Alpine Plants in S M All Gardens 3 9

A L P I N E P L A N T S

BY M A CSELF A . . J “ A t h r of Hgd P erennial s et c u o y , .

T P H HS B M LLUS R H L U O OGRA Y R . LB I T ATED WI CO O R T P . A A Y WATE R COLOUR DRAWINGS BY WI NIERE D WALKE R

E . L INE DRAWING S BY G . LEE

NEW YORK CHARLES SCRI BNER’ S SONS

1 92 3

DEDICATED TO TH E NAT IONA L HA RDY PLANT S OCIETY AND TO ALL WHOSE AIM IT IS TO CULTIV’ ATE ALPINE AND KINDRED PLANTS

CONTENTS

PAGE A S OURCE OF DELIGHT AND I NTEREST FOR GARDENS OF ALL DIMENSIONS 1 3

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ALPINE PLA NTS 1 9

ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROCK GARDENS 2 7

O N WALL GARDENS 3 3

ON THE CULTURE OF ALPINE PLANTS IN S M ALL GARDENS 3 9

PROPAGATION OF ALPINE PLANTS ; THE VARIOUS METHODS DESCRIBED ALPINE PLANTS IN POTS AND PANS

A K P EAS ILY GROWN LPINE AND INDRED LANTS . CHOICE ALPINE PLANTS FOR THE ROCK GARDEN OR ALPINE BE D S ELECTIONS OF PLANTS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES

INDEX

LI ST O F I LLUSTRATI O N S

A S teep Ascent in a Del ightful Ro ck Garden F rontispiece

en ana Farrer A S erb Ro Pl an of Recen I nt roduc G ti i . up ck t t tion

ZEt hionema Warl ey Ro se

en an s l e in a S e t n of ras s G ti , B u , t i g G

1 Paroche s Co mm n s The S hamroc P e a 2 erben a . tu u i ( k ) . . V

Chamaedrio ides

Al ine Pl an s Ha amon s Well - l a ed Rocks p t , ppy g t p c

R amondi a Nat hal ie

n Fr osa 1 ero a Ro c S eedwell 2 Po ent ll a . . V ic ( k p ) . . t i utic

% Iber s S em er irens L t le G em An Al ne iol a 3 . i p v it . 4. pi V

A L PI N E PLA N TS

CHAPTER I

A S OURCE OF DELI GHT AND I NTEREST FOR GARDENS OF ALL DI MENS I ONS

0 claim that any particular plant or class of plants is possessed of charm or merit exceeding others

e - is simply to display s lf conceit , for it signiﬁes the

’ assumption that one s own taste and judgm ent is per fect e e inde en , and d ni s others the right of originality or p

dence of opinion . Ardently as I admire and love the dainty little gems

a e of the alpine ﬂor , I seek no quarrel with the devote s

a hi of the rose , the c rnation , the wondrous orc ds , or of

e e e any oth r ﬂow rs , but I rej oic in the knowledge that I S hare my love of alpine plants with a widespread and ever-increasing circle of enthusiasts ; and with a ﬁrm con viction that the more information regarding alpine plants

e a the ea e l and th ir culture is dissemin ted , gr t r wi l be their

a set el l popul rity , I mys f to the delightful task of te ling

the a ar the beginner , novice , how these f scinating and ch ming ﬂowers may be successfully grown in any and every

garden . x4 ALPINE PLANTS

It may be well at the outset to remark that whilst for

an d i convenience brev ty our title is alpine plants, the

r l a hi wo k wi l embr ce many plants w ch , although not

l are natives of the European A ps , of kindred nature and

e a e generally adapt d for cultiv tion as alpin s . Much has been written and might yet be wr itten upon

e em ha the merits of thes plants , but the points I wish to p size are that in a given space of restricted area a greater range of varieties may be successfull y grown than is pos

e an and a sibl with y other class of plants , that even in tiny town garden a collection of alpine plants may be accommodated that will include something to bloom m e every onth of the y ar from January to December, whilst many are as beautiful and pleasing in foliage as in ﬂower . With abundance of room and ample resources at dis

al pos , rock gardens may be created which shall constitute dl u a source of en ess enj oyment , but let me rge upon my

e reva read rs to set aside the notion , unfortunately too p lent , that vast expense must be incurred in building elaborate rockeries in order to secure success and enj oy

a e ment with al pine pl nts . It is quit possible to grow a thoroughly good collection even without a rockery at

and a a l all , it is this extr ordinary ad ptabi ity of this class of plants to gardens of every conceivable size and character that constitutes its exceptional claim to the special atten

all a l tion of who love gardening . But rea love of plants

and ar ni s of g de ng is the great es ential , for it is not he

i al t a who , hav ng we th , submi s to the whims of f ncy or i l fashion , and orders a rock garden to be bu lt and p anted , A SOURCE OF DELIGHT AND INTEREST 1 5 who will taste the sweets of satisfaction and enjoyment

the in its possession , but rather enthusiast who learns to

l and know plants individua ly, and procures here one there another and installs them in the home of his own

a preparation , gradually acquiring collection with every hi l item of w ch he is fondly fami iar . The making of any kind of garden should be a work of gradual development

a be and e and evolution , not a t sk to begun compl ted in one hurried operation , and this applies perhaps more

a l particul rly to a garden of alpine plants , whether arge

a S Sites , situ tions and oils must of necessity govern to a great extent the selections of plants that should be

e the ca abili includ d in a collection , but character and p ties oi al pine plants vary so Widely that some may be found a a a d pt ble to any locality and aspect , and furthermore , the comparatively small size of most alpines renders it a simple and inexpensive matter to provide little nooks and spaces for a variety of different subjects in such a manner as will ensure the happiness and well-being of ll a .

The erstwhile prevalent idea regarding a rockery was

a a l - a that it should be he p of stones , c inkers , brick b ts ,

e -of—the-wa m e and rubbish in som out y co r of the garden ,

a a w e e r under spre ding tree , or any h r whe e nothing much

a l would grow, the occupants gener l y comprising a few

- e rough fern roots , and coarse growing periwinkl , prim

a a roses , and German Iris . Sm ll wonder th t rockeries

a an were looked upon with disd in d contempt . Thanks to the output of gardening literature to meet I 6 ALPINE PLANTS

a e the dem nd for a better knowl dge of plant culture , and to the enterprise and development of illustrated garden

a ea journ ls , a cl rer conception of the possibilities of

ﬁne e a e rockeries was obtained . The x mpl s of rock gardens

and at a ar r at Kew , the Edinburgh Bot nic G dens , se ved

e a a e as obj ct lessons to enthusi stic g rdeners . Nurserym n

S e z as the who p ciali ed in alpine plants , such great ﬁrm

a a l and of B ckhouse of York , B rr , Ware , Wa lace others ,

t e e ﬁne a a cons ruct d som rockeries in priv te g rdens , and by ex hibiting model rockeries at the Royal Horticul tural and other important shows they educated the garden

e h n loving public to an appr ciation of t is form of garde ing .

e and In course of time it follow d , in some respects it may

r a a a be said unfo tunately , th t rock gardening bec me

a a ra e h f shion ble c z , which led to a mus room growth of a crowd of self-styled experts who built rockeries anywhere and n e e well igh v rywhere . The unfortunate element is that whilst a properly con

r a st ucted rockery , planned with due reg rd to environment , w a a e an a ill constitute v luabl feature of y g rden , the mere insistence upon having a rockery S imply because it is fashionable has in too many cases l ed to quite inapp ro

riate a a w al ar e and p ssoci tion ith form g d ning , the work being sometimes undertaken by those who lack artistic as well as technical S kill has resulted in the building up

a the a e a r of rocks for displ y , pl nts b ing dded as t immings

r - to the structure , whe eas rock work should be utilized

n a the a o ly to form home for pl nts . This is a point that

e S e e e must n ver be lost ight of, oth rwis it were b tter to dispense with rock-work altogether and content ourselves

CHAPTER II

GENERAL C H ARACTERI STI CS OF ALP I NE P LANTS

S a stepping-stone to the successful management of al pine plants the ﬁrst aim should be to acquire

k k and i some nowledge of their li es disl kes , their habit

a ma of growth , character, and peculi rities , and this we y do in a broad and general sense by studying the environ ment and conditions that prevail in their native habitats .

I are mount ain The true alpines of course plants , but l whilst some grow at high altitudes and in the bleak exposure

- of snow swept peaks , others secure themselves in the shel t ered a S nooks and cr nnies of the lower lopes , whilst many plants that are admirably suited for inclusion in our garden

l a collections are plants of the val eys r ther than the heights .

are - w a For the most part alpines dwarf gro ing , large pro

e hi s portion being prostrate cr epers , w l t some grow in the form of dense , compact little bushes , and some , whilst they cannot be described as trailers or creepers , nestle

S closely to the face of the rock or the soil, and pread themselves by means of stoloniferous or rooting stems and form close carpets of verdure , decked in season with gay short-stalked blossoms 2 0 ALPINE PLANTS

The fact that plants are seen covering the face of huge impenetrable rocks has sometimes led to the supposition

a r e th t they equire littl or no soil or nourishment , and in endeavouring to provide natural conditions builders have fallen into the error of planting in a heap of stones

S l with but an inch or two of soil in ha low depressions . The inevitable resul t is that the ﬁrst drying wind parches

’ the mere handful of soil about the roots , and a day s hot sunshine completes their destruction , and even if the succulent nature of the foliage and stems sufﬁces awhile

a e be to maintain an ppearance of lif , the period will of

the but brief duration , and absolute destruction of the

a plant is an ultimate cert inty . A closer inspection of these curtains of the rocks will reveal the fact that the trailing stems can be traced back to a rootstock snugly tucked in some ﬁssure or crack ﬁlled

a m r with rich compost , an d ixtu e of pulverized stone and

e a e hi ee d cayed veget bl matter, w ch has b n washed down

e e by descending torr nts of m lted snow, and if we could / follow the fine root fibres in their tortuous windingS and penetrations we should find that they travel an extra ordinary distance until they reach a vast bed of soil behind

a e or beneath the rocks th t is n ver dried by sun or wind .

ThuS e l , we l arn that the root system of an alpine plant

a and is inﬁnitely more expansive th n its herbage , wherever it is planted it must have a great body of soil for the

e fﬁ accommodation of its roots , the r al o ce of any stone

n hi n n an d bei g to shield the roots from parc ng i ﬂue ces , also in some cases to provide a drained surface for sensi

a tive crowns and herb ge , for many alpines which root GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 2 1 in sodden masses of decayed vegetation cannot endure

e e stagnant moistur about th ir stems and foliage . This is pronouncedly so with plants that have downy or wooll y

a the foli ge , as instanced by most of Androsaces , and also with plants of rosetted growth like the encrusted Saxi

ias fra es Ramond . g , , Lewisias , etc There are a certain number of very succulent plants that apparently require no more soil than will serve as

situ anchorage to prevent them being blown from their , and which absorb practically all their nourishment from

v the atmosphere . Thus, we ﬁnd Sempervi ums massed on ledges of rock with nothing more than a thin coating of lichen and the humus of their own outspent and

To withered rosettes to root in . j establish a colony of these plants on a ledge of rock-work in the home garden

‘ S S is a imple matter . Get a hovelful of clay and a little

e e cow manure , soak until they can be mix d tog ther into

- thrOW a mortar like paste , and it down with some force

l e on the selected ledge . Whilst stil wet pr ss into it a few rosettes of the Sempervivum so that any roots they may have are embedded in the compost and the foliage just

a . rests on the surface , and leave them to est blish themselves

al S Arenaria b earica , a plant of lender prostrate stems

a clothed with minute leaves , is another plant th t will

e grow upon bar rocks of a porous nature . The stems ﬁx themselves to the rock by means of tiny stem-rootlets which nourish the plant by extracting moisture from the

the a absorbent stone . So closely does pl nt grow that

a e e and the surf ce of foliage reproduc s every ridge , bulg depression of the stone beneath it . Veronica canescens 2 2 ALPINE PLANTS is another daintily charming little plant of like character of growth , but both of these will grow equally well on a bed of sandy or stony soil . Androsace lanuginosa likes to get its roots into the tw li crevice be een two boulders , sending its trai ng stems over a ledge to hang over a perpendicular face of rock .

S lk a S r Thus , the i y foli ge may hake itself free of moistu e and bask in the heat reﬂected from the rock during the brief but strenuous Al pine summer A good many plants emulate the example of Andr osace

a i l nuginosa , and success is best ach eved with these in British gardens when their roots are placed in a big body i of so l , a perpendicular stone providing a shield for the roots and a background for the herbage .

Ramondias Haberlia rhodo ensis are fre , and also p quently found wedged between closely-ﬁt ting rocks with their broad ﬂat foliage nestling close to the perpendicular face of the rock At such an angle no moisture can settle

’ in the crown or heart of the plant , and in our home cultivation , whether we grow these plants in perpendicular , sloping , or ﬂat positions, their strong antipathy to stagnant moisture must be remembered and guarded against . It is also a noteworthy fact that the Ramondias choose for themselves positions in ravines where shade from ﬁerce hi suns ne is afforded . It is a mistake to suppose that all alpine plants are

e found emb dded in stones . The mountains do not ascend n in u iform gradient like the Pyramids , nor are they com

e posed of solid mass s of unbroken and uncovered rock .

a e raduall become There are m ny de p cavities which have g y. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 2 3

ﬁll ed with rich vegetable mould mixed with ﬂakes and

a d e r e a particles of stone , n in th se fe tile beds , oft n of v st e e a e a e xt nt , we ﬁnd a wondrous v ri ty of pl nts . A larg proportion of the ﬂeshy or tuberous rooted plants will be

e a includ d in these groups , and it is lso to be noted that whereas the prominent and exposed rocks are clothed with

e prostrate and clinging plants , the hollows and str tches of which we are now taking note give us plants of erect

hi e a and sometimes tall growth . T s is xpl inable by two f reasons . First , the shelter a forded by the surrounding

a re rocks enables pl nts to grow which would , in mo ex

and e posed positions , be torn broken by winds ; s condly , with the depth of rich soil available the surface of the soil becomes carpeted with an inteI m ingl ed and tangled mass

a and nl of gr ss weeds , and it is o y those plants that can push their way through this reeking tangle of rank growth and rear their heads in the free daylight and air that can

wo h are survive . ﬁ useful ints thus conveyed to us, one being that in planting we should provide the taller grow

S r ing Alpines with the warmer and more helte ed positions ,

r the second that often a plant with thick , ﬂeshy roots requi es either deep planting or something in the way of a carpeting plant that will keep the soil cool in summer and com

rativel pa y snug and warm in Winter . I need not delve deeply into science to explain how alternate freezings and thawings with consequent ex p an sion and contraction causes considerable portions of the face of apparently hard rock to become disintegrated and

r a a the and - c umble aw y . When fter snow frost bound

ice a a winter the sun thaws the snow and , c using aval nche 24 ALPINE PLANTS

and rushing torrent , the loosened fragments of stone are

a ie d S a c rr d own the mountain ide, with the result th t when their progress is arrested by some stout upstanding piece of rock they ﬁll great pockets or hollows and form beds of loose stones mixed with the leaves and stems of plants

a a th t have been swept long with the rushing , tumbling a a e v lanche . In a surprisingly brief period such b ds of stone fragments become clothed with plants of various

a kinds but of character all their own . The stone bed is always moist , huge volumes of water from time to time

can a ﬁltering through , but the water never rem in to become

a a l st gnant . Pl nts that would rot if planted in rich so id soil will ﬁll the interstices between the stones with roots

a and e th t absorb a tremendous amount of water, the fr sh ness of the foliage and profusion of flowers testifies to the m Al co fort they find in their harsh bed of stones . pine plantsmen have devised methods of reproducing these

- ul e stone beds , and of successfully c tivating ther in many plants that fail under what might be considered more

and normal favourable conditions . One great difference between alpine conditions and those of our British gardens is that in the Alps the seasons

e of growth and rest are S harply divid d . At the beginning of winter the plants are covered with

snow , but it is snow frozen dry . The plants are shrouded

from daylight and buried deep in snow, but there is not

e e e nough dampn ss to caus the decay of a leaf . Thus ,

a the plants rem in throughout the long winter . With extraordinary suddenness the thaw sets in and in an incredibly short space of time the vast snows give way

2 6 ALPINE PLANTS the term would be interpreted by the gardener that their constitutions have been weakened , as has been the case with many subjects that have been for long periods cul ti

t e v a d under the most favourable conditions .

’ n Therefore , like most livi g things in Nature s wild domains , the maj ority of alpine plants still possess in a marked degree

r u a wonde f l power of adaptability to changing conditions , and trying as our irregul ar winters are to many al pine plants that ar e directly transferred from their native homes

ri - ai to our B tish gardens , we ﬁnd that home r sed plants become acclimatiz ed and capable of thri ving under the average conditions of their adopted homes . It would certainl y be a grave injustice to represent alpine plants as a whole as being a class that can only be cul tivated

S il with special k l and care , for the greater proportion are as easily grown as any plants that are worthy of gar den m acco modation . CHAPTER III

ON THE CONSTRUCTI ON OF ROCK GARDENS

WELL-CONCEIVED and properly constructed rockery is undoubtedl y a feature of outstanding value and

e of perpetual interest such as any gard n owner may desire . n A heap of stones , ugly brick burrs , cli kers , and root stumps of trees is an abortion and abomination , not a rockery . Nor can it be considered clever or artistic conception to plank down between the iron railings and the bay window of a suburban vill a or in the middl e of a square or oblong ﬂat of lawn grass a pretentious but miserably puny effort to reproduce some towering peak of the Swiss

Alps . All efforts to build little Alps in gardens are puny and ridiculous , and when we begin talking about imitating nature and reproducing her most maj estic i handiworks we make ourselves pitifully ch ldish . Let us be content to grow alpine plants for the enjoyment i of the r beauty and charm , and when we make a rockery let it be with no delusion that we are making a mountain . The form or contour of a rockery must depend

S upon its ituation , its immediate surroundings , and its hi dimensions . A garden on a llside , with water , and with informal groups or belts of trees , offers opportunities for 27 2 8 ALPINE PLANTS rock-work construction that may produce natural effect di as stinct from incongruous mimicry , and many notable instances could be quoted where rockeries have been so conceived as to convey the impression that they have

a al ways been part of the l ndscape . It would be futile to attempt to achieve a like result in

a a rect ngular garden on the level , girt by brick walls or a

neat and trim privet hedge , but nevertheless the owner of such a garden may desire to cultivate a coll ection of alpine

S plants , and there is no reason whatever why he hould

r r not g atify that desi e , so long as he is content to study the cul tural requirements of the plants rather than the

pretentious display of stone .

r Let the root run be the ﬁ st consideration , taking it for granted that the best avail able site and aspect has been

a S selected , and in a small g rden that matter imply resolves

itself into taking the best that is there . The root run

S must be expansive and deep . If on a lope there will be f no di ﬁculty regarding drainage , but if the rockery is to

be a mound built up from a level base , or if the idea is to

u have it s nken below the surrounding level , attention must n be paid to proper drainage . Stag ant moisture is poisonous

to the great majority of alpine plants . A mound of soil S hould be crocked at the base with

a good body of brick rubble . A sunken rockery requires

- S e properly pipe draining . The soil hould be rich in v getable

matter or humus , made porous by an admixture of sharp

a a sand , mortar rubble , or burnt earth . Rank anim l m nure

r is unnecessa y , in fact undesirable . Whatever stone is

used it should be of a porous nature . Limestone , and ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROCK GARDENS 2 9

e l are sandstone , red , gr y , or ye low, excellent , but ﬂint ,

n - a granite , or marble , bei g of a non porous n ture , are quite

a . one unsuit ble In the matter of arrangement of stones,

or two points should always be borne in mind . The ﬁrst i is , that to st ck long , narrow pieces of stone to stand

- ROCK BUILDING .

The o e r B he n t ve an e of t he r er e en l w r d awing ( ) shows t wro g wa y o build . A gi s id a p op plac m t ’ of one The to r n n e ro k r en r n the ﬁr e on ro t . st s . p d awi g i dicat s a c ga d du i g st s as s g w h

i perpend cularly on end , is ugly and quite useless . Stones serve useful purpose when they keep the soil of a sloping

n r al ba k from washing down during heavy rainsto ms ; so , when they protect the underlying soil from the scorching

ri heat of midsummer sun , and from severe frosts du ng r winter . It will therefo e be apparent , that for both these 3 0 ALPINE PLANTS

w reasons , the stone ill be of greatest use when lying on l its broadest surface , and it is in such a position that it wi l be least likely to become disturbed and dislodged . Pro perly placed stones should require no ﬁxing with cement ,

S which , to my mind , it hould be very seldom necessary to

al introduce to a rockery . A frequent error is to low stones to simply rest on the surface of the soil . If the ll slope is fairly steep , the surface of the stone wi also slope , so that any rain that falls upon it runs away toward the

a base of the mound , where s it is required at the roots of

the plants at the higher levels . Moreover, a stone merely n lyi g on the soil provides harbour for slugs , woodlice , l hi earwigs , and mil ipedes , w ch will emerge at night to take toll of the tenderest young growths of the choicest l a . S ul pl nts A s ight excavation ho d be made in the soil , sufﬁcient to submerge half the depth of the stone and give

S ll it a light tilt backward . Thus the stone wi be held

the in secure , and rain that falls upon it will run beh d it , to reach the roots of the plants in the pocket above . The

S a soil and stones hould be so manipul ted that broad , ﬂat

ul Prirnul as areas are provided for Campan as , , Anemones

ee and other plants of fr growth , whilst encrusted Saxifragas ,

u Onosmas S Semperviv ms , , etc . , hould be wedged between i narrow crevices in the stonework , tak ng care that the stones are not so broad that the roots have difﬁculty in hi l reac ng the soil behind . It wil always be found easier and more satisfactory to plant these crevice plants as the

u r work of constr ction of the rocke y proceeds . When it is

a e - r ll necess ry to plant in settl d rock wo k , very sma pieces

the of the plants must be inserted in chinks , with the aid ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROCK GARDENS 3 1

e a are of a ﬂatt ned stick , taking c re that they pressed

e ﬁrmly hom , with their roots well embedded in soil . The smaller the space at disposal for a rockery the less pre

S be e tentions hould its d sign . To attempt to get elevations and deep depressions into a S pace of twenty or thirty

square yards , is but to create a ﬁasco , but a gentle slope ,

e Sl l a with a few ﬂatt ned pockets and ight undu tions , will give us quite a presentable feature of the garden , as well

’ as a comfortable home for the plants . Don t tuck the

a rockery in the sh diest corner of the garden , bring it out

n a in the su light . A few boulders may e sily be manipulated in such a manner as to provide a little shady nook for such plants as cannot endure the full power of the sun , and moisture - loving plants can be provided for by buil ding

S a few stones around a light hollow, and by incorporating

ﬁbrous loam or peat in the soil . Keep in mind when building , the fact that it will frequently be necessary to gain easy access to every part of the rockery for purposes

S f a of weeding , lug hunting , and a fording other ttentions

u a ma to the plants . A r gged stone p thway y meander through a rockery of fairly large dimensions , but even small constructions should have ﬂat stepping stones

r distributed at convenient inte vals , so that there is no necessity to tread upon plants or to risk sprained ankles by attempting to balance on a treacherous footing of i slop ng stone . The question of planting conifera and S hrubs on rockeries is one that must be decided by individual taste , with regard ,

i . of course , to the area at d sposal The pigmies among coniferous trees are possessed of a character and beauty 3 2 ALPINE PLANTS

add all their own , and they to the aged and established a r - a e ppearance of the ock garden of adequ te xtent . A rockery of quite small S ize can scarcely be an appropriate

e are S plac for trees , but there hrubs of dwarf and restricted

th i can e be r grow , wh ch , with advantag , dist ibuted over l a . and e even very smal mound The Cistus , Helianth mums ,

r e ll a e e sh ubby Pot nti s , Hypericums and V ronicas , specially

sal icornoides Hect orii and those like cupressoides , , , also

Bidwell ii a a e m , being c pit l substitut s for pig y trees , and having the additional advantage of providing ﬂowers in

- a e l ia . r are se son , as well as tr e ike growth and fol ge Fe ns indispensable associates of the ﬂowering plants of the

r e a and rock ga den , and som of the ornamental gr sses

e - reeds must be used , esp cially if the rock work contains

a e r a pool , stre ml t , or approaches the ma gins of a sheet

of water .

