; flowering
in February. It is sweet-scented.

I. Boissieri, lilac dark blue, with yellow
blotch, very charming species.

I. Danfordiae, brilliant yellow, with
small greenish spots, very dwarf, early
spring flowering, quite hardv.

I. Histrio, blue, streaked yellow and
blotched deep purple. Not only one of
the hardiest of the Irids, but one of the
earliest, being earlier than /. reticulata.

I. Histrioides.— A beautiful dwarf Iris ;
the early flowers are bright ultramarine,
with markings on a white ground.

I. orchoides, bright yellow, hardy and
free on many soils.

I. Persica (Persian Iris). — Light blue,
blotched with purple, and lined with
orange, early, sweet-scented.

I. Persica purpurea, a most beautiful
variety, of a rosy purple colour.

I. Rosenbachiana, short upright leaves,
flowers deep violet, very long falls, which
are marked blue and yellow.

Iris Sophenensis, beautiful dwarf Iris,
in the way of /. reticulata, bright blue
flowers.

I. Willmottiana. — Lavender blue, white
and dark blue spotted, a pretty new
Turkestan Iris.

ISOPYRUM THALICTROIDES

(Meadow-rue /.). — A graceful little
plant allied to the meadow-rues, with
pretty white flowers, valuable for its
maidenhair-fern-like foliage. It is use-
ful as an elegant ground-plant below
rock shrubs as well as for its own
sake, is hardy, and easy to grow on
any soil. Comes from the Pyrenees
and mountainous parts of Greece,
Italy, and Carniola, is easily propa-
gated by division or by seed. The
leaves rarely rise more than a few
inches high, the flower-stems from 10
to 14 inches.

JANK^A HELDREICHI.— This

is the prettiest of the Ramondia family,
and is a native of the mountains of
South Macedonia, growing in ravines
and dells. Owing to failures in its
cultivation, it has been considered a
miffy plant, dying away in our gardens
in spite of the most careful handling.
It likes to be moderately moist at the
roots and have shade and moisture in
the air. The blooms are of a deep
and bright blue, somewhat nodding,
and shaped like those of a Soldanella.
Their beauty is heightened by the
silver-grey leaves.

JASIONE (Sheep's Scabious).— Dwarf
perennials and annuals of the Bell-
flower family, interesting, but not of
highest importance for the rock-garden.
J. humilis is a creeping tufted plant,
about 6 inches high, bearing small
heads of pretty blue flowers in July
and August. Though a native of
the high Pyrenees, it often succumbs
to the damp and frosts of our climate,

246

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

and it therefore requires a dry well-
drained part of the rock-garden, and
should have a little protection in
winter during severe cold and wet.
J. perennis is taller, often above
1 foot high, with dense heads of bright
blue flowers, from June to August ;
it is a rock-garden plant, stronger
than the preceding, thriving in good
light loam, and a native of the
mountains of Central and South
Europe. These perennial kinds may
be propagated best from seed, as they
do not divide well. J. montana is a
neat, hardy annual, with small, pretty
bright blue flower-heads in summer.
Seed in autumn or spring. A native
plant.

JASMINUM (Jasmine).— Beautiful
shrubs, the hardy ones among the
best introduced to our country, and
of very wide and precious use. Where
any bold rock-gardening is carried out,
these should be used, and may be
very gracefully used. They are so
often the victims of crucifixion against
walls, that it will be pleasant to see
them showing their native grace of
habit.

Jasminum humile (Indian Yellow
Jasmine). — A handsome kind, hardy, with
evergreen foliage, which adds to its value.
It flowers freely, and its yellow bloom
amidst the deep green foliage is welcome
in summer and autumn. Being an Indian
plant, it should have a warm aspect and
good warm soil. (Syns., J. revolution and
J. wallichianum.)

J. nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine}.— A
lovely Chinese bush, which is happy
enough in our northern climate to flower
very often in the depth of winter, cluster-
ing round cottage walls and shelters, and
often more lovely when not too tightly
trained. In wet years it will be noticed
increasing as freely as twitch at the points
of the shoots. It should be planted in
different aspects, so as to prolong the
bloom.

Jasminum officinale (White Jasmine).—
The old white Jasmine of our gardens, one
of the most charming shrubs ever intro-
duced for warm banks ; it is best on rocky
or sandy soils. There are several varieties
of it, the best being J. affine, with flowers
larger than those of the ordinary kind. It
is almost evergreen, except in exposed
places.

It is a native of Persia and the north-
western mountains of India, naturalised
here and there in Southern Europe.

JEFFERSONIA DIPHYLLA (Twin-
leaf). — A plant very little grown, and
usually regarded as a botanical
curiosity ; but when planted in sandy
peat associated with plants like the
Epimedium, Bhexia, and Spigelia mari-
landica, it becomes a pretty spring
flower, as well as interesting from its
curiously paired leaves. The flowers
are white, with yellow stamens, about
an inch across, and freely borne when
the plant is in vigorous health.
A good plant for peaty and somewhat
shady spots on the rock-garden,
planted in sandy peat. A native of
rich woods in North America. Care-
ful division in winter.

JUNIPERUS (Savin).— Often grace-
ful bushes of the great Pine family,
clothing the alpine rocks where the tree
has no chance from poverty of the rocky
soil and exposure. Few evergreen rock
shrubs are more useful for a quiet
and graceful effect than the common
Savin and its forms, and particularly
that known in Nurseries as the
Tamarix-leaved Savin (/. tamarisci-
folia), for carpeting stony ground,
planting on dry banks where little
else could grow. Some of the northern
dwarf forms of Juniper are grown
on rock-gardens under the name of
/. nana.

K A L M I A (Mountain Laurel). —
Among the loveliest of evergreen shrubs

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

247

of the northern world. The smaller
kinds are of the highest value, and
the large one essential for the bold
rock-garden, being not only a first-
rate evergreen, but the flowers are
of great beauty, coming too at a very
good time, between the great crowd
of spring flowers and the coming of
the Roses. If one had only these
and* half a dozen other groups of
shrubs of the northern moors and
mountains, a very enduring and grace-
ful rock-garden might be made from
them alone. And that almost with-
out trouble in the many parts of our
islands where rocks crop out, as in
Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Nor do
we want rocks, as they grow like weeds
on the peaty moors of England.

Kalmia angustifplia (Sheep's Laurel),
grows about 1^ feet high, and bears in early
June dense clusters of rosy pink flowers.
It is a graceful, hardy, and easily grown
shrub, excellent for the rock or drier
parts of bog-garden. Newfoundland,
Hudson Bay, and southward.

K. glauca (Swamp Laurel). — A dwarf
evergreen shrub with smooth leaves
silvery on the lower surface, with purplish
flowers. Excellent for the rock-garden
among the mountain bushes, and quite
free in peat or moor soil. Newfoundland,
Hudson Bay, and Alaska.

K. hirsuta (Hairy Laurel).— A dwarf
evergreen shrub, distinguished from the
other kinds by its hairy leaves, and not
quite so hardy, being a native of Virginia,
and Florida in Pine Barrens.

K. latifolia (Mountain Laurel). — This is
the finest as it is the commonest in gardens,
and should be planted wherever the soil
is suitable. Like the Ehododendron and
Azalea, the Kalmia is best grown in
a moist peaty soil, or one light or sandy.
It will not thrive in stiff or chalky soils.
Its lovely clusters of pink wax-like"flowers
open about the end of June, when the
bloom of the Rhododendron and Azalea
is on the wane, and last for a fortnight
or longer. There are varieties of K. lati-
folia, having in some cases larger flowers,

and in others, flowers of a deeper colour,
the finest being Maxima, which is superior
in size of flower.

The Myrtle-leaved Kalmia (K. myrti-
folia) seems to be only a variety of K.
latifolia, with smaller foliage. The growth
is dwarf and compact, and the flowers
are almost as large as those of K. latifolia.
Canada and southwards, in sand and
rocky woods.

KERNERA SAXATILIS.— A neat
little plant, very like the dwarf Scurvy
Grass (Cochlearid). It forms a com-
pact tuft of foliage, and in early
summer is a dense mass of tiny white
blooms. It grows in any soil in an
open position in the rock-garden, where
it is an attractive plant in spring, and
may be freely propagated by seeds.
Europe.

ea).— For

the greater part, these perennial
trailers are too large for our purpose,
if we take the narrow view of the rock-
work with small plants only; but in
a bolder kind of rock-garden, with its
mountain shrubs, the rarer and more
beautiful kinds may come in very
well. Moreover, the freedom of the
shrubby rock-garden allows us to
dispense with staking, which is a great
gain, as I think these plants never
look so well as in their own way of
growth. The effect is much better when
they fall over rocks or banks. Even
the stoutest kind, with its white and
prettily coloured forms, is handsomer
falling down banks than in any other
way. But when we have to deal with
Everlasting Peas of such rarity and
beauty as the Greek L. sibthorpii and
the Californian L. splendens, we have
plants by no means so free, and which
may well grace the rock-garden. Some
good plants once known by other
names are now included in Lathyrus.
Syn., Orobus.

248

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Lathyrus cyaneus (Blue Bitter Vetch). —
A dwarf vetch-like plant, with large, hand-
some, bluish flowers among masses of
light green leaves, with two or three
pairs of leaflets, flowering in spring, the
plant growing little more than 6 inches
high. I have only observed this plant
growing on very cold stiff ground scarcely
acceptable to coarse weeds, and there it
was quite hardy and flowered regularly,

ascend in a zigzag manner to about 1 foot
in height, bearing leaves with two or three
pairs of leaflets, and rather closely arranged
racemes of flowers supported on a foot-
stalk a couple of inches long. The flowers,
though small, are beautifully variegated,
the upper petal being a fine rose-colour
with a network of full purplish-crimson
veins, the points of the wings being blue.
It is a hardy, easily-grown plant, and

Leiophyllum buxifolium.

so that it is probable it would do much
better on light good soils. It comes from
the Caucasus, and is best for warm,
sheltered, sunny spots. It is sometimes met
with under the name of Platystylis cyaneus,
under which name it was figured by
Sweet. Syn., Orobus cyaneus.

Lathyrus variegatus (Variegated
Vetch). — A compact plant, with two firm
and opposite keels on its wiry stems, which

may be increased by seeds or division.
Southern Italy and Corsica.

Lathyrus vernus (Spring Everlasting
Pea). — From black roots spring rich healthy
tufts of leaves, with two or three pairs of
shining leaflets, the flower buds showing
soon after the leaves, and eventually
almost covering the plants with purple
and blue flowers with red veins, the
keel of the flower tinted with green, and

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

249

the whole changing to blue. It is no
fastidious alpine plant that, when carried
to our gardens in the cultivated plains,
sickens and dies, but a vigorous native
of Southern and Central Europe, well
able to make the most of our warm deep
sandy loams, growing in almost any soil,
and hardy everywhere. It varies a good
deal — all the better, of course — the most
marked of the known varieties or sub-
species being ruscifolius and flaccidus.

LEDUM (Labrador Tea).— The best
of the few species of Ledum grown in
gardens is L. latifolium, which repre-
sents the genus well. Its usual height
is under 2 feet, but sometimes it
reaches 3 feet. It is dense and com-
pact, and has small dull green leaves
of a rusty brown beneath. During
the latter part of May it bears clusters
of small white flowers, which being
abundant are showy. It is a very
old garden plant, and was brought
from North America more than a
century ago. The Canadian form of
it (Canadense) is found in some gardens,
but does not differ materially from
the type. A form called Globosum is
finer, as the flower-clusters are larger
and more globular. L. palustre is
commoner than L. latifolium, smaller
in every part, and much inferior.
It is dwarf and spreading, and its
flowers are white. A native of both
North America and Northern Europe.
They thrive best in a peaty soil or
sandy loam, and are usually in-
cluded in a collection of so-called
American plants, and are charming
grouped in the bog -garden, fully
exposed.

LEIOPHYLLUM BUXIFOLIUM
(Sand Myrtle). — A neat and pretty
tiny shrub, forming compact bushes
from 4 to 6 inches high, and densely
covered with pinkish-white flowers in
May, the buds of a delicate pink hue.

It is suited for grouping with diminu-
tive shrubs, such as the Partridge
Berry and smaller Daphne, thriving in
sandy peat. A native of sandy " Pine
Barrens " in New Jersey, and often
to be had in our Nurseries under the
name of Ledum thymifolium.

LEONTOPODIUM ALPINUM

(Edelweiss). — A native of high pastures
on many parts of the great continental
mountain ranges. The flowers are
small, yellowish, the leaves covered
with white down, like those of many
mountain composite plants, but it is
distinguished by a beautiful whorl
of oblong leaves, springing star-like
from beneath the closely set and in-
conspicuous flowers, and almost
covered with white, dense, short down.
It is a hardy perennial, growing from
4 to 8 inches high, and thriving in
firm, sandy, or gritty and well-drained
soil, in well-exposed spots in the rock-
garden. The soil should be poor, as
in rich soil it loses its charm, and
often perishes through overgrowth. It
is best to raise it from seed.

LEUCANTHEMUM ALPINUM

(Alpine Feverfew}. — A very dwarf
plant, with small fleshy leaves, deeply
cut, and hoary, and not rising more
than half an inch above the surface.
It bears pure white flowers more than
an inch across, and with yellow centres,
borne on hoary little stems, from 1 to
3 inches long. It is a rather quaint
and pretty plant, and well deserves
cultivation on the rock-garden, in bare
level places, on poor, sandy, or gravelly
soil. Syns., Chrysanthemum alpinum
and Pyrethrum alpinum. Alps of
Europe. Division or seed.

LEUCOJUM (Snowflafce).— Grace-
ful bulbous plants, the taller of which
are easily grown plants anywhere,

250

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

even naturalised in riverside soils ;
one or two of the smaller ones are
very pretty, coming out of tufts of
low plants in the spring, particularly
the vernal Snowflake.

Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake).—
A dwarf, stout, broad-leaved plant, like a
Galanthus, but with larger and handsomer
flowers, and appearing about a month later
than the Snowdrop ; fragrant, the segments

as a continental plant, and was valued
and grown in our gardens, when hardy
flowers were more esteemed than they
are at present ; but its existence as a
true native was not known with certainty
till recent years ago, when it was found
in abundance, on the " Greenstone heights,
in the neighbourhood of Britford." It is
not by any means a common plant, and
those who have it would do well to place
it in positions where it is likely to thrive

Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum). (Engraved from a photograph by Mr G. S. Symons,
Chaddlewood, Plympton.)

white, an inch long, and each distinctly
marked with a green or yellowish spot
near the point, drooping and usually pro-
duced singly on stems from 4 to 6 inches
high. It is more worthy of cultivation
than the Snowdrop, and that is as high
praise as we can give to any dwarf spring-
flowering plant. It has long been known

in light, rich, well-drained soil, or in
borders, and as, after the plant has
flowered, the leaves attain the length
of nearly a foot, and are nearly or quite
three-quarters of an inch across, a sheltered
position, where they may not be torn by
winds, will be best. It is apt to dwindle
on some cold soils.

PART II.]

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251

LEUCOTHOE.— Beautiful evergreen
shrubs of the Heath family, most of
them very old garden plants, and
common in collections of American
plants. There is a striking family
likeness between the common kinds,
the best-known being L. acuminata,
which grows from Ij to 2^ feet high,
and has slender arching stems clothed
with long pointed leaves. In early
summer the stems are profusely
wreathed with tiny white bell-shaped
flowers, extremely pretty. L. axillaris
is similar, and so are L. Catesbcei and
L. racemosa, all of which are known
in gardens under the generic name
Andromeda. They are natives of
North America, hardy, and thrive in
any light soil, preferring peat or leaf-
mould. A newer and very beautiful
species is L. Davisitv, introduced a
few years since from California, and
therefore neither so common nor so
hardy as the others. It makes a
neat little evergreen bush 2 or 3
feet high, and has small leaves on
slender stems, which in May are
terminated by dense clusters of small
white flowers in short erect spikes.
It is one of the choicest of evergreen
hardy shrubs, is thoroughly deserving
of general cultivation, and thrives
with Rhododendrons and Azaleas in
peat soil.

LEWISIA REDIVI VA (Bitter Root).
—A singular and pretty plant, allied
to the Ice plants, and forming rosettes
of leaves, 2 to 3 inches long, on a
thick, woody stalk. After the leaves
attain their full growth in spring or
early summer, beautiful flowers issue
from the rosettes, nearly hiding the
plant, each blossom 3 to 4 inches
across, and consists of eight or twelve
shaded pink petals, the centre being
nearly white and the tips rose-colour,

the whole having a satiny lustre. The
flowers open only during sunshine.
Native of the west parts of North
America, particularly in Washington
Territory and Oregon. Should have
a warm position in the rock-garden,
in dryish soil, or between stones on
an earth-mortared wall.

LIBERTIA— Beautiful plants of
the Iris Order, of which some are
hardy in peaty and leafy soils. L.
formosa is beautiful at all seasons,
even in the depth of winter, owing to
the colour of its foliage, which is as-
green as the Holly ; and it bears
spikes of flowers of snowy whiteness
like some delicate Orchid. It is dwarf
and compact, and has flowers twice
as large as the other kinds. They
lie close together on the stem, and
remind one of the old double white
Rocket. L. ixioides, a New Zealand
plant, is also a handsome evergreen
species, with narrow grassy foliage and
small white blossoms. L. magellanica
is also pretty when in flower. All
of these thrive in borders of peaty
soil, and in the rougher parts of the
rock-garden, but they grow slowly on
certain loamy soils, living perhaps,
but never showing freedom and grace.
Increased by seed or by careful divi-
sion in spring.

LILIUM (Lily).— Most of these
handsome plants are too large for
the rock-garden ; a few, however, of
the smaller ones may well come into
it. And the idea so much urged in
this book, that we ought in every
case almost to associate the mountain
shrubs with the alpine flowers, when
carried out, gives us a chance of grow-
ing Lilies and other choice bulbs
among the shrubs. The shelter and
partial shade of the shrub helps the
bulbs in various ways, and gives us a

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

good opportunity of growing these
beautiful plants in their fine variety
of good form and colour. As the
manner and descriptions of Lilies are
to be found in so many books and
lists, there is no need to name them
here.

LINARIA (Toad Flax}.— Annual
and perennial plants, rather fine and
graceful in form, some, though not
many, pretty. Some of the species
have not beauty enough for our
present purpose, and a close selection
of the best only should be made where
the aim is beauty.

Linaria alpina (Alpine Toadflax}.— A
true alpine plant, from the Alps and
Pyrenees, found on moraines and debris of
the mountains ; allied to the Ivy-leaved
Linaria, but quite different in aspect,
forming dense, dwarf, smooth and silvery
tufts, covered with bluish-violet flowers,
with two bosses of intense orange in the
centre of the lower division of each. Its
habit is spreading, but neat and very
dwarf, rarely rising more than a few
inches high. On the Alps I have seen
it flowering profusely at 1 inch high,
the leaves which attain a length of three-
quarters of an inch in our gardens being
almost rudimentary and scarcely per-
ceptible beneath the flowers, which quite
obscure stem and leaves, being larger
proportionately than on the cultivated
plant. It is usually a biennial ; but in
favourable spots, both in a wild and
cultivated state, becomes perennial. Its
duration, however, is not of so much
consequence, as it sows itself freely, and
is one of the most charming subjects that
we can allow to "go wild" in sandy,
gritty, and rather moist earth, or in
chinks of rockwork. In moist districts
it will sometimes even establish itself in
the gravel walks. It is readily increased
from seed, which should be sown in cold
frames, in early spring, or out of doors.

L. antirrhinifolia. — An elegant little
rock plant, forming a very neat spreading
mass about 6 inches to 8 inches high. It
has the advantage of not spreading so

rapidly as some of its congeners, flowering
incessantly throughout the summer. The
flowers are of a bright purple colour.
The plant is of the easiest possible culture,
and can be highly recommended for the
rock-garden.

Linaria crassifolia (Thick-leaved Toad-
flax).— A small and pretty, though not
showy species, 3 to 6 inches high, flowering
in summer ; fine blue, with a yellow throat.
A native of Southern Spain, near the
town of Chiva. This plant resembles L.
origanifolia, but the living plants present
a marked difference. The rock-garden,
walls, ruins, borders, light, sandy soil.
Division and seed.

L. Cymbalaria (Ivy Toadflax).— This is
the wild Ivy-leaved Linaria, that drapes
over so many walls so gracefully. It has a
white variety. The plant itself would be
here, were it not that it usually takes
possession of old walls, but it is always
one of the most graceful of the plants
that adorn them, and it should be en-
couraged. It occurs on old walls and stony
places in many parts of Europe, and is
wild in Britain, but probably only natura-
lized. Any soil suits it, or dry walls with-
out soil. It usually establishes itself.
Seed.

L. hepaticsefolia (the Hepatica-leaved
Toadflax), from Corsica, is also a good
alpine plant, but not so attractive as
alpina. It is nearly always in flower, in
summer and autumn, and masses in a rock-
garden are good in effect.

LINN^A BOREALIS (Twinftower).
— A fragile trailing evergreen, bearing
delicate, fragrant, and gracefully droop-
ing pale pink flowers. This plant is
named after Linnaeus, with whom it
was a favourite. A native of moist
mossy woods, in Northern Europe,
Asia, and America, and sometimes
of cold bogs or rocky high places
in Britain, occurring in fir woods
in a few places in Scotland and
Northern England. It loves a sandy
peat and moist soil, and may be
grown as a trailer, the shoots being
allowed to fall down over the faces

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

of the rocks, or in mossy rocky ground
among bushes, on the fringes of the
bog garden, or in some half-shady
position, in the hardy fernery. It
usually enjoys a somewhat shady
position, but, if in proper soil, will
bear the sun. Readily increased by
division.

LINUM (Flax).— Annual and bien-
nial plants of much delicate beauty
of colour. Some of the dwarfer
perennial kinds are most charming
flowers in their various shades of blue,
and well deserve to be grown in groups.
The habit of " dot " planting is
against our seeing the best effect of
the mountain flaxes.

Linum alpiimm (Alpine Flax). — A
dwarf and quite smooth Flax, growing only
from 3 to 8 inches high, and bearing large
dark-blue flowers in summer. A charming
rock plant, native of the Alps, Pyrenees,
and many hilly parts of Europe, thriving
well in warm well-drained spots on rock-
work, in a mixture of sandy loam and
peat. There are several varieties — alpicola,
collinum, and cnjstallinum; L. austriacum
is intimately related to it.

L. arboreum (Evergreen Flax}. — This is
the neat, glaucous, dwarf, spreading shrub,
with many clear large yellow flowers, an
inch and a half across, sometimes seen in
our gardens under the name of L. ftavum.
Although said to be tender in the colder
and drier parts of the country, it thrives
well in others in the open air, and in all
is well worthy of a place. A native of
hilly parts of South-Eastern Europe, Asia
Minor, and North Africa ; usually propa-
gated by cuttings. It is sometimes grown
as a frame and greenhouse plant, but
should be tried everywhere in warm
spots on dry borders, banks, or rockworks.
It begins to bloom in early summer, often
flowering for months at a time.

L. campanulatum (Yellow Herbaceous
Flax). — A herbaceous plant, with yellow
flowers in corymbs on stems from 12 to
18 inches high, distinct from anything
els"e in cultivation, and well worthy of
a place in a collection of alpine plants. A

native of the South of Europe, flowering
in summer and flourishing freely in dry
soil on the warm sides of banks, and
propagated by seeds. Linum flavum is
said to be different from this by its
shorter sepals, and several minor
characteristics ; but Messrs Grenier and
Godron found these very inconstant and
differing very much in the French plant.
Syn., L. flavum.

Linum narbonnense.— A beautiful and
distinct sort, bearing during the summer
months large, light sky-blue flowers,
with violet-blue veins. A fine plant for
the lower flanks of the rock-garden, on
rich light soils, forming lovely masses of
blue, from 15 to 20 inches high. A native
of Southern Europe, thriving in any good
soil.

L. perenne (Perennial Flax).— A plant
found in some parts of Britain, particu-
larly in the Eastern countries, but rare,,
usually growing in dense tufts from 12 to
18 inches high, with bright cobalt-blue
flowers more than an inch in diameter,
the stamens in some being longer than
the styles, in others shorter, the petals
overlapping each other at the edges.
Mr Syme considered it probable that
L. alpinum and L. Leonii are forms that
may be included under L. perenne. L.
perenne album is also an ornamental plant,
and there is also a variety with blue
flowers variegated with white, known in
gardens as L. Lewisii variegatum, but this
marking is not very conspicuous or con-
stant. L. sibiricum and L. provinciale are
also included under perenne. They are
all of very easy culture in common garden
soil.

L. monogynum (New Zealand Flax).—
A beautiful kind, with large pure white
blossoms, blooming in summer. It grows
about lij feet high in good light soil, and
its neat and slender habit renders it
particularly pleasing for the borders of
the rock-garden or for pot-culture. It
may readily be increased by seed or divi-
sion ; it is hardy in the more temperate
parts of England, but in the colder dis-
tricts is said to require some protection.
L. candidissimum is a finer and hardier
variety. Both are natives of New
Zealand.

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Linum salsoloides (Heath Flax).— A
hardy, dwarf, half -shrubby species, some-
what like a dwarf Heath, with the stem
twisted at the base, from 3 to 6 inches high,
blooming in June and July ; white with
a purple centre. A native of the South
of Europe, this plant is well adapted for
the rock-garden, in well-drained sandy
.soil.

L. viscosum (Viscid Flax).— Half-
shrubby, slightly branching downy stems ;
•about 1 foot high. Flowering in summer ;
lilac, with deeper veins, nearly 1 inch
across. The rock-garden, in moist sandy
loam. Seed and division. Pyrenees.

LIPPIA (Fog Fruit}.— L. nodifiora
is a dwarf perennial creeper of the
Verbena order, bearing in summer
heads of pretty pink blooms. It
grows in any situation or soil, and is
a good plant for quickly covering bare
spaces in the rock-garden. Division.
Southern United States, and California.

LITHOSPERMUM (GromweU).—
Dwarf, half-shrubby, very beautiful
plants of the Forget me-not order, but
unhappily not hardy in our country,
except in the best conditions of cul-
ture. The warmest part of the rock-
garden is the best for them. But
they come from the burning rocks
and sands of Spain and North Africa,
and though they promise much, few
survive our hard winters.

Lithospermum Petrseum (Rock Grom-
well). — A neat dwarf shrub, in colour some-
what like a small Lavender bush. Late in
May or early in June all the little grey
shoots of the dwarf bush begin to show
small, oblong, purplish heads, and early in
July the plant is in full blossom, the flowers
of a fine violet blue, with protruded
anthers of a deep orange red, the buds of
a reddish-lilac. The flowers are barely
more than a quarter of an inch long, and
tubular, not at all open, but as every shoot
is crested by a densely-packed head of
flowers, the effect is pretty and distinct.
The best position for this plant is some-
where on a level with the eye, on a well-

drained, deep, but rather dryish sandy soil
on the sunny side. Dalmatia and Southern
Europe ; cuttings, or seeds, if they can be
obtained.

Lithospermum Prostratum (Gentian-
blue Gromwell). — A charming little ever-
green spreading plant, having lovely blue
flowers, with faint reddish- violet stripes,
about half an inch across, in profusion where
it is well grown. A native of Spain and
the South of France, easily propagated by
cuttings, and valuable as a rock-plant
from its prostrate habit and the fine
colour of its flowers —a blue scarcely sur-
passed by that of the Gentians. It may
be planted so as to let its prostrate shoots
fall down the sunny face of a rocky nook,
or allowed to spread into flat tufts on level
spots. In cold or wet soil it should be
raised on banks, and planted in sandy
earth.

L. purpureo-cceruleum, a British plant,
L. Gastoni and L. canescens are also worthy
of culture in large collections, but the
tender nature of most of the kinds limits
their use in our country.

LLOYDIA SEROTINA.-A small
bulbous Liliaceous plant, frequently
seen as soon as the snow melts, in
flower by the alpine pathways. It is
most suitable for botanical collections.
Alps.

LOISELEURIA PROCUMBENS.—

In a wild state on the Alps, or on
mountain moors, this is a wiry trailing
shrub, growing quite close to the
ground, the plants occasionally form-
ing a rather dense tuft, bearing small
reddish flowers in spring, when the
snow melts. It is very rarely seen
in a thriving state under cultivation,
and most of the plants transferred
from the mountains to gardens usually
perish. This is sometimes owing to
the finest plants being selected instead
of the younger ones. I never saw it
in such perfect health in a garden as
in that of the late Mr Borrer, in
Sussex, where it flourished in c©m-

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

255

pact masses thrice its usual size, in
deep sandy peat. Its true garden
home is the rock-garden, and it will
seem well worthy of a place to most
lovers of rare British plants. On the
high Alps tiny plants of it are charm-
ing. Syn., Azalea procumbens.

LONICERA (Honeysuckle).— Given
the idea of the shrubby rock-garden,
we have here again a fine group
of plants usually well-trained, grown
and often over-pruned on walls : are
themselves rock-shrubs, and will associ-
ate and mingle very well with many
shrubs that we may use in or near
the rock-garden. There are various
kinds worth growing, a description
of which will be found in "The
English Flower-Garden," and other
works.

One can hardly go wrong with the
Honeysuckle as to kind; the Euro-
pean Honeysuckle, with its beautiful
forms, the Japanese, the Chinese (in-
cluding the Winter Honeysuckle), the
American, and the forms we call the
Dutch, I can imagine nothing fairer
than these grown in their natural
forms on rocky banks or among shrubs
near the rock-garden.

LUZURIAGA RADICANS. — A

small half-hardy evergreen from Chili.
In the mildest localities, though even
in these, it does not thrive so well as
in a cool house. It is worthy of a
trial in a cool bed of peat, on the
north side of the rock-garden, among
the larger alpine shrubs.

LYCHNIS (Campion).— Theseshowy
perennials are usually too tall for the
rock-garden, but a few of the moun-
tain kinds are pretty, and quite fitting
for the rock-garden.

Lychnis Alpina (Alpine £.).— In a wild
state, seldom rising more than a few inches

high. " In Britain," says Mr Bentham, " it
is only known on the summit of Little
Kilraiinock, a mountain in Forfarshire,"
but in 1886, under the safe guidance of
the late Mr James Backhouse, I had the
pleasure of seeing it abundantly in Cum-
berland in very lonely and high mountain
gorges. We found it on the face of a dry
crumbling crag, quite 500 feet long, and
of great height, and generally in such

ritions that extermination is impossible,
some places where the rocks overhung,
it was in full health, where a drop of rain
could scarcely ever fall upon it ; but many
plants which had sprung from seeds fallen
from these cliffs were growing freely in
moist shattered rock. In cultivation it is
a pretty, if not a brilliant, plant, and may
be grown without difficulty in rather moist
sandy soil.

Lychnis Lagascae (Rosy L.).—A lovely
dwarf alpine plant, with a profusion of
bright, rose-coloured flowers, with white
centres when young, each about three-
quarters of an inch across, and quite obscur-
ing the small and slightly glaucous leaves.
In consequence of its exceeding brilliancy
of colour, and slightly spreading, though
firm, habit, it is well suited for fissures
on the exposed faces of rocks, the colour
telling a long way off, while it is also a
gem for association with the smallest
alpine flowers. It is a native of the sub-
alpine region of the North- Western
Pyrenees, and was introduced some years
ago by the late Mr J. C. Niven, of the
Hull Botanic Garden, in whose collection
I first had the pleasure of seeing it grown.
It is distinct from, and more beautiful
than, any other alpine or dwarf Lychnis.
It flowers in early summer, and is most
readily increased by seeds. Syn., Petro-
coptis LagasccK.

L. Viscaria (German Catchfly).—A.
British plant, found chiefly in Wales and
about Edinburgh, but widely distributed
in Europe and Asia. It has long grass-
like leaves, and very showy panicles of
rosy-red flowers, on stems from 10 to
nearly 18 inches high in June. The
variety called splendens is the most worthy
of garden cultivation, being of a brighter
colour. L. v. alba is a white variety, also
worthy of a place ; and L. v. flore pleno,

256

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

the double Catchfly, is a fine variety, with
more rocket-like blooms. They are excel-
lent plants for the rougher parts of rock-
work, and as border-plants on dry soils.
Any of the kinds are worthy of being

naturalised on dryish slopes, or open
banks, on which they seem to form the
largest, healthiest, and most enduring
tufts. Easily propagated by seed or
division.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

257

Lychnis Haayeana, with shaggy stems
and bracts, and flowers of a splendid scarlet ;
L. flos-Jovis, a downy plant, with rich
purplish flowers ; L. Coronaria, the hand-
some Rose Campion ; L. fulgens, with
vermilion-coloured flowers, from Siberia ;
and the double varieties of L. diurna and
vespertina, although, for the most part,
handsome plants, are too large for associa-
tion with rock-plants.

LYCOPODIUM DENDROIDEUM

(G-round Pine). — A club-moss, in habit
like a Liliputian Pine-tree, and of all
its family by far the most worthy of
a place in the rock-garden. The little
stems, ascending to a height of 6 to
9 inches, from a creeping root, are
much branched, and clothed with small
bright, shining green leaves ; fruit-
cones yellow, long, cylindrical, and,
like the stems, erect. A native of
moist woods in North America, and
high mountains of the Southern
United States. I have never seen
this plant perfectly grown except in
Mr Peek's garden, at Wimbledon,
where it flourishes as freely as in its
native woods, in a bed of deep sandy
peat, fully exposed to the sun. Few
plants are more worthy of being
established in a deep bed of moist
peat in some part of the rock-garden,
where its distinct habit will prove
attractive at all seasons. It is
difficult to increase, and as yet ex-
ceedingly rare in this country. In
attempting its culture, the chief point
is the selection of sound well-rooted
plants to begin with ; small specimens
may retain their verdure after the
root has perished, and thus often de-
ceive. Some of our native Club-Mosses
are worthy of a place in the marsh-
garden.

LYSIMACHIA NUMMULARIA

(Creeping Jenny}. — Were this native
a new plant, and not one found

mantling over the ditch-side, we
should probably think it worth having,
with its long- drooping, flower- laden
shoots, whether on points of moist
rock or sloping banks. Creepers and
trailers we have in abundance, but
few which flower so profusely as this,
growing in any soil. In moist and
deep soil, the shoots will attain a
length of nearly 3 feet, flowering the
whole of their extent. Rarely or
never seeds, but easily increased by
division. Flowering in early summer,
and often throughout the season,
especially in the case of young plants.
A native of England, but not of
Ireland or Scotland.

Lysimachia nemorum ( Yellow Pimper-
nel) is also a slender creeping plant, useful
in or near the rock-garden. It is a native
of all our counties. The other kinds
known in gardens are too large for the
rock-garden.

MAIANTHEMUM BIFOLIUM

(Twin-leaved Lily of the Valley). — A
dwarf perennial, allied to the Lily of
the Valley, and a native of our own
country. Its habit and relationship
make it interesting, and it is easily
grown in shady or half-shady spots,
and under or near Hollies or other
bushes. Syn., Convallara bifolia.

MALVASTRUM (Rock mallow).—
These are in flower like Mallows, but
not quite hardy, being natives of the
warmer parts of America. M. Mun-
roanum is a dwarf plant with rather
small orange-red flowers, and M. lateri-
tium, a dwarf native of Buenos Ayres,
has brick-red flowers. Sometimes in
mild districts these plants thrive in
the rock-garden or well-drained borders,
in light warm soil.

MAZUS PUMILIO (Dwarf M.).—A
distinct little New Zealander, creeping
underground, so as rapidly to form

258

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

wide and dense tufts, yet rarely reach-
ing more than an inch in height. The
flowers are on very short steins, so
as barely to show above the leaves,
are pale violet, with white centres ;
the leaves with a tendency to lie
flat on the surface of the soil. It
thrives in pots, cold frames, or in the
open air, and is best placed in firm
open, bare v spots, in free sandy soil
in warm positions. It is not showy
but is an interesting plant, easily in-
creased by division, flowering in early
summer.

MECONOPSIS (Satin Poppy}.—
These are perennials and biennials of
the Poppy family, of exquisite beauty
of colour and, usually, stately form.
Well grown, they are almost taller
than the plants that we usually as-
sociate with the rock-garden ; but
they are true mountaineers, and can
hardly fail to give distinction to a
cool ledge. They mostly come from
the Himalayas, or Manchuria, or
China, while a yellow one is a native
of Britain, and a pretty plant too,
often sowing itself in all sorts of
places, and looking well everywhere,
though it shows no trace of the
startling dignity and fine charm of
the Indian kinds, which are almost
as distinct in leaf as in flower. They
are all, we believe, quite hardy, but
require attention on account of their
biennial duration. As they have to
be raised annually from seed, the
young seedlings require great care in
handling. They are also difficult to
please as regards position, and strong-
vigorous plants are almost impos-
sible, unless in rich, deep, light soil
and in the south of England a partially
shady situation, where they can have
abundance of moisture without its
becoming stagnant. The better way

in handling seedlings is to grow them
in pots during the first winter, plant-
ing out early in spring, when the
stronger plants may be expected to
show flower in July. The smaller
ones will go on growing, forming
large rosettes which will make robust
specimens the following summer.
Except under the most favourable
conditions, a slight protection will
be required in wet autumns and
winters for the rarer kinds, this being*
best effected by squares of glass raised
a few inches above the crowns. All
the species usually flower the second
year, and the grower's aim should be
to get as much vigour into them in
that time as possible.

Meconopsis aculeata is usually a small
plant in gardens, but well grown, forming
bold pyramids of purple flowers. It is a
singularly beautiful plant. The leaves are
cut up. It is a biennial also, and a native
of the Himalayas.

M. cambrica (Welsh Poppy}. — Fpr the
rock-garden, or for the flower bed, the
Welsh Poppy is one of the most useful.
On old crumbling walls wherever it can
get hold, its ample Fern-like foliage
and abundance of orange-yellow blossoms
are attractive, and it will grow almost
anywhere. Where it can be allowed space
in out-of-the-way corners, stony ground,
or even the edges of gravel paths, it flowers
freely. Seed.

M. Nepalensis (Nepal Satin Poppy).—
The commonest Indian species found in
gardens, is smaller than M. Wallichi, and
a pretty fine-foliaged plant. The soft
yellow-green leaves form dense rosettes,
which are said in a young state to close
up or fold over as a protection to the
tender crowns. The flower-stems vary
from 3 feet to 5 feet high, bearing nodding
blossoms 2 inches to 3 inches in diameter,
and of a soft yellow. It is also biennial,
requiring a rich deep soil and partial
shade. Nepaul.

M. Wallichi (Wallich's Satin Poppy) is
the finest of the Poppy- worts in cultiva-
tion, and a handsome biennial, remarkable

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

259

inasmuch as it is one of the few, if not
the only, truly blue-flowered Poppy in
cultivation at the present time. It grows
from 4 feet to 7 feet in height, forming
a pyramid, extremely beautiful in full
flower, the drooping Poppy blooms of a
fine pale blue colour ana fine in form.
The flowers first open at the top or ends
of the branches, continuing until those
nearest the main stem have opened. It

Meconopsis aculeata.

forms a rosette of lame leaves, 12 inches
to 18 inches long, deeply cut, and so
brittle that, although well able to stand
our winters, they are apt to be damaged
by snowfalls. The plants like a moist
situation in a deep peaty soil, and partially
shaded from the mid-day sun. It is
biennial, and to keep up a stock, seed
should be sown annually, and this as soon
as gathered. The varieties fusco-purpurea

and purpurea are not so good in colour as
the fine blue of the old form.

Meconopsis simplicifolia has a tuft
of lance -shaped leaves, 3 to 5 inches
long, slightly toothed, and covered with
a short, dense, brownish pubescence.
The unbranched flower - stalk is about
1 foot high, and bears at its apex a single
violet-purple blossom, 2 to 3 inches in
diameter.

MEGASEA. (See SAXIFRAGA).

MELITTIS MELISSOPHYLLUM

(Balm M.). — A distinct-looking plant
of the Salvia order, with slightly hairy
ovate leaves, about 2 inches long,
clothing the stem to its apex, and
from one to three flowers arranged in
the axils of the opposite leaves. The
flowers are usually nearly or quite an
inch and a half long, and opening at
the mouth to a little more than an
inch deep. The . lower lip is the
largest, and is usually stained with
a deep purplish rose, except a narrow
margin, which is a creamy white. The
handsome lip reminds one of the
flowers of some of our handsome
exotic Orchids rather than those of
a labiate plant. It varies a good
deal in colour; sometimes the lip
has not the handsome stain above
alluded to, and sometimes the whole
flower is of a reddish-purple hue.
M. grandiflora of Smith is a variety
differing in colour. The plant is dis-
tinct, and worthy of a place. It
naturally inhabits woods, and even
when one finds it on the lower flanks
of some great alp, it is seen nestling
among the shrubs and low hazel-trees.
Woody spots near the rock-garden
would suit it, and it grows readily
among shrubs. Found in a few
localities in Southern England, and
widely over Europe and Asia. Seed
or division, flowering in May about
London.

260

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA

(Buckbeam). — A beautiful British
aquatic herb, with trifoliate leaves,
flowering in early summer; corolla
white inside, tinged with red outside,
beautifully bearded. Common in
Europe and North America, and at
home by margins of lakes, ponds, and
streams, or in the bog garden.
Division.

MENZIESIA.— Dwarf shrubs and
alpine, admirably suited for rock-
gardens, or wherever there is a moist
peat soil. They are all of compact
growth, and pretty in flower.

Menziesia caerulea is a tiny alpine
shrub, native of Scotch mountains, and of
northern European mountains. A pretty
bush for the rock-garden or for choice
beds of dwarf plants, 4 to 6 inches high,
with pinkish-lilac flowers, flowering rather
late in summer and in autumn. Europe.

M. empetriformis.— A tiny shrub, neat
in habit and of much beauty, with rosy-
purple bells in clusters on a dwarf heath-
like bush, seldom more than 6 inches
high. This plant is one of the best for
the rock-garden, thriving in a rather
moist sandy peat soil. It is cultivated
with most success in Nurseries in the
neighbourhood of Edinburgh. It flowers
in summer, and is sometimes known as
Phyllodoce empetriformis. America.

See also Erica for the plant known in
Nurseries as M. polifolia.

MERENDERA BULBOCODIUM.—

A bulbous plant, very like Bulbo-
codium vernum, but flowering in
autumn. The flowers are large and
handsome, and of a pale pinkish-lilac.
Suitable for the rock-garden and bulb-
garden, till plentiful enough to be
used in borders. Increased by separa-
tion of the new bulbs and by seed.
S. Europe.

MERTENSIA (Smooth Lungwort).—
Graceful plants of the Borage order,
of much beauty of colour. One, vir-

ginica, grown in leafy and peaty soil
in a cool place, is one of the most
graceful of hardy spring flowering
plants.

Mertensia alpina is a pretty alpine
kind, and should only be associated with
the choicest plants. The leaves are bluish-
green ; the stem from 6 inches to 10 inches
high, and has from one to three terminal
drooping clusters of light blue flowers in
spring or early summer.

M. dahurica, although of a very slender
habit, and liable to be broken by high
winds, is perfectly hardy. It grows from
6 inches to 12 inches high, with erect
branching stems, and flowers in June,
bright azure-blue, in panicles. It is a
very pretty plant for the rock-garden,
where it should be planted in a sheltered
nook in a mixture of peat and loam. It
is easily propagated by division or seed.
Syn., pulmonaria dahurica.

M. maritima (Oyster Plant).— A beauti-
ful native plant, and though usually found
growing in sea-sand, it is amenable to
garden culture. Given a light sandy
soil of good depth, and a sunny position
where its long and branching succulent
flower-stems may spread themselves out,
carrying a long succession of turquoise-
blue flowers, it is a plant that we may
expect to see appearing with renewed
vigour year after year. It is much loved
of slugs, and is best on an open part of the
rock-garden.

M. oblongifolia is another diminutive
species, with deep green, fleshy leaves.
The stems are 6 inches to 9 inches high,
and bear handsome clustered heads of
brilliant blue flowers.

M. sibirica. — The peculiar value of this
species is that it has the beauty of colour
and grace of habit of the old M.
virginica, and at the same time grows and
flowers for a long period in ordinary
garden soil. The flowers are small and
bell-shaped, and in loose drooping clusters
that terminate in graceful arching stems.
The colour varies from a delicate pale
purple-blue to .a rosy pink in the young
flowers. It is a hardy perennial, and may
be propagated by division.

M. virginica (Virginia Cowslip). — A

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

261

lovely perennial, distinguished from its
allies by the smoothness of all its parts,
and by its large leaves, the lower ones
being 4 to 6 inches long. The flowering
stems are from 10 to 18 inches, suspending
blooms of a beautiful purple blue, trumpet-
shaped, and about an inch long, from the
beginning of April to May or early June,
and loves a soil cool and light, and a
half -shady position. This fine plant often
fails to thrive in stiff soils. It is a
native of marshy meadows and by streams
from Canada to New Jersey, and also
southward and westward, so there can be
no doubt of its hardiness, but the mis-
take is often made of planting it in dry
borders, though in parts of our islands,
where the rainfall is copious, it may
succeed in that way. In the drier parts
of our islands, the bog-garden is the place
for it.

MIMULUS (Monkey Flower).— Of

this numerous genus few of the species
after the common Musk have come
into cultivation to stay. The yellow
(M. luted) is naturalised, and a pretty
plant for the marsh garden. There are
one or two brilliant forms of the copper
Mimulus which succeed well in like
positions, but most of the introduced
species are too coarse and short-lived
in bloom for the rock-garden : the
common Musk, M. moschatus, is pretty
in moist corners.

Mimulus radicans.— A very pretty
and interesting species from the shady
ravines of New Zealand. It forms a dense
creeping mass of dark green obovate obtuse
slightly hairy foliage, stems creeping, with
short leafy branches, and flowering freely
about the end of May ; the flowers are
white with a very conspicuous violet
blotch, the upper lips small and divided,
the lower much larger and three-lobed.
It is of the easiest cultivation, growing in
mud or on old pieces of wood, so long as
it is kept damp. When it is protected by
taller growing plants, which retain their
foliage during winter, it is perfectly hardy,
but when fully exposed to a severe winter
it frequently goes off.

MITCHELLA REPENS (Variegated
Partridge Berry). — One of the pretty
woodland plants that accompany the
May Flower (Epigcea), the tree Lyeo-
podium, and the Rattlesnake Plantain
(Goody era), in the Pine woods of
North America. It is a trailing little
evergreen, with roundish shining
leaves, the flowers white, sometimes
tinged with purple, followed by scarlet
berries in autumn. I saw it in Long
Island, running about in the Moss,
beneath Pine trees, and it occurred to
me at the time that it would be a
pretty addition to shady parts of our
rock-gardens, in which it would thrive
under the same conditions as the
Pyrolas, and the Linncea.

MODIOLA GERANIOIDES (Ger-
anium-like M.). — A hardy, tuberous-
rooted, trailing Malvaceous plant, 4
or 5 inches high, flowering late in
summer; rich rosy-purple, marked
with a dark line in the centre, soli-
tary, 1 inch or more across, on long
and slender flower - stalks. Easily
grown in well - drained sandy soil.
Division.

MCEHRINGIA MUSCOSA (Mossy
M.). — A very dwarf evergreen herb,
2 or 3 inches high, with prostrate,
thread-like stems, clothed with very
narrow leaves, like those of an
Arenaria. Flowering in early summer,
white, small, solitary. A native of
Europe, on the margins of woods, in
humid parts of mountains. The rock-
garden and borders, in fine, very sandy
loam. Division and seed.

MORISIA HYPOG^SA.— A pretty
hardy alpine, and one of the most
charming re-introductions of recent
years. It was first flowered by Mrs
Marryat in April, 1834, and is figured
in Sweet's "British Flower Garden,"

262

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

second series, tab. 190. The flowers,
as large as a shilling, and of a bright
yellow, come singly on short stalks,
rising very little above the tufted
glossy foliage in April and May. It
seems to do best in a light gritty soil,
and is of easy culture on the rock-
garden. It buries its seed-pods in the
soil, like some of the Violas.

MUHLENBECKIA.— Graceful free-
growing evergreen trailers, useful as
coverings for rocks or stumps ; natives
of New Zealand. The best known,
M. complexa, is a rapid grower, with
long wiry and entangled branches,
small leaves, and white waxy flowers
inconspicuous. M. adpressa is larger,
and has heart-shaped leaves, and long
racemes of whitish flowers. M. varia
is a small kind, with fiddle-shaped
leaves, and is very distinct from either
of the above, it being suited for the
rock-garden proper, whereas the larger
kind should only be used among shrubs
or to clothe bold rocks.

MUSCARI (Grape Hyacinth).— Very
pretty bulbous flowers, distinct and
good in colour and form. They come
early in the spring, and are very
welcome then. Most of the kinds
are pretty, the more so, if in associa-
tion with Narcissus and the flowers
of different colours that come about
the same time. They are plants
mainly of the East, and, though not
difficult about soil, are much happier,
and increase more freely in open warm
soils. Only the prettiest kinds are
fitted for, and in need of the advan-
tage of the rock-garden. Among the
shrubs, and associated with the dwarf
Narcissi, they come in well.

Among these plants we have more
names than real distinctions, but some
few are very beautiful, such as M.

contemn, which tells well in groups on
the rock-garden. Still, they do not
tempt us to grow numbers of them,
as we get all the beauty of the
family from a few kinds.

MUTISIA.— Remarkable and beau-
tiful South American plants, some
almost hardy in the milder parts of
our islands. In winter the bush-
clad rock-garden offers a good place
for them. Some few cultivators have
been successful with M. decurrens;
once or twice M. ilicifolia has been
grown and flowered very well. M.
Clematis is the least delicate.

Mutisia ilicifolia. — A very distinct and
beautiful plant, is a native of Chili, where
it grows over bushes, with thin wiry steins.
Every part is covered with a cobweb-like
tomentum. The leaves are about 2 inches
long, toothed, the. texture leathery, and the
mid-rib growing beyond the blade, and
forming a strong twining tendril. The
flowers are 3 inches across, with from eight
to twelve ray florets coloured pale pink, or
sometimes white with pink tips ; the disc
is lemon-yellow.

M. decurrens. — The most beautiful of
the three garden Mutisias. Mr Colemaii
has grown it well amongst Rhododendrons
at Eastnor Castle ; Mr Gumbleton, Mr
Hooke, Mr Ellacombe, and Kew have also
had it in good condition. Most culti-
vators kill this species by planting it in
a hot, sunny place, where it gets baked,
and soon sickens. It wants a moist, cool
soil, a sunny, airy position, and a few
slender Pea sticks to clamber upon. The
flowers of this are over 4 inches across,
a fine orange with a yellow disc.

M. Clematis. — The first coloured pic-
ture of this species ever published in any
English work was the plate in the Garden,
27th July 1883. It is a tall herbaceous
climber, 10 to 20 feet high, with leaves
ending in branched tendrils. The plant
grows freely, does not die off suddenly
like the others, and when properly treated
it flowers freely. It is probable that this
species would thrive out-of-doors in Devon,
South Wales, and South Ireland. It

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

263

grows as fast as Cobcea scandens, and is
said to be propagated in the same way,
viz., by means of cuttings of the young
growth. A native of Peru, and Ecuador,
at elevations of from 6,000 to 11,000 feet.

MYOSOTIDIUM NOBILE (Ant-
arctic Forget-me-not). — A noble per-
ennial, with very handsome flowers
like a Forget-me-not. A native of
the Chatham Islands in the Pacific,
and frequenting there damp sandy
shores, it is, for the most part, diffi-
cult to grow in our country, but Mrs
Rogers at Burncoose, and various
others, have succeeded. The neigh-
bourhood of the sea almost essential,
though by the use of frames and care
the plant can be grown elsewhere, but
I have never seen it well done except
in Cornwall. It has a thick root-stock,
from which arise the large heart-shaped,
shining green leaves. The flowers are
borne on an erect stem 1 J feet high ;
it is leafy all the way up, and is termi-
nated by a loose corymb of flowers, in
colour exactly like Forget-me-not, but
the shade of blue varies. It has been
grown in cool houses with some suc-
cess, but the thing to do, if one can,
is to establish it on a sandy moist
part of the rock-garden, anywhere
within the influence of the sea, using
also, if one may, sand from the beach.

Mrs Roger's plants were raised from
seed, and grown in a south border,
sea-sand piled up around them.

MYOSOTIS (Forget-me-not). — Per-
ennial and biennial plants ; some true
alpines among them, for the most part
of easy culture, and precious for their
associations as well as beauty.

If the Forget-me-nots are in moist
soil, not too heavy, they not only
do not need shade, but are better in
the open, the plants sturdier and more
free flowering, but the wood and water

Forget-me-nots will thrive in partial
shade.

Myosotis Alpestris (Alpine Forget-me-
not). — A British alpine plant, found in one
or two places in Scotland and Northern
England, and of fine colour and beauty.
It forms close tufts of dark-green hairy
leaves, healthy plants rising to a height of
only about 2 inches, and in April a few
flowers of a beautiful blue, with a very
small yellowish eye, begin to appear
among " the leaves, and as the weather
gets warmer, the little flower-stems gradu-
ally rise, and soon the plants become
masses of blue, remaining so all through
the early summer. Fortunately, it is
very easily raised, and comes quite true
from seed. It loves to be pinched in
between lumps of millstone grit, and is
apt to perish in winter if made to grow
too grossly. It is quite distinct from, and
much finer than, the dwarf mountain
form of the Wood Forget-me-not, often
met with on the Alps, the leaves always
being in very dense tufts close to the
earth, while the smallest specimens of
M. sylvatica seen on the mountains do
not branch below the surface, but are
rather slender and erect in habit. It is
also a true perennial, while the Wood
Forget-me-not usually perishes after
blooming. The garden home of the
Alpine Forget-me-not is on the most
select spots in the rock-garden — where
it grows best, perhaps, on ledges with a
northern aspect, though it thrives per-
fectly in open sunny spots ; the soil to
be moist throughout the warm season
Syn., M. rupicola.

M. Azorica (Azorean Forget-me-not). —
This has flowers of an indigo-blue, and
rich purple when they first open. It was
first brought home by Mr H. C. Watson,
author of the "Cybele Britannica," who
found it near cascades and on wet rocks,
with a north-eastern aspect, in the Westerly
Azores. It is a little tender, but so
beautiful and distinct from our European
blue and yellow-eyed Forget-me-nots that
it is worthy of being annually raised, in
case old plants should perish during
winter, and it is easily increased by seed.
It is best raised in autumn, and kept
through the winter in dry frames, pits

264

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

or a greenhouse, or in very early spring
in a gentle heat, and planted out about
the beginning of May in a somewhat
shaded or sheltered position, in light but
deep and moist soil, in which it will form
spreading tufts.

Myosotis Dissitiflora (Early Forget-me-
not). — This bears some resemblance to the
Wood Forget-me-not ; but is much earlier
in flower, blooming in January and Feb-
ruary, and lasting till early summer. Early
in the season, and in poor ground, it some-
times opens with pink flowers ; but where
the plants are healthy and the ground
good, it soon expands into tufts of the
loveliest sky-blue. In dry ground it is
apt to go off with the droughts of spring
or early summer ; but when placed in
some moist cranny, it continues in flower
for a long time, and accompanies the Wood
Forget-me-not in its beauty, though it
begins to show much earlier. For this
treasure to our gardens we are indebted
to the late Mr J. Atkins, of Painswick,
who found it on the Alps near the Vogel-
berg, and grew it for several years in his
garden, before it was in cultivation else-
where. From him I obtained it, and
soon afterwards it passed into general
cultivation, at first under the name of
M. montana. It is quite easily grown
in any cool moist soil, and very easy to
increase, by pulling the tufts in pieces.
M. Palustris (Water Forget-me-not).—
This may be grown easily anywhere by
the side of a stream, or pond, or moist
place, by merely pricking in bits of the
shoots, and perhaps this is the best way
in most places, particularly where the
ordinary soil is dry. But in many district s
the climate and soil are congenial, and in
such it is often desirable to have a group
or two of a plant so great a favourite with
all. I have never seen the flowers so large
as among Rhododendrons growing in beds
of moist peat soil. It thrives, however,
in ordinary soil in many gardens, and
grows as far north as the Arctic Circle,
and is a native of North America as well
as of Europe and Asia. It is essential for
the water-side, be it streamlet or pool.

M. Sylvatica (Wood Forget-me-not).—
A native of woods, mountain pastures,
in the north of Europe and Asia, and in

the great central chain from the Pyrenees
to the Caucasus, and also a British plant,
though rare, limited to Scotland and the
North of England. In a wild state it is
said to be perennial, but in gardens usu-
ally proves a biennial, and should be
sown every year in early summer. It is
a very frequent plant on alpine pastures,
always in a more compact form than in
gardens.

Myosotis caespitpsa.— A variety of this,
called fiechsteineri, is a dense and minute
creeper from the Lake of Geneva. Useful
for moist ledges, where it makes matted
tufts of pale green herbage, and in early
summer bearing little racemes of turquoise-
blue flowers, barely 2 inches from the
ground. It is one of the best carpet plants
for bulbous things in the rock-garden, and
quite a thing to be proud of. As its roots
get somewhat bare, top-dressings of loam
and leaf-mould mixed with a little sand
should be applied.

MYRICA (Sweet Gale).—
shrubs worthy of a place where the
marsh-garden is carried out, or where
there are watery or marshy spots near
our rocks. Our native Sweet Gale
(M. Gale) should be wherever sweet-
smelling plants are cared for. It is
a wiry bush 2 or 3 feet high, having
fragrant leaves. In a moist spot,
such as a bog, it spreads by under-
ground shoots and makes a large
mass. The North American, M.
cerifera (Wax Myrtle or Baybeny),
M. Pe7insylvanica) and M. Californica,
are less common. The last is a good
evergreen of dense growth, with fra-
grant leaves, that keep green through
the winter. It is a vigorous plant,
especially in light soils, and is quite
hardy. The Wax Myrtle is met with
in old gardens, where it was planted
for its spicy foliage. I find the Gales
free and vigorous in stiff poor soils,
where few things grow well.

NARCISSUS (Daffodil).— Although
most of these handsome plants are

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

265

independent of the rock-garden, and
its advantages, and grow freely in
the coldest soils, one of the most
beautiful things we can do is to keep
the dwarfest and choicest of them
for growing through mossy dwarf
plants on the rock-garden, and also
in the grassy places near and among
the groups of rock shrubs. I have
never seen anything more beautiful
in nature or in gardens than grassy
banks planted with the smaller and
rarer Narcissi in the gardens at "Warley
Place. The effect is all the more
precious, coming so early in the spring.
Among the smaller Narcissi, the little
N. minimus, with its flowers bent into
the Moss or short turf, is charming
for the rock-garden, as are all the
smaller wild kinds, and any choice,
new variety may also find a home
there. For names and descriptions of
the kinds, see the "English Flower
Garden."

NARTHECIUM OSSIFRAGUM

(Bog Asphodel}. — A small native plant,
in growth somewhat like an Iris, with
a spike of small yellow flowers. It is
an interesting plant for the marsh-
garden, and is of easy culture.

NERTERA DEPRESSA (Fi-uiting

Duckweed). — The flowers of this
diminutive plant are inconspicuous,
but when in fruit it is best compared
to a small Duckweed growing on firm
earth, and bearing numbers of little
oranges ! They not only occur on the
surface of the tufts, but by pushing
the fingers between the small dense
leaves, the bright berries are found in
profusion hidden among them. It is
(juite distinct, deserves a place for the
pretty fruit, and should be associated
with the dwarfest plants in firm and
moist soil. New Zealand and the
Andes of S. America. Division.

NIEREMBERGIA RIVULARIS

(Water N.).—Of quite a different
type to the other members of its family
seen in our gardens, the stems and
foliage of this trail along the ground,
while from amongst them spring erect
open, cup-like flowers of a creamy-
white tint, just above the foliage.
Sometimes the blossoms are faintly
tinged with rose, are usually nearly 2
inches across, with yellow centres, and
continue blooming during the summer
and autumn months. It is said to
abound by the side of the Plate River,
but only within high-tide mark, its
flowers rising so high among the very
dwarf grass that the plant is discerned
from a great distance. Rooting much
at the base, it is easily increased by
division.

NYMPH^EA (Water Lily).-
Wherever water is associated with the
rock-garden (I have shown before it
is not often a natural condition), the
lovely new Water Lilies may lend
great interest, and not a few give fine
colour. As they are described in so
many books and catalogues, there is
no need to enumerate them here. As
to culture, however, a word may be
said. They are usually starved in
pots and baskets. The right way is
to put them in the soil of ponds or
streams, or, failing this, in the case of
artificially made pools, use plenty of
loamy soil in the bottom (not less
than a foot), and protect from the
attentions of water-rats and water-hens,
if these are about. Otherwise, few
flowers will be seen.

(ENOTHERA (Evening Primrose). —
Perennial and biennial plants of showy
beauty, some more fitted for borders
than for rock-gardens, but the smaller
and prostrate kinds of high value.
From June onwards, they are at their

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

best, some coming into bloom a second
time in late summer. They have
large bright yellow or white flowers,
freely borne. Although known as
Evening Primroses, many of them are
open during the day, such as (E.
tinearis, speciosa, taraxaeifolia. Most
of them are natives of states west of
Mississippi, California, Utah, Missouri,
.and Texas. All will bloom the first
year from seed sown early.

(Enothera csespitosa.— A dwarf plant,
12 inches high, flowering in May, 4 inches
to 5 inches across, white, gradually chang-
ing to a delicate rose ; as evening ap-
proaches, coming well above the jagged
leaves, retaining their beauty all night,
and emitting a Magnolia-like odour. It
is a hardy perennial, and is increased by
suckers from the roots, and by cuttings,
which root readily. Syn., (E. marginata.

CEnothera Csespitosa.

CE. fruticosa (Sundrops).— This and its
varieties are among the finest of perennials,

1 foot to 3 feet high, with showy yellow
blossoms. There are about half a dozen
distinct varieties, one of the best being
Youngi, about 2 feet high, bearing many
yellow blossoms. It is one of the best
of yellow Evening Primroses for small
beds, for edgings, or as a groundwork for
other plants, and it goes on flowering even
after the first frosts.

CEnothera glauca is a handsome North-
American species, allied to fruticosa. It is
of sub-shrubby growth, becomes bushy, and
bears yellow flowers. The variety Fraseri
is a still finer plant, and where an at-
tractive mass of yellow is desired through
the summer, there are few hardy plants
of easy cultivation so effective. In a
large rock-garden a few plants here and
there give good colour, and the plants
bloom long.

05. Missouriensis (Missouri Evening
Primrose). — A noble, hardy herbaceous
perennial, with prostrate, rather downy
stems, entire leaves, their margins and
nerves covered with silky down, and
with clear yellow flowers", 4 to nearly
5 inches in diameter, borne so freely that
the plant covers the ground with its
flowers. As the seed is but rarely per-
fected, it is increased by careful division,
or by cuttings made in April. It does not
make such a free growth in cold clayey
soils as it does in warm light ones, and
it is best on the lower flanks of the rock-
garden. North America. The blooms open
best in the evenings. Syn., (E. macrocarpa.

(E. speciosa (Pale Evening Primrose). —
A handsome plant, with many large white
flowers, which afterwards change to a
delicate rose, in these respects somewhat
resembling (E. taraxaeifolia^ but the plant
is erect, with almost shrubby stems. It
forms neat tufts, usually from 14 to 18
inches high, is a true perennial, and valu-
able for borders or the rougher parts of the
rock-garden. A native of North America ;
increased by division, cuttings, or seeds,
but not seeding freely in this country,
and thriving in well-drained loam.

(E. taraxacifolia.— One of the most
beautiful of our dwarf hardy plants, with
rather stout stems, that freely trail over
the ground, bearing a profusion of large
flowers. The leaves are deeply cut, some-

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

267

what like those of the Dandelion, but of
a greyish tone ; the flowers several inches
across, white, changing to pale delicate
rose as they become older. The plant is
quite perennial, but on some cold soils
perishes in winter. Where it does so,
it should be raised annually from seed.
It will thrive in almost any garden soil,
best in one rich and deep, and may be
used with the best result as a drooping
plant in the rock-garden borders. Plants
raised in early spring and pricked over
bare surfaces of rose-beds, flower well the
first year. A native of Chili, flowering
all the summer and autumn, and seldom
more than 6 inches above the ground.

OMPHALODES LUCILIjE.-A

seldom seen and charming plant, with
very glaucous smooth leaves, in hue
resembling those of the Oyster-plant,
and with flowers of a light sky-blue,
with a faint stain of something akin
to the palest lilac. A native of Mount
Taurus, doing best in sunny parts of
the rock-garden, in free gritty soil.
Slugs often destroy it.

Omphalodes verna (Creeping Forget-me-
not). — Like a Forget-me-not, with hand-
some deep blue flowers with white throats,
in early spring. A native of mountain
woods on several of the great continental
chains, and precious for the rock and every
other kind of garden. Easily increased by
division. Tufts of it taken up and gently
forced in midwinter form beautiful
objects in baskets.

ONONIS ARVENSIS (Best-harrow).
— One of the prettiest of our wild
plants, and well worthy of cultivation
on banks. It is a variable plant,
forming dense spreading tufts, clammy
to the touch, and covered with pink
flowers in summer. There is a white
variety even more valuable. No
plants can be more readily increased
from seed or by division. This plant
is distinct from the spiny Ononis cam-
pestris, which forms stems nearly 2 feet
high, sometimes even more.

Ononis rotundifolia (Round-leaved Rest-
harrow}. — This species is easily known by
its large and handsome rose-coloured
flowers, with the upper petal or standard
veined with crimson. It is a distinct
and pretty plant, hardy, and easily culti-
vated, flowering in May and June and
through the summer. It attains a height
of from 12 to 20 inches, according to soil
and position, increasing in height as the
season advances. It is suitable for the
rougher parts of the rock-garden ; conies
from the Pyrenees and Alps of Europe,
and is easily propagated by seeds or
division.

0. Arragonensis is a distinct species
from Spain, a recent introduction.

ONOSMA TAURICUM (Golden
Drop). — A handsome evergreen per-
ennial from 6 inches to 12 inches high,
forming a dense tuft, and bearing in
summer drooping clusters of clear
yellow, almond-scented blossoms.
The best place for growing it is the
rock-garden, in which provision is
made for a good depth of soil, so
that the plants may root strongly
between the blocks of stone. The
soil should be a good sandy loam,
mixed with broken grit, and the plant
placed between large blocks of stone,
near which the roots ramify and are
kept cool and moist. The tops of
dry walls also suit this very fine rock
perennial.

OPHRYS (Bee Orchis).— These small
terrestrial Orchids are singularly beauti-
ful, and among the most curious of
plants. There have been many in
cultivation, but being chiefly from
South Europe and not hardy, they
must have protection, and then can
be grown only with great attention.
There are, however, a few native
species that can be grown. Of these,
one of the most singularly beautiful
is the Bee Orchis (0. apifera). It
varies from 6 inches to more than

268

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

1 foot in height, with a few glaucous
leaves near the ground ; the lip of
the flower is of a rich velvety brown,
with yellow markings, so that it bears
a fanciful resemblance to a bee. It
is usually considered very difficult to
grow, but this is by no means the
case, and it may be grown easily in
rather warm and dry banks in the
rock-garden, planted in a deep little
bed of calcareous soil, if that be con-
venient ; if not, loam mixed with
broken limestone may be used. It
will be found to thrive best if the
surface of the soil in which it grows
be carpeted with the Lawn Pearlwort,
or some other very dwarf plant, and,
failing these, with 1 inch or so of
cocoa-fibre and sand, to keep the soil
somewhat moist and compact about
the plants. Flowers in early summer.
Other interesting species to cultivate
in a collection of hardy Orchids are
Q. musctfera, arachnites, aranifera, and
Trolli.

OPUNTIA (Prickly Pear).— A large
group of plants of the Cactus order,
mostly American, but often growing
far north into many cold as well as
dry regions in California, Utah, and
Nevada. Like most Cactuses, they
might at first be thought too tender
for our country, but some kinds have
proved hardy, and the country they
come from has severe winters. A most
interesting series of species and
varieties have been introduced by
Mr Spath, of Berlin, who writes of
them in the Garden, as follows : —

"The hardiness of these species,
varieties, and natural hybrids, even
in the often trying winters of Berlin,
is proved beyond all doubt, having
stood in the open for several years
without protection. As to soil, they
are not particular, but they are thank-
ful for slight manuring, which develops

sturdy and healthy specimens in a few
years. These produce fine large flowers.
When, during the month of July, the
plants are covered with their con-
spicuous flowers, varying through all
shades, from light yellow to orange
and salmon, from a tender rose to
deep and brilliant carmine, they pre-
sent a picture of unrivalled beauty.

The collection of Colorado Opuntias,
as far as they have flowered and been
named here, is as follows : —

" 0. camanchica lutea, c. orbicvlaris,
c. rubra, c. salmonea. These four
varieties have large and thin joints
of roundish shape. 0. fragilis, f.
ccespitosa, /. tuberiformis. 0. Missouri-
ensis, m. erythrostema, m. salmonea.
0. pachyarfhra flava. 0. pacliyclada
rosea, p. spoefhiana. 0. rhodantha,
r. brevisptna, r. flavispina, r. pisci-
formis, r. schumanniana. 0. Schwerini.
0. xanthostema, x. elegans, x. fulgens,
x. gracilis, x. orbicularis, x. rosea."

Some of them have been grown with
success in England. On dry slopes
on and partly protected under project-
ing ledges of rock, they are curious,
and the flowers often beautiful in
colour, but of tropical associations
that hardly go well with alpine plants,
and so would be better grouped apart,
where they might get some winter
protection where needed, and all the
sun and warmth could be got for them
in our climate. Their nomenclature
is still far from clear, and it is probable
those arid and cold regions have other
hardy and handsome kinds worth
introducing.

ORCHIS (Orchid). — Perennial
ground Orchids often beautiful, hardy,
being mostly European or natives of
cold countries, not difficult to grow.
These are essential for the bog-garden.
Some of our native Orchis are de-
serving of a place, but few sue-

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

269

ceed well with them, because the
plants are often transplanted at the
wrong season. The usual plan is to
do it just when the first or second
flower has opened. At this period of
growth, the plant is forming a new
tuber for the following year, and if
in any way injured, it shrinks
and dies. If, instead of this, the
plants are marked when in flower and
allowed to remain until August or
September, when the newly-formed
tuber will be matured, the risk of
transplanting it is considerably
lessened.

The following are among the kinds
most worthy of culture : —

Orchis foliosa. — One of the finest of the
hardy Orchids, from 1 foot to 2 feet or
more in height, with long dense spikes
of rosy-purple blossoms, spotted with a
darker hue. It begins to flower about
the middle of May, and continues for a
considerable time. It delights in moist
sheltered nooks at the base of the rock-
garden, or in some similar place, and it
should be planted in deep, light soil.
Madeira.

0. latifolia (Marsh Orchis). — A native
kind, 1 foot to 1^ feet high, flowering
in early summer purple in long dense
spikes. It is easily grown, forming fine
tufts in damp, boggy soil in peat or leaf
mould. There are several beautiful
varieties of this Orchis, the best being pros-
cox and sesquipedalis ; 0. sesquipedalis grows
about 1| feet high, and the stem for fully
a third of its length is furnished with
densely-arranged flowers of large size and
of a purplish- violet hue.

0. laxiflora is a handsome species, 1
foot to 18 inches high, flowering in May
and June, rich purplish-red, in long loose
spikes. Native of Jersey and Guernsey,
and suited for the rock-garden in a moist
spot, or the marsh-garden. Division.

0. maculata (Spotted Orchis).— This is
usually pretty in the poorest soils, but is
a very different plant in a rich one. If
well grown in moist and rather stiff
garden loam, it will surprise even those
who know it well in a wild state. Obtain

it at any season, and carefully plant twelve
or twenty tubers in a patch in a half-
shady and sheltered position in moist
loam. It flowers in summer, and is an
excellent plant for the bog-garden. The
variety superba is a much finer plant.

Orchis maculata superba. (Engraved from a
photograph sent by Rev. C. Wolley-Dod.)

Other beautiful kinds are 0. papilion-
acea, purpurea, militaris, mascula, pyr-
amidalis, spectabilis, tephrosanthos, and
Robertiana, but all are difficult to estab-
lish freely, as they grow in their natural
conditions.

ORIGANUM (Marjoram). — The
common 0. vulyare is scarcely a
garden plant, but another, 0. Dic-
tamnus (the Dittany of Crete), is a
pretty little plant, though somewhat
tender. During mild winters, how-
ever, it survives unprotected. It has
mottled foliage, and small, purplish
flowers in heads, like the Hop ; hence
it is sometimes called the Hop plant.

270

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

0. Sipyleum is similar, and quite as
pretty. If grown in the open, these
plants must have a warm spot in the
rock-garden in very light, open soil,
and then mostly in the south or very
mild districts.

ORONTIUM AQUATICUM (Golden
Club). — A handsome water- side per-
ennial of the Arum family, 12 inches
to 18 inches high. The flowers, which
are yellow, densely crowded all over
the narrow spadix, and which emit a
singular odour, are borne early in
summer. The plant may be grown
on the margins of ponds and fountain-
basins, or in the wettest part of the
bog-garden. North America, in rivu-
lets and bogs.

OTHONNA CHEIRIFOLIA (Bar-
bary Ragwort). — A plant of distinct
character ; the leaves and shoots quite
smooth and glaucous, and the habit
spreading, forming silvery tufts from
8 inches to a foot or so high. It
flowers sparsely on heavy and cold
soil, but on light soils it blooms
freely in May, a rich yellow, and is
useful for its distinct aspect ; propa-
gated by cuttings. N. Africa.

OXALIS (Wood Sorrel).- A large
group of dwarf, often curious and
often pretty, plants, which, so far as
they are hardy, may well come into
the warm parts of the rock-garden ;
but, being mostly plants of the Cape
and warm countries, few of those
known to us are hardy, excepting
always the few that are natives of
our own country, among which the
most graceful is the little native Wood
Sorrel. The following are the kinds
of proved hardiness in our gardens.
In warmer lands than ours some are
apt to become troublesome as
weeds.

Oxalis Acetosella (Stubwort, Wood
Sorrel). — The prettiest kind known so far
for our gardens is our native Wood Sorrel,
Avhich bore in old times the name of
" Stub wort " — a name which should be
used always. This grows itself in such
pretty ways in woody and shady places that
in many gardens there will be no need to
cultivate it. Where it must be cultivated
it will be happy in shady spots in the rock-
garden.

0. Bowieana. — A robust grower, form-
ing masses of leaves 6 inches to 9 inches
high, the flowers rose, in umbels, borne
continuously throughout the summer.
It is best for warm soils, and in cold
ones seldom or never flowers ; on well-
drained and very sandy ones it does
so abundantly. The soil that suits this
fine plant being often found on the rock-
garden, it would be well to have a seam
or two of it there at the foot of a hot
rock. Division. Cape of Good Hope.

0. corniculata rubra is a form of a
native kind, with brown purple leaves
that might be encouraged where there are
stony banks, for this handsome plant
speedily covers the most unpromising
surfaces. In gardens, however, it may
become a weed. With me, this plant
comes up everywhere among stone edg-
ings and also in the joints between stone
pavings, and is so far an interloper sowing
itself very pretty.

0. floribunda. — A free-flowering kind,
quite hardy in all soils, and producing,
for months in succession, numbers of
rose-coloured flowers with dark veins.
There is a white-flowered variety as free-
flowering and in every way as valuable
as the rose-coloured form. Both are very
useful for rockwork and for the margins
of borders, and are easily increased by
division. This appears to be the com-
monest kind of Oxalis in cultivation. It
is hardy enough to encourage one to
attempt to naturalise it on any rocky
place or about ruins. S. America.

0. lasiandra is one of the most distinct,
with large dark green leaves, and, in early
summer, umbels of numerous flowers of
a bright rose-colour. Best on warm parts
of the rock-garden. Mexico.

PART II]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

271

OXYTROPIS CAMPESTRIS (Field
0.): — A dwarf stemless perennial, about
6 inches high, flowering in summer,
yellowish, tinged with purple, erect,
in a dense spike. Leaves, with many
pairs of leaflets, more numerous and
much less silky than those of the
Purple 0. Europe, America, and in
Scotland. The rock-garden, in sandy
loam. Seed and division.

Oxytropis Pyrenaica (Pyrenean Oxy-
trope). — A very dwarf species, with pinnate
leaves, clothed with a short silky down.
These barely rise above the ground, as the
short stems are nearly prostrate, and seldom
exceed a few inches in height ; the flowers,
borne in heads of from four to fifteen,
are of a purplish-lilac. It is not a showy,
but withal a useful kind for the parts of
the rock-garden devoted to very dwarf
plants. A native of the Pyrenees, in-
creased by seed or division, and should
be planted on well-exposed and bare spots,
in firm, sandy, or gravelly soil.

0. uralensis (Purple 0.). — An elegant
little perennial, resembling 0. campestris
in habit, but more densely clothed with
soft silky hairs in every part ; about 6
inches high, flowering in summer, bright
purple, in dense round heads. Scotland
and various parts of Europe. The rock-
garden, in moist sandy loam. Division
and seed.

OZOTHAMNUS ROSMARINI-
FOLIUS.— A neat little evergreen
shrub from Tasmania, almost hardy
in the south and coast districts, with
small, Rosemary-like leaves, and about
the end of summer bearing dense
clusters of small white flowers. It
thrives in any light soil, and should
be planted in an open sunny spot
or on a warm bank.