Bulbs , too , of many kinds are admissible and desirable ,

e e a and but xc ption should be taken to Dutch Hy cinths , even the ordinary bedding Tulips seem out of place on a

k u roc ery , although an occasional cl mp of one or other of

l a ar at the tulip species wi l ppe quite home . The planting

ar i of sc let Geran ums , blue Lobelia , or double Begonias on

e e e rock ries cannot be tolerat d , but c rtain annuals of dwarf or trailing growth intermix with the permanent

a occupants of the rock g rden quite well . There are indeed true al pin es of annual and biennial character which are

e l extr mely usefu .

3 4 ALPINE PLANTS

a and the by good bank of soil , in course of building , every

a e hl a w l yer of ston s must be thoroug y well p cked ith soil , so that from the comm encement the plants have a rooting medium capable of sustaining them until they eventually

the e n r a e reach main body of soil b hi d . Whe e circumst nc s

a a a prevent the utiliz tion of such b nk of soil , the best

‘ 'I I J e 0 q I O o l ' ‘ 1 i 9 '

- A WELL CONSTRUCTED WALL GARDEN .

n few l n are o n in or er to e r n a e the e o of l n . O ly a p a ts sh w , d cl a ly i dic t m th d bui di g

e alternative is to build a doubl wall , with a space of at least

a the a S t a y rd between two f ces , this pace to be ﬁlled wi h — good , moisture retaining soil, and the top levelled down and left uncovered to receive the full beneﬁt of all the rain

a that f lls .

S a l On the sunny ide of such a w l , a great variety of

a l pl nts may be p anted , including as examples , Dianthus ON WALL GARDENS 3 5

e of many kinds , Sil nes , Sedums , Sempervivums and Saxi fra es i asarina g , Antirrhinum glutinosum and Antirrh num ,

a s hi . a as well as v rietie of Antirr num majus Cheir nthus ,

wallﬂower it the real , in its varied species , makes

bed self as much at home on a wall as in a ﬂower , and

m e the Linarias , the Fragarias , and Saponaria ocy oid s , will cur tain the face of the stones with verdant foliage and gay blossoms . On the S hady S ide of the wall we may make much of

a arenarias , mossy saxifr gas , Lysimachia nummularia , Glaux

a a a a m ritim , Erinus lpinus , Codonopsis ov ta , and Asperulas ,

l as ae a ul a the m as we l Ac n s , Cot squalida , Thy es , and many

- other shade loving plants .

n a i I on0 sidium ul A dros ce coronopifol a , p aca e , Sedum

ae ul arm c r eum , the ch ing little blue ﬂowered Sedum , Saxi

a ma be a fr ga Sibthorpii , y all established by sc ttering seeds

hi e in the c nks betw en the stones , where sufﬁcient soil rests for the seedlings to obtain a foothold , and once established they may be left to take care of themselves

a - and m intain existence by means of self sown seeds .

a a a wallﬂowers M ny other pl nts , such for inst nce , as the ,

a e r hoenecium and Antirrhinums , the red V l rian , Ve bascum p

ul he Glob arias , are best establis d in walls by sowing seeds , and during the process of building, the ﬂeshy roots of

ae ol h ll um ma Trop olum p yp y , or of T . speciosum , y be

u S snugly b ried behind the stones , leaving their hoots to ﬁnd their own exit and drape the rugged face of the wall

- with their lace like growth and gorgeous blossoms . There are many kinds of hardy ferns that are admirably

e e S a suit d for wall culture , where moistur and h de are 3 6 ALPINE PLANTS

available , a number of the daintiest varieties of asplenium ,

- a such as A . trichomanes , A . ruta muraria , A . adi ntum nigrum , are particularly appropriate , whilst crested S col oPendiums in inﬁnite variety of tasselled ends and

are . crimped edges , full of beauty and interest In the drier parts the oak-leaved Polypodium and also Poly

cambricum ll n . podium , wi produce charmi g fronds

At the base of a wall , especially if a peat bed and some i water can be provided , the royal fern Osmunda regal s ,

a and its sister , Osmund palustris , will give an air of richness l to the wall garden , and so also wi l colonies of hardy

a hi Cyclamen , Erythroniums , Dodec theons , Orc s foliosa , San

a guinari canadensis, and the Colchicums , add charm and beauty to the scene .

n e Duri g periods of severe drought , car ful attention

a must be paid to the watering of a wall g rden , and that is one point over which many garden owners go wrong . Too often a hose-pipe connected with a tap-main is trained

ll e on the face of the wa , and the water eject d with such force that much of the soil is washed from between the

a stones , laying bare many of the surf ce roots of the plants , and very probably dislodging entirely any young seedl ings

a a that may be germin ting . The f ce of the wall streams

a with water, the foli ge of the plants drips , and all looks

e e a w ll , but the whole ffort has tot lly failed to soak the

a soil at the b ck , where the main roots of the plants are . Where a wall is sunk below the level of the ground and

a a leans ag inst a v st body of earth , there is not much need

r for watering , even in ve y dry weather, except in such instances as where the soil is a network of roots of big ON WALL GARDENS 3 7

trees . In the latter case , and also in the case of the double

s faced walls already de cribed , one of two methods will be necessary to ensure adequate moistening of the whole

l a root run of the plants . The one method is to y a hose i hi pipe on the so l be nd the stones , and allow water to run gently , not forcibly , for several hours , then moving as far as necessary , and allowing another portion to be thoroughly soaked , and so on , until the whole area of the

. S at wall garden is treated The other method is to ink ,

u the l reg lar intervals along top of the wa l, bottomless l barre s or sewer pipes , and ﬁll these to the brim with water , re-ﬁllin S g as it inks away . Always remember, that if a

all wall garden is to be watered at , it must be done on a sufﬁciently liberal scale to thoroughly soak the ground

hi l ar to a good depth . T s is on y necess y when drought

e is so severe and prolonged that plants appear distress d , w f but one thorough watering ill su ﬁce for a long period , and is worth more than any number of mere surface

v waterings . Although it is ad ised that the top soil of a

a ul e wall g rden sho d be ﬂat , and open to rec ive the beneﬁt

a ar of all rains, it is by no me ns necess y to leave it bare .

hr e a Many plants will t iv in such position . Centranthus

hi e ruber, Antirr nums , Verbascums , Helianth mums and n Cistus , Dryas octopetala , and many ki ds of Dianthus, will provide sheets of colour and effective foliage , and

w a whilst the rain ill drip from their foli ge to the earth , their shade will help to check evaporation during hot weather .

The great advantage of even a short , low wall , is that

a in a n rrow space that as a bed would take but a thin , 3 8 ALPINE PLANTS

single row of plants , the perpendicular face of the wall can be made to accommodate scores of different kinds

a i - of plants , fford ng an ever changing spectacle of beauty i that w ll go on developing and improving year by year . The best season for construction of wall gardens is ear ly m autu n , for at this season the plants may be placed in

l i an d O position as bui d ng proceeds , will then have pportunity to well establish themselves and get their new roots well

’ behind the stones before scorching summer s sun has to be endured . Of course a wall situated in a cool shady spot can be planted

e e during spring with ev ry chanc of success , but where circum stances call for spring planting of a wall exposed to midday sunshine it will be a wise precaution to erect some sort of temporary shading until the plants have taken good root hold . CHAPTER V

ON THE CULTURE OF ALP I NE PLANTS I N S MALL GARDENS

a or e e r HE choice of spect xposur , the p ovision of a particular kind of soil or compost for some fastidious

a and the e e e a e pl nt , x rcis of care in pl nting , constitut the e e e e the a e a l m ntary principl s of cult of lpin pl nts , but although described as elementary because they must form the a and e er e e subject of our e rliest studies xp im nts , th y

e e e a t e must n ver be consid r d unimport nt , for h y must remain with us and claim our constant attention as long

am far re e e as we continue to cultivate . I mo conc rn d about these three points than I am about the plan or extent

i e e of the rockery . First , because w th a knowl dge of th se essentials we shall have al ready learned enough to enable us to avoid most of the common errors of rock-work con

e e e struction ; and , secondly , b cause with this knowl dg at our command we may quite successfully grow an absorbingly

e e a e inter sting coll ction of lpin s , even though we cannot possess a rockery at all and I am convinced that among the thousands of owners of small gardens there must be a large proportion to whom such a proposition will strongly 3 9 40 ALPINE PLANTS appeal as opening up possibilities of a delightful hobby incurring no prohibitive initial outlay .

al a De ing with spect and exposure on broad lines , we may

e say that an op n situation is best , for the majority of alpine plants love free circulation of air and exposure to

e sunshine . It is always possible to so contriv that portions

THE SHADY CORNER OF AN ENCLOSED TOWN GARDEN MADE INTERESTING E - H FE S BY TR ATMENT WITH ROCK WORK , ARDY RNS AND HADE G Loe PLANTS . nn om er be e in r on oo n sun- ov n n Su y c s may d alt with simila fashi , ch si g l i g pla ts .

of our al pine quarters are rendered shady for the accom

odation - m of a few shade loving plants . Where stone is

a used , a big boulder or two can be so pl ced as to form a

S hady recess or pocket at their base , and where no stone is used the S hade- loving plants can be given positions to the

S north ide of some plant of erect or bushy growth . Even

ALPINE PLANTS IN SMALL GARDENS 41 Where a towngarden is so hemmed in that sunlight is

e l e wi a al most excluded , ther are still possibi iti s , for th selection of shade - loving plants of hardy constitution and free growth an otherwise dull and disappointing patch may

d e be made both attractive an inter sting . We have Anemones of many varieties that thrive without

and . the sunshine , and even under the shade drip of trees

Arenaria balearica grows freely in damp , sunless spots . Quite a host of Primul as that would collapse if subjected to the ﬁerce heat of summer ’ s sun will grow and bloom with

-i Ramo dia a al n . n vigour in a w led town garden pyren ica ,

l S a S one of the sweetest of a pines , requires a cool h dy pot , and ax a O li the red and purple varieties of S ifrag ppositifo a ,

as l a . wel as many of the mossy Saxifrages , delight in sh de

as But so far the selection of plants for shady or sunny,

dry or moist positions is concerned , the classiﬁed lists l i provided in a later chapter wil serve as a gu de . It has already been advised that the soil utilized in

a n - S l m ki g a rock garden hou d be rich in humus , but not

al the e with rank anim manure . It must obviously be prop r thing to plant the general run of al pines in soil largely

a e and consisting of le fy mould , decayed vegetabl matter

a i porous grit , s nd or stone ch ppings , for in their mountain

homes the cracks , interstices and hollows among the rocks hi get ﬁlled with just t s kind of compost , and it is in this

a e that the pl nts ﬁnd a congenial rooting m dium .

' A sandy soil is easily improved by the incorporation of

- leaf mould , spent hops , lawn mowings and other humus

i a forming materials , wh lst a stiff clay may be de lt with by hl ﬁrst digging deeply and roug y in autumn , leaving the 42 ALPINE PLANTS

’ nﬂ w r upturned clods exposed to the i uence of inter s f osts ,

the al and then by liber addition of sharp sand , lime rubble ,

hi and ur limestone c ppings b nt earth , as well as such humus

e as a e e a forming mat rial is vailabl . By F bruary or M rch such a bed will have become sufﬁciently friable to rake

r a down to a good su f ce tilth , and the planting of most

ma alpines y then be undertaken , choosing of course a

i e and i t me when the weath r is fairly open , the so l in a

an condition to work comfortably . Never plant while y

the frost is in the ground , nor when soil is so saturated with

a moisture as to be sticky nd muddy . With lighter soils autumn planting is to be preferred for

n a the ordinary run of alpi es , although a few pl nts that are particularly impatient of excessive moisture during their l dormant season are best planted in spring . Such wil be found to be indicated in the descriptive notes of the various

a pl nts . In other cases the best time for replanting is

e immediately the season of ﬂowering has pas s d . Most

e al e a nurserym n grow pin plants for s le in pots , and such may be transplanted with safety at practically any season of the year except when the ground is either frost-bound or

e snow cov red . In planting pot-grown plants it is inadvisable to break

r a I e n the ball of soil at all . Simply tu n out the pl nt by nv rti g

a e a the pot and t pping its edg , and insert in hole just deep enough to bring the surface of the pot soil S lightly below the level of the bed . Draw soil gently all round the plant and press very ﬁrmly with the hands . Firm planting must

ru l e a be the , for no pl nt roots well if the soil lies too loosely around it . When plants are lifted from the open ground ALPINE PLANTS IN SMALL GARDENS 43 for transplanting it is always best to make a hole wide

’ enough and deep enough to admit of their being S pread

e e out to th ir full extent . If one has large clumps to d al

- a with of such plants as Aubrietias , Arabis , Saxifrag s ,

um l e Sed s or Campanulas , it is far better to gently pul th m apart into comparatively small pieces with some roots

e a he attach d than to cr m t whole clump into one hole . The latter method generally means that some portion of

l e and the roots wi l not com into contact with fresh soil, the

l o resu t will be that parts of the mass of growth will die ff .

e If the soil about the roots of the clump adheres v ry closely,

ell w be soak it w , or even wash it a ay, so that the plant may

e a d a La divided without t aring n bre king its roots . y the pieces so that the herbage lies resting around the margins of the hole with the roots spread out as well as possible

a e a cover these with soil , and fter ﬁrming pr ss a few sm ll

e e a pi c s of stone close in to the crown or collar of the pl nt .

a e a a a From clump that originally cover d bout squ re foot , a colony of divided pieces may frequently be made to spread

a a a over a y rd of surface , and it is thus th t the most ple sing effects may be obtained from alpines that are of a naturally

e a i e h inters ers procumb nt or tr il ng natur , w ilst we may by p

r ing here and the e single plants of erect or bushy growth ,

e e ﬂat a a and e break up an oth rwis appe r nce , incid nt ally add greatly to the range of variety to be accom modat ed a a a in a comparatively sm ll re . Suitable plants for this latter purpose will be found among the white

a e e S e ﬂowered Anthericums , Heucher s , P ntst mon p cies

er l iso h ll um e e such as P . het ophyl us , P . p y , and P . M nzi sii ,

a a Z li several kinds of Camp nul , auschneria ca fornica , and 44 ALPINE PLANTS indeed an almost endless variety of choice and beautiful plants . At intervals a yard of space should be marked out for a

e Cistus , Helianthemum or som other ﬂowering shrub of

a and I t u moder te height , sho ld be contrived that the soil in these positions S hould be mounded several inches above

ur di e l et the s roun ng lev l . Do not the shrubs be very large

n a ll when planted , for small you g pl nts wi establish them

e e s lves better . The bar ness of the soil around them can be hidden by planting the delightful pink -ﬂowered Saponaria

i ul a a ocymoides , the wh te Asper odor ta , or the yellow Lotus

n ul hi l S ni cor ic atus, w ch wi l keep the pot well fur shed until

S r he e e S the h ub occupies t Whol of its allott d pace . If some peat can be obtained a peat bed may be made in

a partially shaded spot , or a few pockets dotted about along the S hadier and cooler S ide of the alpine bed in which such

as a a e a subjects Sold nellas , Epig ea rep ns , the h rdy orchids ,

and he a e a some of t m ny beautiful British f rns m y be grown .

a Many Primul s , too , like some peat in the soil , and it is

necessary if we wish to have a good colony of hardy heathers .

l fﬁ a S It is wel , if su cient f irly broad labs of rough porous

stone can be procured , just to roughly divide these various sections of our alpine bed ; for in addition to the useful u p rposes served by stone , as previously explained , these rugged divisions will be of considerable help in keeping one class of plant from encroaching on the domains of another but always remember that the plants do not want to be

walled in by stones set up perpendicularly on edge . The great advantage about the method of cul tivating alpines at present under consideration is that it may be ALPINE PLANTS IN SMALL GARDENS 45

a e al st rted in the small st , most modest and economic way , and may be developed and improved upon little by little

a as time goes on . An odd stone may be pl ced where it will

a be of service at any time it happens to come to h nd . A fresh plant can always be accommodated even if it means hi reducing somet ng of which we have more than enough , and the bed can be extended from time to time as long as space for such extension remains .

e Mortar rubbl , burnt earth , coarse sand , broken oyster S hell , etc . , dug into the soil must be our substitutes for the rock that is lacking , and will provide the roots of the plants with the material in which they can make themselves at home . Quite a large proportion of alpines tend in course of time to produce straggling and comparatively bare stems . This is a perpetuation of a natural habit that is a necessity to

ex a e their continued istence in their n tiv mountain home . We have already referred to the consequences of the S pring

’ e e e and thaw after wint r s frost . Loos n d soil , grit stone , tumbling down from the heights above travels until progress

O r is checked by some obstruction , and this bst uction is frequently a jutting rock or outcrop of stone , behind which

a grows a colony of some lpine plant . Here the descending

ri e l g t and soil is h aped up , and were it not for the abi ity of the plants to thr ow out stems to a considerable length they would be buried so completely that they would be done to % death . When , however , the d bris covers the stems many of the tufts of foliage that dangled over the ledges of rock remain uncovered , the stems throw out fresh roots , and the

resul t is a strengthened and extended colony . We may 46 ALPINE PLANTS take a hint from this that when transplanting pieces of an old plant that has spread itself by means of straggling bare

e a e stems , as is oft n found to be the c se with Aubri tias ,

a a a Di nthus , the alpine Phloxes , or Veronic s , inste d of merely burying the roots and leaving the untidy barren stems to

S rea e a p d around , gath r the tufted growths of young foli ge

e and nl tog ther , so plant that they o y are left uncovered by

we ma a e a a be soil . Thus y secure n at p tch th t will soon nourished by an entriely new Wh root system . en an estab lished clump begins to get

a e l str ggly in growth , it is w l to

mulch it , packing loose gritty soil and stone chippings around

and between the growths . The plants will be found to take on a new lease of healthy vigorous

a e life ft r such mulching .

Plants of rosetted growth , S AX IFRAGA LONGIFOLIA WE LL S em er ms T E . v1vu PLANTED BE W EN ROCKS such as the p , the

larger encrusted Saxifragas , and in fact practically all plants that can be separated to

a are single crowns or growths with roots ttached , best dotted singly over a patch of soil or al ong a crevice be tween stones for by this means every single crown gets

and room for full development . Bulbous tuberous rooted plants shoul d for the most part be planted three or

n a four i ches deep , but rhizom tous roots , such as Irises ,

should not be buried , their crowns being left just visible

on the surface of the soil .

48 ALPINE PLANTS

a necessarily mean that it is less beautiful . When

n a e di t he seedli g is of a sh d of colour that spleases eye , it can easily be removed and replaced with a plant of favourite

r a a colou . Sometimes , lso , we may by r ising seedlings secure a new form that is worthy of propagation by cuttings

di an i . or v sion , thus affording added interest to our hobby

Of There are quite a number plants that , left to them

e selves , will scatt r their seeds around and reproduce them

in all selves plenty , that is necessary being to thin out over crowded seedlings to give those most conveniently placed

e the best possible chanc . CHAPTER VI

P ROP AGATI ON OF ALPI NE PLANTS : THE VARI OUS METHODS DESCRI BED

BY D S O O S IVI I N OF RO T .