PAP AVER (Poppij\— Showy peren-
nial, biennial, or annual plants, for
the most part too vigorous for the
rock-garden, and in no need of its
care ; a few kinds are useful, however.
There is no difficulty about their

culture, any open spot with sand or
gritty soil suiting them. As in our
country, the plants are apt to wear out
too soon ; it is well to sow a little seed
here and there on the rock-garden, and
leave the plants to grow where sown.

Papaver alpinum (Alpine Poppy). —
This dwarf and fragile plant has large white
flowers, with yellow centres, its leaves cut
into fine acute lobes. A native of the
higher Alps of Europe, it may sometimes
be seen in good condition in our gardens,
but it is liable to perish as if not a true
perennial. It varies much in colour,
there being white, scarlet, and yellow
forms in cultivation. The variety
albiflorum of botanists has white flowers,,
spotted at the base ; the variety flaviflorum
has showy orange flowers, grows 3 or 4
inches high, and is hairy. This last
variety is also known as P. pyrenaicum.

P. nudicaule (Iceland Poppy). — A
dwarf kind, with deeply cut leaves, and
large yellow flowers on naked stems, from
12 to 15 inches high. -A native of Siberia
and the northern parts of America, and a
handsome plant, easily raised from seed,
and forming rich masses of cup-like
flowers, but, like other dwarf Poppies,
does not seem to be permanent, and
should be raised from seed annually.
There are several varieties.

PARADISIA LILIASTRUM (St

Bruno's Lily). — When the traveller
in early summer first crawls down
from the snowy fields of an Alp into
the grateful warmth and English
meadow-like freshness of a Piedmontese
valley, most likely the first flower he
notices in the pleasant grass of the
valley is a Lily-like blossom, standing
about level with the tops of the
blades of Grass and Orchises. The
blooms, about 2 inches long, so delicately
white that they might well pass for
emblems of purity, have each division
faintly tipped with pale green, and
from two to five flowers occur on
each stem. It does not grow in close
tufts, as in our borders, but one or perhaps

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

two stems spring up here and there
all over the meadows, and if it were
an English flower, it might be called
the Lady of the Meadows. It is easy
of culture on ordinary soils. Slight
shelter would prove beneficial, and
that may readily be afforded by
planting it among dwarf shrubs near
the rock-garden. It will be found to
flourish in British as well as in Alpine
grass, and is easily increased by
division or by seeds. Syn., Czackia
Liliastrum.

PARNASSIA (Grass of Parnassus).
— Mountain pasture and moor peren-
nials, pretty for the bog-garden or for
moist spots in the rock-garden, and
not difficult to grow in moist peaty
soil.

Parnassia palustris.

Parnassia Caroliniana(Craro^a Grassof
Parnassus). — A native of North America,
chiefly in mountainous places, on wet
banks, and in damp soil. This is much
larger than our Parnassia, the stem reach-
ing from 1 to nearly 2 feet high, the flowers
from 1 inch to 1^ inches across, the leaves
thick and leathery. It is a good plant,
succeeding in deep moist soil, and flower-
ing in autumn, P. asarifolia, a native
of high mountains in Virginia and North
Carolina, does not differ much from this,
but has the leaves rounded and kidney-
shaped, with larger flowers, and requires
much the same treatment. Seed or divi-
sion.

P. palustris (Grass of Parnassus).— A

well-known native mountain plant, with
white flowers 1 inch or more in diameter,
growing naturally in bogs, moist heaths,
and high wet pastures. Thrives in moist
spots in or near the rock-garden, and may
also be grown in pots placed half-way in
any fountain or other basin devoted to
aquatic plants. Plants or seeds may be
easily obtained ; seeds should be sown in
moist spots as soon as gathered.

PAROCHETUS (Shamrock Pea).—
P. communis is a beautiful little
creeping perennial, Avith Clover-like
leaves, 2 to 3 inches high, bearing in
spring Pea-shaped blossoms of a fine
blue. It is of easy culture in warm
positions on the rock-garden, and
where the climate is too cold to grow
it in the open air it may be grown in
a cold frame. Division or seed.
Nepaul.

PARONYCHIA — Small - growing
creeping plants of slight value. P.
serpyllifolia, on account of its dense
turfy growth, might be made use of
for clothing any dry bank where little
else would thrive, or for covering any
bare space in the rock-garden.

PASSERINA NIVALIS (Sparroic-
worf). — An interesting dwarf Alpine
plant, nearly allied to the Daphne.
It grows to about 1 foot in height, and
bears Mezerewn-likQ blossoms. It is
found at high elevations on the
Pyrenees.

PELARGONIUM ENDLICHER-

IANUM. — This is interesting as the
only species that comes so far north as
Asia Minor, is hardy and handsome,
with rose-coloured flowers, boldly
upheld on stems about 18 inches
high, the two upper petals being
very^ large. I first saw it in the
Jardin des Plantes, at Paris, where it
had remained several severe winters

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

273

in the open air, thus hardy. A sunny
nook would suit it well, sheltered
from the north. Seed or division.

PENTSTEMON (Beard Tongue).—
Beautiful perennial plants of the
rocky mountains of North- West America
and Mexico, little grown in pur gardens,
though some are of the highest value
as rock-plants. The tall kinds grown
in our gardens require frequent moving
and rich soil, and are useless for the rock-
garden. What we should seek are
the true rock and mountain kinds,
dwarf in habit, and hardy. They are
easily grown on warm open soils, and
easily increased by cuttings or seeds,
but in the northern and midland
districts not many are hardy.

The following are some of the best
for the rock-garden. Many are
excluded, however; some on account
of their rarity, and others because
they are not hardy.

Pentstemon azureus is a pretty dwarf
branching kind, with numerous branches,
bearing many blossoms in whorls, clear
violet-blue, towards the end of summer,
and lasting a long time. California.

P. crassifolius.— Allied to P.^Scouleri,
but the flowers are of a charming light
lavender colour, and the plant admirably
suited for a dry knoll of the rock-garden ;
but this knoll must be well exposed to
the sun and on a deep mass of bog soil
or peat, so that while the situation of
the plant is dry, the roots may find what
they require. P. Menziesii resembles P.
Scouleri, but has reddish purple flowers.

P. Fendleri. — This is a pretty and
distinct species, glaucous, with a long,
erect, one-sided raceme of flowers of a
very pleasing light purple colour. In
height it rarely exceeds 12 inches to 15
inches. It is hardy in ordinary soils, and
is one of the most distinct species in
cultivation. P. Wrighti is a plant of a
similar character with magenta-tinted
blossoms, and the variety angustifolius is
likewise a pretty plant. Both are worthy
of culture.

Pentstemon heterophyllus.— A dwarf
sub-shrubbery kind, its showy flowers,
singly or in pairs in the axils of the
upper leaves, of a pinky lilac ; plants
from seed are very liable to vary. Though
hardier than many species, it succumbs to
severe winters. California.

P. humilis. — A distinct alpine species,
rarely exceeding 8 inches in height,
forming compact tufts, its large blossoms
of a pleasing blue suffused with reddish-
purple : it should be planted in the
rock-garden in a fully exposed spot in
gritty loam and leaf-mould, and during
summer the plant should be copiously
watered. It blooms in early June, and is
a native of the Rocky Mountains.

P. Jeffreyanus. — A showy kind, and
the best of the blue-flowered class, its
glaucous foliage contrasting finely with
its clear blue blossoms borne during the
greater part of the summer. It is a
handsome dwarf border plant, but not
being a good perennial, the stock should
be kept up by the aid of seedlings, which
will bloom much more vigorously than
old plants. North California.

P. laetns is a close ally of P. azureus and
P. heterophyllus^ and, like them, is of
dwarf branching habit, with blue flowers
in raceme-like panicles about 1^ feet high,
blooming in July and August. It is a
native of California, and is as hardy as
most of the species from that region.

P. ovatus, also known as P. glaucus, is
a fine vigorous plant, 3 to 4 feet high, the
flowers small, but in dense masses, in
colour varying from intense ultramarine
to deep rosy-purple ; their brilliant
colour, and the handsome form of the
plant, combine to give it a special value.
It should be considered a biennial, as it
usually flowers so vigorously in the
second year as to exhaust itself. Moun-
tains of Columbia.

P. procerus is a beautiful little plant,
and about the hardiest of all the species,
as it takes care of itself in any soil. It is
of a creeping habit, sending up from the
tufted base numerous flowering stems 6 to
12 inches high. The small flowers are in
dense spikes, and being of a fine amethyst-
blue, they make it charming for either
the border or the rock-garden , It seeds

274

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

abundantly. It is the earliest to blossom
of all the Pentstemons.

Pentstemon Scouleri is a small semi-
shrubby plant of twiggy growth. Its large
flowers are of a slaty bluish-purple, and
are arranged in short terminal racemes ;
they are not produced in great abundance,
but", combined with the dwarf and compact
growth of the plant, they have charms
sufficiently distinct to render it worthy
of cultivation. P. Scouleri may be readily
increased in spring by cuttings of the
young shoots, since such cuttings strike
freely in a little bottom-heat similar to
that used for ordinary bedding plants.
Syn., Menziesii.

PERNETTYA MUCRONATA— An

Evergreen shrub of the Heath family.
Though from South America, it is
hardy enough for every English
garden. Apart from the evergreen
foliage, the berries which it bears
in autumn are very showy. After
an abundant crop of small white
blossoms, the berries are the size of
small Cherries, and there are varieties
with white, rose, pink, crimson,
purple-black, and every intermediate
shade. There are few more charming
dwarf shrubs than Pernettyas. They
thrive where the soil is peaty, or
sandy. Even a heavy soil may be
made suitable by a large addition
of leaf-mould and sand. For autumn
and winter effects they are excellent,
and they may often be used among
shrubs on the rock-garden.

PETROCALLIS PYRENAICA

(Beauty of the Hocks). — A "rock
beauty ! " as it seems, as one sees
its fresh green tufts, not more
than an inch high, and cushioned
amidst the broken rocks. From these
stains of light green spring in April
innocent-looking flowers, reminding
one of miniature "Ladies' Smocks,"
on stems that rise little more than
half an inch over the leaves. When

well grown, its faintly-veined pale-
lilac flowers seem to form a little
cushion, so delicate-looking, that
people grow it for years without
suspecting it to be fragrant; but
it breathes a delicious, faint sweetness.
Only suited for careful culture, being
of a fragile nature, though hardy,
it should be planted in sandy fibry
loam, in rather level warm spots on the
rock-garden, where it could root freely
into the moist soil, and yet be near
broken rocks and stones, down the
buried sides of which it can send its
roots, always in a sunny position.
I have seen it grown as a border-
plant in a moist part of Ireland, but in
the hands of a very careful cultivator,
who grew it in very fine soil on a select
border, and took up, divided, and
carefully replanted the tufts every
autumn. It may also be grown in
pots plunged in sand in the open
air, and in frames in winter; but
it becomes drawn and delicate under
glass protection. Easily increased
by careful division, and also raised
from seed. Alps and Pyrenees.

PHILESIABUXIFOLIA(P^o).-

An exquisite dwarf shrub, with large
carmine-red Lapageria-like blooms
(2 inches long), nestling among the
sombre evergreen foliage. It is
a precious shrub for the rock-garden
in the more favourable coast gardens.
The best soil is fibrous peat, with
a small portion of loam; the plant
should have a sunny aspect, but be
sheltered from the north. To increase,
peg down each shoot to the ground, then
cover over with peat and leaf-mould.
It will root freely from the stems,
and soon form a nice bush. South
America.

PHLOX. Mostly known in our
gardens by the tall kinds ; the

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

275

great majority of these are natives
to the mountains of North America.
The alpine kinds are brilliant in colour
and as easily cultivated as any plants
can be for the rock-garden ; for which
no more precious plants have ever
been introduced, and they are easily
grown on " dry " walls and as edging
plants. Coming from a cold northern
country like ours, they rival the spring
flowers of Europe in brilliancy and
fine colour and abundance of their
flowers, and help to add a fresh glory
to the spring. All thoughts
of special soils or fancies may be

S'ven up in their case, as they grow
ke native plants in ordinary soil,
and are easily increased by pulling
to pieces. Some, perhaps not a few,
kinds are not yet introduced, and
this is a pity, as nearly every moun-
tain Phlox we know is beautiful and
free under cultivation.

The mountain Phloxes are so
closely allied that general cultural
remarks may suffice. Well-drained
ordinary garden soil and sunny
exposure are essential. Though
hardy, the damp of mild winters is
hurtful to some kinds in low-lying
places, and as the plants do not seed
freely, they must be increased by
cuttings. A sharp knife and a careful
hand will soon remove the two or three
pairs of leaves with their included
buds, without damaging either the
slender stem or the joint. These should
be taken off in July, when the branches
are just commencing to harden, and
inserted in sandy soil in a frame where
they can be shaded from full sunshine,
and given the benefit of the night
dews by the removal of the lights.
They will soon root and become good
flowering plants the following season.
With large patches, the readiest way
is to sprinkle sandy soil over the entire

plant, and to work the same gently
amongst the branches with the hand.
If this be done during the summer
or the early autumn, the trailing
branches will form roots the following
season, and may be planted elsewhere.
Most of them are easily increased by
careful division of the tufts in autumn
or early spring.

There is a good account of the
plants, from a botanical point of view,
by James Britten, in the Garden of
29th September 1877.

Phlox amsena.— A very hardy little
Phlox, spreading with rosy flowers in early
summer, a native of dry places in the
southern states, but so hardy in Britain
that I have seen it naturalised on poor
clayey banks in a wood. A good rock
and wall plant.

P. Carolina is a handsome plant, about
1 ft. high, with slender steins terminated
by a cluster of large, showy rosy flowers.
Syn., P. ovata.

P. divaricata (Wild Blue Phlox).—
Larger than the Creeping Phlox or Moss
Pink, attaining a height of about 1 foot, and
bearing lilac-purple blossoms. The plant
thrives in good garden soil, and flowers
in summer. In moist copses and woods,
Canada, and southwards. Syn., P. Cana-
densis.

P. pilosa is a pretty plant, 10 or 12
inches high ; with flat clusters of purple
flowers ^ to f inch in diameter, from
June to August. It is one of the rarest
in gardens, another kind being sold for it.
The true plant reminds one of P.
Drummondi. Another rare species is
the true P. bifida, an elegant plant, the
flowers bluish-purple. Canada and south-
wards and westwards.

P. reptans (Creeping Pink). — With the
large flowers and richness of colour of
the taller Phloxes, this mantles over
borders and rockworks with a soft green
about an inch or two high, and sends up
stems from 4 to 6 inches high, each
producing from five to eight deep purplish-
rose flowers. It is by no means fastidious
as to soil or situation, but will be found
to thrive best in peat or light rich soils.

276

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

As it creeps along the ground, and gives
off numbers of little rootlets from the
joints, it is propagated with the greatest
ease and facility. A person with the
slightest experience in propagation may
convert a tuft of it into a thousand plants
in a very short time. It is almost in-
dispensable for the rock-garden, makes
very pretty edgings round the margins
of beds, and also capital tufts on the front
edge of the mixed border. It may also be
used in the spring garden and for vase
decoration, and is a native of North
America, inhabiting damp woods. It is
perhaps better known in gardens as P.
stolonifera and P. verna, than by the above
name. Mountain woods of Middle States
and Virginia.
Phlox setacea is sometimes considered

Phlox divaricata.

the same as P. subulata, but its leaves
are longer and farther apart on its trailing
stems, the whole plant being less rigid.
The flowers are of a charming soft rosy-
pink, and have delicate markings at the
mouth of the tube. P. s. violacea is a
handsome Scotch variety, more lax in
growth, and with deeper coloured flowers,
almost crimson. Both are lovely plants
for the rock-garden, where, with roots deep
among the fissures, they thrive in sunshine.

Phlox subulata (Moss Pink).— A moss-
like little Evergreen, with stems from 4
inches to a foot long, but always prostrate,
so that the dense matted tufts are seldom
more than 6 inches high, except in very
favourable rich and moist, but sandy and
well-drained soil, where, when the plant
is fully exposed, the tufts attain a diameter
of several feet, and a height of 1 foot or
more. The leaves are awl-shaped or
pointed, and very numerous ; the flowers
of pinkish-purple or rose colour, with a
dark centre, so densely produced that
the plants are completely hidden by them
during the blooming season. It occurs
in a wild state on rocky hills and sandy
banks in North America, and there are
few more valuable plants for the decoration
of the spring garden borders or rocks,
being at once hardy, dwarf, neat in
habit, profuse in bloom, forming gay
cushions on the level ground, or pendent
sheets from the tops of crags or from
chinks on rockwork. It is easily increased
by division, forming roots freely at the
base of the little stems, and usually thrives
in ordinary garden soil, particularly in
deep sandy loam. Excessive drought
seems to injure it, but it is less likely
to suffer when rooted beneath stones.
There is a white variety (P. subu-
lata alba), known in many gardens
as P. Nelsoni, which is also a beautiful
plant. Besides this, the late Mr Nelson
of Aldborough raised a large number of
seedlings, varied in hue, which are
given names, and may be had in
Nurseries,

P. stellaria (Cliickweed Phlox).— A.
fragile-looking but hardy kind, very
graceful in bloom in spring, the flowers
a bluish-white. It is a pretty rock plant,
and with me free on "dry" walls. A

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

277

native of rocky hills in Kentucky and
Illinois.

Phlox stellaria.

PHYTEUMA (Rampion). — Peren-
nial plants of the Bellflower order,
some of them good rock-plants.

Phyteuma comosum (Rock P.}. — A
dwarf distinct alpine plant, with sea-green
leaves and flattish heads of flowers very
large for the size of the plant ; in summer,
blue, on very short stalks, in large heads.
A plant for the choice rock-garden, in
dry sunny spots, in well-drained, very
sandy or calcareous soil. I have seen this
plant growing from small chinks in arid
cliffs, where probably no other plant
could exist. What Mr A. W. Clarke says
of it is worth following : —

" In winter the plant should be fixed
tightly between limestone. A layer of
fine broken limestone and strong loam —
two parts limestone, one part loam —
without any sand, will be a suitable
compost. After placing the bottom stone,
put a portion of the compost on the stone ;
then lay on the plant, leaving plenty of
room for the root to go down (as it forms
a tap root), then add a little more compost
011 the plant before placing on the other
stone. Make these as tight as possible
without injury to the roots or crowns of

the plant. It should be well looked after
in the spring, so that the slugs do not eat
all the crowns away. If the slugs get to
the plant they will be sure to eat out the
centre crowns, then only a few leaves will
appear the following year. Top-dress in
the autumn and spring with fine, broken
limestone, letting it run well between the
stones." Alps. Seed.

Phyteuma Sieberi is a neat plant for
the rock-garden, requiring a moist sunny
situation, and a mixture of leaf-mould,
peat, and sand. It forms cushion-like
tufts, and in May and June has dark-blue
flower heads, on stems 4 to 6 inches long.
Division.

P. humile is a dwarf tufted plant for
the rock-garden, where it can get a dry
sheltered position in winter, and plenty of
water in summer. The flowers are blue,
and borne in June 011 stems 6 inches high.
Division.

P. Charmeli and P. Scheuchzeri are
much alike, P. Scheuchzeri being dwarf er
It bears pretty blue flowers, on stems
from 6 to 12 inches in height, and is
evergreen. Seed in autumn.

PIERIS.— Usually rather dwarf, or
compact, evergreen shrubs, of much
distinction and beauty, natives of
China, Japan, and North America,
important for the rock-garden, if, as I
always urge, we give to the hardy
northern and mountain shrub its
right place in such gardens. "Where,
as so often happens in Scotland,
Ireland, Wales, and in many districts
in England, the natural rock breaks
out, and peaty or sandy soil occurs in
some places, these bushes are most
important, and will be found free in
such soils.

The things to be observed are a
cool, moist, and not necessarily a peaty
soil, always free from lime, as heavy
soils can be made to suit them by
deep trenching and adding plenty of
leaf-mould, with, towards the top, a
little peat. The soil in which they
grow suits many species of Lilium,

278

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

which thrive well planted between the
shrubs.

Pieris floribunda.— A native of the
United States, and forming a compact
evergreen bush. The racemes form in
October and do not open until the fol-
lowing spring, and carry numerous white
flowers. It is a shrub of easy culture.

P. formosa. — In seaside and west-
country gardens this is a valuable shrub,
the leaves when young of a reddish
colour, changing with age to a deep
green. The flowers, which are white,
borne in a cluster of erect branching
racemes, are pendent and almost globular.
Himalayas.

P. japonica. — A most graceful evergreen
bush, with long clusters of flowers, giving a
lace-like effect in the case of well-grown
bushes. It is hardy, but slow and poor
on loamy soils, thriving on good peat, and
should be associated with the choicest
evergreens. A precious bush for the rock-
garden on peaty or leafy soils.

Other kinds of less importance for the
rock-garden are : P. Mariana from North
America ; P. nitida, P. ovalifolia. Syn.,
Andromeda.

PINGUICULA (Bvtterwwt).-- Inter-
esting dwarf perennials, natives of
Alpine and Arctic bogs or wet rocky
slopes.

Pinguicula Grandiflora (Irish Butter-
wort). — Leaves in rosettes, light green,
fleshy, and glistening flowers, handsome,
two-lipped, spurred like the Horned Violet,
more than an inch long, nearly or quite an
inch across, of a fine blue. Mr Bentham
unites this with the less beautiful P. vul-
garis, but Mr Syme says : "I cannot con-
ceive how any one who has seen the plants
alive can consider them as the same
species " ; and as P. grandiflora has flowers
twice as large asvulgaris^nd is a handsomer
plant, it is the kind best worthy of cultiva-
tion. It inhabits bogs and wet heaths in
the south-west of Ireland, and thrives in
moist mossy spots on the northern and
shady slopes of the rock-garden or in more
open places in moist peat soil. Increased
by small green bulbils, which are given off
at the base of the rosettes.

Pinguicula Alpina(^4^we Butterwort)
differs from other kinds in having white
flowers, marked more or less with lemon-
yellow on the lip, but sometimes tinted with
pale pink. It roots firmly, by means of
strong woody fibres, and prefers peaty
soil, mingled with shale or rough gravel,
and shady humid positions, such as is
afforded by a rock-garden with a north
aspect. A Scottish plant. Ross and Skye.

P. vallisnerisefolia, from the mountains
of Spain, differs in its clustered habit of
growth. Its leaves are pale yellowish-
green, and sometimes almost transparent,
occasionally even 7 inches towards the end
of the season. The flowers are large, soft
lilac colour, with conspicuous white or
pale centres. Dripping fissures and ledges
of calcareous rocks (frequently in tufa) suit
the plant, but it requires free drainage,
and continuous moisture.

P. lusitanica, found on the west coast
of Scotland, South England, and in Ireland,
is small, and has pale lilac flowers. It
grows in peaty bogs.

P. yulgaris, a native plant, grows
freely in any sunny position in rich moist
peat or peaty loam. A small form, with
leaves like those of P. Alpina, both in
form and colour, is found in alpine bogs in
the north of England.

PLATYCODON.— P. grandiflorum,
sometimes called Campanula grandi-
flora, is a handsome perennial, hardy
in light dry soils, but impatient
of damp and undrained situations,
where its thick fleshy roots decay.
The flowers are 2 to 3 inches across,
deep blue with a slight slaty shade,
and in clusters at the end of each
branch, and handsome in all forms.
Rich loamy soil, good drainage, and
an open situation are best. Propagate
by seeds, which can be readily pro-
cured. The variety Mariesi is distinct
and good. China and Japan.

PLUMBAGO LARPENT^E (Hardy
P.) — A dwarf, herbaceous perennial,
once cultivated in greenhouses, but
now found to be hardy, and a first-

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

279

rate plant for rocks or walls. In
September nearly covered with flowers
in close trusses at the end of the
shoots, and of a fine blue, afterwards
changing to violet — the calyces being
of a reddish violet. The bloom usually
lasts till the frosts. I have seen this
plant live in cold soils, but it is in
all cases best to give it a warm, sandy
or other light soil, and a sunny warm
position, as under these conditions
the "dry" bloom is finer. In con-
sequence of the semi-prostrate habit,
it is well suited for planting above the
upper edges of vertical stones or tops
of walls. A native of China ; increased
by division of the root.

POLEMONIUM (Greek Valerian}.
— Herbaceous perennials, some pretty
dwarf mountain plants among them.
The tall kinds are not fitted for the
rock-garden.

Polemonium confertum. — A pretty
plant, with slender deeply-cut leaves and
dense clusters of deep blue flowers on
stoutish stems, about 6 inches high. It
requires a warm spot in the rock-garden
and a well-drained, deep, loamy soil,
rather stiff than otherwise. It should
be undisturbed for years after planting.
Rocky Mountains of North America.

P. humile is a truly alpine plant, with
pale-blue flowers on stems a few inches
high. In a dry situation and a light
sandy soil it is hardy, but on a damp
sub-soil is sure to die in winter. North
America.

P. reptans is an American alpine plant,
its stems creeping, and its slate-blue
flowers forming a loose drooping panicle,
6 or 8 inches high. Snails devour it,
especially the scaly root-stocks during
winter, and must be watched for.

POLYGALA (Milkwort}.— The hardy
Milkworts are neat dwarf perennials,
some true Alpine plants among them.

Polygala Chamsebuxus (Box - leaved
Milkwort) is a little creeping shrub from
the Alps of Austria and Switzerland, where

it often forms, but very small plants. In
our gardens, however, on peaty soil and
fine sandy loams, it spreads out into
compact tufts covered with cream-coloured
and yellow flowers. The variety purpurea
is prettier ; the flowers are a bright
magenta-purple, with a yellow centre. It
succeeds in any sandy, well-drained soil,
best in sandy peat. Even when out of
flower it is interesting, owing to its dwarf
compact habit, bright shining evergreen
leaves, and olive-purplish stems.

Polygala calcarea (Chalk Milkwort).—
A native plant found in the south of
England, generally on chalky debris, and
pretty, usually with blue, but sometimes
with pink or whitish flowers, about a
quarter of an inch long, in compact
racemes ; Mr Syme says this has no
connecting links with the common Milk-
wort (P. vulgaris). It is known by the
flowering shoots rising from rosettes of
leaves, and by the leaves on those shoots
becoming abruptly smaller and narrower
than those below them. It is the
handsomest and the. easiest to grow of the
British species, and does very well in
sunny chinks, planted in calcareous soil,
forming tufts of violet-blue and white
flowers, and blooming in early summer.
It should be allowed to sow itself if
possible, or the seed may be gathered from
wild plants and sown in sandy soil.

P. paucifolia (Fringed Milkwort) is
a handsome North American perennial,
3 to 4 inches high, with slender prostrate
shoots and concealed flowers. From these
shoots spring stems, bearing in summer one
to three handsome flowers, about three-
quarters of an inch long ; generally
rosy - purple, but sometimes white.
It is suited for the rock-garden, in
leaf-mould and sand, and for association
in half-shady places with Linncea borealis,
Trientalis, Mitchella.

In this enormous genus there are
probably handsome hardy plants not yet
in cultivation.

POLYGONATUM (Solomon's Seal).
— Perennials of graceful form not in
the ordinary "hard-and-fast rockery,"
but which come in well among the
rock shrubs in the rock-garden in

280

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

which themountain shrubs find a home.
They thrive in almost any position in
good sandy soil, in shady nooks, and
under the shade of shrubs. They are
increased by seeds or berries, which,
sown as soon as gathered in autumn,
germinate in early spring ; the creeping
root-stocks may also be divided to any
extent

Polygonatum Mflonun, from the
wooded hillsides of Canada, of graceful
growth, the arching stems 1 foot to 3 feet
in height, the small flower stems jointed
near the base of the flowers, which are
greenish white, two or three together in
the axils of the leaves.

P. japonicum. — A distinct species,
native of Japan, hardy in this country,
flowering in early April, growing about
2 feet in height, the leaves of a firm
leathery texture, the flowers white, tinged
purplish.

P. latifolium (Broad-leaved Solomon's
Seal). — A robust plant, the stems
being from 2£ feet to 4 feet high,
arching, the leaves bright green ; flowers
large, two to five in a bunch in July.
P. latifolium var. commutatum differs
from the above in being glabrous through-
out, with a flower-stem 2 feet to 7 feet
in height ; large white flowers, three
to ten in a bunch. North America.

P. multiflorum (Solomon's Seal). — A
graceful perennial, from 2 feet to 4 feet
high, glaucous green ; the flowers large,
nearly white, one to five in a bunch.
It is a free -growing species, of which
there are several garden varieties, a
double-flowered one, and one in which
the leaves are variegated. P. Broteri is a
variety with much larger flowers ; P.
bracteatum, a form in which the bracts at
the base of the flowers are well developed.

P. oppositifolium.— From the tem-
perate regions of the Himalayas, and
hardy. It will doubtless do best in a
sheltered spot, but even in the open it
has given me no trouble, and it is a good
plant for shady spots on the rock-garden,
the habit graceful, 2 feet to 3 feet in
height, leaves glossy green ; the flowers,
white, marked with reddish lines and
dots, are borne in bunches of from six

to ten in the axils on both sides in lat
summer. The fruit is red when ripe.

Polygonatum punctatum. — A beauti-
ful kind from the temperate Himalaya
where it is found at altitudes of 7,
feet to 11,000 feet, and hardy in <
gardens ; about 2 feet in height, the
angular, with hard leathery leaves, flowers
white, with lilac dots, two or three in "
bunch, in late summer.

P. roseum (Rosy Solomon's Seal). —
handsome little plant, allied to P.
erticillatum. It was first sent to
by Bunge, and varies much in the lei
and breadth of its leaves, also in the si/
of its flowers, 2 feet to 3 feet in height
the leaves in whorls of three or more ;
flowers in pairs in the axils of the leave
clear rose-coloured, are pretty amo
the narrow green foliage. North Asia.

.— A vei.

large genus, mostly herbaceous, am
some climbing perennials, but few ii
their right place on the rock-gardei
and those not of highest value.

Polygonum affine, one of the Bis
group, is a pretty alpine feature in th(
Himalayas, where it grows on the wet
river banks and meadows, and hangs in
rosy clumps from moist precipices. In
cultivation it is 6 to 8 inches high,
with rosy-red flowers in dense spikes in
September and October.

P. Brunonis is similar, and as desirable ;
the flowers, of a pale rose or flesh colour,
borne in dense erect spikes nearly 18 inches
high, and continuing more or less through
the summer.

P. sphoerostachyum. — A beautiful
dwarf Knotweed, bearing spikes of deep
crimson flowers. A native of the
mountains of India, and with more merit
as a choice rock plant than any so far as
known in gardens.

P. vaccinifolium (Rock Knotweed}. —
Although it comes of rather a weedy
race, this is a neat trailing plant,
scrambling freely over stones, and
producing many bright-rose spikes of
flowers in summer and autumn. It comes
from 11,000 to 13,000 feet on the
Himalayas, which may perhaps have had
much to do in refining its character and

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

281

making it so unlike the Knotweeds that
garnish the slime of our ditches. Easily
increased by division or cuttings, and
thrives in common garden soil. Suited
for banks, and the less important parts
of the alpine garden.

PONTEDERIA CORDATA (Pickerel
Weed). — A handsome hardy water
plant, forming thick tufts of arrow-
shaped, long-stalked leaves from Ij
feet to more than 2 feet high, crowned
with blue flower-spikes. P. angustifolia
has narrower leaves ; both should be
planted in shallow pools or by the
margins of ponds. Multiplied by
division of the tufts at any season.
North America.

POTENTILLA (Cinquefoil}.— In
these herbaceous or evergreen herbs,
we have a family known in our gardens
mainly by its large and freer kinds,
chiefly hybrids. These are far too
free for the rock-garden, and would
soon overrun it. Among Cinque/oils,
however, are some of the most beautiful
and easily-grown rock plants, good in
colour and valuable for their tufted
and good habit for many situations.
It is a very large genus, and what we
have to guard against for the rock-
garden is kinds too vigorous or without
distinct beauty.

Potentilla ambigua, from the Hima-
layas, is a dwarf compact creeper, with,
in summer, large clear yellow blossoms
on a dense carpet of foliage ; perfectly
hardy, requiring only a good deep well-
drained soil in an open position in the
rock-garden.

P. alba (White Cinque/oil).— A. pretty
species, with the leaves in five stalkless
leaflets, green and smooth above, and
quite silvery, with dense silky down, on
the lower sides. It is a very dwarf kind,
and not rampant in habit, with white
strawberry-like flowers, nearly an inch
across, with a dark orange ring at the
base. A native of the Alps and Pyrenees,
of the easiest culture in ordinary soil,

flowering in early summer, and easily
increased by division.

Potentilla argentea (Silvery Cinque-
foil). — As the name would imply, this
plant is covered over with silvery down ;
it is of a creeping habit, not exceeding
6 inches in height ; and though scarcely
definite enough in its argent character to
give it a status in the gaudy ranks of
the flower-garden, it is yet a very desir-
able plant to place as a variety among
dark -leaved plants in a rockery.

P. aurea (Golden Cinquefoil). — A dwarf
kind, about 2 inches high, with palmate
leaves, margined with silvery hairs.
The flowers large, yellow, spotted with
orange at the base, and borne in a loose
panicle from May to July. Suitable
either for rockwork or the open ground
in the full sun. Increased by division
or by seed. Mountains of Central and
South Europe.

P. nivea. — Dwarf, with whitish leaves
snow-white underneath. The flowers
yellow on slender steins, about 2 inches
high, in summer. Thriving in the
rock-garden in open soil. Seed. Division.
Arctic regions of Europe and Asia, and
Alps of Europe.

P. splendens. — A species with a woody,
branching root-stock and short stems,
forming a turfy carpet about 2 inches
high, composed of three (rarely four or
five) leaflets, which are green and
glistening on the upper surface, and
covered with silvery down underneath.
The flowers a good white, borne
singly on long stems from May to July.
Pyrenees.

P. alpestris (Alpine Cinquefoil). —
A native plant, closely allied to the
spring Potentilla (P. verna), but with
flower-stems more erect, forming tufts
nearly a foot high when well grown, the
leaves a shining green, the flowers of
a bright yellow, about an inch across.
Well worthy of a place on the rock-garden,
it matters little how cold the spot, and
will enjoy a moist deep soil. P. verna is
also worthy of a place in the garden, and
is of the easiest culture. It is not a very
common plant, but is found in a good
many parts of the country on rocks and
dry banks.

282

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART

Potentilla calabra (Calabria* Cinque-
foil). — A silvery kind, particularly on the
under sides of the leaves ; the shoots pro-
strate, with lemon-yellow flowers about
three-fourths of an inch across. It is
chiefly valuable from the hue of its leaves ;
it flowers in May and June, and flourishes
freely in sandy soil. It is worthy of a
place in the rock-garden, and wherever
dwarf Potentillas are grown. S. Europe.

Potentilla nitida.

P. nitida (Shining Cinquefoil). — A
pretty little plant, about 2 inches high,
with silky-silvery leaves ; the flowers of a
delicate rose, the green sepals showing
between the petals. This native of the
Alps is well worthy of a place in the
choice rock-garden, and is or the easiest
culture and increase. There are several
varieties pretty in colour.

P. pyrenaica (Pyrenean Cinquefoil). —
A dwarf but vigorous kind, with large
yellow flowers, the petals round, full and
over-lapping. A native of high valleys
in the Pyrenees, easily increased by
division or seeds, and thriving without
any particular attention.

P. fmticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil). — A
pretty neat bush, 2 to 4 feet high, bear-
ing in summer clusters of showy yellow
flowers. It is suited for dry banks among
rock shrubs.

PRATIA ANGULATA— A pretty
plant for the rock-garden, creeping

over the soil like the Fruiting Duck-
weed ; the flowers white, and like a
dwarf Lobelia, numerous in autumn,
giving place to violet- coloured berries
about the size of peas. It is hardy.
New Zealand. Syn., Lobelia littoralis.

PRIMULA (Primrose). — Alpine,
mountain, pasture, marsh, or water-
side dwarf perennials, of the greatest
interest and much beauty, inhabiting
all the great northern continents and
the mountains of India in numbers
sometimes enough to impart their own
lovely colour to the landscape in
mountain ground. Coming as they
do from an immense variety of situa-
tions in mountain ground, their culture
is of more complexity than that of most
alpine plants, though not especially
those of marshy ground. Among the
best of them is our native Primrose,
which in our northern woods is perhaps
more beautiful than any one known
kind. In nature many of these plants
are deeply covered by snow for a long
season, and thus enjoy a rest, which
they cannot have in this country,
where, in our open, green winters, the
growth goes on, and the plants become
more stalky than they do in nature.
It is necessary, therefore, now and
then to divide and top dress in the
spring, in order to keep them in health.
In the case of the high alpine kinds,
in our dry summers, it is necessary to
see that they are kept moist. In the
southern parts of our country these
kinds should be grown on the north
and west sides of the rock-garden.
Some of the fine Indian kinds thrive
in ordinary soils, especially in the
north and in moist districts, and
some, like the Indian rosy Primrose (P.
rosea), and the Japan Primroses, may
be grown almost at the water's edge.
The kinds we describe here are those

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

28$

of which we have some knowledge in
cultivation, or have seen on the
mountains of Europe. In the vast
mountain ranges of India and Asia,
probably the number of species is not
even known yet.

As to aspect on the rock-garden,
Mr W. A. Clarke, in "Alpine Plants,"
says :

"P. calycina should have a north-east
aspect, well-drained position, rough loam
and limestone, two parts each. P. Clusiana,
south-west aspect ; peat, loam, and sand —
two parts loam, one peat, one sand. P.
frondosa, south aspect ; good strong loam,
with a little sand. P. glutinosa, shady
place or north aspect ; peat, loam, and
sand ; P. involucrata, north aspect.

" P. minima will do in a sunny place if
it can be well watered in summer. In a
partially shaded place it grows well, but
does not flower so prettily.

" P. nivalis. — A partially shaded place in
deep, peaty loam suits this species well.
P. sikkimensis. — Plant on the north side
of a bog in good loam and leaf-mould."

To some extent, the question of
aspect depends on where we are — north,
south, or west. The many forms of the
Auricula are varieties of one alpine
Primula, and have the same needs as
to moisture and aspect. In some
districts the natural conditions of open
ground suit them admirably ; in other
southern and dry districts we cannot
grow them unless on cool shady borders,
if at all.

Frequently, in addition to their high
and cool alpine home-conditions, the
Primroses grow wedged in between
rocks without apparent nourishment,
but the roots deep in the chinks where
such moisture as exists can alter them
very little. I remember in the
Maritime Alps an enormous tuft of
Primula Allioni in the seams of a
great bare cliff, hundreds of feet
above our heads ; and, therefore, in
our rock-gardens it is well to use

pieces of grit or stone to protect the
plants, and do a double good in keeping-
the moisture in the ground and also
other and coarser plants away from
these often very small alpine Prim-
roses. We may frequently wedge
them in between lumps of grit or
sandstone. The marsh-loving kinds
will not want this attention. The
many natural hybrids, tender, or
doubtful species, are left out of the
following selection of the Primroses-
in cultivation, or observed in a wild
state in Europe.