HE majority of alpine plants may be increased by

division of the root clumps , for it is a prevalent habit with these plants of diminutive stature or of creeping or trailing habit to make clusters of crown growths each

al with individual roots , though intertwining in a much tangled mass , or to spread out j ointed stems that take root wherever a joint rests upon the ground . To quote instances hi of plants of t s character we may mention the Saxifrages ,

Sedums and Sempervivums as of the clustered crowns type ,

a Aubri and the prostrate Veronicas , Ac enas , Arenarias , and etias - l of the stem rooting type . Many of the Campanu as ,

are too , of tufted growth , the clumps parting into several i portions with roots attached , and other plants of th s ul character are the Armerias , Gentianas aca is , verna and

a a others , and most of the Primul tribe . All such pl nts may

S l be lifted , carefully haken to remove as much soi as possible , the and gently pulled asunder, taking care not to pull

the - herbage from root stock , but so to separate the mass of 49 D 50 ALPINE PLANTS roots that the divisions come away with a proportionate

a amount of top growth att ched . The best season at which to divide alpines must be

a decided by circumstances . The m j ority of plants have a ni deﬁ te season of growth , and a period of rest . If the rest is so complete that the whole plant becomes inactive for a season division and transplanting shoul d take place just ni at the time of reawake ng , for thus the separated portions will quickly take to the new soil and growth will proceed before decay can set in . There must , however , be exception l to this rule in the case of certain p ants that bloom ﬁrst ,

a then make new growth , ripen off , and go to rest . T ke for

a e a S inst nc hepaticas . These bloom quite e rly in the pring ,

the ﬂowers bursting even before their leaves . Obviously , if the roots are disturbed just as activity commences the n ﬂoweri g season would be spoiled . Immediately after

al r ﬂowering , however , the re p oduction of new growth and

and new crowns begins , continues through the summer,

n a ripe ing off in utumn , then resting until the ﬂower heads

rise in the early months of the new year . It is therefore the proper thing to lift and divide

a e hep ticas as soon as th y have ﬁnished blooming , for that

is the time when root activity is greatest . Quite a number

S l r i a hi i of other plants hou d be t eated in sim lar f s on , a l ttle Observation of habits sufﬁcing to enable them to be picked l out . Those p ants that ﬂower in autumn may for the most

a v S ll p rt be di ided in early pring , because that wi give them the beneﬁt of a long period of growth before they have to

l a endure the strain of ﬂowering . General y speaking l te

autumn is not a good time for dividing alpines , because the PROPAGATION OF ALPINE PLANTS 51 lacerated root - stock lies dormant in the soil during the wettest period of the year and is apt to rot before new roots are formed . Strong growing plants may be replanted at the time of w division , but plants ith very ﬁne growth , and those with

ﬂeshy , more or less tuberous roots are better potted for

hil e a w e , because plants make fresh root more r adily in a small body of porous soil with a pot around them than in

the vast body of soil in the rockery or garden bed .

BY GS CUTTIN .

a The next method of propag tion is by cuttings , and in

e most cases where growth emanates from a central st m ,

i a al branch ng out with auxili ry growths , and so where

l e sta k d growths spring from a tuft , this is the method to

adopt . As examples of the former class we have the varieties of

hl Z a Lithos errnum m P ox subulata , uschneria , p prostratu ,

t aurica e a n Onosma , and Ch iranthus lpi us , etc . whilst the

a are a l tter typ iﬁed by the Aubrietias , m ny of the Cam

anul as a a l m . u p , Viola co ut , V gr cilis and the Mim us tribe .

e l e are The Helianthemums , Cistus , Mu h nbeckia , of com

a - par tively hard wooded growth , and the ripened shoots of

Off e the current season , stripped with a heel in arly

m S autu n , root best placed round the edges of pots or hallow

the - r pans . The softer growth of sub sh ubby plants should

’ be taken in spring when the new season s growth is active

a ul and the other class , such as C mpan as , Aubrietias , should

ﬁrst be cut back to induce new growth , and the new shoots taken as cuttings when two or three leaf-joints have formed 52 ALPINE PLANTS

ll S below the central rosette . Our i ustrations how the kind

and i of shoots to select , the manner of tak ng the cuttings , which S houl d either be stripped off with a heel of bark from

m - i the main stem , or cut clean i mediately below a leaf j o nt .

Do not tear leaves from cuttings , but cut them from the i n portion of stem that is to be nserted in the soil , usi g a

C E LL%

C A H S S A BRANCH OF ISTUS , SHOWING AT W ERE HOOTS MAY BE EVERED C FOR MAKING UTTINGS .

- e n : tr e n re for n er on. e n e eron f mm u g um , , Z u ner L t ha d A i d c tti ady i s ti H lia th m s V icas a sch ia ,

etc. be ro e , may thus p pagat d.

sharp knife , and taking care not to crack or bruise the

cutting .

Use rml sandy soil , and press ﬁ y to the base of the cutting . ll A loosely inserted cutting wi never root properly .

It is rarely wise to subject cuttings of alpines to artiﬁcial

heat , a cold frame being , generally speaking , the best PROPAGATION OF ALPINE PLANTS 53

alpine propagator . It is , however , a matter of importance to keep the cuttings in as still and steady an atmosphere

a e a as possible . Dr ughts , sun heat , and viol nt ch nges of

ri e temperature cause ﬂagging , and in recove ng ther from hi energy is exhausted w ch hampers the process of rooting .

A A BRANCH OF LITHOSPERMUM PROSTRATUM , SHOWING AT SUITABLE C S HOOTS To BE STRIPPED OFF FOR UTTINGS .

The lon er s oot at B are not s a e o be e to ﬂo er. g h s uit bl , but sh uld l ft w - n the rim of t Left hand : Cuttings inserted rou d a po .

a The best pl ce , therefore , for a propagating frame is a

e l shady corn r at the foot of a high wal , and the lights shoul d be kept closed until it is seen that the cuttings are making good new growt h . Where the accommodation of a l nl frame is not avai able , or when o y a pot or two of cuttings

w su can are to be dealt ith , a itable stillness of atmosphere 54 ALPINE PLANTS be maintained by placing the pots of cuttings in a box a few inches deeper than the total height of the cuttings and

S covering with a heet of glass , as shown in the accompanying illustration . With such an easily improvised propagator i the choicest of alp nes may be reared .

P ROPAGATING. r e Handy substitutes for a propagating f am .

BY S LAYER .

Layering is a capital means of propagating many alpine

a . pl nts . The stronger growing Dianthuses , such as D

ari a e a plum us , may be l yered aft r the same m nner as

a a e carnations . Our illustr tion shows suitable shoot trimm d and tongued for pegging down with a hairpin Tongue

56 ALPINE PLANTS

S ALI CO RN OI D E S PORTION OF A PLANT OF VERONICA , SHOWING A BRANCH LAYERED BY WEIGHTING WITH A FLAT PIECE OF ROCK .

n n of rowt and oo e be ro e in r Ma y pla ts bushy g h w dy st ms may p pagat d this manne .

and leaving through winter well rooted young plants may

S be had ready for transplanting in pring .

Y B SEED .

’ The production of plants from seed is Nature s own way ,

and with many plants it is the best method of propagation .

l a With some it is the on y really satisfactory w y. It must be admitted that in the case of plants that are

given very much to variation of colour and habit , as , for

a instance , g rden varieties of Aubrietia , some of the red

and hl ﬂowered mossy Saxifragas , varieties of P ox subulata , l we cannot depend upon seed ings being true to the variety ,

PROPAGATION OF ALPINE PLANTS 57 and it is a case of selecting the best and discarding the

e a S inferior, but with v ry m ny well deﬁned types and pecies

n e the seedli gs can be reli d upon , and often , indeed , a plant raised from seed is superior to the rooted cutting or the divided root . It is a very good general rule to sow seeds of alpines as

hi ur soon as they are ripe . T s , of co se , is in the summer

a n m time in the c se of spring ﬂoweri g plants , and autu n for n the later bloomi g kinds , but if ripened later than September

r it will generally be better to defer sowing until early sp ing . s As with cuttings , so with seeds of alpine , it is a great mistake to attempt to hasten germination by submitting

a them to artiﬁcial heat . Be content to r ise in a cold frame

l a or an unheated greenhouse , for seed ings of such h rdy plants raised in high temperature start life weakened by unnatural conditions , become drawn and weakly , and are inevitably disappointing . Use light porous soil in well

a ma drained pots or pans . Wooden tr ys y be used for subjects that are known to be of rapid germination and

a growth , but a l rge proportion of the choicer Alpines are the reverse of rapid , and for such porous earthenware containers are far preferable . One of the greatest difﬁcul ties to contend with in raising small seeded alpines of slow growth is the tendency of the surface soil to become overgrown with moss or lichen . As a safeguard against this trouble , for trouble it is since the

r ee n overg owth checks and sometimes smothers the s dli gs , it is well to dust powdered charcoal or a little ﬁnely powdered lime over the soil .

e e a r N ver bury the seed de ply . M ny alpine seeds a e so 58 ALPINE PLANTS

minute that they require no covering soil at all . Even the smoothest surface has crevices sufﬁcient for the seed to repose in and to cover is to entomb beyond possibility of escape . It is safer to water alpine seeds by immersing the pan or l pot a most to the rim , so that the water may soak up through the u drainage until moisture appears on the s rface , than to

ﬁne- water overhead . Even a rosed can may dislodge seeds

- just throwing out their ﬁrst hair like roots and , moreover, it is difﬁcult to judge just how much water to give to ensure the whole body of soil being moistened , whereas immersion ensures this . nl Always sow seeds very thi y , especially the tiniest

a dl e a seeds , and alw ys get the see ings prick d out in the e rliest

a and a stage it is possible to h ndle sep rate them . By so

- doing a short jointed robust growth is ensured , whereas by

- a leaving in the seed pan the pl nts become drawn , and their

l a roots wil be so entangled that breakage is unavoid ble . Keep close and shaded for two or three days after pricking out , and from then onward give all the air possible on every fair day . Never be tempted to enrich the soil in which seeds are to be sown with manure , and still more shun the use of

f e ee chemical fertilizers . Every e fort must be mad to k p the soil sweet and clean . It is a wise precaution to sterilize the soil by baking , thus destroying grubs , germs of disease ,

e and the seeds of weeds that may be pres nt in the soil . It will of course be necessary after baking to moisten the soil with clean water and allow to stand several hours before using . PROPAGATION OF ALPINE PLANTS 59

Always see that the insides of seed pans and pots are

d an quite clean and dry before use . A irty p or pot is not

e conduciv to healthy growth . With these few brief instructions upon the main features of propagation I must perforce content myself , and trust my readers will be content . To enter closely into the whole subject of propagation of alpine plants would necessitate dealing individually with famil y by family and sometimes

S genus , pecies and variety , for very many plants have little

e a peculiarities that involve particular tr atment , but I t ke it most of the readers of this humble work will be anxious rather to make a beginning with the S impler phases of al pine plant cultur e and the easier kinds of plants than to ex p eri ment with the rarities and most difﬁcult among this extensive family . With an insight into the general principles of good cultiva

ma nﬁ tion , the start y be made with co dence , and step by step the novice will gain experience and knowledge that will lead on to success and along the pathway which all must tread who would aspire to the title of expert .

62 ALPINE PLANTS

a n generally spe king a blank time , and during early spri g t e e e e h re is nothing of int r st in the greenhous . In such

a l S e c ses nothing cou d be nicer , provided the house is ituat d

e e ﬁll wher it g ts the full beneﬁt of daylight , than to it with a collection of alpine plants that will provide unlimited

interest throughout the winter , and create a wondrous

A USEFUL LEAN-To FRAME FOR THE ACCOMMODATION OF A COLLECTION OF CHOICE ALPINES . n The pots are shown plu ged in ashes .

S how of glorious colour right through the early months of

the year . By the time S pace is required for planting tomatoes the

ma alpines y be removed to the open , where they will grow quite happily until housed again after the autumn Chry

santhemums have passed . ALPINE PLANTS IN POTS AND PANS 63

This phase of al pine plant culture is one of such vast possibilities that it is well worthy of the provision of a special

l r house , an excel ent patte n being on the lines of that shown in our illustration .

r f He e the lantern roof a fords the best means of ventilation , for the whole of the vertical lights running the entire length

- H THE X OF A WELL CONSTRUCTED ALPINE OUSE , ADMITTING MA IMUM LIGHT A N D VENTILATION .

immediately below the ridge of the roof can be Opened on the leeward S ide on windy days or both S ides when the

atmosphere is still . It will also be noted that sliding shutters are ﬁxed on the

a S side w lls below the level of the staging . These hould be

a ma be O at e opened d ily , and y left pen night exc pt in very 64 ALPINE PLANTS bad are weather . Sidelights also made to open , and should be opened when the weather is at all warm , the object of the al pine house being not to force the plants by artiﬁcial heat , but mainly to keep the foliage and blossoms clean , and to enable everything to be seen and attended to in m co fort even in the roughest of weather .

Al S though , as has been hown , a house of the style of the

l ma il ustration y be deemed ideal for the purpose , still it is by no means essential that it S hould conform in detail to that plan , the only urgent necessities being adequate means

e i of v ntilation , and plenty of l ght . Whether we have a greenhouse or frames only the principles of cultivation of alpines in pots and pans will be

a r ﬂo er- the same . P ns differ from o dinary w pots only in

a e e shape , a pan having a gre t r surfac area and less depth ,

a a a ar e where s a pot is deeper th n it is broad . Plants th t

are of close , compact , tufted or shrubby growth more

n an d suitable for growi g in pots , whilst prostrate growers ,

wi r such as root into the soil as they grow , ll naturally th ive

e r better wh n affo ded the greater surface of the pan . Quite a a m number of trailing plants , such as S ponaria ocy oides , the a ae e a a a a a c nas , Ar nari mont na , Nepet glechoma varieg t ,

a e e e an etc . , m ke a v ry eff ctiv display when grown in p pyramids constructed by setting a small pan or a pot inside a the e large one , and ﬁlling interv ning space between the

a S ides of the small er and larger with soil . By pl nting young

a k r pieces all round the whole quic ly becomes fu nished , making a conical mound of beautiful growth and bloom .

al l a The interior of pots and pans must be perfectly cle n , otherwise heal thy growth will not be maintained . ALPINE PLANTS I N POTS AND PANS 65

a Crocks must be liberally used to ensure drainage , necessity even with those plants that in nature thrive in

a e a boggy pl c s . Soil should be of good qu lity , but not over

c . a oak ri h with manure A good ﬁbrous lo m , beech or leaf

m‘ l e e e ould , sharp si ver sand , some old mortar rubbl or lim ston l chippings , together with a little wood ashes or small charcoa ,

A P OT-PYRAMID PLANTE D WITH A PROSTRATE ALPINE PLANT MAKES A E FINE PIECE FOR THE ALPIN HOUSE .

‘ Many subjects may thus be grown in a small space .

a will make an admirable compost for the m j ority of plants .

e Some few require peat , but these are g nerally indicated in

e our descriptiv notes of the plants .

a use a Pot ﬁrmly is a golden rule . M ke free of sm ll pieces of porous stone to press into the surface soil between and

the W a i suﬂicient around plants . hen w tering g ve to

l the e e an thorough y moisten whol cont nts of the pot or p ,

e a a are but during p riods of rest be cautious , for m ny lpines 66 ALPINE PLANTS

a e impatient of moisture when they are in ctive . R gulate the siz e of pots or pans rather in accordance with the character of the roots than the dimensions of the stems or herbage . Many diminutive alpines make far more root

L H F A PRETTY G ROUP OF A PINE PLANTS FOR THE ALPINE OUSE OR RAME .

a th n top growth , but the roots must have reasonable space

he to maintain t plant in health .

S Watch closely for lugs , woodlice and other insects , killing any that may be discovered— they frequently hide

a under the pots by day , and on that ccount it is wise to

Lirnbux frequently move and rearrange the plants . or some other form of powdered lime sprinkled on the stage between

l n e the plants wil help to keep i sect p sts at bay . Whilst almost all alpin e plants may be successfully gr own

e a al in pots or pans , it is pr fer ble that a selection sh l be made ALPINE PLANTS IN POTS AND PANS 67

a a of the neater, choicer kinds that are not of too r mp nt

ar e rm growth , but that interesting in colour and fo ation of

a as as le f well bloom . Mention is made in the descriptive notes of many plants

G I N A P A N ENTIANA ACAULIS .

e r men of one r o e No t f ag ts st p ess ed am ng th crowns .

S that are pecially suitable for pot culture , but for ready reference a small selection is here given that may well be made an early choice and of course the collection can be augmented to any extent as warranted by desire or opportunity . 68 ALPINE PLANTS

O C S FOR THE O S CH I E PLANT ALPINE H U E AND FRAME . A CJE NA S in var iety LITHOSPERMUM PROSTRATUM A es e c all t he sil v er L YCHNU S LA G A S CE and CHILLEAS , p i y y ALPINA , l eav ed kinds VISCARIA SPLENDENS PLENA A and VE R M all ar e ies DONIS AMURENSIS ECONOPSIS , v i t NA LI S MESEMBRYANTHEMUM JE THI O NE MA of s e eral kinds M v IMULUS LUTEUS ALPINUS , A rac call al l kinds C and C H NDROSACE , p ti y ORONATION HALK ILL A NEMONE , BLANDA , PULSATILLA , GIANT RO BI N S ON I A NA and SYLVES MO RI S I A HYPOGE A TRIS NEPETA GLECHOMA VARIEGATA ARENARIA GRANDIFLORA and OMPHALODES LU C I L UE MONTANA ORIGANUM DICTAMNUS BRYANTHUS ERECTUS HYBRIDUM C t he dwar er s ecies O U R I S I A AMPANULA , f p COCCINEA and var iet ies OXALIS D E P P E I I and E NNEA CARLINA ACAULIS P HYL LA CHE N O S TOMA P HLox t he cho cer ar e ies of HISPIDA , i v i t CONVOLVULUS MAURITANICUS DIVARICATA and SUBULATA C BUL P man k nds ORYDALIS BRACTEATA , RIMULAS , y i B and THA L I CTR I R AMON D I A BOSA , NO ILIS PYRENAICA FOLIA NA THA L I ZE C all t he hard k nds R OS COZEA and YCLAMEN , y i PURPUREA CAUTI C man kinds LI O I D E S YPRIPEDIUM , y S A e RA GA es ec al l DAPHNE CNEORUM , p i y LONGI t he small er an d and DIANTHUS , FOLIA PYRAMIDALIS , cho er k nds B B U RS E RI AN A ic i OYDII , GRIES D I O N AZA MU S CI P U LATA BA CHI I and APICULATA DODECATHEON S CHI Z OCO D O N S OLD A N E LLO I D E S S t he cho er k nds DRABA EDUM , ic i EPIMEDIUM S EMPERVIVUM of bes t varieties EUPHORBIA MYRSINITES S HORTIA G A LA CI F O LI A F t he v ar e a ed v arie es S UNKIA , i g t ti OLDANELLA GA Z ANIA S TATICE BE LLI D I F OLI A and man inds GENTIANA , y k MINUTA GERBERA JA ME S ON I THALICTRUM D I P TE ROCA RP UM HA BE RLE A RHOD O P E N S I S TROP zE OLU M P OLYP HYLLU M HELLEBORUS NIGER VERBENA CHA MzE D RI o rD E s and INCARVILLEA GRANDIFLORA VENOSA I t he small er rh z oma o s the dwar er kinds RIS , i t u VERONICA , f and bulbo us s pecies VIOLA GRACILIS and PEDATA LEONTOPODIUM ALPINUM WAHLENBERGIA S E RPHYLLI F O LI A

70 ALPINE PLANTS

his watching the habits and growth of plants , and care

e ul fully noting the r s ts of experiments , he will make progress him that will spur on to attempt greater things , and will doubtless add from time to time to his collection some

a a of the choicer kinds th t require more skilful man gement . Such is the hobby or occupation of cultivating Al pine

ma plants , from the smallest beginnings we y progress step

ul - by step , acquiring knowledge and ﬁnding so satisfying

e all the e i e enjoym nt along way, and n ver com ng to a stag

a n e f of ﬁn lity or a poi t b yond which further e fort is futile , m or further progress i possible . Whilst it woul d be quite impracticable to attempt to describe individually every species and var iety of plant which may claim to be embraced by our comprehensive

e n title , it is hop d that in this and the succeedi g chapter w n a e l ill be fou d an mple sel ction of p ants for all seasons , al l a and situations , and all t stes , whatever may be said of

ma at a a a has plants omitted , it y le st be s id th t nothing

e S been includ d that is unworthy of pace in the lists , or

if a ill r e all . that w not p ov useful in some , not in , g rdens

CE — e A NA . First in alphabetical precedenc , and ﬁrst in

a a most hardy plant cat logues, the Ac enas , of which there

S e e are a dozen or more p ci s and varieties , are decidedly

a ri pretty , and useful . The foliage is alw ys desc bed as evergreen , and it is entitled to that description so far

r as conce ns endurance throughout the year, but most

a e of the Ac enas are remarkabl for other tints than green , and indeed , the colour effects of the dense carpet of foliage ,

- S ea the and of the bright hued piny seed h ds , constitute charm and value of the genus . There is no difﬁculty in EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 71

a the cultivation of Acaenas . They thrive in s ndy soil

a or among stones in any aspect , but rather prefer sh de to

r a e full exposu e to sun . An old pl nt pulled to pi ces will

e a furnish pl nty of tr iling stems , some with roots, and all

ﬁrm capable of producing roots if laid in the soil , pressed ,

S TONE-PAVING AND S TEPS WITH SUITABLE PLANTS GROWING BETWEEN THE S TONES .

aena renar e o a etc . are e for the r o e . Ac s, A ias, Thym s, C tula squ lida, , us ful pu p s

a e ul and covered with sandy compost . Ac enas are us f for

a and e i growing in the cr cks crevic s of stone pav ng , loose

a a . stone w lls , or for the corners of rough ﬂight of steps Another very good purpose they will serve is to carpet a

a hi l Antheri p tch of ground in w ch Dodecatheons , Tri liums ,

e cums , or oth r bulbous or tuberous plants of more or less 72 ALPINE PLANTS

S s l par e erect growth are planted . A . microphyl a is one

S a of the most telling , its piny seed he ds being of bright red , well set off by a close undergrowth of glossy bronze

e ae-z eal andiae a tint d foliage . Nov is nother with metallic

S tints in its leaves , a ilvery leaved variety being adscendens . A pot- pyramid of Acaena makes a delightful object in the alpine house or frame .

— a e - AJUGA . Our n tive bugl ﬂower and its purple leaved

e u vari ty , are sometimes usef l for covering the soil in some

S m e damp haded co er where little else will grow , but th re

a a are , among the less common Ajug s , pl nts of much beauty

a that deserve more prominent positions among our lpines .

enevensis A . g crispa is a quaint plant , with curled and

w a ver t isted leaves , revealing shades of met llic colours g ing into the rich glossy green of the ground colour .