Primula Allioni (Allionis Primrose). — A
bright richly coloured kind, blooming in
March or April, the flowers about an inch
in diameter, of a fine rosy purple colour,
with white centre, and borne on very
short stems. This charming Primrose is,
unfortunately, not one of the easiest
to cultivate as though loving moisture
at the roots, it is susceptible to much
moisture on the leaves, especially during
the winter. For this reason, it succeeds
best when planted sideways between
stones, i.e. with its roots in an almost
horizontal position, so that water can
drain off from the leaves. A form
of P. Allioni is found in the Tyrol,
and is known to botanists as P. tirolensis,
but the difference between the two forms
is slight.

P. calycina.— From the Alps of
Lombardy ; is a dwarf Primrose of easy
culture in the rock-garden. It has
umbels of from three to five rosy-purple
flowers springing from a short stalk in
May or June. It thrives in a heavy
soil and shaded from the sun.

P. amsena. — Allied to our wild Primrose,
but distinct purple flowers coming out
before the snow has left. In leaf it is
not unlike P. denticulata, and the fact
that it possesses the vigour of that plant,
and also has much larger flowers, makes
it welcome. It is so much earlier than
the common Primrose that, while that
species is in flower, amozna has
finished blooming, and sent up almost
the same kind of strong tuft of leaves
which the common Primrose does after

284

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

its flowers are faded, A sheltered and
slightly shaded position will tend to the
health of the plant. It is readily
propagated by division of the root, and is
a native of the Caucasus. The umbel
is many-flowered, the blooms larger than
those of P. denticulate, borne about 6 or
7 inches high ; the leaves woolly
beneath and toothed.

Primula auricula (Auricula). — The
parent of the Auricula of which Parkin-
son, writing more than two hundred years
ago, enumerates twenty-one varieties, and
says there were many more ; and in 1792
the Catalogue of Maddoek, the florist,
named nearly five hundred sorts. In our
own time these have come to be almost
forgotten as florists' flowers. P. auricula
lives in a wild state on the high mountain
ranges of Central Europe and the Cau-
casian Chain, and is one of the many
Primulas which rival the Gentians,
Pinks, and Forget-me-nots, in making
the flora of Alpine fields so beautiful
Possessing a vigorous constitution, and
sporting into a goodly number of varieties
when raised from seed, it attracted early
attention from lovers of flowers ; its more
striking variations were perpetuated and
classified, and thus it became a "florists'
flower." I do not desire to approach the
subject from the florists' point of view,
believing that to be a narrow and to some
extent a base one ; so much so, indeed,
that I cannot regret that their practices
and laws about the flower have taken but
weakly root. To lay down mechanical
rules to guide our appreciation of flowers
must for ever be the shallowest of vanities.
But, without seeking to conform or select
them according to mechanical rules, we
may preserve and enjoy all their most
attractive deviations from the wild forms
of the species.

The varieties of cultivated Auriculas
may be roughly thrown into two classes :
First, self -coloured varieties, with the outer
and larger portion of the flower of one
colour or shaded, the centre or eye being
white or yellow, and the flowers and other
parts usually smooth and not powdery ;
second, those with flowers and stems thickly
covered with a white powdery matter, or
<* paste." The handsomest of the not-

powdery kinds, known by the name of
"alpines," to distinguish them from
the florists' varieties, are the hardiest.
The florists' favourites are always readily
distinguished by the dense mealy matter
with which the parts of the flower are
covered. They are divided by florists
into four sections : green-edged, grey-
edged, white-edged, and selfs. In the
green-edged varieties, the gorge or throat
of the flower is usually yellow or
yellowish ; then comes a ring varying
in width of white powdery matter,
surrounded by another of some dark
colour, and beyond this a green edge,
which is sometimes half an inch in width.
The outer portion of the flower is really
and palpably a monstrous development
of the petal into a leaf-like substance,
identical in texture with that of the leaves.
The "grey-edged" have also the margin
of a green leafy texture, but so thickly
covered with powder that this is not
distinctly seen. This, too, is the case
with the "white-edged," the differences
being in the thickness and hue of the
" paste," or powdery matter. In fact, the
terms green-edged, grey-edged, and white-
edged, are simply used to express slight
differences between flowers all having an
abnormal development of the petals into
leafy texture. It is a curious fact that
between the white and the grey the line
of demarcation is imaginary, and Wh
these classes occasionally produce green-
edged flowers. The "selfs" are really
distinct, in having the outer and larger
portion of the corolla of the ordinary
texture, a ring of powdery matter sur-
rounding the eye.

The enumeration and classification of
such slight differences merely tend to
throw obstacles in the way of the flower
being generally grown and enjoyed in
gardens. By all means let the florists
maintain them, but those who merely
want to embellish their gardens with
some of the prettier varieties, need not
trouble themselves with named sorts at
all. One fact concerning the florists'
kinds should, however, be borne in mind,
— they are the most delicate and difficult
to cultivate. The curious developments
of powdery matter, green margins, etc.,

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285

have a tendency to enfeeble the constitu-
tion of the plant. They are, in fact,
variations that, occurring in Nature, would
have little or no chance of surviving in
the struggle for life. The grower will
do well to select the free sorts — good
varieties of the border kinds.

Their culture is simple : light vegetable
soil and plenty of moisture during the
growing season being the essentials. In
many districts the moisture of our climate
suits the Auricula to perfection, and in
such may be seen great tufts of it grown
without attention. In others, it must be
protected against excessive drought by
putting stones round the plants, and
cocoa-fibre and leaf-mould are also useful
as a surfacing. In a plant so much
degraded by florists from its natural
form and colour as this Primrose, it is well
to return to the natural colour and some
very fine yellow-flowered kinds have been
raised by Mr Moon and others, more
beautif uf than the florists' kinds.

Auriculas are easily propagated by
division in spring or autumn — best in
early autumn. They are also easily
raised from seed, which ripens in July,
the common practice being to sow it in
the following January in a gentle heat.
It should be sown in pans thinly. The
plants need not be disturbed till they are
big enough to prick into a bed of fine rich
and light soil, on a half -shady border in
the open air. It is a most desirable
practice to raise seedlings, as in this way
we may obtain many beautiful varieties.
When a good variety is noticed among the
seedlings, it should be marked and placed
under conditions best calculated to ensure
its rapid increase, and propagated by
division.

Primula capitata.— One of the finest
of Primroses, in autumn bearing dense
heads of flowers of the deepest purple,
which as regards depth is variable, and is
shown to advantage by the white mealy
powder in. which the flowers are enveloped.
It is not so vigorous as P. denticulata,
though hardy, and it cannot be termed
a good perennial, as it is apt to go off
after flowering well. It is therefore
advisable to raise seedlings. This is easy,
as the plant seeds freely in most seasons,

and the seedlings flower in the second
year. An open position with a north
aspect in good loamy soil well watered in
dry weather suits it best. India.

Primula carniolica is a native of
Northern Italy and the Tyrol, the flowers,
bluish- purple or lilac, with a white centre.
The leaves are oblong, about 2^ inches
long, very smooth, and arranged in a
rosette. A variety, multiceps, has larger
flowers. The position of P. carniolica
should be a half-shady one, and it should
be planted sideways on sloping or per*
penaicular rocks.

P. cprtusoides (Cortusa-like Primrose). —
This is entirely distinct in appearance
from any of the species commonly grown,
the leaves being large and soft, not nest-
ling firmly on the ground like many
of the European species, but on stalks
2 to 4 inches in length ; the deep rosy
clusters of flowers on stalks from 6 to 1O
inches high. In consequence of its taller
and freer habit, the plant is liable to be
disfigured if placed in an exposed spot,
therefore it should have shelter in a sunny
nook, surrounded by low shrubs, or in any
position where it will not be exposed to
cutting winds. The soil should be light
and rich, with a surfacing of cocoa-fibre or
leaf-mould. It is one of the most beauti-
ful and easily-raised Primroses, readily
increased from seed. Siberia.

P. denticulata (Denticulated Primrose)*
— A Himalayan Primrose, with neat dense
umbels of many small lilac flowers, on
stalks from 8 inches to a foot highr
springing from leaves, hairy on both
sides, and densely so beneath. It is
often grown in pots, but is hardy in deep
light loam with a dry bottom, selecting a
spot sheltered on the coldest sides. Division
or by seeds. Although hardy, the leaves-
are injured by the first sharp frosts, so
that it is well to keep it in well-drained
warm positions. It is a variable plant,
and some of its more distinct forms have
received garden names, of which the
principal are mentioned below. It is
paler in. colour than any 6f its varieties,
and its foliage and flower-stalks are not
mealy. P. pulcherrima is a great improve-
ment on the species. It grows from 10
to 12 inches high, and has a more globular

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

flower-truss, which is of a deep lilac colour.
The stalks are olive-green, and, like the
leaves, are slightly mealy. P. Henryi is a
very strong-growing variety, but does not
otherwise differ from P. pulcherrima.
It is a handsome plant, often 2 feet across,
And in Ireland it reaches even larger
dimensions. P. cashmeriana is the finest
variety. The flowers are of a lovely dark
lilac, closely set together in almost a
perfect globe on stalks over 1 foot high.
They last from March till May. The
foliage is beautiful, and, like the stalk, is
of a bright pale green, thickly powdered
with meal. They all prefer a cool
situation, with a clear sky overhead, and
delight in an abundance of moisture
•during warm summers.

Primula erosa (Himalayan Primrose).
— Sometimes grown under the name of
P. Fortunei, with shining leaves, quite
smooth, and sometimes quite powdery,
which, with its smoothness, distinguishes
it at a glance from P. denticulata. The
purplish blossoms with yellow eyes in
flattish heads expand in early spring, and
•are borne on stems usually mealy. Drs
Hooker and Thompson noticed it blooming
at great elevations among the snow on
the Himalayas, and, as might be expected
from this, it is quite hardy in this
country, and the way to enjoy its beauty
is to place it in a sunny but sheltered
nook on the rock-garden, in sandy loam,
lightened with peat and leaf -mould, and
with the drainage perfect. It should
never be allowed to suffer from drought
in summer.

P. farinosa (Bird's-Eye Primrose).—
Slender powdery stems, from 3 to 12
inches high, springing from rosettes of
musk-scented leaves, with their under
sides clothed with a silvery-looking meal,
bear the graceful lilac-purple flowers of
the Bird's-Eye Primula. No sweeter
flower holds its head up to kiss the breeze
that rustles over the bogs and mountain
pastures of Northern England. To find
it inlaid over moist parts of the great
hill-sides on an early summer morning
as one ascends the Helvellyn range for
the first time, is, to a lover of our wild
flowers, a pleasure long remembered. In
the Alps of Dauphiny the valleys are

coloured with its flowers, and where the
bottom of the valley only is moist, a
river, as it were, of this Primrose in bloom
runs through it. I have mostly seen it
in very moist spots where running water
spreads out all over the surface, still,
however, continuing to flow ; but it is
also found under different conditions.
A moist, deep, and well-drained crevice,
filled with peaty soil or fibry sandy loam,
will suit it to perfection. It is easv to
cultivate in pots, the chief want, whether
in pots or in the open, being abundance
of water in summer, and where this does
not fall naturally, it ought to be supplied
artificially. When planted on the rock-
garden in the drier districts, it would be
well to cover the soil with cocoa-fibre or
leaf-mould, which would protect the
surface from evaporation ; broken bits of
sandstone would also do. It varies a
little in the colour of the flower, there
being pink, rose, and deep crimson
shades.

P. farinosa acaulis is a diminutive
variety of the preceding. The flowers
are not freely upheld on stems like those
of the common wild form, but nestle down
in the very hearts of the leaves, and both
flowers and leaves being very small, when
a number of plants are grown together
on one sod, or in one pan, they form a
little cushion of leaves and flowers not
more than half an inch high. The same
positions will suit as have been recom-
mended for the Bird's-Eye Primula, but
being so very dwarf, it ought to have
more care. If any weeds or coarse
plants were allowed to vegetate over or
near it, it would of course suffer.

Primula glutinosa (Glutinous Primrose).
— A distinct little Primrose, and growing
abundantly in peaty soil at elevations
of 7,000 or 8,000 feet on mountains near
Gastein and Salzburg, in the Tyrol, and
in Lower Austria. The leaves are nearly
strap-shaped, but winding towards the
top, where they are somewhat pointed
and regularly toothed. The stem is as
long again as the leaves, growing from
3 to 5 inches high, bearing from 1 to 5
blossoms, purplish-mauve, with the
divisions rather deeply cleft. Grow in
moist peaty soil.

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287

Primula integrifolia (Entire - Leaved
Primrose). — A most diminutive Primrose,
recognized by its smooth, shining leaves,
lying quite close to the ground, and in
spring, when in bloom, by its handsome
rose flowers, with the lobes deeply divided,
one to three flowers being borne on a dwarf
stem, but little above the leaves, and these
flowers are often large enough to obscure
the plant that bears them. It is common
on the higher parts of the Pyrenees, and I
met with it in abundance in North Italy.
Scores of plants sometimes grew together
in a sod, like daisies, wherever there was
a little bank or slope not covered by
grass ; and it was also plentiful in the
grass, growing in a sandy loam. There
should be no difficulty in growing this
plant on flat exposed parts of rocks, the
soil moist and free, but firm. The best
way would be to try and form a wide
tuft of it, by dotting from six to a dozen
plants over one spot, and, if in a dry
district, scattering a little cocoa-fibre
mixed with sand between them. This,
or stones, will help till the plants become
established. It flowers in early summer,
and is increased by division and by seeds.
P. Candolleana is another name for this,
and P. glaucescens is a variety of it.

P. latifolia (Broad-leaved Primrose). —
A handsome and fragrant Primrose, with
from two to twenty violet flowers in a
head, borne on a stem about twice as
long as the leaves. This is less viscid,
larger, and more robust than the better
known P. viscosa of the Alps, the leaves
sometimes attaining a length of 4 inches
and a breadth of nearly 2 inches. It grows
to a height of from 4 to 8 inches, flowers
in early summer, comes from the Pyrenees,
the Alps of Dauphiny, and various
mountain chains in Southern Europe,
and in a pure air will thrive on sunny
slopes in sandy peat, with plenty of
moisture during the dry season, and
perfect drainage in winter. It will bear
frequent division ; and may also be well
and easily grown in cold frames or pits.

P. longiflora (Long-flowered Primrose}.
— Related to our Bird's-Eye Primrose,
distinct from it, and larger than those of
the best varieties of that species, the
lilac tube of the flower being more than

1 inch long. It is not difficult to
cultivate, and the treatment for Primula
farinosa will suit it. In colour it is
deeper than the Bird's-Eye Primrose.
Austria.

Primula marginata (Margined Prim-
rose).— Distinguished by the silvery margin
on its greyish, smooth leaves, caused by a
dense bed of white dust which lies exactly
on the edge of the leaf ; and by its sweet,
soft, violet-rose flowers, in April and
May. I have grown this plant well in
the open air in London, and in parts of
the country favourable to alpine plants
it will prove almost as free as the common
Auricula. Even when not in flower, the
plant is pretty, from the hue of the
margin and surfaces of the leaves. Our
wet and green winters are doubtless the
cause of this and other kinds becoming
lanky in the stems after being more than
a year or so in one spot. When the stems
become long, and emit roots above the
surface, it is a good plan to divide the
plants, and insert each portion firmly
down to the leaves. This will be all the
more beneficial in dry districts, where the
little roots that issue from the stems
would be more likely to perish. It is a
charming plant where it thrives freely.
In the open ground a few bits of broken
rock, placed around each plant, or among
the plants, if they are planted in groups or
tufts, will do good by preventing evapora-
tion, and also acting as a protection to the
plant, which rarely exceeds a few inches
in height. A native of the Alps of
Dauphiny, and various ranges in the
south of Europe, but not of the Pyrenees.
Division.

P. minima (Fairy Primrose). — With
very small leaves, prostrate, but the
flowers make up for the diminutive
leaves, being nearly an inch across, and
quite covering the minute rosette from
which they spring. It is a native of the
Alps of Austria, and flowers in early
summer, the stem rarely bearing more
than one, but occasionally two flowers,
rose-coloured, or sometimes white. Bare
spots are the best places for it, the
soil to be sandy peat and loam ; it
is suited for association with the very
dwarf est alpine plant. It may be

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

propagated by division or by seed, and
comes from the mountains of southern
Europe.

Primula Floerkiana is like the Fairy
Primrose, probably only a variety of it,
and in the flowers only differing by bearing
two, three, or more, instead of a single
bloom. There is also a difference in the
leaves, which in P. minima are nearly
square at the ends, but in P. Floerkiana
are roundish there, and notched for a
short distance down the sides. It is a
native of Austria, and will be found to
enjoy the same conditions as the preceding.
Of both it is desirable to establish wide-
spreading patches on firm bare spots,
scattering ^ inch of silver sand between
the plants to keep the ground cool.

P. Munroi (Munro's Primrose). — This
has not the brilliancy or dwarfness of the
Primulas of the high Alps, nor the vigour
of our own wild kinds, but it is distinct, and
is of the easiest culture in any moist soil.
It grows at high elevations on the
mountains of Northern India, near water,
and bears creamy-white flowers, with a
yellowish eye, more than an inch across on
stems 5 to 7 inches high, springing from
smooth green leaves a couple of inches long.
The flowers are sweet, and it highly
merits culture in the bog garden, and
flowers from March to May. P. involucrata
is an allied kind, from the same regions,
somewhat smaller, thriving under the
same conditions.

P. nivea (Snowy Primrose). — A dwarf
species, freely bearing trusses of lovely
white flowers, quite distinct in aspect
from any other in cultivation, happily
easy of culture, and may be grown in
pots or in the open ground. If in pots, it
should be frequently divided ; for it has a
tendency, in common with other choice
Primulas, to get somewhat naked about
the base of the shoots, and, as these
protrude rootlets, the whole plant is
likely to go off if not taken up and
divided into as many pieces as possible.
Every shoot will form a plant, inasmuch
as each is usually furnished with little
rootlets, which take hold of fresh soil
immediately. In a wild state the natural
moisture and the accumulating debris of
the mountain enable them to use those

exposed rootlets, and thrive ; but in
cultivation I have found it best to divide
such fine Primulas as this, and plant
them down to the leaves when their stems
have grown much above the soil. The
ground would also be the better of being
covered with an inch or so of cocoa-fibre.
In moist and cool districts there would be
less trouble, but, in all, care should be
taken to give the Snowy Primrose what it
deserves — a select place, a light free soil,
and plenty of water during the summer.
It flowers in April and May, is a native of
the Alps, and is by some supposed to be
a variety of P. viscosa.

Primula officinalis (Cowslip). — The
Cowslip of our meadows is worthy of a
place in gardens ; but the many handsome
kinds that have sprung from it are more
valuable from a garden point of view.

Polyanthuses for rich colour surpass
all other flowers of our gardens in spring.
At one time the Polyanthus was highly
esteemed as a florists' flower, but nearly
all the choice old kinds are now lost, and
florists who really pay the flower any
attention are few. In consequence, how-
ever, of the great facility with which
varieties are raised from seed, nobody
need be without handsome kinds, and
raising them will prove interesting amuse-
ment.

P. Parryi. — A pretty rocky mountain
Primrose, bearing about a dozen large,
purple, yellow-eyed flowers, nearly 1 inch
across in summer on stems about 1 foot
high. Though an alpine plant, and
growing on the margins of streams near
the snow-line, where its roots are bathed
in ice-cold water, it has succeeded in
Britain in moist, loamy soil mingled with
peat ; it is hardy, and requires shade from
extreme heat rather than protection from
cold. North- West America.

P. suaveolens of Bertolini is a variety
of the Cowslip, found in many parts of the
Continent, and not sufficiently distinct or
ornamental to merit cultivation.

P. elatior is the true as distinguished
from the common Oxlip. It is not an
ornamental species, the flowers being of a
pale buff-yellow, and it is readily dis-
tinguished by its funnel, and not saucer-
shaped corolla, which is also destitute of

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289

the bosses which are present in the
Primrose and Cowslip. It is found in
woods and meadows on clayey soils in the
eastern counties of England, particularly
in Essex, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire.

Primula palinuri (Large-Leaved Prim-
rose}.— This is distinct from other culti-
vated Primroses, inasmuch as it seems to
grow all to leaf and stem, whereas many of
the other kinds often hide their leaves
with flowers. In April the yellow flowers
appear in a bunch at the top of a powdery
stem, emit a cowslip-like perfume, and are
pretty, though they rarely fulfil the
promise of the vigorous-looking plant.
I have seen it flourish in rich light soil as
a border-plant in various parts of these
islands, and established plants are easily
increased by division. Southern Italy.

P. purpurea (Purple Primrose}. — A
handsome Primrose, from elevations of
12,000 feet or more on the Himalayas,
and allied to P. denticulata, though finer ;
the flowers, of an exquisite purple, are
larger, in heads about 3 inches across.
Sheltered and warm positions, but not
very shady, will best suit it, the soil being
a light deep sandy loam and decomposed,
leaf -mould. I have never seen it thrive
so well as when planted in nooks at the
base of rocks which sheltered it, where it
enjoyed more heat than if exposed.

P. Scotica (Scotch Birds-Eye Primrose}.
— This, one of the most lovely of its family,
is a near ally of the Bird's- Eye Primrose.
Its rich purple flowers, with large yellowish
eye, open in the end of April, supported on
stems from ^ an inch to 1 inch high,
growing an inch or two taller as the season
advances. It is said by some botanists
to be simply a variety of the Bird's-Eye
Primrose, but the seedlings show no
tendency to approach the larger and
looser P. farinosa, and Mr Boswell Syme,
who has carefully observed the living
plant both in a wild state and cultivated
in his own garden, declares it to be
"perfectly distinct." The leaves are
powdery on the under side, broadest near
the middle, shorter, and less indented than
those of P. farinosa, which are broadest
near the end ; and the whole plant is
about large enough to associate with a
dwarf moss or lichen. A native of the

counties of Sutherland and Caithness,
and of the Orkney Isles, growing in damp
pastures. The best place for it is on some
spot where it would have perfect drainage,
and not be injured by strong - growing
plants shading it. The soil should be a
friable loam, mixed with sandy peat or a
little cocoa-fibre, and made firm ; a few
pieces of broken porous rock should be
placed firmly in the ground around it,
so as to show half their size above the
surface, prevent evaporation, and also act
as a guard to the little plant. If a coating
of dwarf moss is spread over the earth
after a time, I should not remove it, be-
lieving the plant to enjoy such a carpet.
Although so small, it is, when in health,
vigorous, and seeds freely, the self-sown
seedlings having often formed with me
good plants on the mossy surface of the
ground. I have grown it in the open air
near London ; but, as a rule, it is best for
all who do not try it in a pure atmosphere
to grow it in well-drained pots or pans,
using the same kind of soil, and protecting
the plants in a cool shallow frame in
winter, placing the pots out of doors in
summer, plunged in coal-ashes or sand.
In all cases the plant should be abundantly
watered in dry weather. Easily pro-
pagated by seeds, which should be sown
soon after they are ripe in shallow pans of
sandy peat or fibrous loam mixed with
cocoa-fibre, and placed in an open pit or
shallow cold frame.

Primula sikkimensis (Sikkim Cowslip}.
— One of the most remarkable of Primroses;
when well grown, it throws up strong
flower-stems from 15 inches to 2 feet high,
bearing many bell-shaped, pale -yellow
flowers, without a spot of any other colour,
the pedicel mealy, the blooms of an agree-
able perfume. Some of the stems bear a
head of more than five dozen buds and
flowers, and each flower is nearly 1 inch
long and more than £ inch across. It is
hardy, and loves deep well- drained and
moist ground ; near water, or in deep
boggy places, suit it best ; begins to flower
in May, and remains in flower for many
weeks. It is said to be the pride of all
the Primroses of the mountains of India,
inhabiting wet boggy localities, at eleva-
tions of from 12,000 to 17,000 feet, and

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[PART II.

covering acres of ground with its yellow
flowers. Propagated by division, as it
rarely or never matures its seeds in this
country. It is well to raise it from good
seed now and then, as it is apt to disappear
in some soils.

Primula Stuartii (Stuart's Primrose).
— A noble and vigorous yellow Primrose,
a native of the mountains of Northern
India, to some parts of which, according
to Koyel, it gives a rich yellow glow.
It grows about 16 inches high, has leaves
nearly a foot long, mealy below, smooth
above ; the umbels being many-flowered.
Like P. denticulata and the purple
Primrose, the place most suitable for
this is some perfectly drained and
sheltered spot ; if convenient, plant it
against the base of rocks, which will
shelter it from cutting winds, though,
when sufficiently plentiful, this precaution
may be dispensed with. A light deep
soil, never allowed to get dry or arid in
summer, will suit it well.

P. viscosa (Viscid Primrose). — This is
the lovely little Primrose that travellers
who visit the Alps in early summer see
opening its clear rosy-purple flowers with
white eyes at various altitudes : some-
times, in crossing a high pass, it comes
into view, plant, flower, and all, not bigger
than a shilling, but still bravely flowering
— indeed, nearly all flower ; while on
sunny slopes and in the valleys it may be
seen nearly as large as the Auricula. It
may be grown in any position in light,
peaty, or spongy loam, with about one-half
its bulk of fine sand, provided its roots
are kept moist during the dry season. A
native of the Alps and Pyrenees ; easily
increased by division, and may also be
raised from seed. Varieties are some-
times found with white flowers, but
rarely. The handsome purple Primroses
known in gardens under the name of
P. ciliata and P. ciliata purpurea are
varieties of this, the last said to be a
hybrid between it and an Auricula. Syn.,
P. villosa.

P. vulgaris (Common Primrose). — The
Gentians and dwarf Primulas do not do
more for the Alps than this for the hedge-
banks, groves, open woods, and borders of
fields and streams of the British Isles.

The forms of the plant most precious
for the garden are the beautiful old double
kinds. No sweeter or prettier flowers
ever warmed into beauty under a northern
sun than their richly and delicately tinted
little rosettes. The best known and
most distinctly marked kinds are the
double lilac, double purple, double
sulphur, double white, double crimson,
and double red.

The double kinds, more delicate and
slower - growing than the single ones,
require more care, and in their case the
development of healthy foliage after the
flowering season should be the object of
those who wish to succeed with them.
Shelter and partial shade are the two con-
ditions chiefly necessary to secure this.
Open woods, copses, and half -shady places
are the favourite haunts of the Primrose
in a wild state. In them, in addition to
the shade, it enjoys shelter not merely
from tall objects around, but also from the
long grass and other herbaceous plants
growing in close proximity ; and we
should also take into account the moisture
consequent upon such companionship, and
let these facts guide us in the culture of
the double kinds. As will be readily seen,
a plant exposed to the full sun on a naked
border would be under a different con-
dition to one in a thin wood ; the exces-
sive evaporation and searing away of the
leaves by the wind would be sufficient to
account for the failure of the exposed
plant. It is therefore desirable, in the
case of the beautiful double Primroses, to
plant them in shaded and sheltered
positions, using light rich vegetable soil,
and, if convenient, keeping the earth
from being too rapidly dried up by
spreading cocoa-fibre or leaf-mould on it
in summer.

They are increased by division of the
roots, and to take them up in order to
divide these is the only disturbance they
should suffer. The double Primroses well
grown, and the same kinds barely existing,
are such very different objects, that nobody
will begrudge giving them the trifling
attention necessary to their perfect de-
velopment. Occasionally they may be
seen flourishing by some cottage or old
country garden, where they find a home

PART II.]

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291

more congenial than the bare fashionable
flower-garden of our own day, and they
are well worthy of a place on the cooler
sides of the rock-garden or among the
mountain shrubs near it.

Primula rosea (Rosy Indian Primrose).
— A brightly-hued Primrose, from 6 to 8
inches high, the flowers in umbels of from 6
to 9 blooms, on a rather stout stem, rosy
carmine in colour, with a yellow throat.
The leaves are very smooth, about 4 inches
long, and serrated at the margin. It is
a charming plant for a bog garden, and
thrives in any damp, light soil. I have
seen it flourish in a sunny bog-bed even
better than in a shady one, but it will not
endure a dry, sunny position. In Scotland
it grows apace in ordinary garden borders,
owing to greater rainfall. The plants are
easily grown from seed or increased by
division of the root-stock.

P. rosea grandiflora.— Of this variety
the flowers are more robust, and borne on
taller and stouter stems ; the colour a
deeper carmine-crimson.

P. frondosa. — A member of the mealy
section of Primula, this is the best, most
vigorous, and the freest bloomer, growing
with great vigour and freedom where
P. farinosa is a failure. Growing 9
inches high, the plant when seen in a
colony is very pretty, and in quite open
spots will come into flower earlier than
many species of the genus. It is a
fine plant and truly perennial. The
best place is the rock-garden, and here
on a level spot, rather low down, and
afforded some protection by higher rocks
from mid-day sun, the plant will form
a pretty picture for a long time. When
sown as soon as ripe, the plant may be
largely increased by seeds, the seedlings
to be grown in colonies, and the soil
chiefly loam, with small broken rock inter-
mingled, and a coating of small stones on
the surface.

P. Sieboldi (Siebold's Primrose).— Though
this handsome Primrose has been con-
sidered a variety of P. cortusoides, it is dis-
tinct for the size of its flowers, the breadth
of its foliage, the creeping character of its
root, its exclusively vernal habit, its
pseudo-lobed or grooved seed-vessel, and
the roundish flattened form of its seed.

Since its introduction from Japan, numer-
ous beautiful varieties have been raised,
some of the most distinct being GlarkicR-
flora, Lilacina marginata, Fimbriata oculata,
Vincceflora, Coerulea alba, Mauve Beauty,
Lavender Queen, laciniata, and maxima.
These possess a fine diversity of colour,
and some have the petals fringed. One
of the chief merits of these Primulas is
that they bloom early, flowering about the
month of April when flowering plants
are rare ; and another is, that they
are free bloomers, throwing up successive
flower-stems, and lasting a long time in
perfection. The best soil for them is
light and rich, consisting of fibry loam,
leaf-mould, pulverised manure, and some
grit to keep it open. They are impatient
of excessive moisture, and when put in
open ground should be planted in well-
drained soil, or in raised positions in the
rock-garden. The roots creep just below
the surface, and form eyes from which
any variety can be easily propagated.
P. Sieboldi is a perennial, which loses its
leaves in autumn and winter, when it goes to
rest, and breaks up again early in spring.

Primula japonica. — One of the hand-
somest of Primroses, a good perennial, and
is not at all tender. It is a first-rate
border plant, and in moist shady spots of
deep rich loam it grows vigorously,
throwing up flower-stems 2 feet or more
high, and unfolding tier after tier of its
crimson blossoms for several weeks in
succession. It may be grown in the rock-
garden as well as in the border, and is an
excellent wild - garden plant, thriving
almost anywhere, and sowing itself freely.
It is said to be rabbit-proof. There is
a white form, a pale pink, and a rose
form, but the best is the original rich
crimson. In raising P. japonica from
seed, it should be borne in mind that
the seed remains some time dormant,
unless it is sown as soon as it is gathered,
and that it must on no account be sown
in heat. A cool frame is the proper place
for the seed-pan, and till the seed has
germinated, care must be taken to prevent
or keep down the growth of Moss and
Liverwort on the soil. This Primrose is
grown finely at Enys, in Cornwall, along
the margin of a pond.

292

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Primula prolifera.— This, better known
under the name of P. imperialis, is a tall
Indian Primrose, allied to P. japonica, but
with yellow flowers arranged in whorls.
It is, perhaps, too tender for the north
of England, but in sheltered places in
Cornwall it grows to a height of about
3 feet. Peaty soil seems to suit it best.

P. Poissoni. — A Chinese Primrose,
found in the mountains of Yunan, and
hardy. In Messrs Veitch's Nurseries, at
Exeter, it withstood even the severe
winter of 1894 without protection, and it
is handsome and easy to cultivate, thriv-
ing in a moist situation. The flowers are
bright rose, with a slight flush of mauve,
and have a yellow centre. They are fully
the size of a shilling, and are arranged in
verticillate tiers of eight or twelve
blossoms, each after the style of P.
japonica, but the tiers are a little further
apart than in the last-named variety,
showing often 2 inches or more of stem
between the tiers. It grows about 12
inches high. The leaves are pale glaucous
green, about 5 inches or 6 inches long
and 2 inches wide, smooth, the midrib
widened towards the base of the leaf and
of a pink colour.

P. Wulfeniana. — An excellent rock
Primrose, preferring calcareous soil, the
flowers large, deep purple, in umbels of
about five flowers each, and is one of the
easiest to grow, planted in a slanting
position.

P. luteola.— One of the handsomest of
the yellow Primroses, and a fine plant
when well grown. The flower-stems are
sometimes l£ to 2 feet high, though
usually under 1 foot in height. They
sometimes become fasciated, and thus
carry a huge cluster of flowers 4 to 6
inches across. These flowers are like
those of a Polyanthus or an Auricula, but
they are borne in more compact heads. It
likes a moist situation in full exposure, and
thrives in rich borders of rather moist soil,
or on the lower banks of the rock-garden.

P. spectabilis.— A native of the Tyrol,
growing about 6 inches high, and bearing
umbels of about seven or eight rosy purple
flowers. The leaves are smooth and have
the margin entire and horny. It is a
good rock-garden plant of easy culture.

Primula clusiana. — The variety is a
native of the calcareous rocks of the
Eastern Alps, the flowers large, rosy
crimson with white centre, and borne in
large umbels on a stem about 9 inches
high. It thrives in chalk-soil.

In addition to the above, there are
known in cultivation : P. algida
(Siberia), angustifolia (N. America),
apennina (Piedmont), Arctotis (Europe),
assimilis (Europe), auricula, (Europe),
BalUsii (Europe), Bernincz (Switzer-
land), Uflora (Switzerland), ciliata
(Europe), columnae (Europe), com-
mutata (Europe), coronata (Tyrol),
cottia (Alps), decipiens (Alps), deorum
(Bulgaria), digenea (Europe), dinyana
(Switzerland), discolor (N. Italy),
Dumoulinii (Alps), Facchinii (N. Italy),
flagellicaulis (Europe), flc&rpkeana (Alps
of S. Europe), florilunda (Himalaya),
Forbesii (China), Forsteri (Tyrol), gam-
beliana (Himalaya), Goebelii (Tyrol),
grandis (Caucasus), Heerii (Switzerland),
heterodonta (China), hirsuta (Europe),
Huteri (Tyrol), imperalis (Java),
juribella (S. Tyrol), Kaufmanniana
(Turkestan), Kolbiana (N. Italy),
minutissima (Himalaya), mistassinica
(N. America), mollis (Himalaya),
muretiana (Switzerland), obovata (Vene-
tian Alps), Obristii (N. Italy), obtusi-
folia (India), cenensis (S. Tyrol and
Italian Alps), pedemontana (Piedmont),
Peyritsdiii (Tyrol), prolifera (Hima-
laya), pubescens (Europe), pumila
(Tyrol), Reidii (Himalaya), rhcetica
(Switzerland), Rusbyi (New Mexico),
Salisii (Switzerland), Sendtneri (Tyrol),
sibirica (Asia and Arctic America),
similis (Tyrol), spectabilis (Tyrol),
Steinii (Tyrol), Sturii (Styria), suffru-
tescens (California), Tyrolensis (Tyrol),
variabilis (Europe), venusta (Styria),
verticillata (Arabia), vochinensis (Car-
inthia).

PRUNELLA GRANDIFLORA
(Self-heal). — A handsome and vigorous

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

293

plant, distinguished by its large
flowers from the common British Self-
heal, which is unworthy of cultivation.
There is a white as well as a purple
variety, both handsome plants, that
thrive in almost any ground, but
prefer a moist and free soil and a
position somewhat shaded. They are
apt to go off in winter on the London
clay, at least on the level ground. A
native of continental Europe ; flower-
ing in summer, but this and other
kinds are only of secondary use in the
rock-garden and among shrubs on
banks.

PULMONARI A (Lungwort). —
These plants are more fitted for borders
than for the rock-garden. The beauti-
ful plant for many years known as P.
virginica is now Mertensia.

PUSCHKINIA SCILLOIDES

(Striped Squill). — A fascinating little
plant, and the most delicately beauti-
ful among early mountain flowers.
The flowers white, striped, and tinged
with blue, the small prostrate leaves
concave ; easily grown, it does not last
long in flower, but few spring flowers
do. The best position for this is on
low banks, in the rock-garden, or in
positions where its flowers may be
seen somewhat beneath the eye,
associated with dwarf Primulas and
other diminutive spring flowers. A
native of the Caucasus, flowering in
spring, easily increased by division of
the root, and flourishing best in very
sandy light soil.

PYROL A ( Wintergreen). — Dwarf
evergreen herbs, inhabiting mountain
woods or copses, moors, and wet
places among sand dunes. They are
not difficult to cultivate in moist peat
or sand, associated with the right sort
of plants as to stature and wants.

Pyrola rotundifolia (Larger Winter-
green). — A native plant, inhabiting woods,
bushy, and reedy places ; with leathery
leaves, and handsome drooping racemes of
white fragrant flowers, ^ inch across, ten
to twenty flowers, on a stem from 6
inches to a foot high. Pyrola rotundifolia,
var. arenaria, is another very graceful
plant, found on sea-shores, and differing
in being dwarfer, deep green, and smooth.
Both are beautiful plants for shady mossy
flanks of rock in free vegetable soil, and
flourish more readily in cultivation than
any species of their family. In America
there are varieties of this plant with
flesh-coloured and reddish flowers, none
of which are in cultivation with us, and
several of the American kinds seem to me
well worthy of being brought over.

Pyrola uniftora, media, minor, and
secunda, are also interesting plants, of
which the first, a very rare one in our
Flora, is the prettiest. P. elliptica, a
native of North America, is also in our
gardens, though rare.

PYXIDANTHERA BARBULATA

(Bearded P.). — A curious and minute
American plant, plentiful in sandy dry
"pine barrens" from New Jersey to
North Carolina. It is an evergreen
shrub, yet smaller than many mosses ;
the leaves narrow, awl-pointed, and
densely crowded; the flowers are
placed singly, and are stalkless, but
very numerous, rose-coloured in bud,
white when open. The effect of the
rosy buds and five-cleft white flowers
on the dense dwarf cushions is
singularly pretty. Generally found in
low, but not wet, places, and usually
on little mounds, it is a gem for the
rock-garden, on which it should be
planted in pure sand and vegetable
mould, fully exposed. Flowers in
early summer ; increased by division.