S r The ﬂowers are blue . The ilver va iegated form of A .

a reptans makes a capital carpet plant , and lso does

a splendidly alongside stone paving . With a few squ re feet

e and of space covered with A . r ptans variegata , a few stems of Asclepias tuberosa rising up between the green and white

e e - carp t , the lov liness of the intensely rich orange coloured Asclepias and the strangely uncommon form of its ﬂowers

a will be brought irresistibly to notice . The Ajuga lso makes a very effective and suitable undergrowth for a colony of Orchis foliosa or other spike-ﬂowered hardy

s orchid .

C — a AL HEMILLA . Both alpina and vulgaris are n tive

u . plants , usef l because of the Winter beauty of their foliage

r the l anceo Sp eading around stalk , umbrella fashion , the

late segments of the leaves are silky on the underside , and EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 73

- ma a soft pea green on the surface . They y be grown in

S total hade , but will thrive in sun so long as provided

e with plenty of moisture . Where it is d sired to emphasize f certain colour e fects , a background or setting of Alchemilla

a foli ge may be relied upon to achieve that purpose .

S S — e ALY UM . There are at least a score sp cies and

e e vari ti s of perennial Alyssums , some of which , at any rate , should ﬁnd their way wherever alpine plants are grown .

a Alyssum saxatile , and its improved variety comp ctum , must be voted worthy of inclusion in the best dozen plants

e a for the rock ry , whilst for beds without stones few pl nts can yield as much colour in a given space as a good patch

, a of two year old Alyssum saxatile A dry bank , a p tch

l al w - of gravel y or ch ky soil, a ind swept corner, or anywhere

- a except a very wet , ill drained position , will suit the pl nt , and its shaggy mass of golden yellow ﬂowers will compel attention and admiration throughout S pring and early

- a summer . Even when out of bloom the grey green foli ge

e is beautiful . There is a good double ﬂow red variety ,

a The and a pale lemon one n med citrinum . double one is best propagated by cuttings , but the others are very n easily raised from seed , and if sow as soon as ripe the

a w S l e pl nts will bloom the follo ing pring , but wil be far mor

e proliﬁc the s cond and following years . Several other

S e a e p cies of Alyssum , lthough quit tiny and perhaps

r are e f e meag e so far as ﬂowers conc rned , are very e f ctive

a by reason of the glistening whiteness of their foli ge , which ,

a by the way , is always whiter if the roots run mong lime

moellendorﬁ . . e a or chalk A alpestre , cond ns tum , and

are - l -ﬂowered anum three of these white foliaged , ye low 74 ALPINE PLANTS

a sorts , while A . spinosum , which makes a br nching woody

S . hrub , has white ﬂowers ANTENNARIA dioica tomentosa is a particularly useful

a the pl nt for carpeting ground under Irises , Anthericums , or any ﬂowers of stiff erect growth . Its foliage is silvery

hi S a . w te , and it preads r pidly in almost any kind of soil hi There are a few other Antennarias in cultivation , but t s

a is probably the most service ble . — ANTHEMI S . The beauty of some of the dwarf Anthemis rests in their silver leaves and downy stems . They have

- yellow or white daisy like ﬂowers , and are of very easy

u . c lture , especially suitable for chalky soils

C — a - a e ANTHERI UM . These eleg nt , lily like pl nts , with rect

e e branching spik s of glistening white ﬂowers , are includ d because they are never so beautifully effective as when thinly distributed over an area of ground carpeted with

- a some close growing plant with dark foli ge , and such combinations are delightful either on the rockery or in a

a a . a a a a a e bed of lpine pl nts The Ac en s , Aren ri b l arica ,

a a some of the prostrate Veronic s or Campanulas , m ke

e All exc llent carpets for Anthericums to grow through . that is necessary is to plant young crowns about I % feet or 2 feet apart in deeply dug soil and intersperse small e a e lilia o piec s of the c rpeting subj ct . A . g , and its form

and Renarni maj or, A . ramosum , ramosum , are all good ,

r lil iastrum while the e are plants commonly named A . which botanists tell us should be called Paradisia liliastrum

. l and A Hookeri , otherwise Bulbine la Hookeri , which are a l equ lly beautiful by whatever name they are ca led . G — AQUILE IA . The whole family of Aquilegias may be EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 75 enthusiasticall y proclaimed charming and exceedingly grace

a a a ful pl nts , foli ge , h bit , form of ﬂowers , and lovely colours

a a - being like fe tures of striking beauty . The tall growing

-S e are a long purr d hybrids , which among our most popul r

e a are e the bord r pl nts , not quit the best for rock garden

a e or collection of alpines , but we h ve s veral dwarf species , most of which have conspicuously large ﬂowers of bright

are a e e a a e e rich colours , and ltogeth r w ll d pt d for our pr sent

r a a a e pu pose , either as individu l pl nts dotted mong clos

a e a e e a a growing c rp ting pl nts lik Ar nari s , Sedums or Ac enas ,

a the e e or for m ssing in bold groups , xt nt of which must of course be governed by the total area of the alpine

e a e gard n . The Aquilegi s like an ampl root run in fairly

a e rich , loamy soil , with free admixtur of grit or sharp

e ri sand . Home saved se d may be sown as soon as pe , and e e the seedlings prick d off when an inch high . If mor

e a are the ma than one speci s or v riety grown , seedlings y vary somewhat from the character and colour of the seed

a e parent , but from the point of view of g rd n display this

e e is of no mat rial consequence . If , how ver , it is desired

e e e e to rais a stock of a distinct speci s , true seed can g n rally

e e al r b purchas d from seed speci ists . Roots th ee or four years old may be divided , but one rarely gets such vigour from divided plants as from seedlings . A few of the most serviceable S pecies for the Alpine garden are

a a A . alpina , a pl nt th t grows to about a foot in height , bearing large violet and white blossoms . There is in cultivation a selected garden form named alpina superba

a and flabell at a bearing l rger more showy flowers . A . is white , and it commences flowering as early as April . 76 ALPINE PLANTS

a A . glandulos is one of the very best of the whole genus .

are S Its blossoms very large , and the wing petals and purs

a - are of rich shining blue , the fuchsia like corolla being white . This plant invariably plays a prominent part in the rock garden exhibits at the Royal Horticultural shows

e at Chels a at the latter end of May , but the ﬂowering

and e season extends throughout June , frequ ntly into

. S July Precocity is one characteristic of the pecies , A .

S pyrenaica , plants in heltered nooks frequently opening

s e and blo soms befor March has passed , the display is

he maintained for fully ten weeks . The colour of t ﬂowers

il e is a pleasing shade of l ac , v rging to lavender .

ARABI s — . The common type of Arabis albida is so rough and common a plant that it is a pity to waste space

a e e in gard n of limited dim nsions upon it , when there

e e and a are are oth r more r ﬁned less r mpant kinds , which

as a just easily grown . The double form of albida is cert inl y

e e a e - S e pr f r bl , its stock like pikes of bloom b ing quite pleasing ,

e - a S but ev n this is a coarse rough growing plant , th t hould

S all the e the not be allowed to pread itself over plac , to

e detrim nt of neighbouring plants . The best method is to cut back the growths to the base as soon as ﬂowering has ceased . New growth will break away immediately w l and the plant il present a tidier appearance , and the

next crop of ﬂowers come ﬁner, than if the mass of growth

l e e Bill ardierii is just al owed to go on spr ading uncheck d . A .

e a e ros a is dainty littl plant of less coarseness than albida ,

and its small heads of pink ﬂowers are of pretty colour .

bl e harO h ll a nl A . p p y is smaller still , being o y about three i nches over all ; the ﬂowers are reddish purple . Another

78 ALPINE PLANTS But there are other members of this famil y not quite

a l a e so absolutely ﬂat to e rth , but still sma l , ne t , and v ry

- i a e . ae a e des r bl , A verna , c spitosa and its yellow le v d

a n a variety urea being creepi g c rpeting plants , A . grandi

-ﬂowered ﬂora , a comparatively large white , and A .

r e . . t etra uet ra purpu scens reddish purple A q is choice ,

hi r its w te ﬂowers reaching a height of about th ee inches ,

e S a hi the or mayb four in hady pl ces , w ch , by way , suit the w l arenarias , ith the exception of the yellow one , as wel

. fﬁ as sunny positions Propagation presents no di culties ,

i t a the plants divid ng with the greates of ease , and tr ns planting safely at any season except during severe frost or prolonged drought .

- The n a ARMERIA . Sea Pi k , or Thrift family , cont ins a

a few pl nts of considerable attractiveness , and of greater

the m n rm interest than co mon pi k and white fo s , maritima

e e and maritima alba , albeit th se hav their uses as

a edging plants for gardens on s ndy soils , where their tufts of grass- like foliage and globul ar heads of ﬂowers make quite a good border line for beds where many more

a e fastidious plants would fail . For se sid gardens the

l r e a Thrifts are particu a ly us ful . For rock g rdening , how

we use ever , may preferably the deep red variety of mari

Laucheana z as l tima , named , the greater si e wel as richer colour of its ﬂowers being superior to the common type .

al e a A . ceph ot s , more properly called , ccording to botanists ,

a a i e a A . l tifoli , is st ll more ffective , being l rger and stouter l in both leaf and stem , whi st its red ﬂower heads are of double or treble the size of the maritima type . Another

e e lan a inea S . t tall and strong growing p ci s is A p g , of which EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 79

the S plendens is one of ﬁner forms . This plant has strong

a a a a ai a e str ight ﬂower st lks , th t frequently tt n h ight of

e e a ea two feet , surmounted by larg sph ric l h ds of rich

a e a pink blossoms . The foli ge is broad ned and be rs

a a - e some simil rity to the n rrow l aved plantain , a circum stance to which it owes its speciﬁc name . But the most striking of all the Armerias is a garden variety named

’ a a Bees Ruby . This is pl nt really worthy of a conspicuous

a place in any collection of alpine pl nts . Its large bright l rose pink , or a most cerise , ﬂower heads stand almost a

a y rd from the ground , and are borne in great profusion h for a lengthened period during the summer mont s .

S a ﬂat — Even a ingle plant , est blished in a surfaced pocket

a f a on the rockery , will produce ﬁne e fect among the dw rfer

i a or trail ng pl nts around it , but to fully appreciate the

r charm of this giant th ift , a mass covering a yard or more of space S hould be seen in full bloom . It is then

an d e indeed a ﬁne v ry distinctive feature , and being among

e the asiest of plants to cultivate , it deserves widespread popularity .

S - The e f er l A PERULA . swe t woodru f, Asp u a odorata , is

l e f a British wi dling , but neverth less is useful and e fective

e e e for shady places ov rhung by tr es , wh re the range of li re able subjects available is decidedly limited . The plant

a a n makes an bundant growth of prostr te gree stems , the leaves being whorled at regular interval s along the

u e are e ang lar stems . The tiny whit ﬂowers born in loose

e a e umb ls , and the pl nt possesses a r freshing odour which

e - is commonly likened to fr sh mown hay .

e a a a a A . h x phyll is ﬁner pl nt that has considerable 80 ALPINE PLANTS

‘ a t o a ten ron l “ cl im t t . We do not usually re y upon the a hi rockery for materi l for cut ﬂower decorations , but t s hi ul plant , w ch is certainly well adapted to rock c ture or

“ n of s for planting in a shady portio the alpine bed , furnishe a liberal quantity of S lender wiry stems clothed with

r extremely elegant leaves , and surmounted by ai y tremulous ni h pa cles of minute blossoms of purest w iteness , which

al are equ in decorative value , even indeed if not superior,

and to the ever popular indispensable Gypsophila . A .

a S hex phylla preads by means of underground stems , and

a these afford an easy me ns of increasing stock by division .

S — a S e A TER ALPINUS , The mount in peci s of that wonder ful and comprehensive family of perennials known as Michaelmas daisies is itself a summer ﬂowering plant in our

a e lowland g rd ns , but it is a charmingly pretty ﬂower , and makes a ﬁne patch of clear purple about six inches

a are from the ground level . The st rry ﬂowers large for

a a pl nt of such dwarf stature . A necessary attention

a i with A . lpinus is to mulch with sandy soil at the beg nning of winter, working the compost closely in between the R growths . oots will then form from the base of the stems , and by lifting and dividing these every alternate S pring the stamina and vigour of the plants and S ize and substance of the ﬂowers will be maintained . — l AUBRIETIA . Ever popu ar and extremely useful , the Aubrietias should never be omitted either from the rockery , the alpine bed , or else as edgings for herbaceous

e borders . With tufts of foliage at the nds of thin wiry i stems , Aubrietias in a young state make neat l ttle cushions of growth , which in spring and early summer are closely

EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 8 1

w . e covered ith brightly coloured ﬂowers If, howev r , the

e plant is left to its lf for two or three years , the wiry stems

a become consider bly lengthened , with the result that the tufts of foliage dangle about untidily at the ends of a mass

a e - of n ked , d ad looking stems , and the whole beauty of

e the plant is lost . Two methods , eith r or both of which m may be adopted , will obviate this ble ish , and keep the plants close and compact in growth , robust in health and

e prolific in th ir production of bloom . The first method is to cut back the plants to within an inch or two of their base immediately after flowering , and the second is to mulch

r with a mixture of grit , lime rubble and loam , passed th ough

hi a a sieve . T s is about all the cultural information th t

S needs be given , for Aubrietias are of implest requirements , thrive in most soils , especially if wedged between stones

a a on well dr ined site , with a body of good soil behind them , and they may be propagated with ease , by division ,

e by cuttings dibbl d in a cold frame in early summer , or

ee by s ds . The ﬂowers , however, are very readily cross

e d e f rtilized , and see lings may be expect d to vary con siderabl S y in hade of colour . Quite a number of named

f an varieties are o fered in y hardy plant catalogue , the

e colours embracing many shad s of lavender, mauve , purple

S and blue , with a few pink and reddish hades .

S — - CERA TIUM . The mouse ear chickweed , although a pretty enough plant with its fros ted white foliage and

- snow white ﬂowers, is of so rampant a habit that it frequently becomes murderous toward other and less

recommenda vigorous plants growing near by . Its only

a a i e tion for small g rdens is th t it w ll clothe dry, st ep

F 82 ALPINE PLANTS

an e e a b ks , in exposed positions , wh r m ny plants would

n e not exist . The variety Bieberstei ii is the b st and most effective .

S — a al a CHEIRANTHU . This is the bot nic n me of the Wall

a the e i e al ﬂower f mily , but g nus ncludes s veral perenni and a a and sm ll growing species , v rieties hybrids that are more suitably dealt with as Alpine or rock plants than

he i a wallﬂo er a e e is t fam li r w of cott g gard ns . The yellow

ﬂowered e a Ch iranthus alpinus and the or nge C . Allionii ,

a a - or C . Marshallii , nother or nge coloured variety of hybrid

e a a origin , and also C . mutabilis , an int resting pl nt th t

e the e S a chang s colour of its ﬂowers , som times howing p le

e e e a e and e r cr am , som tim s d rk y llow, th n pe haps bronze

ma i or purple , y all be g ven exposed , sunny positions on the or a S a rockery , , if planted in bed , hould h ve plenty

e e e of lim rubble , burnt arth and small stones about th ir

i lin folia and fe e kewens s . m w roots . C . , C , a oth r sorts

e r a a are of more or l ss mixed blood or hyb id ch r cter , quite

ma a pretty and useful , and any of them y be propag ted wi e r n e th ase by simply st ippi g off sid growths with a heel , and e e inserting in sandy compost , August and S pt mber

a a being suitable months for propagating . Est blished pl nts are greatly beneﬁted by mulching in autumn with a mixture

r a ea l a i e of oad grit , mort r siftings , l f soi , and l ttl ﬁbrous

a r a a C a lo m . A ve y good pl n is to pl nt in lose comp ny

e a a with ach other pl nts of the kinds above n med , allowing

and e e as e them to seed , scatt ring the se ds , as soon rip , among the stones of the rockery or in the chinks of a

l e i rough y constructed ston wall , the latter position mak ng an ideal home for all the Cheiranthus and their near

84 ALPINE PLANTS

O S — - C TULA QUALIDA . This is a pretty little cut leaved

e e the a . Z e trail r, not unlik Ac enas It hails from New aland , but is a useful and pretty plant for shady situations or

e for the crevices of ston paving .

- S . a wallﬂower ERY IMUM These are sm ll species of , ﬁrst cousins , perhaps , of the Cheiranthus , dwarfer and smaller

a e in bloom , but h rdy and very free ﬂow ring . The colour of the ﬂowers is yellow, generally pale and clear, but

r and S e e darke richer in one or two p cies . Th re is an

rm a u A eni n species named purpure m , with purple ﬂowers ,

e but it is rath r uncommon , pumilum , rupestre , and ochr ol eucum helveticum being the more prevalent kinds . Th rsoideum li u y has whitish fo age , and pumil m , the dwarfest , l is sweetly fragrant . Gravel y or sandy soil suits the

Erysimums , and they will thrive on stony banks where hi many t ngs would perish for lack of nourishment . O A —Of EUPH RBI quite distinctive character, very effective

a a in foli ge and qu int in ﬂoral arrangement , the Euphorbias are so attractive that they are sure to arrest the attention of even those of our visitors who are not keenly interested

l are S e in rock plants . The stalk ess leaves in most peci s of thick , succulent appearance , and are arranged at precisely regul ar intervals and deﬁnite angles all along the thick

ﬂesh stems . Several are glaucous , almost to the extent n t of bei g blue , whilst a few are green , wi h conspicuous

- white or creamy mid ribs . The ﬂowers are mostly of a

e greenish amber or chrome yellow , arranged in ﬂat umb ls

a a e on short st lks . The actu l ﬂow rs are backed with

a a the symmetric l leafy br cts , which constitute one of several unique characteristics of the genus . E . cyparissias EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 85

u and S is a beautif l species , evergreen , gay in pring .

a e Myrsinites is prostrate , be utifully glaucous in st m and

a e e leaf, and pilos maj or grows erect to a h ight of ﬁft en

e n e or eighteen inch s . In spri g st ms and foliage , as well

a l as bracts , are of a p le ye low hue , but during summer

a Wul fenii and autumn the plant t kes on reddish tints . E . , although a large plant , growing erect to a height of three

e feet , is peculiarly adapt d for prominent positions on a rockery where a S ingle bush will serve as useful a purpose

has as a pigmy conifer or a ﬂowering shrub . It long , hi tapering, dark green foliage , with t ck light ribs , the

n . whole plant bei g covered with a glaucous ﬁlm . E e ith moides e e e p y is anoth r d sirabl plant , growing over a

e a hi foot high , the yellowish ﬂower h ads and br cts of w ch ul a timately ssume rosy and metallic tints . Euphorbias may be propagated from cuttings during s e r t he ummer, s lecting basal g owths about length of the

e little ﬁnger . When severed from the plant , the profus

hi a a sap , w ch is milky in appe rance , exudes so freely th t the cutting would be quickly exhausted if left lying for h even a short time . To obviate t is it is prudent to dip

e them , immediately they are cut , in a saucer of eith r

e C powd red lime or harcoal .

- I f a GENTIANA . I mistake not the m j ority of my readers would be both surprised and disappointed were the gentians

e hi a a miss d from t s ch pter, so wonderfully popul r are these i plants , wh ch include ﬂowers of the richest and brightest of blues , the rarest of colours in a fair degree of purity to

’ be found in Flora s kingdom . Be it far from me to dis

an parage these lovely ﬂowers , or to in y way discourage 86 ALPINE PLANTS

e ul th ir devotees , but candour demands that I sho d express the opinion that the more prudent classiﬁcation for the best and most prized species and varieties is to include them in the chapter on choicer plants requiring rather

- a e . more c re than the g neral run of free growing subjects .

i f a the an The ch ef reason I have to o fer is th t genti s are ,

a and e many of them , plants of very dwarf st ture clos compact

e growth , and as they r quire a liberal root run , with

a e are abund nce of moisture during th ir growing period , but somewhat impatient of excessive moisture in their crowns

e a during winter , th re is some risk involved in pl nting

e a a S a and th m ne r by pl nts of a rambling , pre ding quick

w a a r gro ing ch r cter, where they may suffer f om smothering

i l e e r or chok ng . Whi st , ther fore , it is by no means my d si e to suggest that even the novice S hould omit gentians

e e e from his coll ction , I prefer to recomm nd that th y should

e a and be associat d with the sm ller and choicer subjects , with that intent details in regard to the many ﬁne kinds avail

e e a e able are includ d in the succ eding ch pt r .

- e a e a e GERANIUM . Ther is sc rc ly a pl c too dry or a soil too poor to admit of the cultivation of some of the hardy

a e e a ea e herb c ous G raniums , the pl nts that are r lly entitl d to the name that has been usurped by the zonal Pelar

ree e gonium of the g nhous and formal summer bedding .

’ ra e The Geraniums , or C n s Bills , are of strong , luxurious

e e growth , with generally pr ttily cut l aves , sometimes

a e and e e r e red st lk d , in some cases cov r d with silve y tom n

e the a - e ea are tum . Those poss ssing l st nam d f ture less

ea e i a vigorous, but still by no m ns d l c te or weakly, their one serious obj ection being to dripping wet , especially in EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 87

e winter . G . arg nteum is one of the silvery leaved kind , ﬂ m a d . . randi oru n G . cinereum another G g is a blue

f mu h a and Endressi e e a o c . ﬂow red pl nt be uty, G is a v ry

. . u e r ﬁne rosy pink with dark veins G sang in um , a b ight

has al hi all red species , so both pink and w te forms , of them being charming plants capable of making a delight ful display throughout summer and autumn . Two double ﬂ ﬂowered . e ore varieties , G prat nse plena and pratense

l e hi a ba plena , purpl and w te respectively, are of upright ,

and fairly tall growth , their ﬂowers, borne on stiff, straight

are w r a e a S stalks , both sho y and mo e dur bl th n the ingles .

all e ar e e ari In , ther close upon thre dozen species and v eties

e a ma e of the genus , thos n med being a few that y be plant d

bed r a a with conﬁdence in any rockery or alpine . P op g

a a tion by division is simple matter, and the plants incre se

S e a in ize v ry r pidly .

— a a a l GEUM . This is nother f mily of very e si y grown

a plants , possessed of eleg nce of form and brightness of

and a a a a colouring , h ving the ddition l good qu lity of being very proliﬁc and continuous in regard to ﬂowering

- c . e ef e apabilities The G ums have f ctive , fresh looking and

r e l a a l very pe sist nt fo i ge , and colony of estab ished plants

a a a the is ttr ctive throughout the year . The m j ority of

S e a pecies produce th ir ﬂowers on fairly long , practic lly e e r e are rect , and g ne ally branching st ms , and light and

a a e gr ceful , either in the g rden or in a cut stat .

e v ar e a e and Ther are vi id sc l ts , rich or nge , bright y llow ,

a e e e ar e reds of v rious shad s , some doubl ﬂower d , but the l g r

e e S a and a eara e the numb r singl s , imul ting in form pp nc

r e the blossoms of the strawber y . The b st positions on 88 ALPINE PLANTS

hi rockery for geums , w ch , by the way, are seen to best

t a effect when planted in groups of not less h n half a dozen , are the fairly broad areas of soil on ﬂat or comparatively

e - lev l surfaces , for although very good drought resisting

a ll a e pl nts , they do not develop fu y when too closely cr mp d

S a between stones . On the Alpine bed the geums are peci lly useful . Propagation may be effected by division of roots

ri S r . e du ng autumn or p ing Seed also germinates with eas ,

an the plants ﬂowering the second year . G . montanum d

. are un G reptans beautiful yellows , the latter being an common and very choice plant that throws out strawberry mi m i n . G . chil oense . niatu like ru ners and G , wh ch is

chil oense e % really a variety of , are de p rich orange , G . Hel dreichii being another orange -ﬂowered variety of hybrid origin . G . coccineum is of geranium scarlet , its double

ﬂowered form being an excellent variety , but Mrs .

a - -ﬂowered - Br dshaw , a strong growing , large , semi double , has attained a foremost position as the best of the scarlets . Yellow and orange varieties of similar form and character to Mrs . Bradshaw have of late years come forward and

e attained popularity, but there are quite a number of oth r hi pretty varieties , descriptions of w ch are to be found in

- any good hardy plant catalogue .

O - GL BULARIA . Like double daisies , but with ﬂowers of

S a soft hades of blue , the Globul rias are neat little tufted plan ts that tuck themselves into tight little nooks and

e crevices between the ston s of a rockery , and in a quiet way make a pleasing S how for two or three months during the middle of the summer . They are quite easy to grow, ma a i s b and y be re d ly increa ed y division, EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 89

—I t GYPS OPHILA . is not the ever popular Gypsophila panicul ata which concerns a book on alpine and rock

S e a will plants , but a few dwarf or prostrate p cies th t cover

a e a good area with gl ucous or light gre n foliage , and produce

e hi e a goodly mass of minut airy ﬂowers of w te , or som f l G . o so times delicate pink ﬂowers Lovers cha k , the yp phil as are particularly useful in those places where a u s rface of stony gravel rests upon a chalky subsoil . The one thing Gypsophilas strongly object to is disturbance

e of the roots when once they have established thems lves .

i and the Ra sing from seed is the best means of propagation , seedlings shoul d either be planted in permanent quarters l when quite young , al owing ample space for spreading , ul n or they sho d be potted until required for planti g out .

a G . prostrata and G . repens are both white , the latter h ving

e ra iﬂ r a pretty pink variety named rep ns rosea g nd o a .

-ﬂo ered a a a w . . Another pink pl nt is G m ngini , while G cer s tioides - is a particularly good plant of close tufted growth ,

n al hi with u usu ly large ﬂowers w ch are white , prettily veined with pink . — % l HELIANTHEMUM . There are quite a number of sma l ,

a e n S either compact or tr iln ﬂow ri g hrubs , that are as truly

Alpine plants as are the sedums and saxifragas , and among them the Helianthemum is certainly one of the most

a the e ch rming and effective . In growth , H lianthemum

the e is not unlike the thyme of kitchen h rb border , slender ,

- wiry, semi prostrate stems being clothed with small , tough

o e ee and a leaves , s m times of a bright , glossy gr n , in few cases covered with a silvery or grey tomentum . The c na e a is Sun R and e is ommon m of the pl nt ose, th re 90 ALPINE PLANTS

good ground for such a name . The blossoms are just li S and ke miniature ingle roses , and they thrive ﬂower

e S e best when well expos d to all the sun that hin s . The Helianthemum makes a great amount of roots compared

a i with the extent of its br nches, and wh lst the little bush

be a likes to perched over prominent rock , where it gets hardened and toughened by sun heat and unchecked

i r w nds , its roots will ramble th ough a yard of soil to draw l e ul . moistur from beneath the protecting bo ders Natural y,

a l a such p ant is rather impatient of root disturb nce , and

e and it is w ll to plant while young , from pots , then leave

e the ma a S alon , that plant y develop into preading bush .

off ee n Cuttings stripped with a h l , choosi g shoots about

2 e ; inch s to 3 inches long , will root in a sandy compost

e - - an under a b ll glass or hand light , or lower branches of old-established plant may be pressed into the ground and held by a stone as S hown in the illustration of Veronica i hi salicorno des . If t s is done in early autumn , the stems w l S and i l have thrown out good roots by pring , the branch

e a may th n be severed from the p rent plant , lifted with the

a e roots int ct , and imm diately transplanted to permanent

a S qu rters . Of pecies there are yellow, pink , red and

l and a scarlet ﬂowered , whi st hybrids g rden varieties

r e a -ﬂo ered fu th r extend the r nge of colours . Double w

e e are al a and vari ti s so avail ble , pure white forms with conspicuous golden anthers are very effective when grown

a ne r the brightest reds or scarlets .

— i a HERNIARIA . The ch ef use of Herniaria gl bra is its suitability for carpeting the ground between erect growing

i a fritil plants . Iris reticulata , Orch s folios , the smaller

92 ALPINE PLANTS

S ru S i u h bs , pecies that w ll grow l xuriantly under the dense

e dr shade of tr es , on y , stony hedge banks , or on wind mi swept cliffs . We have other di nutive gems that will

S e S ix a make perfect little specimens in a pac inches squ re , and some that wil l bedeck the face of a stone wall with golden stars , backed by delicately tinted aromatic foliage . A representative coll ection of Hypericums will provide a

e i a r l wond rft varied d spl y of o nate fo iage , coloured l stems and bright ﬂowers , ye low being the prevailing colour of the petals , whilst many have strikingly beautiful bright red anthers , and in some cases the ﬂowers are

e i follow d by shin ng berries of red or brown tints . There are upwards of two doz en dwarf-growing kinds that are

are suitable for the rock garden or alpine bed , and a few

r well worthy of pot cultu e for the alpine house . Pro p agation for the most part is best effected by means of

e - -l cuttings , root d under a bell glass or hand ight , but those S pecies that spread by means of underground stems may n be increased by division . A few ki ds that may well form the nucleus of a collection , or will constitute an interest k ing selection for any ordinary roc garden , are H . coris,

m ol m icum ol h ll um hu ifusum , y p , p yp y , reptans , tomen t osum moserianum ri , and t color , the last named being a

c hi choi e gem , with foliage marked with red and w te on a bright green ground . I BERI s — . The perennial candytuft is a plant that literally l smothers itse f with bloom . Growing with surprising freedom in the poorest of soils , the plants develop into

- prostrate or semi prostrate bushes, and at times the masses of ﬂowers are so dense that foliage and stems alike EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 93

w . e and are hidden from vie . I semp rvirens its varieties

m erflor s e . se en al are ev rgreen , I p blooms most incessantly, n some flowers appeari g even during mild periods of winter. There is a double -flowered form of s emp erflorens and several large -flowered varieties of sempervirens are obtain

randiﬂora able under such names as snowﬂake , g , superba ,

ibral t arica - etc . I . g has pale rose or lilac tinted ﬂowers ,

-ﬂowerin this also being almost a continuous winter g plant . Pi nnata is specially noteworthy on account of the fragrance

sem erﬂorens of its ﬂowers , but p is also fragrant . Any of the Iberis will root from cuttings , or may be increased

a r by laying side br nches under stones . Seeds ge minate freely enough , but seedling plants are somewhat variable n in habit , and occasionally a plant may be fou d to grow

a co rsely and produce less ﬂowers than the better forms . If such a plant fails to make a good show after the second di season , it may be well to scard it in favour of a more

- ﬂowerin rm . compact , free g fo S — MERTEN IA . Several species of Mertensias are well qualiﬁed for a place in our review of the plants that are of free and easy growth, although a few must be classed with the choice subjects that require somewhat care

n . a ful treatment . M . alpi a , M . lanceolata , M paniculat ,

. ulrno arioides siberica all n M p n and M . are free growi g and ul ul all beautif , and are especially usef in that they make themselves perfectly happy in positions lacking in sun

S shine . Blue in varying hades describes the colouring of the pretty arching racemes or panicles of drooping

siberica blossoms , but in the case of M . the ﬂowers are

ﬁrst pink, gradually changing with age to a soft shade of 94 ALPINE PLANTS

ma e blue . Flowers on one stem y be se n of varying shades

ff a - e e a e of colour, and the e ect of well d v loped pl nt is v ry

e n i a pl asi g . The smaller k nds th t require nice little pockets in the rockery where they will not get smothered over by r and a h . i ougher more ramp nt subjects , are M ec oides ,

. a and . rirnul oides . Al l the rt M oblongifoli , M p Me ensias are e a a ri r r m rk ble for the length of their ﬂowe ng pe iod ,

a a e i e and on th t ccount , combin d with their daint n ss and

a S al a quiet ch rm , the whole genus is worthy of peci ttention w by o ners of small gardens . — MIMULUS These are some plants which have been known and cultivated for generations and yet seem to miss the degree of popul arity one woul d imagine their

a unusual qu lities would ensure . Some of the perennial

l as e u Mimu us may be cited xamples . The Mim lus is

e e an d cid dly old favourite , for its culture dates back to

1 82 6 e a e , w llnigh a century ago . It is genus that embrac s

e e and l speci s of wid ly varied form , the bri liance and striking combinations of rich colours that characterize the ma jority cannot fail to attract and please the maj ority

ﬂ - ll ower . t of lovers Sti , strangely enough , here are but few l a gardens where Mimu us are made an important fe ture ,

e hi e a f ul a and the r ason for t s is som wh t di ﬁc t to expl in . It must be admitted that a frequent answer to the query

a is th t Mimulus do not stand well , but their short life is more often than not due to misunderstanding of their requirements .

a Mimulus love moisture in abund nce , and the ﬁrst

a - a l essenti l is to pick out a low lying position , parti l y

a a e sh ded , and easily kept moist . The pl nts do not r quire

96 ALPINE PLANTS

a ni colour . There are signs of l te that Mimulus are gai ng

l et in favour, and ere long us hope these gorgeous flowers l wi l be well in evidence in all gardens of any note . M N —Oi NEPETA US S I I . shrubby character with grey stems and hoary leaves , this plant is one of the freest and most continuous flowering plants for either a prominent position on the rockery or for the front of the al pine bed . The spikes of small lavender- coloured flowers are pro duced a with the utmost freedom from spring to utumn ,

S - e and even without blossoms the ilvery grey, crumpl d

a hi foli ge , t ckly set on wiry stems , makes a bright and cheerful

re patch when most other subjects a at rest . The Nepeta

a a e may be easily prop g ted by m ans of cuttings , early autumn being a suitable time to take them . There is one point that S hould be mentioned . Something in the aromatic foliage of the Nepeta possesses a great power of fascination for cats which will lie and roll upon the

he a t . plants , and sometimes devour lmost all foliage Should a cat be found to have commenced paying unwelcome

’ attention to one s plant the best course is to syringe its

f a foliage with a para ﬁn wash , using good soluble pre

ar i e p at on for the purpos .

NOCCJEA — Noccaea a . Sprinkle a pinch of seed of lpina

and or N . stylosa in the crannies crevices of a rocky mound

all ll - or an old stone w , and a colony of sma , close growing , - i ll i e cress l ke plants wi be established wh ch will thriv ,

S blossom freely, and scatter seed to reproduce their pecies

i A has without causing the sl ghtest trouble . lpina white

i a and ﬂowers in close l ttle heads , stylos is lilac mauve , very pretty . The ﬂowers are fragrant and are freely EASI LY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 97

e a S n a hom from the l tter days of pri g until e rly autumn .

(E O E RA —The N TH . Evening Primrose is the common name for a highly interesting famil y of plants that contains several particul arly goo d rock plants as well as the familiar

-ﬂoWerin one tall, free g yellow biennial, which is itself

s of of the most u eful and showy hardy ﬂowers . The whole family may be Written down as perfectly S imple in their

e but l cultural requir ments , the smal er, tufted and pros

i are trate growers , wh ch the best for collections of rock plants , need to be planted in groups clear of rambling pl ants that are prone to smother neighbours of less ram

a pant growth . Some of the kinds are re l evening

ﬂowers , but others keep their blossoms open throughout ( the day . Of the latter group , E . fruticosa is an example , and it is a free-growing plant of tufted growth with erect (E stems carrying heads of rich yellow ﬂowers . . glauca fraseri is another of similar character, but dwarfer . Both

C a may be increased by division . Remarkable in har cter ,

( . and extremely beautiful is E acaulis , frequently named

a taraxacifolia . One peculiarity is the remark ble resem hi blance of its foliage to that of the dandelion , w ch resemblance has frequently led to the unwitting destruc

the tion of young plants . Of prostrate habit , plant produces large widely opening blossoms , 4inches or more across , which open a pure satiny white . The second day the

S e blossoms change to a delicate but clear had of pink . and the effect of old and new blossoms intermixed is very ﬁne . The plant grows readily and true from seed .

e ( An excell nt companion for this plant is E . missouriensis ,

ri which produces b ght red , prostrate stems clothed with G 98 ALPINE PLANTS

lanceolate leaves of considerable length . The leaves are

s - a den ely covered with soft silky white h irs , and the

a blossoms , which are almost as l rge as those of acaulis ,

e are of a clear canary yellow . Another nam for this

-ﬂ e ( . a a e o erin sp cies is E m crocarp . A handsom evening w g

( ae e O plant is E . c spitosa . Its whit blossoms are ften

6 a a . a nearly inches across , and are sweetly fr gr nt The n me

i . ( marginata is commonly given to th s plant E . rosea has smaller but very pretty ﬂowers of rosy pink , the

a w 6 pl nt gro ing about inches high .

( a Perhaps the ﬁnest of all the tribe is E . speciosa , a pl nt that is of practicall y shrubby habit with S lender wiry

e an stems , small leaves and , when well establish d , abun dance oi white fragrant blossoms that become tinged with rose as they age . It is a fairly tall grower exceeding ,

2 e edl beaut I ful feet in good soil , but it is a d cid y subject for prominent positions on the rockery , whilst nothing

bed a all (Enotheras could be ﬁner for the Alpine . In f ct the are u exceptionally good for the latter p rpose .

— he O S t . e OMPHAL DE Two of Omphalodes , O lucili and

O . nitida , must be given a place among the choicer and

a e fﬁ 0 perh ps mor di cult plants, but . verna and its white variety verna alba are quite easy subjects that grow freely , throwing out runners in all directions until the plant occupies a goodl y space with its lively green foliage among which rise many heads of blossoms

e - - a -ﬂower much like forg t me nots . This is a c pital spring ing plant for the Alpine bed . It is easily propagated from the “ runners which may be detached and lifted with

- roots to be transplanted from midsummer to mid autumn .

1 00 ALPINE PLANTS

S n pri g , when the young growths may be taken from the

e bas when about an inch high .

— ﬁ e- Ox A LI s . v Daintily pretty foliage , like lobed clover leaves on a reﬁned scale , and sweetly pretty little cupped

ﬂowers characterize in a general way the Wood Sorrel , as the members of the genus Oxalis are termed . For the most part they are quite easily grown plants , liking cool

a 0. a and shady pl ces , but enne phylla , a totally distinct

- plant with nine lobed , glaucous , almost silvery leaves and large pure white ﬂowers which are

a ﬁnely veined , is gem that de serves a little special attention in the way of providing a pocket of

sandy soil with good leaf mould , situated in a position open to

a morning sun , but sh ded from the

ﬁerce heat of noon . The plant BLOSSOMS AND FOLIAGE OF OX also requires watching to keep slugs ALIS ENNEAPHYLLA . 0 and woodlice at a distance . . acetosella is a native plant that luxuriates in the leafy soil under deciduous trees . It has white ﬂowers veined

. 0. a , with purple but its variety rosea is pink deppei , l

- tuberous rooted plant , throws up stout stems of large ﬂowers which are of a peculiar and pleasing shade of

- colour, which might be termed rosy terra cotta . —Of PAPAVER . poppies there are two species that well might grace every rockery that has at least a corner that reaches the sunlight , for Papaver alpinum , and P . nudi i caule , known as the Iceland poppy , never fa l to receive EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 1 01

ardent admiration from whomsoever has love for ﬂowers .

The description of the two might well be identical , but for the fact that the Iceland poppy is thrice the S ize of the

e Alpine poppy in leaf, st m and blossom . A group of either planted in early S pring will produce a wonderful

a n displ y of glisteni g ﬂowers , the petals of which are glossy

a S lk and have an appear nce as of crumpled i . The colours

e e hi are clear y llow , rich orang , pure w te , and there are

S a and . h des of delicate salmon , rose buff Once planted, self - sown seedlings may be depended upon to maintain

a l stock . In some districts and soils these sm l poppies i will survive two or three winters, but somet mes young plants on light dry soils will ﬂower with such freedom that they exhaust their strength and perish during a wet winter . Several ﬁne Selections and strains of Icelan d poppies have from time to time been brought forward by various

a hardy plant specialists , but whilst for border work H rk

’ ’ s a are ne s s Gi nt strain , and Baker s Sunbeam poppies improvements upon the older typ e of Iceland poppy, the ordinary simple but lovely little Alpine poppy is the best for rock gardening . O O — P LEM NIUM . There are somewhere in the neighbour

’ of e hood a coupl of dozen kinds of Jacob s Ladder , ni l as the Polemo ums are ca led , which are worth cultivating ,

s s l a but ome of the e are essentia ly herbaceous border pl nts ,

- the rock plants being the dwarf , neat growing and dainty

. e e tans . e little kinds such as P confertum , p , P gracil ,

- - and r . e ee ﬂowerin pe haps P humil , a sky blue , fr g plant that is frequently met with under the name of P . Richard 1 02 ALPINE PLANTS

e soni . All the kinds nam d have blue ﬂowers , but P . con fert um li a hi mel tum bears bundant w te ﬂowers . P . humile album is another white variety producing its clusters

a 1 of bloom on stems foot or 5inches high . Another

. e i variety of P humile is named pulchellum , a sw et l ttle

nl a n gem o y bout 3 or 4 inches high , and beari g a pro fusion of pale blue ﬂowers . Division in S pring is an easy

n o means of increasi g stock , but small pieces are best p tted l for awhi e until they make fresh growth .

O GO — a P LY NUM . The Polygonum f mily is very remark

a e able for the wide diversity in form , habit , st tur and

a e appearance . We have the superbly h ndsome climb r ,

l m a - ba dschuanicu . P . , the gre t strong growing P cuspi

a ll 8 d tum , that wi not only reach a height of or 9 feet , but will if permitted rapidly S pread itself over a rod of

and e e land , is more appropriat ly adapt d for growth among

e trees or in positions where a screen is d sirable , but the kinds with which we may immediately concern ourselves are the miniature or the trailing S pecies and varieties that ll wi tumble over rocks , or down the face of a wall , or make a dense carpet of foliage and ﬂowers on a stretch of the al pine bed . fﬁ First we may take P . a ne , free and easy growing with innumerable wiry stems clothed with glossy green foliage that takes on ruddy metallic hues in autumn . The plant bears quantities of coral pink blossoms with a glistening

S sheen , the pikes bearing some resemblance to ears of l wheat dipped in pink dye , but far more beautifu than any artiﬁcially coloured thing could be . Another trailer of

vaccinifolium exquisite loveliness is P . , with deep rose

1 04 ALPINE PLANTS and a purple ﬂowers , all of which have silvery silky foli ge .

. a forrnosa P nep lensis , more frequently called P . , is of free and easy growth , ﬂowers rosy red , and borne with

e gr at profusion and continuity . There are many other

Potentillas of merit , and with those already named as a nucleus , the reader may add to the number at will, and derive great pleasure from a coll ection of these handsome

-ﬂower d foliaged and pretty e plants . — PRUNELLA . Wherever a very easily grown plant is l - required to quick y cover a broad area of rock work , and

l a to bloom for several months , the prunel as lay cl im to

S attention . Neat pikes of bloom are freely thrown up over a dense carpet of foliage , and one may have the

randiﬂora choice of purple in P . g , violet in P . grandi

ﬂora a i pyrenaic , wh te in P . laciniata , or rosy purple in P . webbiana , the last named being a particular showy variety .