RAMONDIA (Rosette Mullien).—
Dwarf plants found on steep and some-
what shady rocks, and, according
to Ramond, exclusively in valleys

294

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

leading from north to south ; having
leaves in rosettes spreading very
close to the ground, blistered,
deeply wrinkled, and densely covered
with short hairs — quite shaggy beneath
and on the leaf-stalk. The shady
side of rocks or moist depressions, or
the shade of evergreen bushes, suits
them best in any free soil. I have
seen them succeed well as edgings to
beds of evergreen bushes in peat soil.
They are increased by division only

and the whole should be moist
always. They may be increased
from the leaves, breaking off the
leaf close to the plant, and pegging
the foot-stalk into sandy peat, keeping
the soil meanwhile moist and the
leaves fresh by covering with a bell-

Kamondia pyrenaica form rosettes of
leaves, deeply wrinkled, and covered with
brown, shaggy hairs on the under surface
and the lower parts of the leaf -stalk. The

Ramondia pyrenaica.

when the rosettes are clustered together,
and then it must be done with care,
owing to the closely-nestling character
of the leaves and the few roots. To
raise them from seed we should take
care that the flowers are fertilised;
with good seed growth is quick, and
flowering plants may be had in two
years. A mixture of peat and plenty
of sand, with sandstone the size of
Cobnuts, forms a capital compost,

leaves spread out close upon the soil, and
the flower-stalks emerge from beneath the
leafage in the month of June or earlier.
Usually there are three flowers to each
stem, though on strong plants as many
as five are found, each having a diameter
of 1 inch or rather more, purplish- violet
in colour, and having a rich orange eye or
centre. There is a white variety, and
there is more than one white-flowered
kind, one a pure and spotless flower.

R. Nataliae is a rare plant from Servia,
having light purple flowers with orange

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

295

stamens, and K serbica has large, hand-
some foliage, and violet-purple flowers.

RANUNCULUS (Buttercup).—
These are alpine, northern pasture,
water and waterside plants, many of
the perennial and mountain kinds, from
their boldness, hardiness, and beauty,
admirably suited for the rock-garden.
Although as interesting as any of the
great families of rock plants, they are
not nearly so difficult to grow and
keep, if care be taken to prevent them
being overrun by coarser plants.

early spring, as they often eat out the
crowns before they are fairly above
ground, and the flowers are lost for
the season. A little rough grit will
do much to prevent this occurring ; if
placed over the crowns the fine must be
taken out, only using the rough grit."

Ranunculus amplexicaulis(La<fy

Buttercup).— A. beautiful plant, with large
white flowers having yellow centres, one
to five blooms being borne on a stem,
which is clasped by smooth sea-green
leaves, which set off its snowy bouquet of
flowers. I know no more graceful plant

Lady Buttercup (Ranunculus amplexicaulis). (Engraved from a photograph.)

Mr W. A. Clark, in "Alpine
Plants," rightly attaches importance
to top-dressing some of the higher
alpine species, and says "that great
care must be taken to top-dress or
replant just after flowering, as the
plants work out of the ground,
and this can be done before the hot
weather begins. If left without top-
dressing, they will no doubt shrivel
up with the sun, as the roots will
have been left all exposed. A sharp
look-out for snails is essential in the

for the rock-garden. A native of the
Alps, Pyrenees, thriving in light, rich
loam, usually growing 7 inches to 10 inches
high, flowering in gardens in April or
May, and increased by seed or division.
It is worthy of the best positions, and is
very pretty grouped in a free way.

R. aconitifolius ( Fair Maids of France).
This white-flowered Crowfoot, which
grows from 8 inches to a yard high in
moist parts of valleys and woods in the
Alps and Pyrenees, is too large for
cultivation in the rock-garden among the
choicer and smaller things ; but its double
variety is a beautiful old border flower.

296

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

The flowers are not large, but are white
and double, and resemble a miniature
double white Camellia. A rich, moist
soil will be found to suit it best on the
shady side of the rock-garden, and among
bog-loving shrubs.

Ranunculus alpestris (Alpine Butter-
cup).— A diminutive species, from 1 inch to
3 inches or 4 inches high, and forming neat
tufts, each stem bearing from one to three
white flowers in April. The leaves are of a
dark glossy green, roundish-heart-shaped,
and deeply divided. It is a native of most
of the great mountain ranges of Europe, in
moist, rocky places on the higher pastures,
and one of the best plants for the rock-
garden. It is not difficult to grow in
moist, sandy, or gritty soil, in positions
exposed to the sun and moist in summer.

E. Traunfellneri seems to be a dimin-
utive of the preceding, the whole plant,
even as we have observed it in cultivation,
being not more than 1 inch high. The
same treatment will suit it ; but, being
smaller, it will require a little more care
in selecting some firm spot fully exposed
to the sun and air, but kept moist with a
surfacing of grit, sand, or small stones,
till the plant grows into a little spreading
tuft.

E. bilobus is another form from S.
Tyrol.

E. anemonoides, a native of the Alps
of Styria and the Southern Tyrol, is
a handsome species, with bluish-green
leaves ; flowers large, with numerous
divisions, of a greenish-white on the in-
side and pink on the outside, appearing
before the leaves, and very early. It does
best in the rock-garden in a cool place,
and in moist, porous soil.

E. bullatus (Marigold Buttercup).—
A dwarf stout perennial, easy to cultivate,
with showy double flowers, the blossoms
as large as those of the double Marsh
Marigold. The plant thrives in heavy
soil. Division of the roots.

E. crenatus. — A native of granitic
mountains in Styria, with roundish
leaves, the flowers large, white, two or
three together at the extremity of stem,
3 inches or 4 inches high in April or May.
It does well in the rock-garden in gritty
or open soil.

Eanunculus glacialis (Arctic Butter-
cup).— A well-named plant, as it is an in-
habitant of very high places on the Alps,
and may often be seen in flower near the
snow and in the Arctic regions. The
flowers are large, white-tinted, of a dull
purplish-rose on the outside ; the calyx
with shaggy brownish hairs, the leaves
smooth, deeply cut, and of a dark green.
It will thrive in a cool spot in deep,
gritty soil, moist during the warm months.
I have seen it thriving with its roots
below stones. On the Alps it blooms in
early summer ; in our gardens somewhat
earlier. It is easily raised from seed, and
in its native habitat spreads about freely.
This is the plant which Mr Ruskin met
with high up among the icy rocks, near
the margins of the snowy solitude of the
Alps, and which pleased him so much
there. It is often washed down by the
rock streams, and found in the river flats.

E. gramineus (Grassy Buttercup). — A
graceful plant, which may well represent
on the rock-garden the beauty of some of
the taller kinds that are too vigorous for
it. Easily known by its Grass-like leaves,
6 inches to 12 inches high. The flowers
in May are yellow. There is a double
variety, but it is seldom seen. Southern
Europe. Division. An easily-grown plant.

E. Lyallii (Rockwood Lily).—Dr
Hooker calls this plant the "most noble
species of the genius " — " the Water Lily
of the shepherds." Indeed, even in the
dried specimens, of which there are many
in the Kew herbarium, the resemblance
to our common white Water Lily is
striking. The plant is said to grow in
moist places in the Southern Alps, the
Wurumui Mountains, in the glacier
regions of the Forbes River, near Otago,
and elsewhere in the Middle Island of
New Zealand, at heights of from 1000
feet to 5000 feet above the sea. In habit
it seems almost identical with our Marsh
Marigold, but it is twice or thrice larger.
The leaves are circular, 12 inches to 15
inches in diameter peltate, as in the
Nelumbium, the flowers borne in panicles ;
each flower of the purest waxy-white
colour, 3 inches to 4 inches across. To
raise a stock it has been recommended
that the seed be sown in well-drained pans

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

297

or boxes filled with peat and coarse grit in
equal parts, stood in a cool place on the
north side of a wall, watered well, and
covered with a sheet of glass.

To English growers, the most interesting
experience is that of Mr Bartholomew,
Park House, Reading, who has grown
this plant well. His plant was on the
north side of a summer-house, in 2 feet
of soil, chiefly peat, which was liberally
watered all through the summer. When
it died down in the autumn, a little
cocoa-nut fibre was placed over the crowns,
and, with a view to saving the plant as far
as possible from alternate freezing and
thawing, a sheet of glass, raised on bricks,
was placed over it. It flowered freely and
ripened seed at Reading. It also bloomed
for three years in succession in a Nursery
at Aberdeen, the seedlings having been
raised there.

Ranunculus montanus (Mountain
Buttercup). — A dwarf compact plant, with
tufts of deep green, glossy leaves, covered
in spring with many yellow flowers, some-
what larger than those of our common
Buttercup. Although like the Buttercups
in colour, it is unlike in its dwarf, close
habit, usually flowering at 3 inches high,
and, though growing freely enough, not
spreading about with the coarse vigour of
many of its fellows. It is a native of
alpine pastures on the principal great
mountain-chains of Europe, growing
freely in moist, sandy soil, and should
be planted so as to form spreading tufts, as
it represents in a modest way the beauty
of yellow kinds too vigorous for the rock-
garden. Readily increased by seed or
division.

R. Parnassifolius (Parnassia-Leaved
Buttercup). — Distinct, with beautiful white
flowers, from one to a dozen or more
being borne on each stem, which grows
from 3 inches to 8 inches high, and is
somewhat velvety, and of a purplish hue.
The leaves are of a dark brownish-green,
sometimes woolly along the margins and
nerves. It is rare in gardens, though
abundant in many parts of the Alps on
calcareous soils. No plant is more worthy
of culture in the rock-garden in sandy,
well-drained loam. There is a variety
with narrow leaves.

Ranunculus pyrenaeus (Pyrenean
Buttercup). — A slender - leaved plant, 6
inches to 10 inches high, and from the Alps,
as well as the Pyrenees, where it abounds.
R. plantagineus from the Piedmont, and
R. bupleurifolius, usually found in moist
valleys in the Pyrenees at a much lower
altitude, are varieties of the species. All
have white flowers, and are of easy culture.

R. rutaefolius, syn. callianthemum
(Rue Buttercup). — This, with deeply
divided leaves, reminding one somewhat
of those of a very dwarf Columbine, and
white flowers with orange centres about
an inch across, on stems from 3 inches
to 6 inches high, bears from one to three
flowers, sometimes rose-tinted on the
outside. A native of high and cool parts
of the granitic continental ranges ;
increased by seed or division.

R. Seguieri (Seguir's Buttercup). —
Like the Glacier Buttercup, about 6 inches
high, with three-parted leaves, though
distinct. Usually the flowers are
solitary, and rarely as many as two or
three on each stem. The flowers are
white, with distinctly rounded petals.
Native of the calcareous Alps of Provence,
Dauphiny, and Carniola.

R. Thora (Venom Buttercup).— The
roots of this, like small Dahlia tubers,
and said to be poisonous, were formerly
used by the Swiss hunters to poison their
darts. It is yellow-flowered, with very
smooth leaves. R. Thora, distributed
through Switzerland, the Carpathian,
and other mountain chains on rocks
and in pastures near the snow-line,
thrives in gritty loam.

RAPHIOLEPIS OVATA. — (Jap-

anese Hawthorn). — A Japanese ever-
green shrub, hardy in the southern
counties at least, with thick dark
evergreen leaves and large white and
sweet-scented flowers, borne in
clusters at the ends of the young
branches. It is a low spreading bush,
and should not be crowded with other
shrubs. Some of the other species,
such as R. indica and R. salicifolia,
both from China, are not hardy enough
for the open air.

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

RHAMNUS ALPINA— Among
these shrubs there is one tiny thing
which is of some value for the rock-
garden, as it spreads its small shining
leaves over the rocks, clasping them
close; the flowers are the most
unattractive imaginable, but we have
so many ugly ill-placed stones in a rock-
garden, that anything which throws a
veil over them we may have a place for.

R. Perieri is a dwarf form of the ever-
green Rhamnus, useful for the rock-garden,
where evergreen effects are sought.

RHEXIA VIRGINICA (Meadow
Beauty}. — An American plant of the
Melastoma order, hardy, forming little
bushes, 6 to 12 inches high; the
stems square, with wing-like angles ;
the flowers rosy purple, in summer and
early autumn. A native of North
America, from a considerable distance
north of New York to Virginia, and
westward to Illinois and the Missis-
sippi, usually in sandy swamps. It
is very rare, indeed, to see it well
grown in this country, though no plant
is better for the bog-garden. The only
place I noticed this plant invariably
doing well was in Osborn's old Nursery,
at Fulham, in beds of moist sandy
peat. Deep, sandy, boggy soil, with
moisture at all times, will suit it
best. Careful division. There are
other kinds, natives of Eastern North
America, but probably tender, owing to
their more southern habitats ; whereas
this kind, proved to be hardy in our
climate, grows as far north as Maine.

RHODIOLA. — Plants of the
Crassula family, resembling some of
the larger Stonecrops. They have
fleshy leaves and heads of small
flowers, which are not, however, very
attractive.

RHODODENDRON. — This noble
family of shrubs, which we see so often

massed in not very pretty ways, has
great claims on the rock gardener,
for many of the species are true
mountain plants, like those of the
Alps of Europe, America, India, and
China. In the first part of this book
there is a striking instance of the use
of the Rhododendron in natural rock
ground, and the many parts of our
country, where such ground occurs,
afford beautiful opportunities for like
effects, even when we are dealing with
the ordinary stout-growing kinds.
But on the mountains of Asia and
China, as well as Europe, there are
dwarfer and more alpine kinds, which
may be used even in the smaller sort
of rock-garden. The main precaution
to take in all cultivation of Rhodo-
dendrons in choice gardens is not to
have anything to do with the usual
grafting on ponticum, because, if we
plant in any bold way, and do not
continually watch the suckers, the
shoots of R. ponticum will come up
and kill the kinds we want. So
always, in rock-gardens at least,
insist on having plants from layers,
and most kinds are easily increased
in this way.

Rhododendron fermgineum and hir-
sutum, each bearing the name of " Alpine
Rose," and which often terminate the
woody vegetation on the great mountain
of chains Europe, are easily had in our
Nurseries, and well suited for the rock-
garden in open peat soil. R. Wilsonianum,
myrtifolium, amcenum, hybridum, dauri-
cumatrovirens, Gowenianum, odoratum, and
Torlonianum, are also dwarf kinds, which
may be used in the bush rock-garden — the
last two very sweetly scented. In some
soils the alpine kinds are not easily
established, owing in part to our often
very snowless winters. Place among flat
stones in cool ground where possible.

RHODORA CANADENSIS (Cana-
dian Khodora). — An early flowering
shrub, allied to the Rhododendron.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

299

Being a native of the swamps of Canada,
it is very hardy, thriving in a moist
light soil, though it prefers peat.
In very early spring it bears clusters
of rosy-purple flowers before the leaves
unfold. It is a thin bush, 2 to 4 ft.
high, and may find a place among the
shrubs near the alpine garden.

RHODOTHAMNUS CHAMjE-
C 1ST US (Thyme-Leaved R.).—A
small Rhododendron-like plant, rising
scarcely a span high, and thickly
clothed with small fleshy leaves,
ciliated at the edge, and with
exquisite flowers, of purple, bearing
three or four together in early summer.
This plant is very rarely seen thriving
in gardens, and for its successful
cultivation requires to be planted
in limestone fissures, in peat, loam,
and sand in about equal proportions.
A native of calcareous rocks in the
Tyrol, and one of the most precious
of dwarf rock-shrubs for association
with tiny alpine bushes.

RODGERSIA PODOPHYLLA.— A

handsome leaved plant of the Saxifrage
family. The leaves measure 1 ft. or
more across, on erect stalks from 2 ft.
to 4 ft. high, and are cleft into five
broad divisions. They are of a bronzy-
green hue, distinct from any other
hardy plant. The flowers, on tall
branching spikes, are inconspicuous.
It likes a peaty soil and a shady
situation, and is easily propagated
by cutting the stoloniferous root-stock,
from one of which as many as twenty
plants can be made in one year. It
is a native of Japan, and hardy in
our climate, and a striking plant among
shrubs near the rock-garden.

ROMANZOFFIA SITCHENSIS

(Sitcha Water-leaf). — A very dwarf
alpine plant of the Rockfoil order, a few

inches high; white flowers, May. Suit-
able for select part of the rock-garden.

ROMNEYA COULTERI (Bush
Poppy). — If, as I urge, we associate the
choicer shrubs with the rock-garden, this
lovely half-shrubby plant may come in
a queen-flower, even among the fairest.
It is hardy and enduring on good
soils, and grows rapidly with me on
rich loam. Where the winter is feared,
the best protection for it is a mulch
over the roots of some light and
porous material. Pine-needles form
the best covering, or rough cocoa-nut
fibre. A point in starting is to get
healthy plants in pots, planting in
spring and not disturbing the roots
much. It may be increased by
cuttings and seed.

ROSA (Rose).— Given the shrubby
rock-garden we have an opening for
wild Roses (or the dwarfest of them)
with the mountain shrubs. Not a
few Roses are mountain and alpine
plants, such as the Pyrenaean, Scotch
and Gallica Roses, any of which might
well grace the rock-garden. Among
natural rocks or banks, any wild Rose
might be grown with advantage.

ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS

(Rosemary). — A grey aromatic bush
of the stony hill-sides of Southern
Europe, often grown on cottage walls
with us, but I never like it so well
as a group on a hot and poor sandy
or rocky bank in the southern
countries, or in the milder sea-shore
gardens.

RUBUS (Brambles).— These, which
run everywhere in Britain and stop
our progress in the woods, are not
wholly without interest for the rock-
garden, though many of them are
too large for it. A few of the
smaller kinds, such as R. arcticus

300

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

(which grows a few inches high and
bears numerous rosy-pink blossoms),
the Cloud-berry, R. Chamcemorus (also
dwarf and with white blossoms), the
Dewberry (R. Ccesius), and R. saxa-
tilis, are pretty for the rock-garden
in moist soil.

RUSCUS (Butch&r's Broom).— Wiry
half-shrubby plants, often neglected,
but having some good qualities, even
for the rock-garden or shady places
near. The hardy kinds may be planted
under the shade of trees. Propagate
by division of the roots. The R.
aculeatus (Common Butcher's Broom)
is a native of copses and woods,
bearing bright red berries where the
two sexes are present. This dense,
much-branched Evergreen rarely grows
more than 2 ft. high, and its thick,
white, twining roots strike deep into
the ground. The Alexandrian Laurel
(R. racemosus) is a graceful plant, with
glossy dark green leaves, and is one of
the best plants for partial shade, and
thrives best on free leafy, or peaty soil.
R. Hypophyllum, a very dwarf kind,
and R. Hylpoglossum are also in
cultivation, and of easy culture in
ordinary soil.

RUTA (Rue). — R. albiflora is a
graceful autumn-flowering plant, about
2 ft. high, with leaves resembling
those of the common Rue, but more
glaucous and finely divided. The
small white blossoms, borne in large
drooping panicles, last until the
frosts. In some localities it is hardy,
but should have slight protection in
severe weather. It is also known as
Boenning-Tiausenia albiflora, and is a
native of Nepaul. Another pretty
plant is the Padua Rue (R. patavina),
4 to 6 in. high, with small golden-
yellow flowers of the same odour as
the common Rue, which I saw used

with pretty effect in the Belvedere
Garden in Vienna.

SAGINA GLABRA (Lawn Pearl-
ivort\ — A plant known from being
much talked of a few years since as a
substitute for lawn-grass, and though
it has not answered the expectations
formed of it in that way, it is a minute
alpine plant, welcome for forming carpets
as smooth as velvet, dotted with many
small white flowers, the light, fresh
green, moss-like carpet being starred
with them in early summer. It is
useful in forming carpets of the freshest
and closest verdure beneath taller, but
small and rare bulbs, or other plants,
which it may be desired to place to the
best advantage. It is multiplied by
pulling the tufts into small pieces, and
replanting them at a few inches apart ;
they soon meet and form a carpet.
Although it does not generally form a
good turf, yet it is possible, by selecting
a rather deep, sandy soil, and by keep-
ing it clean and well rolled, to make a
close turf of it ; but this is rarely worth
attempting, except on a small scale,
and when it begins to perish in flakes
here and there, it should be taken up
and replanted.

S A L I X ( Willow}. — Among ^ the
Willows there are certain dwarf kinds
which, though without the floral
beauty characteristic of the Alpine
flower, may yet be useful here and
there in the rock-garden and in the
marsh-garden, among them being the
Netted Willow (S. reticulata), the
Thyme-Leaved Willow, the woolley
Willow (S. lanata), and S. herbacea, or
any other dwarf mountain or Arctic
Willow, all of the easiest culture and
increase.

SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS

(Bloodroof). — A distinct North Ameri-

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

301

can plant with thick underground
stems, from which spring large greyish
leaves, cut into wavy or toothed
lobes, and full of an orange-red and
acrid juice. The stems from 4 to
8 inches high, each bear a solitary
and handsome white flower in March.
It grows best in moist places and in
rich soil, but, like many other plants, it
has a dislike to certain soils, and is
not always easy to establish ; the
most likely places being peaty or leafy
hollows.

SANTOLINA INCANA (Hoary
S.). — A small silvery shrub, with
numerous branches and narrow leaves,
covered with dense white down, the
flowers rather small, pale greenish-
yellow, growing readily in ordinary
soil, and may be useful on the rock-
garden. It is considered a variety of
the better-known S. Chamcecyparissus,
the Lavender Cotton. This, and its
other variety, squarrosa, are suitable
for banks, but forming spreading
silvery bushes, 2 feet high, in suitable
soil, are not suited for intimate
association with very dwarf alpine
plants.

Other species of Santolina are suited
for like purposes, S. pectinata and 8.
viridis, forming bushes somewhat like
the Lavender Cotton. Santolina alpina
is of more alpine habit, forming dense
mats quite close to the ground, from
which spring yellow button-like flowers
on long slender stems. It grows in
any soil, and may be used on the less
important parts of the rock-garden.
Cuttings of the shrubby species strike
readily, and S. alpina is easily in-
creased by division.

SAPONARIA (Soapworf).—PeTQn-
nial herbs and alpine plants or
annuals belonging to the Pink
family.

Saponaria Boissieri is a dwarf plant
of quick and free growth, somewhat tufted
in character, and spreading out into good-
sized plants. It bears freely bright pink
flowers.

S. csespitosa is a neat little alpine
perennial from the higher regions of the
Pyrenees, flowering in August, but in the
lowlands its rose-coloured blossoms appear
towards the end of June. It forms rosettes
of leaves, the flowers, in a thick cluster,
are on short, stout stems. This graceful
little plant is valuable for the rock-garden.
A sandy soil suits it best, and it endures
our winters.

S. lutea, from Savoy and Piedmont,
has yellow flowers and a woolly calyx.
The leaves are narrow, and not unlike
those of the Alpine Catchfly.

S. ocymoides.— A beautiful trailing
rock-plant, with prostrate stems and many
rosy flowers. It is easily raised from seed
or from cuttings, thrives in almost any
soil, and is one of the best plants we have
for clothing the arid spots, particularly
where a drooping plant is desired.
Although it grows freely in poor soil
when it is planted with the view of
allowing it to fall freely over the face of
the rock, it will do much better by giving
it a deep, loamy soil.

SARRACENIA (Pitcher Plant).—
Growing naturally in turfy bogs in
North America and Canada, these very-
curious perennials, with hollow pitcher-
shaped leaves, are hardy so far as
temperature is concerned, and we have
seen the Trumpet Leaf (8. flava), and
the Huntsman's Cup (S. purpurea),
growing on spongy peat and sphagnum
in Great Britain and Ireland. One
point very essential to their success in
the open air in this country is good
shelter. In North America these and
many other beautiful bog-plants are
sheltered all through the winter by
deep snow, which alike preserves
leaves and root from the sudden
extremes so often fatal to their
leafage here at home during winter

302

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

and early spring. S. purpurea and S.
ftava may be planted out in May or
June on sods of peat or fibrous loam,
either in a bog-bed or on the sunny
margins of either pond or stream, and
if these succeed, other kinds may with
more confidence be tried. At Glas-
nevin, S. purpurea has lived outside,
in a spongy bog near the ornamental
water there, for many years, and also
at Newry and elsewhere. All through
the summer full sunshine is an ad-
vantage, and there should be plenty of
moisture around the mossy sod on
which it is planted. On the approach
of winter a wire cylinder may be placed
round the plants, and on the advent
of frost a top covering of dry leaves or
bracken fern may be placed lightly
around the leaves, so as to protect
them, to check evaporation, and to
prevent harm from bright early
morning sunshine after dry and frosty
nights. With some simple attention
and shelter of this kind from November
to March, these plants may be grown
in the open air with success, and prove
of much interest.

SAXIFRAGA (RockfoiT). — Dwarf
tufted perennial herbs of the Alps and
higher mountains, frequent in northern
and cold countries. Many of them
are quite hardy and give with simple
culture, beautiful effects, even in the
neighbourhood of smoky towns. They
fall into different sections or groups,
offering a striking diversity of colour,
even when out of flower, in their
delicate foliage often freshest in
autumn and winter.

In the Arctic Circle, in the highest
Alpine regions, on the arid mountains
of Southern and Eastern Europe,
and Northern Africa, and throughout
Northern Asia, they are found in many
interesting forms. For the purposes

of cultivation some rough division is
convenient, as Saxifrages are very
different in aspect and uses. There is
the Mossy or Hypnoides section, of
which there are many kinds, and their
Moss-like tufts of foliage, so freshly
green, especially in autumn and winter,
when most plants decay, and their
countless white flowers in spring make
them precious. They are admirable
for the fresh green hue with which
they clothe rocks and banks in winter.
They are indeed the most valuable
winter "greens," in the Alpine flora.
^ Next to these we may place the
silvery group. These have their
greyish leathery leaves margined with
dots of white, so as to give to the
whole a silvery character. This group
is represented by such kinds as IS.
Aizoon and the great pyramidal-flower-
ing S. Cotyledon of the Alps. Con-
sidering the freedom with which they
grow in all cool climates, even on level
ground, and their beauty of flower and
foliage, they are perhaps the most
precious group of Alpine flowers we
possess, and all can grow them. The
London Pride section is another. The
plants of this section thrive with
ordinary care, in lowland gardens, and
soon naturalise themselves in low-
land copses. But the most brilliant,
so far as flower is concerned, are
found in the purple Saxifrage (S.
oppositifolia) group and its near allies.
Here we have tufts of splendid colour
in spring with perfect hardiness. The
large leathery-leaved group, of which
the Siberian S. Crassifolia is best
known, is important ; they thrive in
ordinary soil and on the level ground.
Such of the smaller and rarer alpine
species as require any particular
attention should be planted in moist,
sandy loam, mingled with grit and
broken stone, the soil made firm.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

303

Very dwarf and rather slow-growing
kinds, like S. ccesia and S. aretioides,
should be surrounded by half-buried
pieces of stone, to prevent their being
trampled on or overrun. Stone will
also help to preserve the ground in a
moist healthy condition in the dry
season, when the plants are most
likely to suffer. Very dry winds in
spring sometimes have a bad effect
when such precautions are not taken.
The broad-leaved Indian Rockfoils
(Megasea) are among the most easily
grown, increased, and enduring of
hardy plants. Where we seek for
evergreen effects in winter, there is
nothing to equal them, and their
flowers have much beauty in spring.

In this large family, as in others,
a first consideration should be whether
we look at the plants from the artistic
or the collector's point of view. If
we wish to get good effects, I say the
artistic way is the right one. By
treating the rock-garden as a book or
herbarium, we cannot get the broad and
simple effects that are necessary for a
good result. We want the charm of the
most distinct things, but for effect
a few kinds from each group will
give us a better result than a large
number. The dotting of a great
number of species is against good
effect, but here, as in all cases, in-
dividual taste should have its way,
and it may be interesting to ^ study
a section by fully representing it, and
to make most of the kinds we prefer.

The Rockfoils are a numerous
family, with so many forms that it
would take a book to describe them,
as Mr Correvon of Geneva has described
them fully in various articles written
for the Garden in 1891. I once saw
nearly seventy kinds of the mossy
Saxifrages in the late Mr Borrer's
garden at Henfield, in Sussex ; but

as regards effect, half a dozen of these
will give us all we require.

The great Indian Rockfoils, syn.
Megasea, have been in pur gardens
for many years, but in not one
place out of twenty do we ever see
them made a right use of; they are
thrown into borders without thought
as to their habits, often as single
plants, and are soon overshadowed
by other things ; and in such ways
we never get any expression of
their beauty. Yet, if we took a
little trouble, and grouped them in
effective ways, they would go on for
years, giving fine evergreen foliage at
all times of the year, and, in the case
of some, showy flowers on tall stems.
Half the trouble that a gardener gives
every year to some evanescent plant
that will only show for a few weeks
in summer, if given to the placing
of these properly, would afford us a
good result for years. In addition to
the wild kinds, a number of fine
forms have been raised in gardens of
late years. Some thought should be
given to the placing of these things,
their mountain character telling us
that they ought to be in open banks,
borders, or bluffy places exposed to
the sun, and not buried among heaps
of tall herbaceous vegetation. They
are easily grown and propagated, and
a little thought in placing them in
sufficiently visible masses is the only
thing they call for; the fact that
they will endure and thrive under
almost any conditions should not
prevent us from showing how good
they are in effect when held together,
either as carpets, bold edgings, or
large picturesque groups on banks or
rocks. The following is a selection
of the best of the kinds in cultivation.

Saxifraga aizoides (Yellow Mountain
Eockfoil}. — A native plant, abundant in

304

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Scotland, the north of England, and some
parts of Ireland, in wet places, by the
sides of mountain rills, and often descend-
ing along their course, into the low
country, bearing at the end of summer
or autumn bright yellow flowers, half
an inch across, and dotted with red
towards the base. Although a moisture-
loving mountain plant, it is quite easy to
grow in lowland gardens, doing best in
moist ground. Wherever a small stream-
let is introduced to the rock-garden or its
neighbourhood, it may be planted so as to
form spreading masses, as it does on its
native mountains. Division, or by seed.
When the leaves are sparsely ciliated, it
is, according to Mr Syme, the 8.
autumnalis of Linnaeus.

Saxifraga aizoon (Aizoon Rockfoil).—
Not a showy kind, having a greenish-
white bloom, but it spangles over many
a low mountain-crest and high alp-flank
in Europe and America with its silvery
rosettes, and in our gardens these form firm
and roundish silvery tufts in any common
soil. Plants of it established two or three
years form grey-silvery tufts, a foot or
more in diameter, and about 6 inches
high. As to its culture, nothing can be
easier ; it grows as freely as any native
plant, and best when exposed to the full
sun. Easily increased by division. There
are several varieties.

S. Andrews!! (Andrew's Rockfoil).—
This British plant is considered by some
botanists to be a garden hybrid, and with
pretty good reason, judging by the leaves
and flowers ; but nothing more has been
ascertained about its history. Mr
Andrews found it first in Ireland, but
it has not since been discovered. Among
the green-leaved kinds there is no better.
Its flowers are large, but I never could
see any good seed on it. The leaves are
long, firm in texture, and with a
membranous margin ; the prettily spotted
flowers being larger than those of S.
umbrosa, and the petals dotted with red,
which, with other slight characters, points
to the probability 01 its being a hybrid
between a London Pride and one of the
Continental group of encrusted Saxifrages.
It does quite freely on any soil, merely
requiring to be replanted occasionally

when it spreads into very large
tufts.

Saxifraga aretioides (Aretia Rockfoil).
— A gem of the encrusted section, forming
cushions of little silvery rosettes, almost
as small and dense as those of Androsace
helvetica, and about half an inch high. It
has rich yellow flowers in April, on stems
a little more than an inch high. The
stems and stem-leaves are densely clothed
with short glandular hairs like those of a
Drosera. It is not difficult to grow, but
requires a moist and well-drained soil,
and being so dwarf, must be guarded
from overrunning by coarser neighbours.
Pyrenees ; increased by seed and careful
division.

S. aspera (Rough Rockfoil). — A small
grey, tufted, prostrate plant, with ciliated
leaves, with few flowers, rather large, of a
dull white colour, on stems about 3
inches high. S. bryoides is considered a
variety of this, and forms a densely tufted
diminutive plant, with pale yellow flowers,
the rosettes of leaves being almost globular,
and the plant not forming stolons or
runners like the preceding. Both are
natives of the Pyrenees ; & bryoides in the
most elevated regions. Both are easy of
cultivation, growing freely in the open
air, even in London, but rarely flowering
there.

S. biflora (Two-flowered Rockfoil).— A
beautiful dwarf kind, allied to the British
species, S. oppositifolia, but larger, and
distinguished by producing two or three
flowers together, and by having its leaves
thinly scattered, and not packed on the
stems like those of that species. It is also
a much larger plant, and has larger flowers,
rose-coloured at first, changing to violet.
I found it in abundance on fields of grit and
shattered rock, in the neighbourhood of
glaciers on the high Alps, in company with
Campanula cenisia ; and just without the
margins of the vast fields of snow, under
which, even in June, lay numberless plants
waiting for an opportunity to open when
the snow had thawed. It grew entirely in
loose grit, so that, with a little care, masses
of the branched imbedded stems and long
fine roots could be taken up, entire.

It grows freely in gritty or sandy soil,
in well-drained positions in rich light

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

305

loam, may be increased by division,
cuttings, or seed.

Saxifraga Burseriana (Early Rockfoil).
— This lovely early-flowering Rockfoil is
a native of the snowy regions of Europe
and of Central and Northern Asia. It is
dwarf, and forms spreading tufts of
glaucous or greyish-green foliage. The
flowers are large, pure white, with yellow
anthers, and borne singly or two together
on a bright purplish rose-coloured stem
in January and February. It soon forms
good-sized tufts, preferring a dry, sunny
situation and calcareous soil. There are
two or three distinct forms of this species
which differ chiefly in habit of growth,
one being much more tufted than the
others.

S. csesia (Silvery Rockfoil). — This re-
sembles an Androsace in the dwarf ness
of its tufts. I have met with it on the
Alps, in minute tufts, staining the rocks
and stones like a silvery moss, and on
level ground, where it had some depth of
soil, spreading into little cushions from 2
to 6 inches across. It bears pretty white
flowers, about the third of an inch in
diameter, on thread-like smooth stems, 1
to 3 inches high. A native of the high
Alps and Pyrenees, it thrives in our
gardens in firm sandy soil, fully exposed,
and kept moist in summer. It may be
also grown well in pots or pans in cold
frames near the glass ; but, being very
minute, no matter where it is placed, the
first consideration should be to keep it
distinct from all coarse neighbours, and
even the smallest weeds will injure it if
allowed to grow. Flowers in summer,
and is increased by seeds or careful
division.

S. ceratophylla (Horn-leaved Rock-
foil). — A fine species of the mossy section,
with dark highly-divided leaves, stiff and
smooth, with horny points ; the flowers
pure white, and borne in loose panicles in
early summer, the calyces and stamens
covered with clammy juice. It quickly
forms strong tufts in any good garden soil,
and is well adapted for covering rocky
ground of any description, either as wide
level tufts on the flat portions or pendent
sheets from the brows of rocks. Seed or
division.

Saxifraga cordifolia. — (Great Heart-
Leaved Rockfoil). — Entirely different in
aspect to the ordinary dwarf section
of Saxifrages, with very ample leaves,
roundish-heart-shaped, on long and thick
stalks, toothed ; flowers a clear rose,
arranged in dense masses, half concealed
among the great leaves in early spring. S.
crassifolia is allied to this. They often
thrive in any soil, and are hardy ; but it
is well to encourage their early-flowering
habit by placing them in sunny positions,
where the fine flowers may be induced to
open well. They are perhaps more worthy
of association with the larger spring
flowers and with herbaceous plants than
with alpine plants. They may also be
used with fine effect on rough rock, or
on rocky margins to streams or water,
their fine, evergreen, glossy foliage being
quite distinct. They may, in fact, be
called fine-leaved plants of the rocks.
A native of Siberian mountains. S. ligulata
(Megasea ciliata) is a somewhat tender
species, and only succeeds out of doors
in mild and warm parts of this country.
Some good varieties of these great-leaved
Rockfoils have been raised of recent years.'

S. cotyledon (Pyramidal Rockfoil). —
This embellishes, with its great silvery
rosettes and pyramids of white flowers,
many parts of the mountain ranges of
Europe, from the Pyrenees to Lapland,
and is easily known by its rather broad
leaves, margined with encrusted pores
and its handsome bloom. The rosettes of
the pyramidal Saxifrage differ a good deal
in size, and, when grown in tufts, they
are for the most part much smaller, from
being crowded than from single rosettes.
The flower-stem varies from 6 to 30
inches high, and about London, in common
soil, will often attain a height of 20 inches,
and in cultivation usually attains a greater
size than on its native rocks ; though in
rich soil, at the base of rocky slopes in a
Piedmontese valley, I have seen single
rosettes as large as I have ever seen them in
gardens. The plant is hardy, and second to
none as an ornament of the rock-garden,
thriving in common soil. Nothing can
be easier to propagate by division, or
cultivate without any particular attention.
It is sometimes known as S. Pyramidalisy

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[PART II.

though some consider this at least a
variety, having a more erect habit,
narrower leaves, and somewhat larger
flowers.

Saxifraga cymbalaria (Golden Rockfoil).
— Quite distinct in aspect from any of the
family, and one of the most useful of all,
being a continuous bloomer. I have had
little tufts of it, which, in early spring,
formed masses of bright yellow flowers
set on light green, glossy, small ivy-
like leaves, the whole not more than
3 inches high. These, instead of
falling into the sere and yellow leaf,
and fading away into seediness, kept
still growing taller, still rising, and still
keeping the same little rounded pyramid
of golden flowers until autumn, when

Saxifraga geum (Kidney-Leaved London
Pride). — Like the London Pride in habit
and flowers, but with the leaves roundish,
heart-shaped at the base, on long stalks,
and with scattered hairs on the surfaces ;
flowers about a quarter of an inch across,
and usually with reddish spots. A native
of various parts of Europe, useful for
the same purposes and cultivated with
the same ease as the London Pride ;
will grow freely in woods or borders,
particularly in moist districts. Saxifraga
hirsuta comes near this, and is probably
a variety.

S. granulata (Meadow Rockfoil). — A
lowland plant, with several small scaly
bulbs in a crown at the root, and common
in meadows and banks in England,

Saxifraga cordifolia (Broad-Leaved Rod-foil).

they were about 12 inches high.
It is an annual or biennial plant, which
sows itself abundantly, is useful for
moist spots, growing freely on the level
ground.

S. diapensiodes.— One of the best of
the dwarf Rockfoils, and also one of
the smallest. I have grown it very well
in an open bed in London, and it would
flourish equally well everywhere if kept
free from weeds, and in a well-exposed
spot; the soil should be very firm and
well-drained, though kept moist in
summer. The flowers are of a good
white, three to five on a stem, rarely
exceeding 2 inches high ; the leaves
packed into such dense cylindrical
rosettes that old plants feel quite hard
to the hand. A native of the Alps of
Switzerland, Dauphiny, and the Pyrenees.

with numerous white flowers, f
inch across. I should not name
it here, were it not for its hand-
some double form, S. granulata fl. pi.,
which is often grown in cottage gardens
in Surrey. It is very useful in the spring
garden as a border-plant, or on rougher
parts of rockwood. Mr Bentham con-
siders that the small bulb-bearing S.
crenua of Ben Lawers may be a variety of
the Meadow Saxifrage. As a garden-
plant, S. crenua, however, is a mere
curiosity, though it may be acceptable in
botanical collections.