O — u a PULM NARIA . Just as easy to grow as the pr nell s , provided they are given a spot where they will not be ’ l burnt by the full heat of the summer s sun , the Pu mon arias have a quiet and quaint beauty both in ﬂower and

ofﬁcinalis leaf . The foliage of P . is spotted with white

n . a a in a very conspicuous ma ner, P sacch rat being another

e e a sp cies with prettily mottl d leaves . The l tter has rose

o ofﬁcinalis coloured ﬂ wers , those of being red , both show ing some violet in the older blossoms There are white

i i a and . ofﬁc nal s nd bright red varieties of P , other desirable

i e se arvern n . k nds are P . , deep blue , and P angustifolia ,

C . the ﬂowers of which are ﬁrst pink , hanging later to blue

Division of the roots is a simple matter, and with plenty t . P O C H MU AR E T US C O M NIS %The S hamro ck P e n)

2 VE BE N HA MAi . R A C D R I O l D E S

1 06 ALPINE PLANTS

number of Sedums , a collection can be added to from

e e tim to tim at will . — m . w SEMPERVIVUM Co monly kno n as House Leek , the Sempervivums are succulent plants of cactus-l ike

a e e ill ch racter, so tenacious of lif that th y w not only exist but thrive and look happy even in positions that afford them scarcely a root-hold on the rugged ledge of a rock with the merest covering of soil . It is no uncommon S ight to see a colony of Sempervivum tectorum braving the scorching sun on the top of an old garden wall or on the e roof of a sh d or country cottage , and whether between

e e a a rough ston dging to a p thw y, in the chinks of stone

ee steps , or on the st p slopes of a rockery bank , Semper vivums will delight us the whole year round with their grey,

l n e green , russet , or metal ic ti t d rosettes , and in due season w e a l ea ul - ith th ir qu int y b utif , waxy looking ﬂowers of starry S hape and generally quiet tints .

e a In size the rosettes of Semp rvivums vary gre tly . S . globiferum makes many clustering rosettes not much larger

R me- a: than peas . S . egi Amali develops to the extent

- di . of 4 inches ameter, and S atro violaceum grows quite as n large , the foliage bei g broad , thick , and of a delightful

- ara hnoi S . . c violet purple hade The cobweb house leek , S

e l deum , is a general favourite , and quite des rved y so . Its globular rosettes of closely-packed leaves have a won derful hair-like thread stretched from tip to tip of every

ea i l f, giving the plant an appearance of hav ng been cur t ained S e w by some fairy pid r, and on a de y morning the e ffect of glistening globules of moisture on this vegetable n cobweb is fascinati gly beautiful . The cobweb is always EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 1 07 more conspicuous when the roots of the plant are well im supplied with l e rubble , and in fact it is a good plan to ﬁrmly wedge mortar rubbish or limestone chippin gs among

a the roots of all Sempervivums . In regard to prop gation nothing more is needed than to S hake the soil from the a and u l n roots of clump , p l the crowns asunder , planti g

i a e or pott ng e ch rosette s parately , pressing soil and bits

S O EMPERVIVUMS, SHOWING FFSETS AND INFLORESCENCE .

of porous stone or rubble tightly around the base . Even

e those rosettes that br ak away without roots will, if ﬁrmly

e . e ﬁx d , develop new roots It is a wise plan wh n planting Sempervivums to separate the plants and distribute them

e a a ov r comp ratively broad area , for thus they will spread

i ni a unt l they form a u ted mass , whereas if a tightly p cked

be e e cluster is planted , the tendency will to forc the c ntral crowns far out of the soil , and in a season or two some of 1 08 ALPINE PLANTS

n wi these crow s ll die off, leaving bare patches in the middle of the mass . If onl y a few kinds of Sempervivums are required for a small sunny rockery , any of the following half dozen

ara h may be chosen as being distinct and pretty . S . c noi deum , the cobweb house leek already described , S . atro

a cal careum e a viol ceum , S . , more frequ ntly n med cali fornicum , a distinct ﬂat rosetted plant with glaucous

a foliage , each segment tipped with chocol te brown , the

i . . ni ﬂowers being of a l ght reddish shade S Pitto , with

- z i medium si ed rosettes of soft claret colour, tipped w th m purple , and uncommon primrose yellow ﬂowers . S . Regi e

Amaliae n , produci g large rosettes , the older segments of which assume metallic bronze tints, and large spherical

- heads of sulphur yellow ﬂowers , and S . triste , which makes rosettes about 3 inches across , of a glossy mahogany red , with tall S pikes of bright red ﬂowers . But there are at least a hundred varieties of Sempervivums , and anyone who is particul arly fond of succulent plants may gather a hi w remarkably interesting collection w ch , if gro n in l pots or pans , may be accommodated in quite a smal alpine house or in a frame of moderate dimensions . — VERONICA There is surely no garden in the land where some species of Veronica cannot be grown with a fair measurement of satisfaction , for it is a family of extensive n l variety and much merit , and is si gu arly free from what

a s sun may be called f stidious notions . Ordinary oil , or

all shade , the rock garden proper, the alpine bed , or the w i l garden w l suit some of the most interesting of Veronicas , whilst it must be a hopeless sort of place that cannot pro

1 1 0 ALPINE PLANTS

a sa the a t i s V . c espito is about s me height , wi h short sp ke

r a of pink ﬂowers , the individual blossoms being la ger th n

e e the average . The stems and l aves are cover d with

a white woolly h irs . This plant likes full sun , and must have thorough drainage .

a e V . c n scens is quite one of the daintiest plants in cul tivation Z al . It hails from New ealand , but is an ide ll rock plant , and is also exquisite in sha ow pans , the sur

a of f ce which it will completely cover . Small in growth

the al as tiny Arenaria b earica , the creeping stems snug

’ so closely to the earth s surface that to speak of stature

a e i is out of the question . The foli g is s mply ﬂat upon

hi a the soil or stone over w ch the pl nt spreads, and over the greyish-gr een carpet are strewn pale lil ac or lavender tinted blossoms that nestl e like tinted dewdrops on the

a herb ge . h i V . incana . The c ief feature of attraction in th s plant

S e is its foliage of ilvery whit ness . It grows to a height 8 of or 9 inches , and its dark blue ﬂowers contrast prettily

against the white leaves . hi V . repens grows quickly , t ckly, and in prostrate

a a hi form , making an emer ld c rpet over w ch pale blue

are hi ﬂowers plentifully produced . T s is a good plant for moist shady S pots and it is an excellent plan to utilize

a n Omitho alums it in broad p tches where such thi gs as g , n l ll l A thericums , A liums or the sma er daffodils are thin y

planted .

-ﬂowered V . longifolia rosea is one of the nicest pink

a varieties . It grows a foot or r ther more in height . This is one of the Veronicas that masquerades under several EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 1 1 1

dli e e a a a . ee names , and is oft n confus d with spic t rose S ng forms that vary in strength and shade of colour have

e a got into commerce under differ nt n mes . It would be far better if onl y good forms were preserved and the one a uthentic name used .

a . V. spicat corymbosa is one of my favourites The true form has central S pikes surrounded by several tassel

e S e . lik lateral pikes , the colour being a rich shining blu

i a a e e Th s, ag in , is a pl nt that is too oft n sent out untru

a a r or in an inferior form . When pl nt of t ue stock is secured it may be propagated by division in early S pring .

l e e a a V . Teucrium dubia is sti l p rsist ntly listed in c t

l o ues . a . g both as V prostrat and V rupestris , but which

a S ever name we may obt in it under, it is a imple matter

- to give the plant a correctly written label , and it is far

a too good a plant to S purn because it lives under an ali s .

the - row m It is one of most serviceable of dwarf g g, blue

a and , ﬂowered pl nts requiring % quite ordinary soil capable e e e ar o e of w llnigh disp nsing with att ntion . The l ger gr w rs among these Veronicas may be propagated from cu ttings

l e e of the young growth , the sma ler tuft d or cr eping kinds

a r e m ke ﬁb ous root clumps that will divide with eas , whilst

those of the Club Moss type , such as cupressoides and salicomoides e n , may be lay red by simply pressi g the

a outer branches into sandy soil , pl cing stones upon them

e to hold them in position , aft r the manner shown in our

illustration at page 56. If layered in autumn the stems may be severed from the parent plant in S pring and the rooted offshoots carefull y

e lifted for potting or planting in permanent quart rs . 1 1 2 ALPINE PLANTS — VIOLA The name Viola botanically covers the whole

a Our of the p nsy and violet tribes . present concern will be with the many pretty little species that belong

’ more closely to the alpines than with the ﬂorists varieties of pansies and violets that are grown for bedding or for exhibition .

calcarata The pansy of the Alps , Viola , is a graceful little plant with small tufts of foliage and pretty little purple blossoms . It grows well on the rockery if afforded some lime at the roots . V . cornuta is another charming

S pecies of which there are many forms and garden varieties , lavender, mauve , blue , purple and pure white being obtain able colours .

V . gracilis is one of the most desirable , the rich velvety purple and deep violet forms being very lovely . Quite a number of other S pecies and select varieties

scarcel a a are available , and there is y viola th t is unworthy a place in the rock garden except it may be some seedlin g of indifferent colour . Cuttings taken in early autumn

l a m wi l root freely in a sh dy co er, the protection of a

- - hand light being desirable in any but well sheltered gardens .

1 1 4 ALPINE PLANTS

and a sections , it has r ther been my endeavour to group in the preceding chapter plants of somewhat strong or rampant growth that may be planted anywhere without fear of their overwhelming and damaging plants of small er and S e re a lower growth . Th refo in this ch pter quite a num

are ber of plants included which , although slow of growth , are ra i a a not of f gile or del c te constitution . In f milies

e a ul a lik Camp n a , Saxifraga , Primul , etc . , both rampant

u are w and restricted or dimin tive kinds met ith . It is a fairly safe rul e to plant the stronger growers in colonies

e e the l e e by th ms lves , and to group sma l r on s apart from

i a e a anyth ng of cre ping or spreading ch racter . M M — C O O GLU ACE U . r A ANTH LIM N Known as Prickly Th ift , this plant makes compact littl e cushions of stiff awl

S a h ped leaves . Given a high and dry position where it

e the e S gets well bak d , plant produc s a ﬁne how of rosy

n m hi a pi k ﬂowers during midsum er . T s is one of the pl nts that S hould have a mulching of sandy soil in winter or

S n e a early pri g , as it is inclin d to become leggy and n ked

e e a if this littl att ntion is l cking . — ACHILLEA This genus contains many useful and

e er a e al l d s vedly popular pl nts , sev r of which are high y e e as e a a e steem d b ing p rticul rly good for cutting , but th re are approaching a score of European and Asiatic S pecies or garden forms and varieties of them which are of dwarf compact habit , and have elegantly cut or otherwise orna

e a a a a - m nt l foli ge . These are c pit l plants for rock work , or for the margins of beds or borders planted with larger

- hi ﬂowered i . hardy plants . Of w te k nds both A ageratum

and a eratifolia r . g have also silve y white foliage , and A CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 1 5

cl avennae has a dense coating of silky white hairs over

e a l aves and stems . A . comp cta is still another white

riesbachii has a e - e plant , while A . g gl ucous , or gr y gre n leaves against which the white ﬂower-heads S how up to

e a a pleasing advantag A . moschat has green fragr nt

a - e foli ge , and A . herb rota is another sweetly p rfumed

. . a r plant A , tomentosa has close he ds of b ight yellow

S n ﬂowers , and is one of the howiest of plants duri g summer

e i a are al and early autumn . Oth r dwarf Ach lle s cat ogued

a S a a a e by most hardy pl nt peci lists , but for sm ll g rd ns

l be fﬁ e two or three kinds wi l su cient , ther being close

i il a s m arity between several . Propag tion by cuttings is e i e the n as ly ffected in spring , cuttings being inserted rou d the AS edge of a pot full of very sandy compost . with

S a e a dr most, plants with ilvery or downy foli g , y sunny

hi a - in position suits Ac lle s best , but the green leaved k ds

ll a wi thrive in sh dy places .

ACT NELL — a I A . The Rocky Mount in sunﬂower grows about

6 i a n r to 9 inches h gh , the stems br nchi g f eely and bearing

diﬂora has l e e . ran yel ow blossoms with gr at fre dom A . g hi a . quite large ﬂowers , 3 inches or so cross , w le A odorata

l r Actinell a a sca osa is sweet y f agrant . Another n med p

S e S has ilv ry foliage . Division of roots in spring is a imple

a means of prop gation .

O S —We e l AD NI hav many yel ow ﬂowers , but there is a chastity and elegance as well as richn ess in the colour

ni ﬁnel - of Ado s , the y cut foliage and the cupped blos

e e a e a di soms of ith r A . vernalis or A . mur nsis m king a splay in the early days of spring that never fails to win admira

- . . flowered tion A amurensis has a double form , and it 1 1 6 ALPINE PLANTS is a double flower that loses nothing of daintiness and charm but gains substance that enables it to last con sid rabl e e y long r than the S ingle type . A . pyrenaica ni flowers when the others named have fi shed their display,

all e-ﬂowered rm vem al is and occasion y a whit fo of A . is met with , but except for the interest in its novelty it cannot claim greater merit than the bright and more

e e a far as che ry y llow type . Adonis are very h rdy so their

r ability to stand frost is conce ned , but they must have a e d ep root run in light rich soil , well drained so that the roots are free from stagnant moisture in winter . They can absorb and indeed requir e copious supplies of water during the growing period .

di al The plant dislikes sturbance at the root , and though stock may be increased by division of a strong clump it is better to leave the plants undisturbed for several

ul i years , sustaining them by m ch ng . A batch of seed

l o lings thin y planted ver a fairly wide area , with the whole surface of the soil sown with seed of the sweet little a ca ml eum ll nnual Sedum , wi grow and increase in strength

and l year by year, such a colony wi l present a glorious

S -ﬂowered display each pring , the carpet of blue sedum ni Al nl keeping the ado s cool in summer . though o y an annual , the sedum may be depended upon to reproduce l if ent . itself from seed , which is p t produced — ZETHI ONE MA These are extremely beautiful little ili plants , somewhat resembling the fam ar candytuft but

e a [Ethio more reﬁn d and eleg nt in every character . The

nemas are hardy and easy to grow, with the one proviso that quite young plants shall be planted from po ts and

1 1 8 ALPINE PLANTS whil st some members of the family are somewhat exacting in their requirements and must be classed among the more

fﬁ e are as wi di cult cultur s , some just as easy one might sh , and on the whole the genus has suffered undeservedly because of the apparent eagerness of writers to warn amateurs to leave what they term these troublesome a d e n disappointing plants alon . There is no justi ﬁcation for adopting such an attitude toward plants of

the unsurpassed loveliness , some of prettiest among which really require but a moderate amount of care to ensure their success . The chief care needed is to contrive to ward off from the rosettes of sil ky or downy foliage the drizzling rains and sleet showers of our frequently mild

e e e a ca but w t wint rs . Of crisp ke n frost the Andros ces n

e our r e e endur ha dest visitations che rfully , but wh n wet

e and a a settles in the ros ttes , rem ins for d ys and weeks , the hairy tomentum which thickl y covers the leaves is

a off e e li ble to damp , and then ensu s d cay of the leaves

f e e e and crowns . A simple but e f ctiv method of prev nting trouble of this kind is to place over the plants in winter

n S a i and a coveri g heet of gl ss , t lted held in position by a a met l clip on a strong footstalk . Our illustration will

a e and are expl in the id a , and such clips supports expressly

The far made for the purpose . glass is enough above the

a ul pl nt to allow free circ ation of air, and so long as the

a edges of the glass extend beyond the are of the plant ,

a ll e a a no drip or r in wi cause troubl . Androsace c rne is

e e a delightful , extrem ly beautiful plant , and is quit easy

- to grow . It forms close growing masses of fresh green

a S foli ge , not of the ilky or downy character . Over this CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 1 9 green cushion is thickl y scattered during midsummer a

a a r e- a e e m ss of cle r os coloured blossoms , with yellow y

the er ar e and in centre of each little ﬂow . A l g r richer

a e a ex imea coloured v ri ty is n med . Either of these will thr ive if planted in porous gritty soil in a position where the full force of midday sun is broken by a plant of tall er

P P ’ A ROTECTOR FOR LANTS THAT DISLIKE WINTER S WET . The e o e or e on o rod glass is h ld by a Cl ch Clip supp t d a st ut .

r dl ul e bushy growth , or by a f ien y bo d r of stone on the

er e . f l south n sid This plant will divide without di ﬁcu ty ,

e a has ad during Sept mber . A . foliosa is one th t no b traits

r has re l a e of cha acter . It g y fo i g , but it is robust and

a a e strong , c pable of looking fter its lf . Its ﬂowers are of

il a and are e a S ea a e a rosy l c , borne in , r l tively p king , l rg 6 umbels , on stalks of from to 9 inches in length . Like 1 20 ALPINE PLANTS

its relatives A . foliosa likes to root among rubble , grit ,

S OI 1 hi and light . It enj oys the suns ne so long as its roots are provided with plenty of moisture during the growing and ﬂowering period . A good method of propagation is to mul ch close up to the foliage with a mixture of half

a S l sh rp sand and half ifted peat , pressing the mu ch well round any bare , elongated stems . Keep the mulch m i frequently moistened from spring to late su mer, by wh ch

l e e time the stems wil hav mad plenty of young roots , and

e the a l actiﬂora may be s vered from m in plant . A . ,

as otherwise named coronopifolia , and A . lactea are easy

- - to grow as forget me nots . A pinch of seed scattered

e a about ov r the rockery , or on a p tch of gritty soil in

the Alpine bed , will produce young plants that form close

rosettes of long narrow leaves , ﬂat on the soil . Erect ﬂower stalks S hoot up from the centre of each rosette in

S S the pring of the second year , shorter and lender foot stalks radiating from the top of the main stem thus poising dainty little white starry ﬂowers in a Circular

umbel , 3 or 4 inches above the foliage . The ﬂowers

l actiﬂora a of have a f int greenish tint in their whiteness ,

whilst lactea has a distinct yellow eye . Although the

a ea a e pl nts ﬂower themselves to d th in season , no un asiness

e l ee need disturb their owner . Se ds wi l be fr ly scattered

and a all around , plenty of young pl nts will spring up to

’ provide next season s display . The one essential point is

- that the plants must be grown in good sized groups . A .

septentrionalis has an outline resembling the foregoing ,

S but it is built on larger lines . The rosette of leaves preads over an area larger than the Circumference of a 60 S iz ed

CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 2 1

a 6 pl nt pot . The ﬂower stalks stand about inches high ,

a sever l rising from one rosette , and the blossoms are

e a l actiﬂora proportionat ly l rger than those of . . This, too ,

I n a may be easily raised from seed , and addition to m king

a a the ar a good pl nt for a f ir sized group in g den , it is a

- ﬁr a ul . st r te subject for pot c ture A . alpina is one of the

a r rities of the family , and to ensure its success it should

i a S be g ven a parti lly haded position , with some ﬁbrous

e e a e r p at and an abundanc of grit , s nd , or lim stone ubble

a a a e-ﬂowerin in the compost . A . r chnoide , a whit g

S a pecies , requires similar conditions , and A . pyren ica is another .

e a One of the most popular memb rs of the f mily is A .

a - e lanuginos . Its umbels of rosy pink ﬂow rs issuing from

a rosettes of silky foli ge , on the ends of long , wiry stems ,

li a one present a most de ghtful appe rance . This is of the plants that will beneﬁt immensely from annual mul chin s e are g of gritty compost . Th re several other

Androsaces of much beauty , but the selection here men tioned will at any rate provide a very good start for the

e a e averag g rd n .

O — e ANEM NE . W re my whole garden overhung by trees ,

a S c sting their long hadows across the earth , I still would

e rejoic that I might grow Anemones of a hundred sorts,

e giving me a riot of colour embracing pale , bright , and de p

e and a r and blues , purpl s m uves , ﬂesh pinks , che ry reds

a a e bl zing sc rl ts , with whites to foil the dazzling colours , and

l add a r yel ows to further st iking contrast . The ﬁrst ﬂowers of the year might be in time to nod to the fading

s and l all nowdrops , I wou d have Anemones the way , 1 2 2 ALPINE PLANTS until the last shoul d challenge the Michaelmas daisies the for colour and for grace . Anemones for rockery ,

and a e the open ground , for pots and p ns , and as vari d in

e are a size and form as th y in colours , may be obt ined at

a l and sm l cost , grown with surpris ing ease if just one or two require

ments are recognized and provided . To see a ﬂouri shing group of any of the principal species of Ane

e e e mon s , with their l gantly cut

a e a e foli g , their gr ceful st ms , and

a ra e a chaste , pparently f gil , but ctu

a l a is a l y subst ntial blossoms , sight no one with sense to appreciate

YL TRI ANEMONE S VES s . true beauty can be indifferent to ;

a r yet , str ngely enough , we mo e

see a a l a often few str ggling , sick y looking pl nts , feebly

ri e C a endeavou ng to rev al their harms , but att ining only

’ he e e a hi . t disappointing results Tis gr at r pity th t t s is so ,

e a be a b cause it is a m tter that might so easily ltered .

e The great r number of Anemones are small plants , and are e ma be a of necessity gr garious , if the word y pplied to

e e plants as it is to birds that lov to congr gate in ﬂocks ,

a e r ther than se k isolation from their kind . It is therefore an error, although frequently occurring , to dot the roots

e i r of An mones s ngly , either in little pockets on the rocke y or in the S paces between plants of a totally different characterf Whether one has half a dozen or half a hundred

e e a a roots of any one kind of Anemone , it is pr f r ble to pl nt in one mass than to scatter them about . The second

1 24 ALPINE PLANTS

a u ll plant cat log e , wi it is hoped enable the reader to An select and grow a few at least of the best of the emones .

A . acutiloba , the varieties of A . angulosa , and the well

n . a S and know A hep tica in both ingle double varieties , are of kindred character so far as general form and habit

r suﬂicientl are conce ned , the last named being y well known and well loved to render description almost super

ﬂ ou hi u s . It is somewhat rare that red , w te and blue

a n S v rieties are seen of clear decisive colours in a si gle pecies , but in hepaticas we have the trio in double as well as single

e forms . A group of ither of the foregoing Anemones , planted in a bed at the base of the S hady side of the

al rockery, in the pine bed , or in the herbaceous border,

a i will cre te a del ghtful picture in spring and on until June . wi The plants develop into clumps th several crowns , increase of stock being effected by dividing these clumps

e as soon as possible after the ﬂowering s ason has passed .

A . alpina is a plant of totally different character, its growth being strong and upstanding to a height of a foot .

ar e e a Its leaves pinnat , expansive and very gr ceful , and its large blossoms are white , with a ﬂush of purple on the

a a outer surf ce . This pl nt cannot endure frequent dis t urbance i , its roots being th ck , ﬂeshy and long , easily broken in lifting with spade or fork . Seed sown as soon

r l S as ripe ge minates freely , and the seed ings hould be

e a l potted whil sm l , and grown on until strong enough to

rm ul plant in pe anent quarters . A s phurea is a most pleasing pale yellow ﬂower , of similar character to alpina .

Indeed it is frequently classed as a variety of this species,

e burseriana but it should properly be given s parate rank . A . CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 25

h a e i a . n n . is another of t is section . A pp and A nemorosa

% ar e a the Europe n and the British wood anemones ,

a wi i dainty little pl nts th ramify ng underground stems ,

a commonly c lled roots , from which spring elegantly cut

a foli ge and sweet little nodding ﬂowers . Both species

ri have several va ously coloured varieties , and nemorosa has also double white and pink forms .

S Among tuberous rooted pecies we have A . coronaria ,

ul e the the poppy anemone , hortensis f g ns , scarlet wind ﬂower, which for intensity of its vermilion shade

a a B is quite incomp r ble , the lovely St . rigids , in a whole

S - range of delightful hades of colour, double , semi double ,

S . and ingle , and a few other desirable kinds They may

a be raised from seed , or imported tubers may be che ply

a obt ined . It is a common belief that it is necessary to

h e lift t ese tuberous roots annually, but my experienc is

a ul that in good , light , gritty soil , and with an annual m ch ,

it is preferable to leave them undisturbed for a few years .

i narcissiﬂora The daffod l anemone , A . , makes a handsome hi bush plant a foot in height , with umbels of lovely w te il ﬂowers , showing a delicate tint of l ac on the reverse hi of the bloom . Give t s plant room for development

and liberal nourishment , and it will prove a gem among

a host of gems .

a A . pulsatill , our own native pasque ﬂower, is a

glorious plant which , provided it is planted in a deep , l ll cool, but wel drained position , wi develop into a ﬁne

a a ia e m ss , with eleg nt spreading fol ge , and a sheaf of larg

- tulip like blossoms . The colour is violet , but in the

centre of the bloom is a cluster of rich golden stamens . 1 2 6 ALPINE PLANTS

The ﬂowers and stalks are thickly clothed with soft silky hairs , which glisten in the morning sun , which , by

a a a a the way , the pl nt enj oys r ther th n eternal sh de . After

e e the ﬂowers have pass d , the seed h ads develop a remark

he e ea . T S e able b uty s eds hould be sown as soon as rip ,

rm e . a a when they will ge inate fre ly . A p tens is n American

e plant that r sembles our pasque ﬂower, and A . pratensis

l he t a . the is like a smal er edition of pl nt A . sylvestris ,

e snowdrop anemone , and its doubl form , are two

l e e that shou d not be overlook d , and among the small st

e e ea e a has e but imm ns ly pl sing is A . v rn lis . It ﬂow rs

e has a of uniqu colouring , which ptly been described as

e S a opal scent , the glossy ilky hairs th t clothe the blossoms and stalks emphasizing the apparent iridescence of the colour .

— a a n ANTIRRHINUM . Quite p rt from the increasi gly popular

a e a we e named v ri ties of Antirrhinum m jus , hav natural

e e e e and a e a ecu speci s of extr m b auty , of a char ct r th t p liarl e li e n y ﬁts th m for trai ng over rock bould rs , or dow

asarina the face of a rugged wall garden . A . is very

e e u l ke i int r sting , looking most n i an antirrh num until its

l e a The a de icate l mon blossoms ppear . foli ge is almost

e w e . h art shaped , but ith scallop d edges It is of a russet

a and S . sh de , covered with hort soft hairs The stems trail and the ﬂowers are borne in pairs at the axils of the

the leaves . In exposed localities plants sometimes suffer wi in winter, and may th advantage be given the shelter

a a of sheet of gl ss .

has the A . glutinosum slender , twiggy stems , plants gradually developing into a small bush . The foliage is

1 28 ALPINE PLANTS

u r some shade of blue or p rple , with albino or white fo ms ,

sa constitutes the colour range , but to y that alone might convey an impression that the family suffers somewhat

r and from narrowly limited va iety , such an impression

e e would be xtraordinarily erron ous and unjust , for the

S e a diversity of form , iz , h bit and capabilities of the Campanul as can be equall ed by extremely few genera among the whole range of plants available for cultivation

r w in B itish gardens . A volume might well be ritten upon

ul and e Campan as , a gard n of considerable dimensions coul d be ﬁlled with beauty and never-failing interest

al l hi with Campanulas one , a col ection of w ch might contain

e n 1 0 i e a w ll igh 5 d ff rent species and their v rieties , and

r their number g ows with every succeeding year . Not all are e l of these , however , suitabl for inclusion in a col ection

a a of alpines , some being t ll stately plants for the herb ceous

a a a l border ; but of dwarf , comp r tively sm l , types and forms ,

a a al particul rly suited to the rock g rden or the pine house , k we have something li e half a hundred , some of which are deserving of places of honour in the most select

l a collections . Norma ly bell ﬂowers , the size and sh pe of the ﬂowers varies from tiny nodding blossoms that

’ rm might be te ed fairies thimbles , to big pendant

bells that seem almost too large for the stems to support .

are r There also kinds that tu n their blossoms upward ,

- and e are i cup like , som ﬂattened like saucers , or d vided

a - at the edges , m king star like blossoms . The smallest snug the soil and raise their ﬂowers on stalks but a couple

of inches high . Such are C . cenisia , C . excisa , C . pulla

ll r a w and C . pusi a , whilst C . rupestris and C . ga g nica , ith CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 2 9

ﬂ lie their clusters of tiny star owers , almost ﬂat upon the

e a e a a ground . All th se mini tur kinds m ke themselves

- e e home in cool , semi shad d nooks in the lower l vels of the l rockery, and they like leaf mou d and sharp sand in fair proportion in their rooting medium .

ll a Sti diminutive in st ture , but with larger ﬂowers , we have C .

llioni a . . and G F Wilson , the latter a hybrid of rare quality . C . car p athica is a type of which many garden varieties of merit have been

a e introduced , the aver g height

1 being within foot , and the

ﬂowers upturned , of saucer or

S hallow cup shape . About the same C H “ are a AMPANULA PUNC height C . rotundifoli , in blue ,

- ﬂowered white , and double forms ,

e Hostii soldanelliﬂora . and its vari ties and plena , C

mmasinia l aniﬂora a al . To na . nd , C p , sever others The

s e clustered heads of essil ﬂowers of C . glomerata Dahurica

afford us another distinctive form that is of interest , the hybrids Van Hout eii and Burghalti are remarkable for the

extreme length of their drooping bells . Practically all of the Campanul as do better in positions where for some part of the day they are S haded from the full glare of the

sun , but with few exceptions they are quite simple in

e and e ma a th ir requirements , th y y be pl nted with more

conﬁdence than most things in positions of total Shade . Slugs and snails are destructive to the soft young

a a l e growths of the sm ller Camp nu as, and they also , tog ther 1 3 0 ALPINE PLANTS

with woodlice , frequently gnaw into the ﬂeshy shoots and stems of the stouter kinds . Dusting with either soot

ll a e or powdered lime wi help to ward off these m raud rs , but search during the twilight of spring and summer evenings is a surer means of reducing the numbers of the

r pests . The tufted and prostrate growe s divide with

a d n . ease , the best time being late August early September w Those that make stouter growth , ith erect stems , will

e propagate from cuttings ins rted in light sandy soil , whilst well deﬁned species will generall y reproduce

a themselves true from seed , although in some c ses this is a

a slower method than prop gation by division or cuttings . Where a select few distinct and pleasing kinds of Cam

anul as ll p are desired for a sma garden , the following may be strongly recommended

All ioni e , 3 inch s , large blue ﬂowers . July to September .

Canescens , trailer, blue ﬂowers , hoary leaves . June to August

Car a hi t ca 1 . p Riverslea , foot , ﬂat rich blue ﬂowers

May to September .

Car athica p alba , pure white .

Car athica 6 . p turbinata , inches , rich blue

Garganica hirsuta , trailer, with racemes of starry blue

a ﬂowers with white centres , ho ry foliage . May to

August .

a Portenschlagi na bavarica , ﬁne blue ﬂowers on 3 to 4

inch stems . June to September .

Punctata , the dainty little plant ﬁgured in our illustra u tion , with contracted tub lar rather than bell

S haped blossoms .

1 3 2 ALPINE PLANTS

O O S — a C NV LVULU . Tot lly distinct from the familiar annual hi types of t s genus , there are a number of perennial dwarf and compact Species that are particul arly charming on

i a account of the r silvery foli ge . C . mauritanicus has

a e eleg nt growth and viol t blossoms , which it continues

' ll cant abrica to bear until we into autumn . C . has

a S ithamaeus blossoms of a pleasing sh de of pink , and C . p has a white ﬂowers and grey foli ge . — CORYDALI S For beauty of foliage and uncommon a a ppe rance of blossoms, some of the fumitories are

S among the ﬁnest plants for hady, moist situations . They

a r ul are also p rticula ly good plants for pot c ture , giving to the alpine house a lightness and elegance usually a a ssoci ted with ferns . The plants make clumps that ma y be divided , the best season being spring , when young

u -ﬂowered growth is starting . C . ang stifolia is a white

e a a ra speci s of distinct ch r cter . C . b cteata has pale yellow ,

a thalictrifolia a e and C . bulbos purple ﬂowers . C . is a l rg

e fem like ﬂow red bright yellow, with beautiful leaves ,

and other useful varieties are C . capnoides , C . nobilis , and C . tuberosa . It is advisable to afford the protection of a few stout bracken fronds , heather twigs , or similar material , as the e young growths of Corydalis are v ry succulent , and

liable to injury by frosty winds . C —I t CY LAMEN . is a remarkable fact that out of perhaps a dozen and a half or a score of S pecies and varieties of

a e h rdy Cyclamen , we may sel ct enough that produce their ﬂowers at various seasons to ensure that our gardens shall have at least a few cyclamen blossoms every month in CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 3 3

a the year . An additional charm is the h ndsome marbling

e n a S e and v ini g of the foliage , for few pl nts how such r mark ably striking ornamentation in leaf as is seen in these

e . and e a dainty littl gems , C ibericum C . n apolit num

n a l e bei g speci l y ﬁne in this r spect . We may commence the year with

a e a C . coum , for an est blish d pl nt will bloom in January unl ess abs o l ut el y held in an icy grip . The

type has ruddy crimson blossoms ,

e but there are pure whit , pink , and

liba oticum lilac varieties . C . n is

r e another of the ea li st to bloom , and has white petals with a red

e e base . B fore these are ov r C . HA R Y C D YCLAMEN . e e ib ricum starts , there b ing several

S e varieties and colours of this p cies , of which Atkin

ef e e e sonii is one of the most fectiv , with whit ﬂow rs

n a e based with a crimso blotch . C . rep ndum tak s up the

and had and succession in April , may be in both red white

e er ﬂower d forms . It goes on ﬂow ing until midsummer, and

are euro eum and . a . later bloomers C . p C neapolit num

cilicicum a Later still is C . latifolium , whilst C . c rries us

e on to November and even into Decemb r .

e With so much to th ir credit , it might be supposed that no respectable collection of alpines would fail to include

e e fre hardy Cyclam n , but the fact that th y are not so

as quently seen their merits would justify is , perhaps , a

a our e m tter worthy of consid ration . Hardy Cyclamen are not real ly difﬁcult subj ects to 1 3 4 ALPINE PLANTS

two grow, but there are just one or points that have an n important i ﬂuence upon their welfare .

S - l In the ﬁrst place the Cyclamen are hade loving p ants ,

as S n delighting to nestle at the b e of a helteri g rock , under

ul ni e S n the gratef shade of co f rs or preadi g trees . They

e i w al lik a rich vegetable so l , but ith a liber admixture of

a r m e mort r ubble or li eston . They do not like rough

ma winds , that batter their foliage and y break the stalks

n of both leaves and blossoms , but by banking rou d with ﬁ i boulders , suf cient protection may eas ly be afforded . A certain amount of failure is undoubtedl y due to planting

e a at unsuitable s asons . The maj ority of h rdy Cyclamen

' dr a are imported as y corms , but the trouble is th t with the varied periods of growth and rest of the different

at hi all the species , there is no one time w ch kinds may

a e properly be imported or pl nted , and oft n the roots are stored in a dry state for so long a period that they become l shrivel ed and exhausted of all vitality . It is inﬁnitely better to purchase sturdy established corms in pots , and although one such root may cost the price of thr ee dry corms , the results in the long run will be far more grati

f in . ﬂowerers ul , y g The , early sho d be planted in autumn the late blooming kinds in spring . Cover the corms

w e rm with light soil, because roots ill th n be fo ed above as well as below the corms . An occasional mulching of good leaf mould will prove very beneﬁcial .

- u CYPRIPEDIUM . Choice and extremely beautif l , this genus of the orchid tribe contains some of the most

a delightful of plants for cool moist bays in the rock g rden , where the soil is of a brown peaty nature . One exception ,

1 3 6 ALPINE PLANTS

r ma f It is t ue , we y requently hear the remark that , there hi seems to be somet ng wrong with the Dianthus , but ll hin w genera y speaking , the somet g that is wrong can ithout

ﬁ -be e dif culty detect d , and turns out to be that the plants

a l are not given a fair ch nce . None of the Pink fami y

a can endure coddling . They are no pl nts for the sheltered

S i l corner or recess , but hould be h gh up , wel exposed to hi fresh air and suns ne . Stagnant moisture is death to

a the Di nthus , and at planting time drainage must be

a c refully looked after . Nevertheless , the novice who learns this much sometimes goes wrong by ﬁxing his

e f plants in a ston heap , where insu ﬁcient soil for an adequate

a e e e root run is av ilabl , and where the little soil th r is

a dr e will be b ked bone y the ﬁrst ﬁne w ek in spring . What

li a is wanted is a good body of ght porous soil , freely dr ined , with some surface stone to allow the herbage a dry bed in winter . The tendency under these conditions will be

a l for some of the more robust to grow long , and eventu l y to get a lot of bare straggling stems with tufts of foliage hi ul hi at their ends . Much of t s may be prevented by m c ng with sharp gritty soil , and it will sometimes be desirable to peg down some of the shoots with hairpins or layering pegs

e ill a befor mulching . This treatment w be pplicable to such

a as D . plum rius , and others of fairly strong growth , whilst the smaller tufted or cushion -like plants will require

nl . mulching o y, the pegging down being impracticable These closer-growing tufted kinds may be propagated l ll by division , whi st the stouter growers wi root from

O pipings or cuttings , the best time for both perations

being as soon as possible after ﬂowering . With at least

1 3 8 ALPINE PLANTS

and e a a common extrem ly ttractive about the Dodec theons ,

i are ar wh ch particul ly ﬁne plants for moist , shady inlets

r or recesses in the ockery , or for a similarly cool position

i el in the alpine bed , wh lst they are choice and exc lent

e e al subjects for pot cultur , ither in frames or the pine

a a a e house . A very appropri te rr ng ment is to intersperse

few a a hi a Dodecatheons mong the h rdy Cyclamen , w ch

e m e a a r quire si ilar environm nt and cultur l det ils, and the ﬂowers of which hear some resemblance to the Dode catheons except that the latter bear their blossoms on

S - erect stems, high over the hort stalked Cyclamen .

a hi are il D . medi , of w ch there variously tinted l ac ,

e e as Cl evelandi mauv and purple vari ties, as well white D . ,

e e He dersoni f . n deep violet ; D . J freyi , cl ar rose ; and D ,

w a e a e crimson , ill fford a nic v ri ty , but there are a number

d a e an l . of other Dodecath ons , all are be utifu They like

a S a peaty soil , and once pl nted hould be allowed to

ul hi develop without disturbance , m c ng each year with

- a a well rotted leaf mould . The plants will annu lly incre se i in size , and the stronger growing k nds will sometimes

h e 2 hi r t row up a hefty ﬂower spik , over feet gh , ca rying many quaintly S haped and beautifully coloured ﬂowers . A — I n DRAB dry sunny places , and in gritty soil , the

ill a S - Drabas w m ke cushions of piny looking green foliage ,

S ll over which , in early pring, wi be distributed , as though

l e ll a l thrown light y with a gentl hand , sma st lk ess, or

- e ﬂower a l . almost stalkl ss , he ds of yel ow , white , or rosy pink

- The last mentioned colour is that of D . pyrenaica ; yellows

az oides brunaefolia l al are , aizoon , , and rigida ; whi st pina ,

Mawii sa a altaica , and are good whites , tomento h ving CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 3 9

e e as hi all silvery leav s as w ll w te blossoms . A sh ow pan

ma i el wi . of Draba , or D pyrenaica may w l be included in the collection of alpines for frame or house culture .

COC —I t me DRA EPHALUM . seems to that a few members

hi e a of t s family des rve more attention than they , gener lly

S are peaking , receive , for they plants of great beauty ,

derq won . . easy to grow, and y free ﬂowering D grandi

ﬂorum is especially good . Its ﬂower stems are only a

e few inches long, but the individual blossoms are quit

2 a ma inches in length , and are of shade of blue that y

a well compare with the much prized gentians . The pl nt

S e n pr ads over a considerable area , and its ﬂoweri g period mi extends from dsummer to Michaelmas . Then we have

Ru rechtii w e D . p , gro ing about a foot in h ight , with pale lilac flowers , and D . alpinum with bright blue flowers , 6 diffiCult ul on inch stalks . There is no y in c tivating

m a Dracocephalu s , and they m ke ﬁne patches of colour

S n a after many of the pri g ﬂowers have passed way .

S —I f Drummo di n . DRYA . once a plant of Dryas , or D

m -S a octopetala is well established , in a se i h ded , well drained position , with peaty soil for its roots to run in , and some stones for the prostrate twiggy growths and

e evergreen foliage to rest on , we have a featur of perpetual

crirn l ed a interest and beauty . The p netted foli ge bears some resemblance to oak leaves , the ﬂowers of Drum

l a mondi are of rich glowing yel ow , and those of octopet la ,

- e a are We e e eight p t lled , glistening white . hav anoth r

-ﬂowered S e a and white p cies in integrifoli , lanata is a woolly

a leaved variety of distinctive ch rm . Stems of Dryas may

r hi be rooted by laye ing or mulc ng with sand and peat , 1 40 ALPINE PLANTS

e t w ll packed round the lower por ion of the stem . The

a e a and l yers , wh n rooted , should be potted in s ndy peat

ma r loam , and from the pots they y be t ansplanted to

a a n ll e their perm nent qu rters . Cutti gs wi root if stripp d off e rm the a with a h el , ﬁ ly ﬁxed round edge of pot of

e - a sandy compost , and placed under a b ll gl ss in a shady

a e and pl ce . The root d cuttings should be potted grown

a on until strong enough for planting ; and once est blished ,

ul a di r the main plant sho d not ag in be stu bed .

GAE S — e a EPI A REPEN . Fully entitled to a plac mong

hi n e e e choice and select plants , t s u common and xtr m ly

a i ever een hi S be ut ful g creeper, with waxy w te ﬂowers , lightly

e u r e a tint d with red , and strongly perf med , is pe f ctly e sy

r % to grow . Why , then , is it ve y seldom seen To my

a mind, there can be but one expl nation , that it is not so

ul a well known as its merits wo d w rrant it to be , and when seen by strangers to its identity, the reﬁned and dainty appearance of the plant induces the fear that it is a plant

f a of di ﬁcult ch racter and delicate constitution , and is

a s a consequently p s ed over . Some peat in the soil , in fairly damp and shady position , is the sum total of the

ae special requirements of Epig a repens , and such are by no means prohibitive demands for a plant that will

e l a a produc pleasing fo i ge winter and summer, show of i i pretty ﬂowers from Apr l to the end of June , dispens ng delicious fragrance as well as charm ing appearance . It

a hi is plant for w ch a trial is only required , to ensure its

a rapid advancement to a position of gre t esteem .

— u a e EPIMEDIUM . Quite nlike any other pl nt , and r mark

l ih ably beautifu foliage as well as ﬂower, is my opinion

1 42 ALPINE PLANTS

a al foli ge , pretty in summer and winter ike , the Erinus ,

red u rm ll in rose , , p rple , and white fo s , wi make itself

hi - r e perfectly at home in c nks of rock wo k , cranni s in rough stone walls , or in beds of stony soil on the ﬂat . A few seeds scattered in spring wil l sufﬁce to establish

and e - l ll the stock , th nceforward self sown seed ings wi

l entiq p y appear . The blossoms are small individually , but collectively are so numerous as to produce a good colour effect . — ERICA When one sees the broad expanse of heather that grows untended and unsheltered on many a moor

S ar and rough mountain ide , it is p donable to at once conclude that here , at any rate , is a plant that may be t grown with the greatest possible ease , and hat should thrive remarkably well when afforded the careful atten tion we would willingly bestow upon it whilst it occupies

ri a a favoured spot among our most che shed pl nts . Fact , however, upsets mere calculation , and our efforts to care

r in fully attend the E icas will but end , and probably

a i hasten , f ilure , if, by careful attention we mean fuss ng

- z with the water pot , with fertili ers , and insecticides, for these are just things the heather will not tolerate . There are two points of supreme importance that must be closely observed if we would establish a colony of hardy Ericas , the ﬁrst is that they belong to that class of plants which

e r requir no lime , and that cannot th ive if any appreciable i quantity of l me is in contact with their roots . Peat is therefore their most appropriate rooting medium , and it is, in fact , on peat beds those broad expanses of heather are found that delight us when mountaineering or CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 43

the . tramping moors The second point , and it is every

the l a bit as important as first , is that un ess an Eric has sufficient young fibrous roots to enable it to be lifted

a a without b ring the main , hardened roots , the ch nces of

ar e e e l successful transplanting very feebl . Fr quent y a

a a good pe t bed is m de up , and an order is given for plants

ood s ron c um s with insistence that they must be g t g l p .

’ That means , that plants of several years growth are raised , and almost wrenched from their root hold , and

a hi are planted in the newly made peat bed . For w le ,

the they appear to be all right , but hard , woody roots

a take no hold , and in a few months the branches bec me defoliated and eventually die . The eagerness to secure l big plants is the cause of fai ure .

l e Start with the smal st plants possible , and when they come to hand , plant in such a manner that all the lower part of the branches , as well as the roots , shall be below

a e a the surf ce . Do not merely make a hol and cr m the

a whole m ss into it , but spread out the growths to cover the greatest possible area , working peat between the

a n branches with the ﬁngers , and r mmi g it ﬁrm with a - hl blunt ended stick . Soak the bed thoroug y with rain

e water, and then let w ll alone . l Thus treated , colonies of hardy Ericas are an end ess

t be a delight , and hey may m de a great feature , because it is possible to have some S pecies or variety in bloom at

e every season of the y ar .