S. hirculus ( Yellow Marsh Rockfoil). —
A remarkable species, with a bright
yellow flower on each stem, or sometimes
two or three, f inch across, and
quite different in aspect from any
other cultivated kind. A native of

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

307

wet moors in various parts of England,
not difficult to cultivate in moist soil, and
thriving^best under conditions as near
as possible to those of the places where
it is found wild. It is best suited for a
moist spot near a streamlet of the rock-
gardeii, or for the bog-garden.

Saxifraga hypnoides (Mossy Saxifrage).
— A very variable plant in its stems, leaves,
and flowers, but usually forming mossy
tufts of the freshest green, abundant

the healthiest tufts in shade, and
flowering in early summer. Nothing
can be easier to grow or increase by
division. Under this species may be
grouped S. hirta, S. affinis, S. vncurvifoUa,
S. platypetala, and 8. decipiens, all
showing differences which some think
sufficient to mark them as species. They
all thrive with the same freedom as
the Mossy Saxifrage, suffering only from
drought or very drying winds.

Saxifraga Juniperina (The Juniper-Leaved Saxifrage).

on the mountains of Great Britain and
Ireland, and common in gardens. In
cultivation it attains greater vigour than
in a wild state, and no plant is more
useful for forming carpets of the most
refreshing green in winter and almost
in any soil. It thrives either on raised
or level ground, in half-shady places
or fully exposed to the sun, forming

Saxifraga Juniperina (Juniper Rock-
— One of the most distinct kinds in
cultivation, having spine-pointed leaves,
densely set in cushioned masses, looking,
if one may so speak, like Juniper-bushes
compressed into the size of small round
pin-cushions. The flowers are yellow,
arranged in spikes on a leafy stem, and
appear in summer. It thrives in moist

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[PART II.

sandy, firm soil, and is well worthy of
a place in the rock-garden. A native
of the Caucasus. Seed and careful
division.

Saxifraga longifolia (Queen Rockfoil).
— The single rosettes of this are often
6, 7, and 8 inches in diameter. I
have indeed measured one more than
a foot in diameter. It may well be termed
the Queen of the silvery section of
Saxifrages, and is so beautifully marked
that it is attractive at all seasons, while
in early summer it pushes up foxbrush-
like columns of flowers from a foot to
2 feet long, the stem covered with
short, stiff, gland-tipped hairs, and
bearing many pure white flowers.

It is a native of the higher parts of
the Pyrenees : hardy in tliis country ;
not difficult of culture, and may be grown
in various ways. In some perpendicular
chink in the face of a rock into which
it can root deeply, it is very striking
when the long outer leaves of the
rosette spread away from the densely
packed centre. It may also be grown
on the face of an old wall, beginning
with a very small plant, which should
be carefully packed into a chink with
a little soil. Here the stiff leaves will,
when they roll out, adhere firmly to
the wall, eventually forming a large
silver star on its surface. It will thrive
on a raised bed, surrounded by a few
stones to prevent evaporation and to
guard it from injury. It is propagated
by seeds, which it produces freely. In
gathering them it should be observed
that they ripen gradually from the
bottom of the stem upwards, so that
the seed-vessels there should be cut off
first, leaving the unripe capsules to
mature, and visiting the plant every
day or two to collect them as they ripen
successively.

S. lingulata is by some authors united
with the preceding, from which it chiefly
differs by having smaller flowers, by
the leaves and stems being smooth and
not glandular, by its shorter stems, and
by the leaves in the rosette being shorter
and very much fewer in number than
in the Long-Leaved Saxifrage. It is also a
charming rock- plant, and will succeed with

the same treatment and in the same
positions as the preceding. S. crustata
is considered a small variety of the long-
leaved Saxifrage with the encrusted pores
thickly set along the margins ; being
several times smaller, it will require more
care in planting, and to be associated with
dwarfer plants.

Saxifraga Lantoscana (Foxbrush Rock-
foil). — A beautiful species of the encrusted-
leaved section, and a native of Val Lan-
tosque in the Maritime Alps. It reminds
one of S. cotyledon, but is smaller, the
leaves narrower and more crowded in-
the rosette, and the flower-spike, which is
not borne erect, but slightly drooping,
is more densely furnished with white
flowers. It should be grown in a well
exposed position, in a gritty soil well-
drained. It remains long in flower, and
is one of the best rock-garden plants.

S. Maweana (Maw's Rockfoil) is a
handsome species of the ccespitosa section,
larger than any other as regards both
foliage and flowers. The latter, about
the size of a shilling, form dense white
masses in early summer. After flowering,
this species forms buds on the stems,
which remain dormant till the following
spring. Similar, but finer, is a new
kind called S. Wallacei, which is far
more robust, and far earlier, and freer
as regards flowering, but which does
not develop buds during summer. It
is a good plant for the border or the
rock-garden.

S. mutata. — A yellow-flowered species,
bearing considerable likeness to S. lingulata
and having the flower - panicle about
18 ins. high. It is rare in cultivation,
owing to the fact that it not infrequently
exhausts all its vigour in producing blooms,
and it rarely matures seeds in this
country ; and, further, it does not
produce offsets, like most of this section.
It is a native of the Alps, but limited
in its distribution. An allied species,
S. florulenta, is a beautiful plant of the
Maritime Alps, difficult of cultivation
in this country.

S. oppositifolia (Purple Rockfoil). — A
bright little mountaineer, distinct in
colour and in habit. The moment
the snow melts, its tiny herbage

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

309

glows into solid sheets of purplish
rose-colour ; the flowers solitary,' on
short erect little stems, and often hiding
the leaves, which are small, and densely
crowded. In a wild state on the higher
mountains of Britain and the Continent,
in which it has to submit to the struggle
for life, it usually forms rather straggling
little tufts ; but on exposed parts of
the rock-garden, in deep and moist loam,
it forms rounded cushions fringing over
the sides of rocks. Propagated by division,
and flowering in early spring. Old plants
should be divided. There are the follow-
ing varieties in cultivation : 8. opp. major,
rosy pink, large ; S. opp. pallida, pale
pink, large ; S. opp. alba, white.

Saxifraga peltata (Great Calif ornian
Rockfoil). — A remarkably distinct species,
found on the banks of streams in
California, well known and a Eockfoil of
large size, the hairy flower-stems, which
are of an almost purplish-red colour,
sometimes attaining a height of more
than 3 feet, and terminating in a large
umbel of white flowers, with bright rose-
coloured anthers. The leaves resemble an
inverted parasol in shape, and are large
and dark green. They do not appear until
after the plant comes into flower. This
kind should be grown in a rich, deep,

rngy soil, also in a half-shaded position,
Itered from cold, drying winds. It is
multiplied by division of the rhizomes
and also by seed, and is effective in the
dark parts of the bog-garden.

S. retusa (Purple-Leaved Rockfoil). — A
purplish species, closely allied to our own
S. oppositifolia, but, in addition to the
different character of the leaves, dis-
tinguished by the flowers having distinct
stalks, and being borne two or three
together on their little branches. The
small, opposite, leathery leaves are
closely packed in four ranks on the
stems, which form dense prostrate tufts.
A native of the Alps and Pyrenees,
flowering in early summer, may be cul-
tivated in the same way as S. oppositifolia,
and well merits a place in the rock-garden.

S. Rocheliana (Rochel's Rockfoil).— A
compact and dwarf kind, forming dense
silvery rosettes of tongue-shaped white-
margined leaves, and with large white

flowers on sturdy little stems in spring.
I know no more exquisite plant for
the rock-garden, or for small rocky or
raised borders. Any free, good, moist,
loamy soil will suit it, and I have seen
it thriving very well on borders in
London. It should be exposed to the
full sun, and associated with the choicest
alpine plants. A native of Austria ;
increased by seeds or careful division.

Saxifraga sancta.— A native of Mount
Athos, at an altitude of 6000 feet. A
dwarf species, forming closely -set tufts
of foliage, composed of numerous leafy
branches of a dull green colour, the
leaves pointed, flowers bright yellow, in
panicles of two to five blooms.

S. sarmentosa (Creeping Rockfoil).— A
well-known old plant, with roundish
leaves, mottled above, red beneath,
with numbers of creeping, long, and
slender runners, producing young plants
strawberry fashion. Striking in leaf, it
is also pretty in bloom, and growing
freely in the dry air of a sitting-
room, may be seen suspended in
cottage windows. It perhaps is most
at home running free on banks or
rocks, in the cool greenhouse or con-
servatory ; however, it lives in the
open air in mild parts of England,
and, where this is the case, may be used
in graceful association with Ferns and
other creeping plants. A native of
China, flowering in summer. Closely
allied] to 8. sarmentosa is the delicate
dodder-like Saxifrage, S. cuscutceformis, so
called from having thread-like runners like
the stems of a dodder, and distinguished
by having much smaller leaves, and the
petals more equal in size than those
of sarmentosa, in which the two outer
ones are much larger than the others.
It will serve for the same purposes as
the Creeping Saxifrage, but, being much
more delicate and fragile in habit,
will require a little more care. The
plants grown in gardens as S. japonica
and S. tricolor are considered varieties of
the Creeping Saxifrage.

S. tenella. — A very handsome prostrate
plant, forming tufts of delicate fine-leaved
branches, 4 or 5 inches high, which root
as they grow. The flowers, which appear

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

in summer, are numerous, whitish-yellow,
arranged in a loose panicle. Similar
in growth are S. aspera, S. bryoides,
S. sedoides, S. Seguieri, S. Stelleriana,
and 8. tricuspidata, all of which are
suitable for clothing the bare parts of the
rock-garden and slopes, but require moist
soil and cool positions. Division in spring
or the end of summer.

Saxifraga umbrosa (London Pride).—
This much cultivated plant grows abund-
antly on the mountains round Killarney,
though it was much grown in our gardens
before it was recognised as a native of
Ireland. It is needless to describe the
appearance of such a familiar plant. It is
useful in shady places, fringes of cascades,
&c. There are several varieties, as, for
example, S. punctata and Serratifolia,
which are distinct enough when grown side
by side, and submit to the same culture.

It is believed that the preceding
are among those best worth growing.
The following is a list of the other
species or reputed species believed
to be in cultivation now in this
country. Those most worthy of
culture are marked by an asterisk.

S. adscendens

ajugsefolia

ambigua

androsacea

aquatica

atropurpurea
*Bucklandii

bulbifera

calcarata
*capillaris

condensaca
*contraversa

cochleata
*crustata

cuneifolia
*daurica

elatior

elongella

erosa

exarata

flavescens

geranioides
*Gibraltarica

glacialis

S. globifera

Gmelini
*Guthrieana

hieraciifolia
*Icelandica

infundibulum
*intacta
^intermedia

laetevirens

laevigata

leptophylla
*marginata
*media

Mollyi

multicaulis
*muscoide
*nervosa

nivalis

Ohioensis

Orientalis
*palmata

Parnassica
*pectinata

S. pedata S. spathulata

pedatifida Sponhemica

petraea *Stansfieldii

planifolia stellaris

pulchella stenophylla

purpurascens *Sternbergii

pygmsea *tenella

*recta thysanodes

recurva tricuspidata

reniformis trifida

Rhei trifurcata

*rosularis trilobata

rotundifolia villosa

rupestris virginiensis

Schraderi Webbiana
Sibirica

SCABIOSA (Pincushion Flower).—
Annual, biennial, and perennial plants,
some dwarf and pretty for the rock-
garden.

Scabiosa caucasica (Caucasian Scabi-
ous).— A handsome plant, flowering from
early summer to late autumn, a true
perennial on warm soils, but often perish-
ing on cool soils. It forms dense tufts,
which yield many blue flower-heads, each
usually from 3 to 4 inches in diameter,
on long foot-stalks. There is a white
variety. Caucasus. Division and seed.

S. graminifolia (Grass-leaved S.). — A
graceful Scabious about a foot high, with
pale blue flowers and silvery white
leaves ; it is very useful for the rock-
garden. Southern Europe. June to
October. Division and seed.

S. pterocephala (Wing-headed S.) is
a very dwarf-tufted hardy perennial,
rarely exceeding 4 inches or 6 inches in
height, even when in flower ; flower-heads
| pale purple in summer. Greece. Division.
Syns., S. Parnassi and Pterocephalus
Parnassi.

S. Webbiana is another useful species
for the rock-garden or border, forming
neat little masses of hoary leaves. Its
creamy yellow flowers, borne on long
stalks, are pretty from July to August.
Division.

All the rock Scabious are best in light
and well-drained soils.

SCHIVERECKIA PODOLICA-

This small hardy alpine of the Crucifer

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

311

family is nearly allied to Alyssum. It
has hoary foliage, and produces, in
early summer, a profusion of small
white blossoms. It is suited for the
rock-garden or the margins of borders,
and will grow well in any ordinary
soil, but is not of the first merit.
South Russia.

SCHIZOCODON SOLDANEL
LOIDES.— The introduction of this
pretty mountain plant is due to
Captain Torrens, who, in 1891, found
the plants growing beside sulphur
springs in the mountains of Japan,
and, after carrying them hundreds of
miles, succeeded at last in bringing
home three or four living plants. The
flowers of the Schizocodon are like
those of a large Soldanella, prettily
fringed, deep rose in the centre,
passing into blush or almost white
towards the edges, and deserves a good
place in the rock-garden, in moist
gritty soil.

SCILL A.— Beautiful early flowering
bulbous plants, charming in colour, and
hardy, and so free that they do not
need the comforts of the rock-garden,
but the colour is so good and the
habit so dwarf, that they may be often
used with good effect to come through
groups of dwarf rock plants, such as
the mossy Rockfoils and the Sand-
worts. Only the dwarfer kinds, how-
ever, are fitted for this purpose, some
kinds being too vigorous, and these
are omitted here.

Scilla amoena (Tyrolese Squill).— A dis-
tinct, early-spring flowering kind, opening
soon after S. sibirica, and readily known
from any of its relatives by the large
yellowish ovary in the centre of the dark
indigo-blue flowers. The leaves, usually
about £ inch across, attain a height of
about 1 foot, and are easily injured by
cold or wind, so that a sheltered position
is that best suited to its wants. Tyrol ;

increased from seeds or by separation of
the bulbs.

Scilla bifolia (Early Squill).— A precious
kind, bearing in the dawn of spring, indeed
often in winter, masses or dark blue
flowers, four to six on a spike, and form-
ing handsome tufts from 6 to 10 inches
high, according to the soil and the
warmth and shelter of the spot. It
thrives well in almost any position, in
ordinary garden soil, the lighter the
better. Although it blooms earlier than
8. sibirica, it does not withstand cold
wintry and spring rains and storms
nearly so well as that species, and
therefore it would be well to place some
tufts of it in warm sunny spots, either
on the rock-garden or sheltered borders.
Southern and Central Europe. This
species varies very much, and, in con-
sequence, has gone under many names ;
the best form being taurica. The name
S.prcecox, which occurs so often in gardens,
and in Nurserymen's Catalogues, does not
really belong to a distinct species, and,
when best applied, refers to the variety
of 8. bifolia, which usually flowers some-
what earlier than the common form.

S. Italica (Italian Squill). — A native
not only of Italy but of Southern France
and Southern Europe generally. This
Squill, with its pale blue flowers, intensely
blue stamens, and fragrance, is one of the
most distinct, from 5 to 10 inches high,
the leaves somewhat shorter ; the flowers
small, spreading in short racemes, in May.
It is perfectly hardy, living in almost any
soil, but thriving best in sandy and warm
ones. Increased by division, which had
better be performed only every three or
four years, when the bulbs should be
planted in fresh positions. It is worthy
of a sheltered sunny spot, particularly as
it does not seem to thrive so freely in this
country as some of the other kinds.

S. Sibirica (Siberian Squill).— A brilliant
early flower, perfectly hardy in this
country, and, like most other bulbs, thrives
best in a good sandy loam. It is needless
to disturb the tufts except every two or
three years for the sake of dividing them
when they grow vigorously. It comes in
flower in early spring a little later than
S. bifolia, but withstands the storms better

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

than that plant, and remains much longer
in bloom.

Of other cultivated Squills, the British
ones, S. verna and S. autumnalis, are
worthy of cultivation in collections ; the
plant usually sold by the Dutch and by
our seedsmen as S. hyacinthoides is gener-
ally S. campanulata, and occasionally
S. patula. The true S. hyacinthoides of
Southern Europe is scarcely worthy of
cultivation ; S. cernua is not sufficiently
distinct from S. patula, and one or two
southern species allied to S. peruviana
have not been proved sufficiently hardy
for general cultivation.

SCIRPUS (Bulrush).— Sedge-like
plants, useful for fringing the margins
of ponds, which too often present a bare
hard line. There are native species
that might be transplanted, and the
best are S. triqueter, S. atro-virens,
and S. lacustris. The true Bulrush
is 3 to 8 feet high, and is effective on
the margins of ponds or streams,
associated with other tall aquatic
plants.

SCUTELLARIA (Skull-cap). Per-
ennials of the Sage order, some of
interest for the rock-garden. All the
kinds may be grown in open loam, the
low-growing kinds submit readily to
division of the root-stock, and, if need
be, the plants are increased by cut-
tings of the young shoots, by seeds.

Scutellaria alpina (Alpine Scull-cap). —
A spreading plant, vigorous but neat in
habit, and pretty in flower. The pube-
scent stems are prostrate, but so abundantly
produced that they rise into a full round
tuft, a foot high or more in the centre,
and falling low to the sides ; the flowers
in terminal heads, purplish, or with the
lower lip white or yellow. The form
with the upper lip purplish, and lower
pure white, is pretty. The variety lutea
(S. lupulina) is an ornamental kind, with
yellow flowers. Increased by division,
and flowering freely in summer. Alps of
Europe.

S. macrantha.— A native of Eastern

Asia, has purplish-blue flowers, the blossoms
1 J inch long. The plant attains to a foot
or more high, and may figure in the rock-
garden among the more free-growing
plants. The plant possesses a firm, woody
root-stock, and is hardy.

Scutellaria indica is of dwarf growth,
with creeping stems, the flowers blue or
bluish lilac, and, though small when
compared with those of macrantha, it is
still worth growing among rock plants.

Other kinds in cultivation are Orientalis,
altaica, parvula, grandiflora, though, for
the most part, these are not frequently
seen beyond the limits of botanic gardens.

Scutellaria indica.

SEDUM (Stonecrop).— Usually dwarf
spreading rock perennials, with thick
succulent leaves, which enable them to
endure drought in the most arid
places. They are often pretty in
effect in Nature, but, owing to the
dotting and labelling system in
gardens, we lose more than half their
beauty. In a great number of species
are many similar in effect, and no
need, therefore, to grow all, as they
are not all equally valuable from a
garden point of view. In the poorer
parts of the rock-garden they are use-
ful, and if we cannot find room for
them in it, they do very well on the
gravel paths near. They are, perhaps,
of all plants, the easiest to cultivate
and increase, the smaller species being
protected from coarse-growing plants,

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313

and so placed that they will not be
overrun.

Sedum acre (Stonecrop).— Growing on
walls, thatched houses, rocks, and sandy
places in almost all parts of Britain, this
little plant, with its small, thick, bright
green leaves and brilliant yellow flowers, is
as well known as the common Houseleek.
Sheets of it in bloom look gay, and it may
well be used with dwarf alpine plants in
forming carpets of living mosaic- work in
gardens. The fact that it runs wild on
comparatively new brick walls near
London does away with the necessity of
speaking of its cultivation or propagation.
There is a variegated or yellow - tipped
variety, S. acre variegatum ; the tips of the
shoots of this become of a yellow hue in
early spring, so that the tufts look showy
at that season.

S. album (White Stonecrop).— A British
plant, with crowded fleshy leaves of a
brownish green, and in summer a pro-
fusion of white or pinkish flowers in
elegant corymbs. Like the common
Stonecrop, this occurs on old roofs and
rocky places in many parts of Europe,
and may be cultivated with the same
facility. It is worthy of a place on walls
or ruins, in places where it does not occur
naturally, and also on the margins of the
pathways or the less important surfaces of
the rock-garden.

S. anacampseros (Evergreen Orpine).—
A species easily recognised by its very
obtuse and entire glaucous leaves, closely
arranged in pyramidal rosettes on the
prostrate branches that do not flower.
The rose-coloured flowers are in corymbs,
not very ornamental, but the distinct
aspect of the plant will secure it a place
on the rock-garden, or among very dwarf
border - plants. A native or the Alps,
Pyrenees, and mountains of Dauphiny,
flowering in summer, easily propagated by
division, and thriving in any soil.

S. brevifolium (Mealy Stonecrop). — One
of the most fragile of alpine plants, with
pinkish, mealy leaves. A native of the
Southern Pyrenees and Corsica, in dry
places, it is somewhat too delicate for
general planting in the open air ; but it
may be grown on sunny rocks. S. farino-

sum resembles this, but, so far as my
experience goes, it is tender.

Sedum dasyphyllum (Stonecrop). — A
pretty species, glaucous, or bluish ; its
leaves smooth, very thick and fat, and
very densely packed ; flowers of a dull
white, tinged with rose, the neat habit of
the plant, when not in flower, will always
make it a favourite in collections of dwarf
plants. It occurs abundantly on rocks,
old walls, and humid stony places, in
Southern and South- Western Europe, and
is found in some places in the south of
England. Although hardy on walls and
rocks, it has not the vigour and constitu-
tion of many of the other Stonecrops, and
it is desirable to establish it on an old
wall or dry stony part of the rock-garden,
so as to secure a stock in case the plant
perishes in winter on low ground.

S. Ewersii (Ewers's Stonecrop).— A dis-
tinct, and diminutive species, with smooth,
broad leaves, and purplish flowers in
corymbs, the whole plant of a pleasing sil-
very hue and rather delicate appearance,
but hardy, easily increased by division,
and flowering in summer. Altai Moun-
tains ; of easy culture and increase by
division, at any season.

S. glaucum (Glaucous Stonecrop). — A
minute kind, greyish, forming dense
spreading tufts, densely clothed with fat
leaves and rather inconspicuous flowers.
The neat habit of the plant has made it
popular in gardens of late years as a
minute surfacing plant. On the rock-
garden it may be used in any spot that is
to spare, either to form a turf under other
plants or for its own sake. Various other
Sedums are very nearly allied to this, and
all are probably but forms of one kind.
Hungary.

S. kamtschaticum (Orange Stonecrop).—
A broad-leaved kind, with dark orange-
yellow flowers. It is a prostrate plant,
hardy, succeeding in almost any soil, and
flowering in summer. Highly suitable
for the rougher parts of the rock-garden,
where it will take care of itself.

S. populifolium (Shrubby Stonecrop).—
Distinct from all its race, and forming a
small, much-branched shrub, from 6 to
10 inches high, with flat leaves, and
whitish flowers with red anthers. Not

314

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART I

an ornamental plant, but being so dif-
ferent in habit to the other members of
the family, it is worthy of a place in large
and botanical collections. It grows in
any soil, blooms rather late in summer,
and comes from Siberia.

Sedum pulchellum (American Stone-
crop). — A dwarf species, with purplish
flowers arranged in several spreading
branchlets, bird's - foot fashion. It is
abundant in North America, and at
present very rarely seen in our gardens,
though far more worthy of cultivation
than many commonly grown, flowering
in summer, growing in ordinary soil, and
easily increased by division.

S. rupestre (Rock Stonecrop). — A
glaucous densely - tufted plant, with
numerous spreading shoots, these shoots
generally rooting at the base and erect at
the apex. It has rather loose corymbs of
yellow flowers, and is frequently grown
in gardens. There are several varieties
or sub-species, notably the British S.
elegans and the green-leaved S. Forsteria-
num. A native of Britain and various
parts of Europe, and of the easiest
culture.

S. Sieboldii (Siebold's Stonecrop).— An
elegant species, with roundish leaves, of a
glaucous hue, in whorls of three on the
numerous stems that in autumn bear the
soft rosy flowers in small round bouquets.
At first the ascending stems form neat
tufts, but as they lengthen, they bend
outwards with the weight of the flowers
at the points, making the plant a graceful
one for small baskets or vases. It is
hardy, and merits a place on the rock-
garden, especially where its graceful
habit may be seen to advantage — that is
to say, where its branches may fall with-
out touching the earth ; but except in
favoured places, it does not make such a
strong and satisfactory growth as most of
the other Stonecrops. Easily propagated
by division. In late autumn the leaves
often assume a lovely rosy-coral hue.
There is a variegated variety, not so good
as the ordinary form. Japan.

S. spectabile (Showy Stonecrop).— This
is one of the finest autumn - flowering
plants introduced of late years — distinct,
hardy, fine when its delicate rose-coloured

flowers, in very large heads, are in bloom,
and pretty long before it flowers, from its
dense bush of glaucous leaves. It begins
to push up its fleshy glaucous shoots in
the dawn of spring, keeps growing on all
through the early summer, opens ita
flowers in early autumn, and continues in
full perfection till the end of that season.
The plant is one of the easiest to pro-
pagate and grow, and forms round, sturdy,
bush-like tufts of vegetation, 18 inches or
more high when well established. Japan.

Sedum spurium (Purple Stonecrop).—
Several kinds of Sedum, with large, flat
leaves, occur in our gardens, of which this
is much the best, its rosy-purple corymbs
of flowers being handsome compared to
the dull whitish flowers of allied kinds.
A native of the Caucasus ; well suited for
forming edgings, the margin of a mixed
border, or the rock-garden. It is of the
easiest culture and propagation, and
blooms late in summer, and often through
the autumn. The variety atrosanguineum
is more showy.

The preceding are the most distinct
kinds in cultivation. The pretty S. cceru-
leum is an annual, and S. carneum variega-
tum not hardy enough to stand our
winters. Several Sedums with a monstrous
development of stem, or what in botanical
language is called fasciation, are in our
gardens : S. monstrosum, cristatum, and
reflexum monstrosum, to wit. The follow-
ing is an enumeration of other species, or
reputed species, now in cultivation in this
country, the most desirable being marked
with an asterisk. They are almost, with-
out exception, of the easiest culture and
rapid increase in ordinary soil.

S. aizoides
Aizoon
albescens
altaicum
anglicum
angulatum
arboreum
asiaticum
aureum
Beyrichianum
Brauni

* corsicum
cruciatum

* cruentum

* cyaneum
dentatum
denticulatum

* elegans
elongatum
Fabaria

* f arinosum
Forsterianum
grandifolium

* hispanicum
hispidum
ibericum
involucratum
Jacquini

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

315

S. libanoticum

S. reflexum

littoreum

* sexangulare

*Lydium

* sexfidum

*Maximowiczii

spatliulif oli um

Middendorfianum

* speciosum

maximum

stellatum

*monregalense
*multiceps

Stephani
telepliioides

neglectum

Telephium

ocliroleucum

teretifolium

orientale

ternatum

pallens

triangulare

*pallidum

* Verloti

Pittoni

villosum

pruinosum

virens

pulchrum Wallichianum

SELAGINELLA— A few graceful
mossy kinds of this large family of
trailing plants are valuable for cloth-
ing shady spots in the rock-garden.
These kinds are S. denticulate/,, S.
helvetica, and S. rupestris, plants of
a delicate green, mossy growth. S.
Kraussiana, generally known in plant-
houses as S. denticulata, is also hardy
in many places, and in Ireland grows
and thrives better than any of the
kinds mentioned. All these plants
require a well-drained peaty soil and
shaded and sheltered place.

SEMPERVIVUM (Houseleek).—
Dwarf perennial succulent plants of
striking form and variety, inhabiting,
like the Stonecrops, hot sandy and
rocky places. They are very useful
for the rock-garden, and of the easiest
culture and increase. Some are
beautiful in flower, but perhaps their
best quality for the rock-garden is to
give us dwarf relief in pretty greens
and greys at all times. The late Mi-
Jordan in his very interesting garden
at Lyons accumulated an immense
number of forms of the various species
from many localities, but from the
point of view of the rock-garden a
few types of this family will give us
all the effect we can desire. Much

the best way, however, is to increase
the kinds that strike us as most pleas-
ing in colour for our purpose. Of all
plants they are perhaps the most easy
to cultivate and increase, growing in
any soil, the poorer the better perhaps
and bearing division at any time.
The little offsets will grow freely.
Apart from all cultivation and increase,
however, we should consider in this,
as in so many other cases, the stature
of the plants, and only associate them
with dwarf plants, and give them full
exposure in open sunny places. These
are among the plants which grow on
the surface of the stone itself, as we
see the common kind grow on the
roofs of sheds and houses. The others
may also be established by putting a
piece of stiff clay moistened and
dabbed in the face of the stone
pressing in the little offshoots of the
Stonecrop, which will soon take hold
and find their own living on the faces
of stones.

Sempervivrun arachnoideum (Cobweb
Houseleek). — One of the most singular of
alpine plants, its tiny rosettes of fleshy
leaves being covered at the top with a
thick white down. Widely distributed
over the Alps and Pyrenees, this plant is
quite hardy in our gardens; thriving in
sunny arid spots, forming sheets of
whitish rosettes, which look as if fine-
spinning spiders had been at work upon
them, and sending up rose-coloured flowers
in summer. About London it sometimes
suffers from the sparrows plundering
the "down." It is easily increased by
division, and thrives in sandy loam.

S. ciliatum (Fringed Houseleek). — The
margins of the leaves of this species are
edged with transparent hair-like bodies,
the leaves are barred lengthways with
brown and deep-green stripes, flowers
freely in summer, in close corymbs of
many fine yellow flowers, each scarcely
J inch across. It ought to be placed in
some dry spot under a ledge of rock, and
might be tried with advantage on the

316

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

top of an old wall. A native of the
Canary islands ; easily increased by
division or cuttings.

Sempervivum montanum (Mountain
Houseleek). — A dark-green kind, smaller
than the common Houseleek, with an
almost geometrical arrangement of leaves,
forming neat rosettes, from which spring
dull rosy flowers in summer ; grows in
any soil, is easily propagated. When
masses of it are in flower, they are
visited by great numbers of bees. Alps.

S. sobolifemm (Hen-and- Chicken House-
leek). — Growingin dense tufts, and throwing
off little round offsets so freely that these
are pushed clear above the tufts, and lie
rootless, small, brownish-green balls on
the surface. The full-grown rosettes are
of a light-green, and of a chocolate-brown
at the tips of the under side of the leaves,
for nearly one-third of their length. The
small leaves of the young rosettes all
turning inward, they appear of a purplish-
brown colour. The rosettes are usually
not more than 14 inch in diameter,
but I have seen them in France more
than 3 inches ; however, whether they
were the rosettes of a form larger naturally
than the common one, or the result of a
higher culture, I cannot say. The plant
is well suited for forming wide tufts
on banks beneath the eye. It grows
freely in any soil.

S. tectomm (Common Houseleek). — A
native of rocky places, in the mountain
ranges of Europe and Asia, and which,
having been cultivated for ages on house-
tops and old walls, is well known. It is
needless to describe the culture of a plant
which thrives on bare stones, slates, and
in the most arid places. It varies some-
what, a glaucous form called rusticum
being one of the most distinct.

S. calcareum (Glaucous Houseleek}. —
The Sempervivum now common in cultiva-
tion, under the garden name of S.
californicum, is really only the French
S. calcareum, and no finer Houseleek
has been introduced. Planted singly, the
rosettes attain a diameter of nearly 6
inches, and as the leaves are of a
glaucous tone, distinctly tipped at the
points with chocolate, it is useful. It is
admirable for the rock-garden, is easily

increased by division, and thrives in any
soil.

In addition to the preceding, which
are among the most distinct Houseleeks,
there are a great number of species, or so-
called species, wild in Europe, which are
cultivated in Botanic Gardens. In the
following list the more ornamental kinds
are marked with an asterisk.

acuminatum

* anomalum

* arenarium
assimile
Braunii
canescens
Cotyledon
dioicum

* Funckii

* glaucum

* globif erum
grandiflorum

*Heuffelli

juratum
Mettenianum
molle
Neilreichii

* pilif erum
Pomelli

* Requieni
ruthenicum

* sedif orme
stenopetalum
urbicum
velutinum
villosum

The under-mentioned kinds I first saw
in cultivation in the Jardin des Plantes,
at Paris. They are mostly sorts desirable
for cultivation.

fimbriatum

* Pseudo-arachnoi-

deum
Schleani

* Verloti
violaceum

aflme
albidum
barbatulum
* Boutignianum
Comollii
Dcellianum
Fauconetti

SENECIO (Ragwort). — An immense
family of groundsel-like plants, many
of them far too large for our purpose ;
but some dwarf, silvery, and pretty, as
rock-garden plants. There are nearly
a thousand kinds, a number of which
are not introduced. Any of the dwarf
grey kinds may be used with good
effect on the rock-garden.

Senecio argenteus (Silvery Groundsel).
— A sturdy, minute, hoary plant ; the
leaves quite silvery. The plant is not
more than 2 inches high ; it withstands
any weather, and will live everywhere
in sandy soil in well-drained borders.

S. unifloms (One-flowered Groundsel). —
A silvery species, growing little more
than an inch high, but scarcely equal to

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

317

the preceding, and not so easily grown.
The flowers are poor, and should be
removed, as tending to weaken the plant.
A native of Switzerland, and perfectly
hardy. S. incanus is another pretty
dwarf alpine kind, and there is also jS.
alpinus and S. carniolicus of like use and
culture. Increased by seed and division.

SHEFFIELDIA REPENS.— A

hardy little New Zealand creeper, with
small leaves, small slender stems, and
tiny white flowers in summer. It is
interesting for the rock-garden, _ and
grows in any good well-drained soil.

SHORTIA. — S. galacifolia is an
interesting and beautiful plant. First
discovered over a hundred years ago
by Michaux in the mountains of
North Carolina, and rediscovered in
1877, it was found growing with
Galax apliylla, and forms runners like
that plant, being propagated by this
means. The plant is of tufted habit,
the flowers reminding one of those of a
Soldanetta, but large, with cut edges to
the segments, like a frill, so to say, and
pure white, passing to rose as they
get older. There is much beauty,
too, in the leaves, which are of rather
oval shape, deep green tinged with
brownish-crimson, changing in winter
to quite a crimson, when it forms a
bright bit of colour in the rock-garden.
A correspondent writing in the Garden
says : " The cultural directions given
in Catalogues to keep the plant in a
shady situation and grow it in sphag-
num and peat, deprive us of its chief
charm — i.e. the handsome-coloured
leaves during the winter and spring
months. Instead of choosing a shady
spot I selected a fully exposed one,
and here two plants have been for
over a year, one in peat and the other
in sandy loam. Both are vigorous."
It succeeds well in various soils as
described, and is hardy. N. America.

SIBTHORPIA (Cornish Moneywort).
— S. europcea is a little native creep-
ing plant, with slender stems and
small round leaves. In summer it
forms a dense carpet on moist soil,
and should always be grown in the
bog-garden. The variegated form is
more delicate than the wild plant,
and rarely succeeds in the open air.

SILENE (Catchfly).— Tufted alpine
herbs, or herbaceous plants, of the
Pink order, often of much beauty,
and not difficult to grow.

Silene acaulis (Cushion Pink). — Tufted
into dwarf light-green masses like a wide-
spreading moss, but quite firm, this plant
defies the storms, snows, and Arctic cold
of numerous mountain climes in northern
regions of the globe, from the White
Mountains of New Hampshire to the
Pyrenees, covering the most dreary
positions with glistening verdure. In
summer it becomes a mass of pink-rose
flowers barely peeping above the leaves,
and making lovely carpets where all else
is branded with desolation. Many places
on the mountains of Scotland, Northern
Ireland, North Wales, and the mountains
in the Lake District of England, are
sheeted with its firm flat tufts, often
several feet in diameter. This plant is
indispensable for our purpose, and those
who can, would do well to transfer
patches from the mountains to humid
but sunny slopes on the rock-garden r
in peaty or sandy soil. It is, however,
not a slow grower, and is easily increased
by division. There are several varieties :
alba, the white one ; exscapa, with the
flower-stems even less developed than in
the usual form, and muscoides, dwarfer
still ; but none of them are far removed
from the wild plant.

S. alpestris (Alpine Catchfly).—Tl\is has
beauty of bloom, perfect hardiness, dwarf
and compact habit, growing only from
4 to 6 inches high, and a constitution
that enables it to nourish in any soil.
It flowers in May, the flowers being of a
polished whiteness, with the petals
notched, and abundantly produced over

318

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

the shining green masses of leaves. Like
most high - mountain plants, it should
have perfect exposure to the full sun ;
it should never be elevated amongst burrs
or stones in such a position that a dry
wind may parch the life out of the tiny
roots, so unwisely cut off from the moist
«arth. I once regretted to see a colony of
.ants take up their abode under a tuft of
this plant, and begin to raise the soil
.amongst its tiny leaves ; but as the ants
built their hill, the plant expanded its
leaves, and finally grew to be a little
mound of starry snow. Alps of Europe ;
readily increased by seed or by division.

Silene Elisabethse (Elizabeth's Catchfly).
— A remarkably distinct and rare alpine
plant, the flowers looking more like those
of some handsome but diminutive Clarkia
than those of a Catchfly. They are large,
of a bright rose colour, and with the base of
the petals white, from one to seven being
borne on stems 3 or 4 inches high. It is
rare in a wild state, occurring in the
Tyrol and Italy, where I had the pleasure
of gathering it on Monte Campione, grow-
ing amidst shattered fragments of rock,
•and in one case in a flaky rock without
any soil. It grows freely enough in
.sandy soil in a warm nook, as I observed
in M. Boissier's garden, in Switzerland.
Flowers in summer, rather late, by seeds.

S. maritima (Sea Catchfly).— A British
plant, not uncommon on sand, shingle, or
rocks by the sea, or on wet rocks on
mountains, forming carpets of smooth
glaucous leaves, from which spring gener-
ally solitary flowers about an inch across,
.and white, with purple inflated calyces.
The handsome double variety of this
plant, S. maritima fl. pi, is well worthy
of culture, not only for its flowers but for
the dense, sea-green spreading carpet of
leaves which it forms, and which make it
particularly suitable for the margins of
raised borders, for hanging over the
faces of stones. The flowers appear in
June, and, in the case of the double
variety, rarely rise more than a couple
of inches above the leaves, which form a
turf about 2 inches deep.

S. Pennsylvanica (Wild Pink).— The
wild Pink of the Americans is a dwarf
and handsome plant, with nearly smooth

root-leaves, forming dense patches, and
with clusters of six or eight purplish-rose
flowers, about an inch across, notched,
and borne on stems from 4 to 7 inches
high, somewhat sticky, and hairy. A
native of many parts of North America,
in sandy, rocky, or gravelly places
flowering from April to June, and very
freely in deep sandy soil.

Silene pumilio (Pigmy Catchfly}.— An
interesting kind from the Tyrol, resem-
bling the Cushion Pink of our own moun-
tains in its dwarf firm tufts of shining
green leaves, which are, however, a little
more succulent and obtuse, and bearing
much larger and handsomer rose-coloured
flowers, rising taller than those of Silene
acaulis, and yet scarcely more than an
inch above the flat mass of leaves, so that
the whole plant seldom attains a height
of more than between 2 and 3 inches.
It should be planted in deep sandy loam,
on a well-drained and exposed spot,
sufficiently moist in summer, facing the
south, a few stones being placed round
the neck of the young plant to keep it
firm and prevent evaporation.

S. schafta (Late Catchfly}.— A much
branched plant, not compressed into hard
cushions like the alpine, stemless, or
dwarf Silenes, forming very neat tufts,
from 4 to 6 inches high, and covered with
large purplish-rose flowers from July to
September, and even later. It comes
from the Caucasus, is quite hardy, and
a fine plant for almost any position. In
planting it, it may be as well to bear in
mind its late-flowering habit. Seed or
division of established tufts.

S. virginica (Fire Pink).— A brilliant
perennial, with flowers of the brightest
scarlet, nearly 2 inches across, somewhat
straggling in habit, hardy and perennial,
and the colour as fine as that of the
scarlet Lobelia. A native of America,
increased by seeds and division, growing
from 1 to 2 feet high, and therefore most
suited for association with the Aquilegias
and taller alpine plants.

Having in cultivation such brilliant
and distinct plants as the preceding
Catchflies, we must consider Silene Zawad-
skii, dwarf and with white flowers, the
diminutive soft-tufted S. quadridentata

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

319

(for which S. alpestris is often mistaken),
the woody S. arborescens, a dwarf,
shrubby, evergreen species, with rose-
coloured flowers, and the dirty -white
S. Saxifraga — only worthy of a place
in very large collections or in Botanic
Gardens. S. rupestris, a sparkling-
looking, dwarf, white species, little more
than 3 inches high when in bloom, and
reminding one or a dwarf S. alpestris, is
better worthy of a place.

SISYRINCHIUM (Satin Flower) -
Iris-like plants, few species of which
are worthy of culture on the rock-
garden. 8. grandiflorum is a beautiful
perennial, flowering in early spring,
with grass-like foliage and flowers
borne on slender stems 6 to 12 inches
high, bell-shaped and drooping, a rich
purple and a transparent white in
the variety album. Both are grace-
ful, thriving in sandy peat. Division.
North- West America.

SKIMMIA. — Handsome dwarf ever-
green shrubs, and among the best for
the rock-garden worth cultivating are
S. japonica, and S. Fortunei.

The plant, known in gardens as
S. japonica, is not Japanese at all,
but a native of China. Mr Fortune
met with it in 1848 in a garden at
Shanghai, the Nurseryman from whom
he obtained it informing him that the
plant was brought from a high
mountain in the interior, called Wang
Shang. Of all the plants Fortune
sent home only one reached England
alive. The proper name of this species
is Skimmia Fortunei. The true S.
japoniea is a Japanese plant, and did
not find its way into British gardens
for some years after S. Fortunei.

The Skimmias thrive under very
varied conditions as regards soil, I
have seen them thrive splendidly in
strong clay, and also in poor sandy
soil and peat.

SMILAX (Green - Brier). — These
handsome, evergreen, and neglected
trailing shrubs, should have a place
in gardens. They are natives of South
Europe, North Africa, and North
America, some hardy enough for our
country, but rarely planted, and yet,
I think, very suitable for the more
bushy parts of the rock-garden. For
a description of the species see in
the " English Flower Garden " an
article by Mr Lynch, of the Cambridge
Botanic Gardens, in the dry soil of
which these plants are grown well.

SOLDANELLA— Modest and re-
fined true alpine plants that live near
the snow-line on many of the great
mountain-chains of Europe — not bril-
liant, but withal beautiful, in pale-
bluish bell-shaped flowers, cut into
narrow, linear strips, and springing
from a dwarf carpet of leathery,
shining, roundish leaves. If sound
young plants are placed out of doors
in a little bed of deep and very sandy
loam, they will succeed, especially in
moist districts, and in dry ones it
will be easy to prevent evaporation by
covering the ground near the plants
with some cocoa-fibre mixed with sand
to give it weight. I have seen a
carpet, several feet square, of these
plants growing on a bed of fine moist
sandy earth on a flat spot in a rock-
garden, in this country, and none I
saw in the Alps equalled it in luxuri-
ance. The best place for the plants is
a level spot on the rock-garden near
the eye.

They are readily increased by
division, though, as they are starved
too often from confinement in small
worm-defiled pots, they are rarely
strong enough to be pulled in pieces.
The smaller kinds will thrive under
the same conditions, but require more

320

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

care in planting, and should be
associated with the most minute alpine
plants, in a mixture of peat and good
loam, with plenty of sharp sand, and
get abundance of water in summer,
especially in dry districts.

According to Mr H. Correvon, who
knows these plants well, writing in the
Garden, there are five wild and two
hybrid kinds, natives of the mountain
chains of Middle and South Europe,
Jura, Pyrenees, Apennines, Tyrol,
Transylvania, Carpathians.

Soldanella Alpina known by its rent-
form, entire leaves, very sparsely toothed,
with two ear-like drooping lobes at the
base, and by its flower-stem of a height of
3 inches to 5| inches ; the pedicels are
a little roughened by the presence of sessile
glands ; the scales of the corolla (abortive
stamens alternating with the lobes of the
corolla) are attached to the filaments.
Alps and Pyrenees.

S. montana. — In this species the leaves
are rounded instead of being kidney-
shaped, more or less crenate, the under-
side often of a strong purple colour ; the
flower- stem has a height of 12 inches to
14 inches ; the scales of the corolla are
free ; the leaves are indented, and with
untoothed lobes ; the pedicel, calyx, and
petiole bear with glandular hairs.

S. pyrolaefolia.— Leaves orbicular, thick,
and bright green ; undersides strongly
ribbed and regularly pitted above ; flower-
stem very long, glandular at the base.
Easter Alps.

S. pusilla. — Plant very small, leaves
minute, very slightly crenate, and a little
pitted towards their base ; flower-stalk 3
inches to 6 inches high, set with small
glands ; flower solitary, corolla narrow,
long-shaped, reddish-violet, fringed for
nearly one-third of the length. Alps
and Carpathians on granite. Syn., S.
Clusii.

S. minima. — The smallest kind, lili-
putian ; leaves very small, quite round,
and never indented at the base ; flower-
stems from 3J inches to 4 inches high,
slightly downy, one-flowered ; lilac- white,
with fringing barely a quarter of the

[PART II.

length. Limestone Alps of Switzerland
and Austria.

Soldanella Gauderi is intermediate be-
tween S. alpina and 8. minima, but rather
nearer the former ; and 8. hybrida. Syn.,
Media, is half-way between S. alpina and
S.

SPARTIUM JUNCEUM (Rush, or
Spanish Broom). — A handsome flower-
ing shrub, valuable on account of its
blooming in July and August, when
shrubs are usually flowerless. It is
8 or 10 feet high, and its Rush-like
shoots have so few leaves as to appear
leafless. It bears erect clusters of
fragrant bright yellow flowers, shaped
like Pea-blossoms. It is hardy, and is
useful for dry, poor soils, railway
banks, or dry rocky places. I have
naturalised it abundantly on very
rocky and shaly railway banks, by
merely throwing the seed down the
bank. South Europe.

SPIGELIA MARILANDICA

(Wormgrass). — A distinct and beauti-
ful plant; the flowers Ij inch long,
crimson outside and yellow within,
from three to eight borne on a stem
from 6 to 15 inches high, and as,
when the plant is well grown, these
stems come up very thickly and form
close erect tufts, the effect, when in
bloom, is brilliant. A native of rich
woods in North America, from Penn-
sylvania to Florida and Mississippi,
flowering in summer, and increased
by careful division of the root. I
have not seen it grown to perfection
except in deep and moist sandy
peat.

SPIREA (Meadow Sweet). — Some
of the smaller of these handsome
shrubs may well find a place in our
bushy rock-garden, taking the dwarfest
and neatest kinds, such as bumalda,
Thurnbergi, Bella japonica, also S.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

321

pectinata, which Mr A. K. Bulley
describes as follows :

"At first sight this plant would be
mistaken for a mossy Saxifrage. The
tufts of bright green foliage are not
more than 3 inches in height; the
flowers, borne on numerous short
spikes, are of a soft cream colour."

STATICE (Sea Lavender).— Plants
of the Leadwort or Plumbago family,
all dwarf perennials or annuals, chiefly
natives of sea-shores and mountains.
Most of them bear twiggy flower-stems,
and bear myriads of small flowers, which
are, for the most part, membraneous,
and long retain their colour after
being cut. The larger species require
least care when in open places in
sandy soil, while some of them are
admirable for the rock-garden. The
best of the larger kinds are S.
Limonium, of which there are several
varieties; S. latifolia, with wide-
spreading flower-stems with many
small purplish-blue flowers; and S.
tartariea, a dwarfer species, with
distinct red flowers. The smaller
species, such as S. minuta, S.
minutiflora, S. caspia, S. eximia, are
good rock-plants.

STERNBERGIA (Winter Daffodil).
— Bulbous plants of distinct beauty
especially for the garden in autumn.

The species, as described and
arranged by Mr Baker, are as
follows : —

Sternbergia colchiciflora, as possessing
delicious fragrance, and perfuming the fields
of the Crimea, and about the Bosphorus.
The leaves are narrow, and appear with
the fruit in spring. The flowers appear
in autumn, and are nearly li inch long,
pale or sulphur-yellow. It is found on dry
exposed positions on the Caucasian
Mountains, Crimea, and is hardy in this
country, treated in the same way as S.
lutea. S. dalmatica and S. pulchella are
varieties.

Sternbergia clusiana (Ker, not
Boissier). — Narcissus persicus (Clusius),
Amaryllis citrina, A. colchiciflora^ S.
cetnensis and S. Schuberti are synonyms.

S. Fischeriana is nearly allied, and has
the habit of S. lutea, from which it differs
chiefly in flowering in spring instead of
autumn. It is a native of the Caucasus,
hardy in this country.

S. lutea. — This is the autumn or winter
Daffodil (Narcissus autumnalis major) of
Parkinson. A plant that flowers freely in
autumn ; where not disturbed often effec-
tive in its sheets of yellow bloom. S. lutea
has five or six leaves, each about £ inch
broad, about a foot long, and produced
at the same time as the flowers in autumn
and winter, and is supposed by some
writers to be the Lily of Scripture, as it
grows in Palestine. A colony of it on the
warm side of a rock is worth having, and
when the plant is at rest in the summer,
the ground might be covered with stone-
crops.

S. angustifolia. — Appears to be merely
a narrow-leaved form of S. lutea. It is
very free-flowering, and grows rather more
freely than S. lutea.

S. graeca. — From the mountains of
Greece ; has very narrow leaves and broad
perianth segments.

S. sicula. — Is a form with narrower
leaves and segments than the type, while
the Cretan variety has considerably larger
flowers.

S. macrantha. — This, introduced by
Mr Whittall from the mountains of
Smyrna, is a handsome species. The
leaves are blunt, and slightly glaucous,
about an inch broad when fully developed
about midsummer, flowers bright yellow,
in autumn. A native of Palestine and
Asia Minor.

STYLOPHORUM (Celandine Poppy).
— S. diphyllum is a handsome Poppy-
wort, resembling Celandine, but is .a
finer plant. Its foliage is greyish, and
it has large yellow flowers in early
summer. A plant of easy culture, 1 to
2 feet high. N. America. Syn., S.
japonicum.

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ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

SWERTIAPERENNIS (Fellorwort).
— A curious perennial, with slender
stems, 1 to 2 feet high, and erect
spikes of flowers, greyish - purple
spotted with black, in summer. It is
interesting for the bog-garden, or for
moist spots near the rock-garden.
Seed or division.

SYMPHYANDRA. — Campanula-
like plants, S. pendula being a showy
perennial from the rocky parts of the
Caucasus, with branched pendulous
stems and large cream-coloured bell-
like flowers, almost hidden in the
leaves. It is hardy, and rarely more
than 1 foot in height is best seen
about the level of the eye in the rock-
garden. The Austrian S. Wanneri
rarely exceeds a foot in height, with
deep mauve flowers borne freely on
branching racemes, preferring a light,
rich soil, and a half-shady place. Seed.

TCHIHATCHEWIA— This beauti-
ful alpine plant, T. isatidea, is a native
of Asia Minor, hardy, and not
particular as to soil, preferring to
grow among rocks. From a tuft of
oblong leaves, formed in the first year,
appear the flowers in the second year ;
the leaves dark green, with shining
silky hairs, from amongst which rises
the thick flower-stalk of Syringa-like
bright rosy lilac flowers, fragrant like
vanilla. The bunch is over a foot
across, and is in great beauty through-
out the month of May.

TEUCRIUM MARUM (Cat Thyme).
— I should no more have included this
in the present selection than the Oak,
previous to one afternoon in July
1868. On a dry old wall in one of
the islands on Lago Maggiore, I
noticed a mass of lilac flowers, on a
plant which, from the profusion of
bloom, appeared to be a dwarf heath ;

but was only our old friend the Cat
Thyme, that, flowerless and neglected,
used occasionally to be seen in old
greenhouses. Here it had become
a mass of flowers. This suggested to
me that its true home was not in the
greenhouse, but on some dry old sunny
wall, or in a chalk pit or very dry spot
on the southern face of a rock-garden.
And, indeed, the wall would seem to
be the only way of preserving it from
cats, for they are desperately fond of
it. A native of Spain; readily in-
creased by cuttings.

Teucrium polium (Poly Germander},
with silvery foliage, is also worth growing,
and perhaps others, but they are southern
rather than northern plants.

THALICTRUM (Meadow Rue).—
Usually vigorous hardy perennials, a
few of which are good in the rock-
garden, not so much for their flowers as
for the effect of their fern -like leaves.

Thalictrum anemonoides (Rue Ane-
mone).— A delicate, diminutive species, with
the habit and f rondescence of Isopyrum, the
inflorescence of Anemone, and the fruit of
Thalictrum. These qualities, in addition to
its dwarf stature, usually only a few inches
high, make it a plant for the rock-garden.
The flowers are white, nearly an inch in
diameter, open in April and May, the
flower-stem bearing a few leaves near the
summit, in the form of a whorl round the
flowers. A native of many parts of IS.
America, increased by seed or by the division
of its tuberous roots. There is a pretty
double variety, T. anemonoides fl. pi., with
smaller flowers than those of the single
one. Being small and fragile in its parts,
it requires a little care, a light, peaty, and
moist soil, and to be associated with
other delicate growers. Syn., Anemone
thalictroides.

T. minus (Maidenhair Meadow Rue). —
A native of Britain, but also found on
the Continent and in Russian Asia. By
pinching off the inconspicuous blooms that
appear in summer, the plant can be made
to resemble, in outline, the Maidenhair

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

323

Fern. And the finely-cut leaves are as
good for mingling with cut flowers, and
better in one respect, as they are of a
pretty firm consistency, and do not fade
quickly, like those of the Fern. It will
thrive in any soil, and requires no trouble
whatever after planting.

Thalictrum adiantifolium — Is pro-
bably a variety of this plant, and of like
use.

T. alpinum (Alpine Meadow Rue}.— A.
species with few flowers and four purplish
sepals. The plant is rarely more than
8 inches or 10 inches high, and has the
same use for the rock-garden. Native of
Britain, and N. America.

T. tuberosum (Tuberous Meadow Rue).
— This is about 9 inches high, and besides
the usually graceful foliage which we find
in all the dwarf forms of the genus, we
have, in this instance, an additional beauty
in the abundant mass of yellowish cream-
coloured flowers which this plant pro-
duces. It is quite hardy, and thrives in
deep peat soil. Spain.

THLASPI LATIFOLIUM (Showy
Bastard Cress). — A dwarf, strong-
growing plant, with large indented
root-leaves and corymbs of pretty
white flowers, somewhat like those of
Arabis albida, but a little larger, and
of a paper-white ; early in March. It is
worth growing with the earlier and
more vigorous spring flowers, comes
from the Caucasian mountains, and is
easily increased by division. A few
other kinds are worth a place — T.
rotundifolium and T. violascens, of easy
culture in moist spots.

THYMUS (Thyme).— Dwarf, tufted
perennials on mountains and open
heaths, not showy in flower, but charm-
ing from their close, turfy growth and
pleasant odour, often neglected, I
think, for more showy things. Their
easy culture, and the pretty little
carpets they form, make them much
valued in the rock-garden. Our
native Wild Thyme and its varieties

are as pretty as any other. Division
in autumn or early spring.

Thymus lanuginosus (Downy Thyme). —
This is usually considered a woolly variety
of T. Serpyllum, our common British
Thyme, but given the same conditions, it
is a better plant, forming cushions of grey
leaves in any soil exposed to the sun.
Few plants are more suited for such
places, in which many other plants will
not thrive, though it spreads so quickly
into wide dense cushions that it ought
not to be near very minute alpine plants.
Various other kinds of Thyme are worthy
of a place on the dry arid slopes of the
large rock-garden and on walls, but space
forbids any more than the enumeration
of them here. There is a variegated
form of the common garden Thyme (T.
vulgaris\ which makes a pretty tufted
bush, and many plants sold as alpine
plants have not half the merits of the
Lemon Thyme as rock-plants. Other
species in cultivation are — T. azoricus,
azureus, bracteosusi Zygis^ thuriferus,
carmosus, micaus, nummularius, rotundi-
folius chamcedrys, and villosus, most of
which are of easy culture and increase in
poor soil. The white and highly coloured
forms of our common Thyme are good
rock or wall-plants.

TIARELLA CORDIFOLIA (Foam-
Flower). — A dwarf perennial plant of
some beauty, both of leaf and flower ;
the little starry flowers creamy white,
the buds tinged with pink, a mass of
the white flowers seen a few yards off
resembling a wreath of foam. The
young leaves are of a tender green,
spotted and veined deep red, while
the older ones at the base of the plant
are of a rich red-bronze. "Whether
planted in rock-garden or border, it is
beautiful, and needs only division
every two years, the plants being at
their best the second year.

TRIENTALIS EUROP(EUS (Star-
flower). — A graceful perennial, living
in woody and mossy places, with
erect slender stems, rarely more than

324

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

6 inches high, bearing a whorl of
leaves, from the centre of which arise
from one to four slender flower-stems,
each supporting a star-shaped white
or pink-tipped flower. A native of
Northern and Arctic Asia, America
and Europe, and found in the Scotch
Highlands and North of England.
With healthy well-rooted plants to
begin with, it is not difficult to
establish among bog shrubs in some
half- shady part of the rock-garden, or
in the shade of Rhododendrons, in
peat soil. It is best for association
with Linncea, the Pyrolas, and
Pinguiculas, among mossy rocks.
Flowers in early summer, and is
increased by division of the creeping
root-stocks.

TRIFOLIUM t (Clover}. — Notwith-
standing the immense number of
kinds, there are but few, excepting
the alpine Trifolium, that are of
consequence for the rock-garden ; and
there are so many pretty plants from
the same Pea-flower order that we are
never short of a like kind of beauty.
The alpine Clover is a rather showy
plant of easy culture.

TRILLIUM (Water Robin).—
Singularly formed North American
perennial plants of value and interest
for the moist parts of the rock-garden,
and also for the marsh-garden, thriving
best in rich and moist sandy soil or
peat, or, if in loam, with added leaf
soil. They are natives of moist woods
and thickets, and, therefore, if we wish
to see them at their best, partial shade
is a help, but they should not be
robbed by hungry shrubbery roots.

Trillium grandiflorum (White Wood
Lily). — One of the mostsingularand beauti-

lovely, white, three-petalled flower, fairer
than the white Lily, and almost as large
when the plant is strong. It thrives in
a free deep soil, full of vegetable matter,
and a shady position. If placed in a
sunny or exposed position, the large soft
green leaves will not develop. At
Biddulph Grange I saw it forming bushes
of the healthiest green, more than 2 feet
high, and spreading out as freely as any
border-plant. It was planted in a moist
spot, shaded and sheltered by high banks
and shrubs. In such positions it may be
grown as well as in its native woods.

Trillium erectum is a curious species,
with broad leaves 2 to 6 inches wide, and
brown-purple or white flowers. It is also
found in East Siberia, and is nearly
allied to the plant found in Japan, if not
identical with it. It is figured in
Salisbury's "Paradisus," t. 35, as T.
fatidum. Flowers in May and June, and
is found from Canada to North Carolina.

T. erythrocarpum is a shy flowerer, and
not easy to keep in health. It is called
the Painted Lady, and surpasses all the
others in the beauty of its flowers, which
are white, with bright purple streaks.
The flowers are, however, small, appearing
in May and June. Georgia, on high
mountains, or in cold damp woods.

T. pusillum, recurvatum, stylosum,
nivale, ovatum, petiolatum, and undu-
latum are rare in gardens, and more
worth growing. T. sessile, with brown
flowers and mottled leaves, is best known
through the variety Californicum, which
has large rose-coloured or white flowers,
and is a useful, easily grown plant.

TROLLIUS (Globe Floiver).—Stont
and handsome perennials, inhabiting
alpine and northern pastures.

Although plants of the semi-marshy
sub-alpine pastures and copses, they
will thrive in exposure if kept moist at
the roots, — that is to say, planted in a
deep, rich soil, as then the roots are less
affected by drought. The best time to
propagate the Globe-flower is in
September, when the roots may be lifted
and divided to almost any extent. If

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

325

left, as is often the case, until the
end of March, they are almost sure
to suffer. They may also be propa-
gated by seeds, which should be sown
quickly, as if kept for any length of time
the germination becomes uncertain.
If liberally treated, the seedlings will
flower the second year, attaining their
full strength during the third and
fourth years.

They are too vigorous in growth to
go with the dwarfer rock-plants, but
if we grow the mountain shrubs in
association with the rock-plants, then
such handsome plants may be grown
between them with good effect.

Trollius acaulis. — Anativeof thehigher
Himalayas, and one of the most charming
of dwarf bog-plants, rarely exceeding 4 to
6 inches in height, bearing in early April
its bright golden-yellow flowers, suffused
with purple-brown on the outside. It is
hardy, and will be found useful for the
moist spots of the rock-garden, in moist
peat.

T. Asiaticus, which also includes
chinensis, Fortunei, and other forms, has
deep, orange-yellow flowers, and bright,
orange-red anthers. It has a wide
distribution both in China and Japan,
and is hardy even in exposed positions.
It differs from the European Globe-flower
chiefly in the flowers being orange, and
less globular, and in the small and finely-
divided foliage, and taller growth. This,
and its varieties, form a valuable group,
and when grown in moist places bear
brilliant orange flowers.

T. Europaeus is an extremely variable
plant, and so widely spread that almost
every locality has its particular form.
Raised from seed, it also gives much
variety, particularly in habit, and often
in flowers and foliage. Many of the
names in Catalogues are for slight forms
of this. Some few of these, of course, are
distinct varieties, such as T. e. aurantiacus.
It is, like its parent, of strong constitution,
flowers freely, and bears its flower-stems
well above the handsome foliage.

The known species of Trollius, ac-
cording to the "Hortus Kewensis," are

T. altaicus, americanus, asiaticus, caucasicus,
dschungaricus, emarginatus, europceus, Lede-
bouri (this has pale yellow flowers, and
is a strong grower), and patulus,
but whatever differences these may show
botanically, a few species give us the best
effects of the plants.

TROP^OLUM (Indian Cress').— A
few of these tuberous and fragile
climbers of great beauty may well
take a place among the shrubs near
the rock-garden ; their fine colour and
distinct form being most precious.
Where any shelter or background of
Holly or evergreen shrub is used,
they are admirable, planted beneath
the bushes in rather open leaf-soil,
and let alone.

Tropaeolum polyphyllum (Indian Rock-
Cress). — A distinct plant, whether in or out
of flower ; the leaves glaucous, densely
crowded on a stem a quarter of an inch
thick, and when planted on a warm sunny
part of the rock-garden, the stems creep
about, snake-like, through the vegetation
around, some to 3 or 4 feet in length
bearing yellow flowers. It is tuberous-
rooted, quite hardy in dry spots and on
sunny banks, where it should not be often
disturbed ; springs up early, and dies
down at the end of summer. Cordilleras
of Chili.

T. speciosum (Flame Nasturtium). — A
splendid creeping plant, with long annual
shoots, gracefully clothed with six-lobed
leaves, and such brilliant vermilion
flowers that a long shoot of the plant is
startlingly effective. It is impossible to
find anything more worthy of a position
in which its shoots may fall over or climb
up the face of some high bank in the rock-
garden or among Hollies or other shrubs
near. It thrives in deep, rich, and rather
moist soil, best in cool places, or in those
near the sea, and not so well in a dry
atmosphere. When a position is selected
for it, the soil should be made light, and
deep, and free, by the addition of leaf-
mould, peat, fibry loam, and sand, as the
nature of the ground may require, and the
surface should be mulched in summer
with an inch or two of leaf-mould. It

326

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

will also enjoy a bed of manure beneath
the roots, and put below the soil in which
the young plants are first placed, and is
best planted in spring, the roots inserted
6 or 8 inches in the soil, and the young
plants well watered. It is best planted
where the shoots may ramble among the
spray of shrubs, or trailers ; and it is
much better to let them have their own
way, than to resort to any kind of staking
or support, except that afforded by shrubs
or low trees near. It ripens its pretty
blue seed in early autumn, and the seeds
come up the next spring, if sown in
light sandy mould in pots, and placed in
a greenhouse or pit.

Tropseolum tuberosum.— A handsome
trailing plant, but tender on cold soils,
and a shy bloomer in many places where
it has been tried. It is a tall climber with
succulent stems, leaves about 2 inches or 3
inches across, and rather small red and
orange flowers. The colour of the flowers
is beautiful, the calyx, with the exception
of the green tip of the spur, being a deep
red ; and the entire petals, which scarcely
exceed in length the lobes of the calyx,
are of a rich golden-yellow, veined with
black. Plant in warm loam on the sunny
side of a rock.

TULIPA (Tulip).— Much, attention
is now being called to these splendid
plants ; not merely old garden kinds,
but wild kinds from many countries,
including countries not far away,
as Savoy. Though they do not re-
quire rock-garden cultivation as a rule,
still, so long as kinds are new and rare,
the variety of surface and aspect of
the rock-garden will often give us a
home for them until they become
plentiful.

Tulipa celsiana (Dwarf Yellow Tulip).—
A species having slightly concave glaucous
leaves, the largest nearly an inch across,
and yellow flowers, smaller than those of
the common Tulips, and, when in clumps
and fully open, sometimes reminding one
of a yellow Crocus ; the outside of the
petals is tinted with reddish-brown and
green. It begins to flower about the first

of May, and usually attains a height
of 6 to 8 and sometimes 12 inches.
The bulbs emit stolons after flowering.
Southern Europe.

Tulipa Clusiana (Clusius's Tulip).—
Usually our Tulips are great, bold, showy
flowers, but in this species we have one,
humble in stature, and modestly pretty.
The bulbs are small, the stem reaching
from 6 to 9 inches high, seldom more,
and sometimes flowering when little more
than 3 inches high. The flower is small,
with a purplish spot at the base of each
petal ; the three outer divisions of the
petals stained with rose, the three inner
ones of a pure transparent white. A
native of the South of Europe, a little
more delicate than most of its family,
and requiring to be planted in good, light,
vegetable earth, in a warm, sheltered, and
well-drained position, to succeed to per-
fection. Although so small, it will be the
better of being planted rather deeply,
say at from 6 to 9 inches, and of being
placed in some snug spot, where it need
not be disturbed too often.

TUNICA SAXIFRAGA (Rock
Catchfly). — A small plant of the Pink
order, with narrow leaves and wiry
stems, bearing elegant rosy flowers,
small, but numerous, thriving without
particular care on most soils, and
forming tufts a few inches high. A
native of stony places on the Pyrenees
and Alps, often descending into the
low country, where I have found it on
the tops of walls. It will grow in like
positions in this country, and is a neat,
free-growing plant for the rock-garden.
It is easily raised from seed, and
thrives in poor soil.

UVULARIA. — Slender perennials
allied to the Solomon's Seal, bearing
yellow blossoms. There are four
cultivated species, U. chinensis, grandi-
flora, puberula, and sessilifolia. Of
these, U. grandiflora is the finest
plant; it attains a height of from
1 foot to 2 feet, and the numerous

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

327

slender steins form a dense tuft, the
flowers long, yellow, gracefully droop-
ing. It is a good peat border plant,
and thrives best in a moist peaty soil,
in a partially shaded place, and in the
bog-garden. It is a native of N.
America, as are all the others except
U. chinensis.

VACCINIUM VITIS-IDJEA (Red
Whortleberry) is a dwarf British
evergreen, with box-like foliage, but
of a paler green, and with clusters
of pale rose flowers, which appear in
summer, followed by berries about the
size of Red Currants, like those of the
Cranberry, on wiry stems from 3 to
9 inches high. It forms a neat little
bush in peat soil. The Marsh Cran-
berry ( V. Oxycoccos)^ a native of wet
bogs in Britain, with very slender
creeping shoots and drooping dark-
rose flowers, requiring wetter soil
than the preceding, is also worthy
of a place where bog - plants are
grown. The American Cranberry ( V.
macrocarpum\ a much larger plant,
distinguished from the preceding by
its much larger fruit, is also worthy of
a place in moist sandy peat, associated
with bog shrubs. Some of the
American kinds are too large for the
rock-garden proper, though a few may
come in well among the shrubs, among
them V. pennsyllvanicum, if only for
its fine colour in autumn.

VERONICA (Speedwell).— Herbace-
ous perennials, evergreen, alpine, rock
and half-shrubby plants. An enormous
genus of plants, many of the herbaceous
kinds of which are too large for the
rock-garden, and among the northern
kinds this leaves a limited choice.
The more beautiful of the half-shrubby
kinds come from the southern hemi-
sphere, and, unfortunately, are not
hardy everywhere, so that these are

less precious for our rock-gardens than
the northern kinds.

Veronica chamaerdys (Germander Speed-
well).— A well-known and much-admired
little native plant, with ovate, or heart-
shaped, hairy leaves, and with hairs
curiously arranged in two opposite lines
down the stem, while the other portions
are bare. The flowers are bright blue, pro-
duced in great numbers. It is abundant in
nearly all parts of Britain, and may be
allowed to crawl about here and there in the
less important parts of the rock-garden.
Easily increased by seed or division.

V. prostrata (Prostrate Speedwell). — A
dwarf spreading plant, forming dark-
green tufts, under 6 inches high, the leaves
lance-shaped or linear ; the stems covered
with a short down, forming circular tufts,
and nearly woody at the base ; flowers of
a deep blue, but varying a good deal,
there being several varieties with rose-
coloured and white blooms, appearing in
early summer, somewhat earlier than
V. Teucrium. A hardy and pretty plant,
flowering so freely that, when in full
perfection, the leaves are often quite
obscured by the flowers. A native of
France, Central and Southern Europe,
occurring on stony hills and in dry grassy
places, and, in cultivation, succeeding in
dry sandy soil, though by no means
fastidious, and easily increased by seeds
or division.

V. repens. — Clothes the soil with a
soft carpet of bright green foliage,
covered, in spring, with pale bluish
flowers. It thrives well on moderately dry
soil, but delights in moist corners of the
rock-garden, and is an admirable little
rock-plant.

V. saxatilis (Rock Speedwell). — A
brilliant, dwarf, bush-like plant, a native
of alpine rocks in various parts of Europe,
and also in a few places in the Highlands of
Scotland, forming close tufts, 6 or 8 inches
high. The flowers are a little more than
£ inch across, and of a blue, striped
with violet, with a narrow but decided
ring of crimson near the bottom of the
cup, its base being pure white ; appearing
in May and June, is increased by seed
or cuttings, grows in ordinary soil, and
should be in every rock-garden.

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

Veronica Taurica (Taurian Speedwell).
— A dwarf, wiry, and almost woody species,
forming neat dark-green tufts, under
3 inches high ; the flowers a fine gentian-
blue. Perhaps the neatest of all rock
Veronicas for forming spreading tufts in
level spots, or tufts drooping from chinks,
hardy, growing in ordinary well-drained
garden soil ; flowering in early summer,
and suitable for association with the
dwarf er alpine shrubs. Tauria ; increased
by division or by cuttings.

V. teucrium (Teucrium Speedwell). —
A continental plant, the stems forming
spreading masses from 8 inches to a foot
high, and covered with flowers of an
intense blue in early summer. The
flowers are at first in dense racemes, which
afterwards become much longer, lower
ones pointed. It is an excellent plant
for the rock-garden, easily increased by
seeds or division, and thriving in ordinary
garden soil.

V. Bidwillii, Guthriana Telephifolia,
V. Nummularia, of the Pyrenees, V.
aphylla, the neat little bushy V.fruticulosa,
V. satureifolia, and V. Candida, with
silvery-white leaves, are also worthy of a
place ; though, generally, the bloom of
the rock Speedwells is not prolonged
enough to make them of the first import-
ance in the rock-garden.

NEW ZEALAND VERONICAS.—

The dwarfer kinds of these are scarcely
so precious as the taller kinds. In
our country away from the sea-shore,
even in southern mild districts, they
are not hardy, and although they
give pretty evergreen effects in the
winter, and are distinct and often
good in habit, the flower rarely seems
worthy of the plant. In fact, in our
country they seem to be, with few
exceptions, not nearly as well fitted
for our rock-gardens as the plants of
the Alps and the Rocky Mountains of
America.

Undoubtedly, around the coasts, a
good many of the bushy New Zealand
kinds can be grown, as this coast

climate suits them well. But our
rock-gardens should be made for plants
that will stand any weather ; and
in this case we should only try the
hardier kinds, and those not much
until we have proved them. From
experiments made at the Royal
Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, in
1892, the following appeared to be
hardy species ; but it should be noted
that Edinburgh is under the sea
influence, and that its soil is perhaps
the most excellent in Britain for out-
door plants.

V. Hectori
loganioides
lycopodioides
cupressoides
Armstrongi
carnosula
pinguifolia
amplexicaulis
buxifolia

V. Godefroyana
glaucoccerulea
Colensoi
Traversi
rakaiensis
monticola
pimeleoides
linifolia
anomala

VESICARIA UTRICULATA. — A

half-bushy perennial, with large yellow
flowers, not unlike the alpine Wall-
flower, but with bladder-like pods. It
usually grows from 10 inches to a foot
high, a vigorous plant, though it
perishes in winter on cold soils. A
native of mountains in France, Italy,
and Southern Europe generally, usually
on calcareous rocks, and most likely
to flourish and endure on dry sunny
spots or on walls. It is very easily
increased from seed.

V. grceca is a handsome plant, the
flowers opening in succession. It is a
hardy evergreen perennial, a native of
Dalmatia and other places in South
Europe. Increased by cuttings placed
in soil under a hand-glass and also by
seeds.

VICIA (Vetch). — Perennial and
annual plants, several of which are
natives, and, as I think, worthy of
more care than they often get. V.

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

329

Cracca, V. Orobus, V. sylvatica, V.
Sepium, and V. argentea are among the
best. Vicias grow freely in almost any
soil, and are raised from seeds, and
increased by careful division.

Vicia argentea (Silvery Vetch) has silvery
leaves, and of prostrate habit, but without
tendrils, and rarely more than 8 inches
high, spreading about freely in light and
well-drained soil ; the rather large whitish
flowers are veined with violet in the upper,
and spotted with purple in the lower, part.
It is not a brilliant plant in flower, but
the elegant foliage makes it worthy of a
place in the rock-garden. Pyrenees, rare
in gardens ; easily increased by division
or seed.

V. onobrychus is a lovely Vetch, bearing
long and handsome racemes of flowers in
summer on the Alps of France and Italy,
and giving an effect like that of some of
the purple Australian Pea-flowers. It is
best grouped or scattered in a colony or
grassy bank in the rock-garden.

VINCA (Periwinkle).— Hardy, wiry,
trailing perennials, easily grown, free
— almost too free — but nevertheless
useful for bare banks, and welcome for
their bloom in spring.

Vinca major is useful on masses of root-
work, near cascades, etc., and also in rocky
places or banks. There is a variety
called elegantissima, finely blotched and
variegated with creamy white, and several
other variegated varieties. The lesser
Periwinkle (V. minor), a much smaller
plant, is also useful for like positions ;
there are several varieties of it well worthy
of cultivation, a white-flowered one (V.
minor alba), one with reddish flowers, one
or two double varieties, and also, as of the
larger, several variegated forms.

V. herbacea is a plant much less
frequent than the common Periwinkles,
and more worthy of culture on rocks, as
it is not rampant in habit. A native
of Hungary, flowering in spring and
early summer, the stems dying down
every year, it thrives best in an open
position.

VIOLA (Violet).— Dwarf, growing

perennials of the mountain, woodland,
and pasture, many kinds of which
are alpine flowers.

Some Violas are among the most
beautiful which bedeck the alpine
turf; and even the common Violet
may almost be claimed as an alpine
plant, for it wanders along hedge-
row and hillside, copses and thin
woods, all the way to Sweden. From
all kinds of Violas the world of wild
flowers derives a precious treasure of
beauty and delicate fragrance ; and no
family has given to our gardens any-
thing more precious than the numerous
races of Pansies, and the various large,
sweet-scented Violets. Far above the
faint blue carpets of the scentless
wild Violets in our woods and heaths,
thickets and bogs, and the miniature
Pansies that find their home among
our lowland field-weeds ; far above the
larger Pansy-like Violas (varieties of
V. luted) which flower so richly in the
mountain pastures of northern England,
and even on the tops of stone walls ;
and above the large free-growing
Violets of the American heaths and
thickets, we have true alpine Violets,
such as the yellow two-flowered Violet
( V. biflora), and the large blue Violets,
such as the V. calcarata and V. cornuta.
It would be difficult to exaggerate
the beauty of these alpine Violas.
They grow in a turf of high alpine
plants not more than an inch or so
in height. The leaves do not show
above this densely-matted turf, but
the flowers start up, waving every-
where thousands of little banners.
Violas are of the easiest culture ; even
the highest alpine kinds thrive with
little care, V. cornuta of the Pyrenees
thriving even more freely than in its
native uplands. Slow-growing compact
kinds, like the American Bird's-Foot
Violet, from their stature and their

330

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

comparative slowness of growth, are
entitled to a place in the rock-
garden.

Tufted Pansy.

Viola biflora (Two - Flowered Yellow
Violet).— This is a bright little Violet,
widely distributed. From its delicate con-
dition in gardens, few would suspect what
a lovely little ornament it is on the Alps,
in many parts of which every chink
between the moist rocks is clothed with
it. It even crawls far under the great
boulders and rocks, and lines shallow
caves with its fresh verdure and little
yellow stars. In our gardens its home
will be on the rock-garden, running about
among such plants as the yellow annual
Saxifrage, and Sandworts, in moist spots.
If obtained in a weakly condition, it may
seem difficult to establish, but this is not
by any means the case ; and once fairly
started in a moist and half-shady spot, it
soon begins to creep about, and may then
be readily increased by division.

V. calcarata (Spurred Violet). — This is
a pretty plant on the Alps, usually in
high situations, amidst dwarf flowers,
sometimes so plentiful that its large
purple flowers form sheets of colour, the
leaves being scarcely seen amidst the other
dwarf plants that form the turf. There
is a yellow variety, flava (V. Zoysii). In
some high pastures the flowers vary in
colour every step one takes, and yet every
variety in colour is delicate and lovely.
Try it among a short turf of Sandworts or
any dwarf plants. Alps.

V. cornuta (Horned Pansy). — A fine
Pyrenean Violet, with pale-blue or mauve-
coloured and sweet - scented flowers.
Generally speaking, it does poorly on dry

soils and in warm districts, and exceed-
ingly well in wet places. I have rarely
seen anything to equal its appearance in
the cold wet climate of East Lancashire,
while it looks poor indeed in many
gardens in the South. It is easily pro-
pagated by division, cuttings, or seeds.

Viola CUCUllata (Large American Violet),
bears some resemblance to the common
Violet, though without its scent. It
flowers more freely, and its foliage is bold
and sometimes variegated. It belongs to
a section which contains some good
varieties, such as V. primulwfolia, semper-
florens, blanda, obliqua, sagittata, delphini-
folia, canadensis, pubescens, striata, and
others. All these varieties are worthy of
culture in a botanical collection. N.
America.

V. gracilis is a remarkably pretty
dwarf species, never failing to produce in
spring an abundance of deep purple
blossoms in dense tufts. It is hardy in
light soil. Mount Olympus.

V. lutea (Mountain Violet). — This is
one of our native Violets classed by
Bentham as a variety of V. tricolor, but
considered distinct by other botanists, and
is distinct for garden purposes. Being
called lutea, one is surprised to find the
flowers of nearly every wild plant of it a
fine purple, with a yellow spot at the base
of the lower petal. In cultivation the
yellow form is a neat plant, rising from
2 to 6 inches high, and flowering from
April onwards, the flowers of a rich
yellow, the three lower petals striped
with thin lines of rich black.

V. munbyana. — One of the prettiest
of Violets, abundant in flower, free and
robust in growth, and quite hardy.
Generally it begins to bloom about the
end of February, but it attains its greatest
beauty in May. The deep purple-blue
flowers resemble those of V. cornuta ; and
there is also a yellow variety. Algeria.

V. Odorata (Sweet Violet).— This well-
known plant is, in a wild state, widely
spread over Europe and Russian Asia,
and common in various parts of Britain.
Its odour distinguishes it immediately
from the numerous other Violas. The
Sweet Violet and most of its varieties may
be used in many places where few things

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

331

but weeds succeed ; it will form carpets
for open groves or the fringes of woods,
or in open parts of copses, or on hedge-
banks, demanding in such positions no
care, and rewarding the planter by filling
the cold March air with sweetness ; and
in the garden, instead of confining it to a
solitary bed for cutting from, as is often
the case, it should be used on the rock-
garden, and it grows well on dry walls.

The newer seedling forms, like La
France, are so good that if used more
as carpets in the rock-garden and near, all
the better. It will grow in almost any
soil, but succeeds best in free sandy loams,
and should be put in such when there is
any choice.

The varieties of the Violet are
numerous. We have the Single White
and the Single Rose, the Double White, the
Czar, the Queen of Violets, Admiral
Avellan, La Grosse Bleue, La France,
California, Princess of Wales, Luxonne,
Belle de Chatenay, White Czar, Marie
Victoria Regina, Wellsiana, and the
perpetual blooming Violet — wMl known
in France as La Violette des Quatre
Saisons. It differs slightly from the
Sweet Violet, but is valuable for flower-
ing long and continuously in autumn,
winter, and spring. It is the variety used
by the cultivators round Paris. The
Neapolitan Violet comes from a different
and more delicate species, and its varieties
are not fitted for open-air culture, save in
very favoured districts.

Viola pedata (Bird-Foot Violet}.— The
most beautiful of the American Violets,
with handsome flowers, an inch across,
pale or deep lilac, purple or blue, the
two upper petals sometimes deep violet,
and velvety like a Pansy ; the leaves
deeply divided, like the foot of a bird, and
the plant dwarf. In a wild state it in-
habits sandy or gravelly soil in the
Northern States of America, flowering in
summer, and increased by seeds or
division. It is best adapted for the rock-
garden, where the soil is sandy and moist.

V. rothomagensis (Rouen Violet).—
A handsome plant belonging to the tri-
color group, dwarf, and with low creep-
ing stems which bear in spring numerous
purple and white blossoms. It is a free

grower, but, being a native of Sicily, is
not so hardy as some Violets, and should
be grown in a light soil and a warm spot.
Viola tricolor (Heartsease). — The com-
mon Pansy is usually included under the
head of V. tricolor, though it is more likely
to have descended from V. altaica; in
any case, from some kinds nearly allied
to that species. But the kinds are so
numerous, so varied, and, withal, so-
distinct from any really wild species of
Violet in cultivation, that little can be
traced of their origin. Of one thing we
may be certain : the parents of this

Specious race were true mountaineers,
nly alpines could give birth to such rich
and' brilliant colour and noble amplitude
of bloom, considering the size of the plant.
Its season never ends, it blooms often
cheerfully enough at Christmas, and is
sheeted with delightful gold and purple
when the Hawthorn is whitened with
blossoms. Such a flower must not be
forgotten on our rock-gardens, even though
it thrive in almost any soil and position.
It may be treated as an annual, biennial,
or perennial, according to climate, position,
and soil. Good varieties are quickly and
easily raised from seed, while the plant
may be raised freely from cuttings or by
division. Only the most delicate colours
are worthy of the rock-garden.

In addition to the Violets here described,
other species are worthy of cultivation in
large collections, for example : V. striata,
V. canadensis, V. obliqua, V. palmata,
V. blanda, V. pennata, V. palmaensis;
but most of these are all exceeded in size
and beauty of flower by those described,
and surpassed in odour by the Sweet
Violet.

Hybrids of Viola. — The common Pansy
of our gardens is a hybrid Viola. Of late
years a beautiful race of plants has been
raised by crossing this with other Violas,
giving us the plants I call Tufted Pansies,
which are of the highest value for the
rock-garden or any other flower-garden
use. The delicate colours, facility of
increase, and almost perennial character
make them more precious than the older
race of Pansies, which are rather of a
biennial character, and not easy to per-
petuate. For a full account of these

332

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

plants, see the "English Flower-
Garden."

VITTADENIA TRILOBA (New
Holland Daisy). — A pretty Australian
plant, bearing an abundance of flowers
with yellowish disks and rosy-white
rays, somewhat like those of a Daisy ;
the plant has a spreading diffuse
habit, and forms neat little bushes
about a foot high. The plant may be
raised as freely as any annual, sown
in frames or on a gentle hot-bed, in
March or early in April; when put
out in April in free sandy soil in a
sunny spot, it flowers abundantly from
early summer to late autumn. I
probably should not have mentioned
it in this book, had I not met with it
in North Italy adorning some rocks
on which it had become naturalised.
Although often treated as an annual, it
is a perennial on soils and in positions
where not destroyed by wet and frost.

WAHLENBERGIA. — Dwarf and
pretty alpine plants of the harebell
family, but a little more alpine in
nature, and perhaps a little more
difficult of cultivation, as, to succeed
well, they require some of the choicest
spots on the rock-garden. Mr F. "W.
Meyer, of Exeter, who has been very
successful with this family, writes of
them in the Garden : —

"According to my experience, none
of them succeed if planted on flat
ground, but if planted into an upright
or sloping fissure, with the roots in a
horizontal, instead of a vertical posi-
tion, success is certain, if the plants
receive an abundance of sunshine.
There are fast-growing and slow-grow-
ing varieties, but, with the exception
of planting the dwarfest kinds closer
together, I make no difference in the
treatment.

"The rock on which I grew them

best, which is facing south-east, was
composed of pieces of limestone so ar-
ranged as to leave between them long,
almost perpendicular, crevices 2 inches
or 3 inches wide, and from 2 feet to
2j feet in depth. These crevices were
filled with plenty of broken stones for
drainage, and before filling in the soil
the lowest visible or outward part of
a crevice was closed up by a small
wedge-shaped stone, held in place by
a kind of mortar made of clay and
Sphagnum Moss, mixed with a very
small quantity of soil. The small
stones, acting as drainage, would be
on a lower level and in the inside part
of the crevice. By means of more
'mortar' and more small stones, the
outside part of the fissure is now built
up to the height where it is desired
the first plant should be, and simul-
taneously the inside part of the crevice
is filled to the same height with a
mixture of loam, leaf-mould, small
broken stones (limestone), and stony
grit. The plant is then inserted with
its roots in a horizontal position, and
more of the stony soil is filled in and
rammed around and between the roots
with a small stick. On each side of
the neck of the plant a small stone
is next driven into the crevice in
such a manner as not in any way to
injure the roots, but to take the
pressure of other small stones used
for building up the front of the crevice
above the first plant, say to the height
of 10 inches or a foot in precisely the
same way as was done below the first
plant ; the second plant is then
introduced, and in the same way a
third or fourth plant may be added,
according to the height of the fissure
or the size of the plants, but care must
be taken not to use the clay mixture
as mortar above the last plant, as the
more or less impervious clay would

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

check the free access of water to the
roots. I use soil and Moss only as a
'mortar' for small stones above the
last plant. If the tiny crevices be-
tween the small stones are not filled
up, they become a harbour for slugs
and other pests."

Wahlenbergia, or any other plants

drainage are assured to the roots.
The native home of most Wahlenbergia
is in South-Eastern Europe and Asia
Minor. Syn., Edraianthus.

Wahlenbergia dalmaticus.— One of the

best, robust in growth, and the easiest to
cultivate. In planting, the plants should
be kept at least a foot apart. The large

Wahlenbergia graminifolius and W. dalmaticus in the rock-garden at
Abbotsbury, Newton Abbot. (Engraved from a photograph sent by
Mr F. W. Meyer.

requiring to be grown sideways (i.e.
with their roots in a horizontal posi-
tion), succeed remarkably well if
planted in the manner just described,
as water can never rest on the foliage
of the plants to any dangerous extent,
while free access of water and perfect

flowers form clusters or heads, each con-
sisting of from eight to twelve flowers,
of a violet-blue, and white at the base in
May and June. The height of the plant
is seldom more than 4 inches or 5 inches,
as the stout flower-stems do not stand up
erect, but lie on the ground or stones,
Dalmatia.

334

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART IT.

Wahlenbergia dinaricus.— It is one of

the smallest, and more compact than the
robust W. dalmaticus. The flowers are
nearly as large, of a more purplish shade
of colour, more bell-shaped in form, singly,
or two or three on a stem. The leaves are
very small and narrow, covered with very
minute hairs on the upper surface. May
and June.

W. pumilio. — A very small kind, the
flowers solitary and 1 inch in length, and
about | of an inch in diameter, of a
bright purplish blue. The upper surface
of the leaves is covered with minute
hairs to such an extent as to have quite
a silvery appearance, which in all plants,
as a general rule, is a sure indication of
the requirement of a sunny position.
But though the plant itself grows best
when its foliage is moderately dry, its
roots, though well drained, should never
want for moisture.

W. Kitaibeli is a robust kind. It is a
native of Bosnia, and growing about 6
inches high, the flowers large, purplish
blue.

W. serpyllifolius.— A gem for the rock-
garden, and, planted sideways into an
upright fissure, does remarkably well.
The flowers are very much like those of
W. pumilio, but of a deeper bluish shade.

W. tenuifplius. — A native of the moun-
tainous districts bordering on the Adriatic
from Trieste to Montenegro.

WALDSTEINIA FRAGARIOIDES

(Strawberry Waldsteinia). — A showy
plant from North America, with creep-
ing bright-red, hairy stems, growing
about 6 inches high, bearing in summer
bright-yellow blooms about J incb
across, and thriving in ordinary soils.
Waldsteinia trifolia (Three-Leaved W.}.
— A dwarf vigorous plant, spreading about
with stout stubby strawberry-like runners.
The trifoliate and rich yellow flowers in
April, on dwarf stems, with a dense brush
of golden stamens in the centre. A hardy
plant, good for any kind of rock or wall
gardening. Division.

WULFENIA— W. carinthiaca is a
dwarf, almost stemless, evergreen herb,

12 to 18 inches high, bearing in
summer spikes of drooping purplish-
blue flowers, and found only on one
or two mountains in Carinthia. It is
a plant for rock-gardens or borders,
thriving in a light moist sandy loam.
W. Amherstiana from the Himalayas
is similar to the Carinthian species,
but more showy and rare, and we have
seen it only in Kew Gardens. It is
hardy, grows freely in any position in
the rock-garden, but prefers a shady
spot and light rich soil.

XEROPHYLLUM ASPHODE-
LOIDES (Turkey's - Beard). — A
tuberous-rooted plant with the aspect
of an Asphodel, beautiful, forming a
spreading tuft of grassy leaves, and
bearing on a flower-stem, from 2 to 4
feet high, a raceme of numerous white
blossoms. It grows well in a moist
sandy peaty border, or in the drier
parts of the bog-garden. A common
plant in the Pine barrens in North
America.

YUCCA (Adam's Needle).— Ever-
green plants of good and distinct form,
which, although used much as lawn-
plants, are best for the rock-garden or
dry banks, coming as they do from
arid and sandy regions in North
America.

Their varieties really hardy in our
climate are Y. gloriosa,* recurva, ftla-
mentosa, flaccida. In damp localities
Yuccas are apt to form soft growths,
easily pulped by severe frosts. Planted
on dry mounds, or in sand and stones,
and lime rubble, or among sheltered
rocks by the sea, they are quite at
home, and flower well. Starvation is
the best treatment for them, especially
in cold inland places.

In the rock-garden the best way is
to keep to the dwarfer free-flowering
kinds, which have the merit also of

PART II.]

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

335

flowering annually. Their effect, even
in winter, on a knoll is good, and
there is nothing one could plant on a
dry poor bank that would be likely to
do or look as well. A little fringe of
some small-leaved Ivy surrounding
them looks well.

ZAUSCHNERIA CALIFORNIA

(Californian Fuchsia). — A distinct and
bright perennial, hardy in warm soils,

ZENOBIA— Z. speciosa is one of
the most beautiful of rock shrubs of
the Heath family, about a yard high,
with small pale green leaves. In the
variety pulverulenta, the leaves are
covered with a mealy glaucescence.
The flowers are white and wax-like, re-
sembling those of Lily of the Valley,
in summer, in loose drooping clusters.
A well-flowered plant is most charming,
and lasts for some weeks in beauty,

A group of Yuccas. (Engraved from a photograph by Mrs Henderson,
Sedgwick Park, Horsham.)

12 to 18 inches high, 'with an
abundance of bright vermilion flowers
during summer and autumn. It
thrives in sandy loam in the rock-
garden, and grows well on an old wall,
but on heavy and moist soils does not
thrive. Where any difficulty is found
in cultivating it, it will certainly
succeed in a "dry" wall.

doing best in a peaty soil or a sandy
loam. It comes from the Southern
United States, but is hardy in the
southern countries. In Nurseries it is
known as Andromeda speciosa, and
A. pulverulenta.

ZEPHYRANTHES (Zephyr Flower).
— Pretty bulbous plants requiring a

336

ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS

[PART II.

warmer climate than Britain for their
fullest beauty, and in our land requiring
the warmest positions and light well-
drained soils. The grassy leaves appear
in spring with or before the Crocus-
like flowers, which are white or rose-
pink, and, for the most part, handsome.
Zephyranthes require rest during
winter, and at that season are best
kept dry. In spring they should be

summer. Dotted over a turf formed of
some carpet-plant like the Lawn-Pearl wort,
it is seen to great advantage when its
great bell-like flower opens. Division of
established tufts.

Zephyranthes carinata.— This lovely
plant has narrow leaves, and its flower-
stem, which is about 6 inches high, bears a
rosy flower, 2 or 3 inches long. It thrives
in the open border if kept dry in winter
in light sandy loam.

':••'-,'•:•.:'.''•, -•'•'' ' ..

Zenob'a speciosa pulverulenta.

planted out in the full sun in very
sandy soil.

Zephyranthes atamasco (Atamasco
Lily). — A beautiful, lily-like plant, bearing
handsome white flowers tinged with purple,
3^ inches across, on stems from 6 to
12 inches high. Although growing
abundantly in North America, this fine
plant is too rare in our gardens, where it
is well worthy of culture, thriving in light,
rich, sandy soil, and flowering in early

ZIETENIA. — Z. lavandulcefolia is a
dwarf, creeping, half-shrubby perennial
of a grayish hue, 6 to 12 inches high,
with purple flowers in summer, borne
in whorls, forming a spike about
6 inches long, with a slender
downy stalk. Suitable for the rougher
parts of the rock-garden. Division.
Caucasus.

INDEX

[ILLUSTRATIONS IN ITALICS]

Abbotsbury, Newton Abbot, Wahlenbergia

on the rock-garden at, 333
Acsena, 147
Acantholimon, 147

venustum, 148

Achillea, 149
Acis, 150

autumnalis, 150

Aconite, Winter, 218

Adonis, 150

^Ethionema, 150

Ajuga, 153

Allium, 153

Allosorus, 153

Alpine and Rock plants, watering, 92

Flowers at home, facing title-page.

— a ledge of, 24

for gardens, Part II. 147

— in borders and beds, rock and,

34 ; in pans or baskets, 79 ;
in pots, 82 ; the rocky moun-
tains, 141
— small bed of, 32

— wall-gardens of rock and, 38

— gardening in adverse conditions,

68 ; planting, 73 ; soil, 72
gardens, trees and, 50

- Larchwood, 124

— Marsh garden, the, 51

plant gr •oiving 'between stones in a pot, 83

plant on border surrounded by half-
buried stones, 36

— plants from seed in the open

ground, 87 ; raising, 77, 87
— - frontispiece of a book on, 95

— grouting in a level border, 33 ;

on the level ground, 25

raised from seed in pots, 90

— View, an, 112

- Village, an, 117

— Stream, an, 20

- Waterfall, 118
Alpines, frames for, 78

Alps of Europe and the Kocky Mountains
of N.W. America, some notes of ?
journey in the, 111

Alsine, 153, 172

laricifolia, 172

Alyssum, 154

montanum, 154

Anagalis, 155
Andromeda, 155
Androsace, 155

lamiginosa in the Rock-Garden, The

Friars, Henley-on-Thames, 157

villosa, 158

Androsaces,potfor, 83
Anemone, 159, 239

blanda, 161

Greek, the, 161

vernalis, 163

Annuals for the Rock-Garden, 85

some dwarf and more refined, 86

Antennaria, 162
Anthemis, 163

macedonica, 164

Anthericum, 164
Anthyllis, 164
Antirrhinum, 165
Aquilegia, 165

ccerulea, 168

Arabia, 169
Arch, Rustic, 95
Arctostaphylos, 170
Arenaria, 153, 171

laricifolia, 172

Arethusa, 172
Armeria, 173
Arnebia, 173
Artemisia, 174
Arum, Bog, 182
Asarum, 174
Asperula, 174
Asphodel, Bog, 265
Aster, 174

Stracheyi, 175

Astragalus, 175
Atragene, 176
Aubrietia, 176
Auricula, 284
Avens, 234

Mountain, 217

Azalea, 177

338

INDEX

[ILLUSTRATIONS IN ITALICS]

JBarbary Ragwort, 270
Barberry, 179
Barrenwort, 217

Baskets, Alpine flowers in pans or, 79
Bearberry, 170
Beard Tongue, 273
Beauty of the flocks, 274 .
Bed kept saturated by perforated pipes,
84

of Alpine flowers, small, 32

Bellium, 179
Berberis 179
Bergenia, 180
Betula, 180
Bindweed, 193
Birch, 180
Bitter Root, 251
Bleeding Heart, 213
Bletia, 180
Bloodroot, 300
Bluets, 240

Bog bed, the cemented, 59 ; beds with-
out cement, 59

the partly cemented, 60

Bogs, artificial, 55

Border, Alpine plant growing in a level, 33
on, surrounded by half-
buried stones, 36

rough stone-edging to, 35

Borders and beds, rock and Alpine

flowers in, 34
Boretta, 180
Box, 181

Brachycome, 180
Bramble, 299
Bridge, stepping-stone, with water-lilies

and water-plants, 27 ; plan of, 27
Bridges and Cascades, 27
Brookfield, Hathersage, Sheffield, part of

Rock-Garden at, 5
Broom, Rock, 228

Spanish, 320

Bruckenthalia, 180

spiculifolia, 180

Bryanthus, 181
Buckbeam, 260
Bugle, 153
Bulbocodium, 181
Bulrush, 312
Butcher's Broom, 300
Buttercup. 295

Lady, 295

Butterwort, 278
Buxus, 181

Calamintha, 181
Calandrinia 181
Calla, 182
Calluna, 182
Calophaca 182

Caltha, 182
Camomile, 163
Campanula, 182

garganica, 184

turbinata, 186

Campion, 255
Candytuft, 242
Cardamine, 186
Cascade in a high wood, 126
Cascades, Bridges and, 27
Cassandra, 155
Cassiope, 155, 186
Catchfly, 255, 317

Rock, 326

Cat's-Ear, 162

Cave for Killarney Fern, entrance to, 30

Centaury, 223

Cerastium, 187

Cbickweed, Mouse-Ear, 187

Chieranthus, 188

Chimaphila, 188

Chiogenes, 188

Christmas Rose, 237

Cinquefoil, 281

Cistus, 189

formosus, 190

Clark, Mr Latimer, on forming the Rock-

Garden, 55
Claytonia, 191
Clematis, 176, 191
Clover, 324
Colchicum, 191
Columbine, 165

floicer of blue, 168

Conandron, 193

Concrete, Rocks formed of, 30

Convallaria, 193

Convolvulus, 193

Coptis, 194

Coris, 194

Cornus, 194

Coronilla, 195

Cortusa, 195

Corydalis, 195

Cotoneaster, 196

Cotyledon, 197

Cowslip, 288

American, 213

Cranesbill, 233
Creeping Jenny, 257
Cress, Indian, 325
rock, 169 ; purple, 176

— showy bastard, 322

silvery, 150

violet, 243

Crocus, 197
Crowberry, 217
Cyananthus, 199
Cyclamen, 199
Cypripedium, 203
Cystopteris, 205
Cytisus, 205

INDEX

339

[ILLUSTRATIONS IN ITALICS]

Daffodil, 265

Winter, 321

Daisy, New Holland, 332

Rock, 179

Dalibarda, 205
Daphne, 206

Blagay&na, 206

Darlingtonia, 208
Dentaria, 208
Desfontainea, 209
Dianthus, 209

alpinus, 210

ccesius, 211

neglecting, 212

Diapensia, 212
Dicentra, 213
Diphylleia, 213
Dodecatheon, 213
Dogwood, 194
Dondia, 214
Draba, 214
Dracocephalum, 216
Dragon's Head, 216
Drosera, 216
Dryas, 217

Dutchman's Breeches, 213
Dyer's Greenweed, 229

Echinocactus, 217

Edelweiss, 249

Edelweiss, 250

Edging to border, rough stone, 35

Edraianthus, 333

Elmet Hall, Leeds, part of Rock-Garden

at, 19
Emmotts, Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent, part

of Rock-Garden at, 37
Empetmm, 217
Epigsea, 217
Epilobium, 217
Epimedium, 217
Epipactis, 218
Eranthis, 218

hyemalis, 218

Erica,' 180, 182, 219
Erigeron, 220
Erinus, 220
Eriogonum, 221
Eritrichium, 221
Erodium, 221
Erpetion, 222
Eryngium, 222
Erysimum, 222
Erythrsea, 223
Erythronium, 223
Evening Primrose, 265
Everlasting, Yellow, 237

Fellorwort, 322
Fern, Bladder, 205

Killarney, entrance to Gave for, 30

Parsley, '153

Fernery, Rock-Garden, 29

Ferns on an old ivall, 58

Feverfew, Alpine, 249

Fissure, horizontal, 2l

Fissures, right and wrong, 21, 22, 23

Flag, 244

Algerian, 245

Flax, 253

Toad, 252

Fleabane, 220
Foam-flower, 323
Fog-fruit, 254
Forget-me-not, 263

antarctic, 263

creeping, 267

Fairy, 221

Fota, Co. Cork, Water-Garden at,

63
Fountain and RoclcworJc, what to avoid,

Fragaria, 226
Frankenia, 226
Fritillaria, 226
Frog-bit, 241
Fruiting Duckweed, 265
Fuchsia, Calif or nian, 335
Fumitory, 195

Galanthus, 227
Galax, 227

Garland Flower, 206

Gaultheria, 227

Genista, 228

Gentian, 229

Gentiana, 229

decumbens alba, 231

macrophylla, 232

Gentianella, 229

Geographical arrangements of rock-
plants, 26

Geological aspects of Rockwork, on
the, 99

Geranium 233

Geum, 234

Ginger, Wild, 174

Glacier, a, 123

Globe Flower, 324

Globularia, 235

Gold Thread, 194

Golden Club, 270

Drop, 267

Goodyera, 235

Granite tor, 100

Grape Hyacinth, 262

Grass of Parnassus, 272

Whitlow, 214

340

INDEX

Green Brier, 319
Grit, 17
Cromwell, 254
Ground Pine, 257
Gypsophila, 235

[ILLUSTRATIONS IN ITALICS]

Jasminum, 246
Jeffersonia, 246
Juniperus, 246

Habenaria, 235
Haberlea, 235
Habranthus, 236
Hairbell, 182
Hawkweed, 239
Hawthorn, Japanese, 297
Heartsease, 331
Heath, 219

Arctic, 186

Rocky Mountain, 181

Sea, 226

Heather, 220

Whin, 228

Hedysamm, 236
Helianthemum, 236
Helichrysum, 237
Helleborus, 237
Helonias, 239
Hemiphragma. 239
Hepatica, 160, 161, 239
Herniaria, 239
Heronsbill, 221
Hesperochiron, 239
Hieracium, 239
Hippocrepis, 239
Honeysuckle, 255

Swamp, 177

Horminum, 239

Hottonia, 239

Houseleek, 315

Houstonia, 240

Howth, Go. Dublin, Rhododendrons among

natural rocks at, 47
Hutchinsia, 151, 240
Hyacinth, 240
Hyacinthus, 240
Hydrocharis, 241
Hydrocotyle, 241
Hypericum, 241
polophyllum, 241

Iberidella, 151, 241
Iberis, 242
Incarvillea, 243
lonopsidium, 243

acaule, 243

Iris, 244

stylosa, 245

Isopyrum, 245

Janksea, 245
Jasione, 245
Jasmine, 246

Kalmia, 246
Kernera, 247
Knotweed, 280

Lady's Slipper, 203

Smock, 186

Lake Maggiore, margin oj, Island in,

Larch-wood, Alpine, 124
Lathyrus, 247
Laurel, Mountain, 247
Lavender, Sea, 321
Ledge, rocky, 110
Ledges, well-formed, sloping. 20
Ledum, 249
Leiophyllum, 249

buxifolium, 248

Leontoppdium, 249

alpinum, 250

Leucanthemum, 249

Leucojum, 150, 249

Leucothoe, 155, 251

Lewisia, 251

Libertia, 251

Lilies, Lenten, 238

Water and water plants, stepping-

ith, 27 plan of, 27"
Liliuin, 251
Lily, 251

Atamasco, 336

of the valley, 193 ;*' twin-leaved,

257

St Bruno's, 164, 271

water, 265 ; the white, 64

- White Wood, 324
Limestone, 103
Limestones, 108
Linaria, 252
Ling, 220
Linnsea, 252
Linum, 253
Lippia, 254
Lithospermum, 254
Lloydia, 254
Loiseleuria, 254
Lonicera, 255
Lungwort, 293

Smooth, 260

Luzuriaga, 255

Lychnis, 255

Lychnis, 256

Lycopodium, 257

Lydhurst, Sussex, rocky path at, 11

Lyonia, 155

Lyshnachia, 257

INDEX

341

[ILLUSTIIATIONS IN ITALICS]

Mad wort, 154

Maianthemum, 257

Mallow Rock, 257

Malyastrum, 257

Marjoram 269

Marsh garden, the Alpine, 51 ; the, 52

Marigold, 182

plants, a selection of, 55

Masterwort, dwarf, 214
Mayflower, 217
Mazus, 257
Meadow Beauty, 298

— Saffron, 191 ; Spring, 181
Rue, 322

— Sweet, 320
Meconopsis, 258

aculeata, 259

Megasea, 259

Melittis, 259

Menyanthes, 260

Menziesia, 260

Merendera, 260

Mertensia, 260

Mezereon, 207

Milkwort, 279

Mimulus, 261

Mitchella, 261

Mocassin flower, 204

Modiola, 261

Mcehringia, 261'

Moneywort, Cornish, 317

Monkey-flower, 261

Monte Campione, 128

Morisia, 261

Mound of earth with exposed points of

rock, 8
Mountain, flank in process of degradation,

2
vegetation in America, 137

— Woods of California, 139
Mountains, miniature, 96
Muhlenbeckia, 262
Mullien, Rosette, 293
Muscari, 262

Mutisia, 262
Myosotidium, 263
Myosotis, 263
Myrica, 264

Narcissus, 264
Narthecium, 265
Nasturtium, flame, 325
Nertera, 265
Nierembergia, 265
Nymphsea, 265

Oak Lodge, Rocky bank at, 31 ; water

margin at, 28
<Enothera, 265
ccespitosa, 266

Omphalodes, 267
Ononis, 267
Onosma, 267
Ophrys, 267
Opuntia, 268
Orchid, 268
Orchis, 268
- Bee, 267

maculata superba,

Rein, 235

Origanum, 269
Orontium, 270
Othonna, 270
Ox-eye, 150
Oxalis, 270
Oxlip, 288
Oxytropis, 271
Ozothamnus, 271

Pans or baskets, Alpine plants in, 79
Pansy, horned, 330

tufted, 330

Papaver, 271
Paradisia, 271
Parnassia, 272

palustris, 272

Parochetus, 272

Paronychia, 272

Parsley Fern, 153

Partridge Berry, 261

Pasque flower, 162

Passerina, 272

Path, rocky, at Lydhurst, Sussex, 11

Pathway, ascending, in Rock-Garden,

Warley Place, 10
stone, in Rock-Garden, Warley

Place, 9
Pathways, 10
Pea, Everlasting, 247

Shamrock, 272

Pear, prickly, 268
Pearlwort, lawn, 300
Pelargonium, 272
Pennywort, 241
Pentstemon, 273
Pepino, 274
Periwinkle, 329
Pernettya, 274
Petrocallis, 274
Philesia, 274
Phlox, 274

divaricata, 276

stellaria, 277

Phyteuma, 277
Pieris, 155, 277
Pimpernel, 155
Pincushion flower, 310
Pines, limit of the, 132
Pinguicula, 278
Pink, 209
Alpine, 210

342

INDEX

[ILLUSTRATIONS IN ITALICS]

Pink Cheddar, 211

Cushion, 317

Sea, 173

Pinxter-flower, 178
Pitcher plant, 301

Californian, 208

Plantain Rattlesnake, 235

Planting, (1) Right ; (2) Wrong, 94

Plants for dry walls, 42

Platycodon, 278

Plumbago, 278

Polemonium, 279

Polygala, 279

Polygonatum, 279

Polygonum, 280

Pontederia, 281

Poppy, 271

Bush, 299

Celandine, 321

Satin, 258

Pot, Alpine plant growing between stones

in a, 83

for Androsaces, etc., 83

Potentilla, 281

nitida, 282

Pots, Alpine flowers in, 82

plunged in sand, bed of small Alpine

plants in, 84

raising Alpine plants from seed in, 90

Pratia, 282
Prickly Pear, 268

Thrift, 147

Primrose, 282

Evening, 265

Primula, 282
Prophet-flower, 173
Prunella, 292
Pulmonaria, 293
Puschkinia, 293
Pyrola, 293
Pyxidanthera, 293

Ragwort, 316

Ramondia, 293

pyrenaica, 294

Rampion, 277

Ranunculus, 295

amplexicaulis, 295

Raphiolepis, 297

Rest Harrow, 267

Rhamnus, 298

Rhexia, 298

Rhodiola, 298

Rhododendron, 298

Rhododendrons among natural rocks at
Howth, Go. Dublin, 47

Rhodora, 298

Rhodothamnus, 299

Rock and Alpine flowers in borders and
beds, 34; planting, 93; wall-
gardens of, 38

Rock cress, purple, 176

Rockfoil, 302

broad-leaved the, 306

Rock-Garden, annuals for the, 85 ; some
dwarf and more refined, 86

at Elmet Hall, Leeds, part of, 19

construction, 12

cultural, 1

Fernery, 29

half-buried stone in, 18

Japanese dwarfed trees for the, 50

materials, 6

Mountain Shrubs for the, 47

Mr Latimer Clark on forming the,,

07i level ground at Emmotts, Ide Hil^

Sevenoaks, Kent, 37

part of, at Brookfield, Hathersaqe,

Sheffield, 5

position for the, 6

small, the, 31

soil, 13

Warley Place, Essex, ascending path-
way in, 10 ; stone pathway in, 9

water plants in the, 61

Gardens on level ground, 36 ;

various, 18

hidden natural, 8

mound of earth, with exposed points

of, 8

near water, suitable for bold vegeta-
tion, 28

on which plants do not thrive, arti-
ficial, 20

plants, a wall made for, 46

dry stone walls for, 46

established on an old wall, 4

geographical arrangements of>

hollow wall for. Plan and

Section of, 44

on sloping wall of local sand-
stone, 39

Rose, 189

with base buried, showing ascending ;

Rockeries, stone for, 75

Rockery, barrow-shaped, the, 70

Facing, 71

Sunk, the, 71

Rocks formed of concrete, 30

in a Sussex garden, unearthed, 8

trees on, 50

Rock-spray, 196

Rockwork in Villa in Hammersmith, 9

What to avoid, 97, 98, 99

Rocky Mountains, Alpine flowers in the,
141

of N.W. America, some notes

of a journey in the Alps of
Europe and the, 111

Isolated rocks in the, 138

Scene in the, 137

INDEX

343

[ILLUSTRATIONS IN ITALICS]

Rodgersia, 299
Romanzoffia, 299
Romneya, 299
Rosa, 299
Rose, 299
Rosemary, 299
Rosmarinus, 299
Rubus, 299
Rue, 300
Ruscus, 300
Rush, 320
Ruta, 300

Saas Valley, the, 116
Sagina, 300
Salix, 300

Sandstone, old red, 105
Sandwort, 171
Sanguinaria, 300
Sanicle, Alpine, 195
Santolina, 301
Saponaria, 301
Sarracenia, 301
Satin-flower, 319
Savin, 246
Saxifraga, 259, 302

cordifolia, 306

Juniperina, 307

Saxifrage, home of the purple. 135
Scabiosa, 310
Scabious, Sheep's, 245
Schists and Shales, 109
Schivereckia, 310
Schizocodon, 311
Scilla, 311
Scirpus, 312
Scutellaria, 312

indica, 312

Sea Holly, 222

Sedum, 312

Selaginella, 315

Self-heal, 292

Sempervivum, 315

Senecio, 316

Shales, Schists and, 109

Sheffieldia, 317

Shortia, 317

Shrubs, Mountain, for the rock-garden,

Sibthorpia, 317
Silene, 317
Sisyrinchium, 319
Skimmia, 319
Slugs, 25
Smilax, 319
Snakeshead, 226
Snapdragon, 165
Snowberry, creeping, 188
Snowdrop, 227
Snowflake, 249
Soapwort, 301
Soldanella, 319

Soil for certain plants, need of poor,

Solomon's Seal, 279

Sowbread, 199

Sparrow-wort, 272

Spartium, 320

Speedwell, 327

Spigelia, 320

Spiraea, 320

Spring Beauty, 191

Squill, striped, 293

St John's Wort, 241

Starflower, 323

Star wort, 175

Statice, 321

Steps, rocky, 11

Sternbergia, 321

Stone for Rockeries, 75

Stonecrop, 312

Strawberry, 226

Stream, an Alpine, 20

Stubwort, 270

Studflower, 239

Stybarrow Crag, Ullswater, 107

Stylophorum, 321

Sundew, 216

Sunrose, 237

Sweet Gale, 264

Swertia, 322

Symphyandra, 322

Tchihatchewia, 322
Tea, Labrador, 249
Teucrium, 322
Thalictrum, 322
Things to avoid, 94
Thlaspi, 323
Thrift, 173

o?i the hills at Anglesey. 17

Thyme, 323

Cat, 322

Thymus, 323
Tiarella, 323
Toothwort, 208
Trees and Alpine gardens, 50
Japanese dwarfed, for the Rock-
Garden, 50

072, Rocks, 50

Trientalis, 323
Trifolium, 324
Trillium, 324
Tropseolum, 325
Tufted Bur, 147
Tulip, 326
Tulipa, 326
Tunica, 326
Turkey's-beard, 334

Uvularia, 326

344

INDEX

[ILLUSTRATIONS IN ITALICS]

Vaccinium, 327

Valerian, Greek, 279

Veronica, 327

Veronicas, New Zealand, 328

Vesicaria, 328

Vetch, 328

Bitter, 248

Crown, 195

Kidney, 164

Milk, 175

Vicia, 328

Village, an Alpine, 117

Vinca, 329

Viola, 329

hybrids of, 331

Violet, 329

Dog's tooth, 223

New Holland, 222

Sweet, 330

Water, 232

Vittadenia, 332

Wahlenbergia, 332

graminifolius and W. dalmaticus in

the Rock-Garden at Abbotsbury,

Newton Abbot, 333
Waldstenia, 334 '
Wall for rock plants, hollow. Plan and

Section of, 44
gardens of rock and Alpine flowers,

made for rock plants, a, 216

of local sandstone, sloping, 39 ;

sandstone blocks supporting earth

banks, 42

old, rock plants established on, 43

plants from seed, 40

Wallflower, 188

Walls for rock plants, dry stone, 41

plants for " dry," 42

Wand plant, white, 227

Warley Place, Essex, ascending pathway
in Rock-Garden at, 10 ; stone pathway
at, 9

Water Dock, the great, 65

garden at Fota, Go. Cork, 63

Leaf, Sitcha, 299

Lily, 265

plants, hardy, 64 ; in the Rock-
Garden, 61

Robin, 324

Waterfall, an Alpine, 118

Watering Alpine and Rock plants, 92

Weed, Pickerel, 281

What to avoid, 95

Willow, 300

Willow-herb, 217

Windflower, 159

Alpine, 160

Winter green, 293 ; creeping, 227

spotted, 188

Wood plants, 125

Sorrell, 270

Woodruff, 174

Woods of California, Mountain, 139

Wormgrass, 320

Woundwort, 164

Wulfenia, 334

Xerophyllum, 334

Yarrow, 149
Yucca, 334

group of, a, 335

Zauschneria, 335
Zenobia, 155, 335

— speciosa pulverulenta, 336
Zephyr-flower, 335
Zephyrantb.es, 335
Zietenia, 336

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Full text of "Alpine flowers for gardens : rock, wall, marsh plants, and mountain shrubs"

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