. r E carnea , bright red , and its white variety, ca nea h alba , blooms t roughout the ﬁrst four or ﬁve months of

. hibernica the year E . mediterranea , and mediterranea , 1 44 ALPI NE PLANTS will also bloom in January and onward to the end of

. . n March E vagans and its varieties are summer ﬂoweri g ,

li cineria and E . ci aris , E . , and others , take up the sequence u in aut mn and retain their beauty well into winter .

O - e ER DIUM . The members of this g nus are closely

e S i a allied to the h rbaceous Geraniums , the mil rity being in quaintly symbolized the English names of the two .

’ ni ll The gera um is known as the Crane s Bi , whilst the

’ l - Erodium is the Heron s Bil . There are vigorous, hardy,

e S ami few and very asily grown pecies in the f ly, and a

a a l a others th t are d inty little gems with prettily cut fo i ge , ruddy stems and exquisitely veined ﬂowers . These latter require rather better quarters than will sufﬁce for the

e strong growers, p aty soil , and shelter from rough winds

hi e hi and scorc ng sun b ing their c ef requirements .

macradenium No fear need be entertained in regard to E . ,

Manescavi -ﬂowered or , both of which are fairly large purple

el ar onifolium t richomanefolium hi plants, or of p g and , w ch

r are white , marked with purplish red , for these will th ive

% a even in poor hungry soil on a dry b nk . The daintier and choicer kinds include chamaedryoides with pretty

e utt alum pink vein d ﬂowers , g with white ﬂowers veined

hi - a li Chr san with violet , and w tish silky h ired fo age , and y

l l l . thum , a rarity with de icately made su phur ye low blossoms

Macradenium el ar onifolium and p g exceed a foot in height ,

a 6 n i m the others rarely re ching more than i ches . Erod u s

ul seed freely, and the seeds sho d be sown in sandy com S post as soon as ripe . The plants hould be put into per

manent positions at an early age and left undisturbed .

It is possible to divide large clumps , but this method of

1 46 ALPINE PLANTS

e i G . v rum , the cheese rennet used for curdl ng milk , has

cruciat um i rea yellow ﬂowers , as also has G . , wh lst bo le is

r red a white , and ubrum is a brownish of quite a ple sing

a be a e ch racter . The Galiums require to pl nt d in fair

s r sized mas es to produce a satisfying effect , but the g ound

ma e l be a between the plants y v ry wel pl nted with Fritillarias .

a a Scillas , or Dodec theons, thus dding to the interest of the patch .

Z AN — i e a GA IA . The Gazan as , like the M sembry nthemums, are so brilliant in colour and strikingly effective that although -it is onl y in specially favoured localities and on very well- drained soils that they may be depended upon

e the e e e to surviv wint r in the op n , I cannot omit th m on account of their exceptional merits as subj ects for pot

ul n . c ture for the alpi e house Dwarf in stature , with

- e S e and emerald gre n leaves edged with ilv r gold , and with

hi e the e e the a w te tomentum cov ring the reverse of l av s , Gazanias produce blossoms of a size remarkable for so

a . dwarf a pl nt The predominant colour is vivid orange ,

- e a but the daisy shap d blossoms are h ndsomely marked ,

S a i a a e e- ke G . plendens h v ng zone of glossy bl ck , with y li

the i S pots of pure white surrounding disc . G . pavon a

i a e ar e has wh te , green , and chocol t m kings in the centr

a of the ﬂowers , and the pl nts continue to bloom for a very

e prolong d season . They may be easily propagated from cuttings taken

ri m e a du ng early autu n , using liberal quantiti s of s nd in the compost . Where a stock is grown in pots it is well worth while propagating some for planting in the rock

’ garden in spring, for even one season s ﬂowering amply CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 47 repays the trouble of annual replenishment if winter kills

e the plants l ft out .

A — e e a GENTIAN As m ntion d in the previous ch pter , the Gentians are held so highly in esteem that everybody

e a hi a d sires to grow them , and it seems a str nge t ng th t whilst in some gardens the maj ority of them will thrive

ell a a e we as w as the commonest mong g rden ﬂow rs , ﬁnd ma a e a a and y inst nces where , d spite elaborate prep r tions

a much anxious care , the pl nts merely exist , and but seldom blossom . The fact is that more often than not the elaborate

’ e pr parations are in reality the plant s undoing . We

e a bed e and a ﬁnd , mayb , nice cosy with leaf soil , p at , perh ps

a i al a a m nure provided with a l ber h nd , in order th t the

a ma a a e pl nts y m ke good growth , but that is mist k n kind

e e e a n ss . What the Gentians r ally want is ﬁrst , fre dr inage ,

ai f a a e second , a f rly stif soil , of a substantial lo my n tur , plenty of coarse grit and stone chippings to keep the soil

O a a u a pen , and then ﬁrm pl nting . G . ca lis , the gener l

r ar nl favou ite with its l ge upturned bells of heave y blue ,

a and its quaintly yellow and green p inted interior, and

G . verna , the small but intensely brilliant blue miniature , both prefer to have their tufted growths wedged tightly

a between fr gments of porous stone , and the harder the

es a ston can be pressed down , without , of course , bre king or bruising the growths , the better the plant will thrive . The remaining requirements are abundance of water from u spring to mids mmer, and exposure to the sun . The

e G ntian family is a very large one , considerably more than half a hundred species and varieties being in culti 1 48 ALPINE PLANTS

ll . a all vation Not are blue , nor are of the same close

wi il a a gro ng , stalkless habit of growth of the fam i r caulis .

G . asclepiadea often grows erect to a height of well over

arin a foot , be g blossoms of purple wellnigh the whole

. Burseri are length of the stem G . and G . lutea both

l ent st e yel ow , and are tall enough to associate with the p

hl e mons and p ox s of the herbaceous border, but one of

am the ﬁnest additions , not only to this rich f ily but to the a whole range of rock plants , is G . F rreri , the subject

’ of our coloured plate . The artist s reproduction from life of this gem among ﬂowering plants conveys better

an i th words can do an idea of the lovel ness of the blossoms, but even this cannot accurately portray the glistening sheen that overlays the petals , giving them something of the

’ lustre seen on some tropical bird s plumage . Gentiana Farreri is essentially a plant for the most select collections

ar ex cellence of rock plants , and is a subject p for cultiva tion in pans for the alpine house .

Most Gentians can be raised from seed , if the seed is s own soon after ripening . Those of tufted growth may al so be divided .

HABERLE RHODOPENS I S — A . Lovers of the aristocratic and al together lovely Ramondias will be compelled to

Haberlea rhodo ensis share their affections with p , for it

S a al S a is a plant of very imilar ch racter, and so of imil r

l al i S cu tur requ rements . It preads its crimped and crumpled foliage in ﬂat plate-like discs from the centre of which

al rise the ﬂower st ks , carrying pendent tubular blossoms of a soft rosy lil ac with a tinge of pale yellow in the

hr i t oat . The plant l kes peaty soil for its roots , and a

1 50 ALPINE PLANTS

To describe the plant one may liken its leaves to those

ar r a of the taller and larger Inc villea Delavayi , p ince mong

e % e bord r perennials . They are ﬂat , long , of rich gr en ,

e deeply notched at the edg s , and radiating from a central

a an e crown . The ﬂower st lks are short , but st d er ct from

e the centre of the crown , and the handsome ﬂow rs are

a e trumpet shaped with bro d ﬂatten d margins . The colour

- n the is a rose cerise , borderi g on crimson , interior of the

ell tube or throat being creamy y ow . There is a lustrous

the ni i gloss over ﬂower remi scent of the Glox nia , and an established plant in bloom is an obj ect for fervent admira

hi a tion . To secure success with t s lovely pl nt is worth

e some ffort , and the ﬁrst thing to do is to prepare a deep ,

- a ru n e at ea well dr ined root . Dig down a couple of f et l st ,

e a and break up the bottom of the hol . Put in a good l yer

ﬁll a a of crocks , and in the hole with s ndy lo m with an

e a ml admixture of w ll rotted m nure . Press the soil ﬁr y

the hi about t ck , ﬂeshy , tuberous roots , and allow the crown

e e to r main just visibl at the surface of the soil . During the growing and ﬂowering period the plants enj oy liberal

e suppli s of water . After ﬂowering they should be kept

a a dr for comp r tively y awhile , so that the crowns and tubers ar e e e S e e w ll rip n d . A h et of glass tilted over the plants

u n f d ri g October will su ﬁce to ward off rains, but by the latter end of November the glass may be removed , and a little mound of sharp silver sand may be placed over

n . a r the crow Ye r by year the plant will , if undistu bed

e f but p riodically af orded nourishment , increase in strength i n and v gour, producing an increasi g number of its glorious

flowers . Seeds germinate freely if sown as soon as ripe , CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 51 and the seedlings should be kept growing steadily through their first winter in a greenhouse just sufficiently warmed

r to keep out f ost . — IRIS This is another of those wonderq y rich and varied families of plants that may well provide materi al for a comprehensive volume , but which the cleverest of writers can never adequately describe when bound by

we all narrow limits of space . Even when dispense with the large strong- growing types and species that are rightly

a a and a considered border pl nts and not rock pl nts, elimin te

e e e e thos that b long to the wat r and bog gard n , conﬁning ourselves rigidl y to the smaller kinds for which the rockery

al S e is the ide home , we still have a list of pecies and th ir

ar i e v ieties that to name even , without enlarg ng upon th ir

r me its and cultural requirements , would require too great a S a li e a p ce for our present possibi ti s . Nor is it perh ps desirable that in a work of general character written prin cip al ly to aid the beginner and novice who seeks to acquire knowledge that will assist in forming and cultivating a l be col ection of rock plants , an attempt should made to

e a a e wad gr du lly through the whole of this xtensive family ,

t the a are e for al hough for most p rt Irises quite asily grown , there are some typ es and species that are more exacting

a fﬁ ul are e e and somewh t di c t , and these b tter l ft until study and experience enables the amateur to extend his a e nﬁ e ttention to them with some degre of co d nce .

a er For the ordin ry positions on the average rock y , or

l a in the alpine bed of a small garden , the pumi group

be ar may well among the ﬁrst to be install ed . Of dw f

the S e n stature , ﬂower pik s rising o ly 3 or 4inches from the 1 52 ALPINE PLANTS

ground , the growth may be compared to that of the German

e e or ﬂag Iris on a diminutive scal ; the ﬂowers , how ver, are not reduced in the same proportion as the stems and

e e foliage . Quite a numb r of nam d garden varieties of

m are . u a e e e I p ila in cultiv tion , s v ral of th m having effec

e r tive combinations of blu , purple and lavende in their

. e e ell e colouring Ther are , howev r , y ows , and whit grounds with varied pencillings and feathering of either blue or hi brown . The plants grow from r zomes which should

e e be kept at the ground lev l when planting , and the b st time to divide and replant is within two or three weeks

e i of th ir pass ng out of bloom . For a month or so after plantin g it will be necessary to pay some attention to

a e w tering , but aft r the plants have made good root and become well settled in their new quarters they will be

e l w l able to look after themselves . Iris pumila in such

u a a uil oba varieties as bicolor, lutea mac lat , versicolor, q

a ru the n and c e lea make excellent subj ects for alpi e house ,

a wi a planted in p ns, and moderately fed th we k liquid

e manure whil the ﬂower buds are developing . Those who wish to have a more extensive selection of irises in their alpine coll ection will ﬁnd excellent material either for the

a rockery , the lpine bed , or the alpine house in I . cristata , with blue an d lil ac blossoms veined with golden yellow

a Korolkowi e I . Dougl siana , rich violet ; and I . , a v ry lovely w hi ﬂower with bro n netting over a w te ground . The l l bu bous I . reticu ata should certainly not be omitted ,

e the bulbs b ing planted in autumn , choosing positions where jutting stones wil l afford shelter for the precocious

e little blossoms . In due time the rather more xacting

1 54 ALPINE PLANTS

a a stiff Cl y . The presence of lime in the soil results in a

i e the wh ter tomentum , the st ms and bracts around ﬂowers

a being densely covered with almost furry coating . The

r the name alpinum is gene ally applied to Swiss Edelweiss ,

a a a a but the Austri n , Himal yan and Siberi n forms are re lly

a the a e vari tions of s me speci s .

e - e ma W ll d veloped clumps y be divided in spring , but a more satisfactory means of increasing stock is by sowing

ee as ri a s ds soon as pe , sifting sharp sand , little ﬁnely pulverized mortar rubble and powdered charcoal over

e - a r e the surface of the se d pan . Another n me f equ ntly a e al ppli d to the Edelweiss is Gnaph ium Leontopodium ,

a e a a a but Leontopodium lpinum is the corr ct bot nic l n me .

S — e LEWI IA REDIVIVA . This is anoth r plant of such striking beauty that it must be made much of for the a e - re lpin house , even though for rock garden culture it p sents difﬁcul ties on account of the necessity to keep the roots

a e e a a dry during the dorm nt p riod . Lewisia mak s spre ding rosette of narrow ﬂeshy leaves radiating in starry formation

a - e from stout hub lik crown . From the crown the ﬂowers

e issue on stalks about 3 or 4 inches long . Th y are of

a e the an lmost c rise tone of colour , which appears brighter

a a on ccount of glossy, satiny sheen that overlays the

a the petals . Good lo m and sharp grit should form com

and a ree post , whilst in growth w ter should be f ly supplied , gradually withholding when the ﬂowering season is over . Home-saved seed will provide the best means of pro

a ation ar a p g , and it is best sown quite early in the ye , th t “ the seedlings may make plump crowns before the ﬁrst

r resting period ar ives . CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 55

- LINARIA . Among the members of this genus we have some of the daintiest little trailers for the stony areas of the rock garden or for tumbling over the face of a rough

h a i aefolia l a . e t c stone w ll . L p is one of the sma lest of

a a a 1 . e pl nts , sc rcely att ining inch in height Its foliag

a e il is like minute ivy l af, its ﬂowers are l ac , peeping out

the e e a e among leav s lik beads sc ttered over a velv t cushion .

a L . pilosa is another tiny pl nt with pilose or hoary stems .

The leaves are green above and red underneath , and the l ﬂowers purple with a blotch of ye low at the nose , the blossoms of all the Linarias being S haped like miniature

h ﬂ - antirr inums . L . repens, Snow ake , is of semi pros

a trate habit and rambling growth . The much br nched

r ni a stems are wi y, well fur shed with narrow , pointed , p le

a S green leaves , and at the ends of the br nches and ide

e a a st ms ppe r innumerable tiny ﬂowers of pure white .

a The pl nt continues to bloom for months , and presents

e and a a a a as a d lightfully light iry ppe r nce . Even a cut ﬂower for intermixing with larger blooms of bright colours

e the Snowﬂake Linaria is xceptionally useful, and alto

e g ther it is a plant to seek and cherish .

a ori anifolia Other desirable Lin rias are g , with slender

S - e e pikes of violet orange throat d ﬂow rs ; pallida , with

i e are a indiv dual ﬂow rs of purple , which l rge by comparison

a S a . and a with the tot l ize of the pl nt ; L alpina , its v rieties

a al a a ul a e rose , p lida , lb , and retic ata , all of which m k twiggy green stems clothed with narrow glaucous green

l a and - e e c rnbal aria fo i ge the familiar ivy l av d toad ﬂax , L . y , which grows in the chinks of old walls and even drapes

a - ﬂints e a h rd faced with refreshing gre nery . This pl nt 1 56 ALPINE PLANTS

seems to be incessantly in bloom , and is a ﬁne subject for

a high and dry positions . Most Lin rias , however, prefer i ff shade and moisture , and w ll e ectively carpet the ground

a l as well as curt in rocky boulders or stone wal s . — E BoREALI s . LINN A Named after the great botanist ,

n ae Li n us, this is a modest but exquisite and lovable little h plant that t rives best in some cool shady place , as though too shy to ﬂaunt itself before the crowd . Its prostrate stems are clothed with pretty foliage upon which bronzy tints mix with green . The blossoms , borne in pairs at

the intervals along stems, are of a pretty shade of pink .

e a al C r Th y are sweetly fragr nt , and together ha ming .

Layering will be found the best means of increasing stock .

— e LINUM . The flax family contains a number of d lightful free-flowering plants that are of elegant growth and easy culture . Linum alpinum is blue flowered , growing about 6 inches high ; L . austriacum is of taller growth with

a d e ﬂowers of a lighter shade of blue ; n L . narbon nse is still another blue of much beauty, and L . perenne is still

ﬂ m e a . . avu nother Then we have L , throwing clust rs of l brightest yel ow blossoms, and arboreum , also yellow of

h . s rubby growth , and monogynum , with pure white ﬂowers

There are several other sorts , but those named provide us with a selection of the best . All may be raised from

S a a seed , and hould be pl nted in batches of sever l plants

e rather than dott d about singly . Ordinary soil sufﬁces , and when once planted it is unwise to disturb the roots . S — LITHO PERMUM . Compel me to limit myself to a dozen alpine plants , and Lithospermum prostratum in its variety

l e Heaven y Blue must be one of them , and I b lieve

1 58 ALPINE PLANTS

C S — ri LY HNI . For b ght colours and freedom of ﬂowering several S pecies and varieties of Lychnis clamour for in cl usion in any collection of Alpines that aims at bright e e a a e e— r ff cts . L . lpin , with its clos ly set , bright ros colou ed

a a a u e ﬂowers , is a c pit l plant of e sy growth . L . f lg ns

S a a e gives us a pl sh of striking sc rlet , the blossoms b ing

a a a hi l rge for a plant growing only bout h lf a foot gh .

La s ae e e- e e . a c a l L g , anoth r ros coloured kind , b com s liter l y covered with bloom from early May onwards to late

e a summ r , and there are many shades of pink , s lmon ,

- h a . aa eana terra cotta , and sc rlet in the hybrids of L g ,

ma hi which y be easily raised from seed . There are w te

S a the at trac forms of several of the pecies , but they l ck tiveness e e e of the colour d types . Lychnis pr s nt little

f l e e l di ﬁcu ty so far as cultur is concerned , for th y wil grow l in most soi s, and only ask some sunshine to throw up

e e the brightn ss of th ir colours . In most cases they form clumps of tufted growths which

e can divide with eas , whilst seed grows freely and be

e fairly well reli d upon to come true .

C O EcHI OI D E s — MA R TOMIA . There is a unique charm about this plant which endears itself to those who study

e l th ir plants individua ly at close quarters . Of rather compact growth , with light green leaves , the plant throws up ﬂower S pikes about 9 inches high with terminal bunches of light yell ow blossoms somewhat resembling a primula

a ﬁve in shape . Around e ch corolla are distributed evenly deﬁned spots of rich velvety purple , the effect being

a e a striking in its unusual ch ract r . To see clump with a number of well- developed ﬂower heads is a remarkably CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 59

and a a no t pretty sight , the pl nt is one th t should be over

e ee look d . S d will provide stock , and cuttings of young growths may also be rooted in sandy soil .

ME CONOPS I s — a a - e . Wh tever pl nt has poppy lik blossoms

e the e must possess reﬁned grac and elegance , and M conopsis in their several distinct species and rich varieties are no

e e a ma a e exceptions ; inde d , the whol f mily y cl im to poss ss

e e a grace and el ganc in superl tive degree . Some of the Meconopsis are so strong and tall in growth that they can only be accommodated on rockeries of con siderabl e e e a extent , but these fully des rv pl ces of special

e promin nce in the herbaceous border .

e For the small rock ry the Welsh Poppy , Meconopsis

and a e e cambrica , in its yellow or nge , singl and doubl

- e e The a forms will form an ever pleasing f atur . pl nt grows freely , and blossoms profusely throughout the summer months .

RE UI ENI — e e MENTHA Q . This is one of the tini st ﬂow rs

ul a in c tiv tion ; in fact , the whole plant is of microscopic proportions as compared with the commoner mints of the

e - ee kitchen garden . The slender thr ad like stems cr p over the ground much after the manner of Arenaria

a and m a bale rica , are densely clothed with inute le ves

e a which wh n bruised emit distinct menthol aroma . The

e are ee a a e ﬂow rs d p m uve , or perhaps p le purpl , so small are no t e they that it is asy to precisely describe the tint , but nevertheless they are quite effective against the green

l a S a a a a fo i ge when the plant has pre d over a f ir re , and

a under a m gnifying glass they reveal intricate formation .

a a S a e a A cool, moist , and p rti lly h d d situation suits the pl nt 1 60 ALPINE PLANTS

e l e e b st , but it wil spr ad its lf over soil and stones alike , and cover them so closely that every little irregu larity of contour is followed .

S — a ME EMBRYANTHEMUM . This genus embraces a l rge

e number of interesting plants of succul nt growth , pro ducing for the most part blossoms of strikingly brilliant

a colours with a sheen comparable to ﬁne s tin . For hot

e dry slopes th y are admirable subj ects in summer, and

wi a our r some are hardy enough to thst nd average winte s . f It is , however, as particularly interesting and e fective subj ects for the alpine house they are to be most strongly

a recommended . They will thrive best potted in stiff lo m ,

r a a a n mortar ubble and co rse grit , prop g tion bei g by means of cuttings stripped off the stems or by layering the ripening growths into pots conveniently placed around

a the pl nts . M R S E —A nl O I I A OG . HYP A plant u ike any other, the Morisia is a capital subject for a position where running

l h r water is constant y ﬁltering t rough a bed of stony, g itty deposits but is never stagnant . It may also be success

ul in a f ly grown shallow pans , if only the pans are pl ced

r e a a to the rim in wate for an hour at int rv ls of a few d ys , and then hoisted on to inverted pots to thoroughly drain Morisia hypogaea makes rosettes of shining green foliage

- the with deeply cut edges, the rosettes nestling close to

a l a soil . The blossoms , lmost stalk ess , are four pet lled

ri and of the b ghtest , purest yellow . The earliest blossoms

the may appear before the end of February, and plant

continues to bloom until past midsummer .

I LI JE — a OMPHALODE S LUC . Imagine the scintill ting tints

1 62 ALPINE PLANTS the zinc S hould be bent in a hoop with the ends just

and a i meeting , th t the lower edge must touch so l all round . His theory was that observance of these two points ensured the setting up of a galvanic or electrical current

i l n e he wh ch prevents slugs craw i g ov r t zinc . I am not

r a e p epared to vouch for the validity of th t claim , but wh n putting down the zinc fence it is easy to be exact in these

a a can two details , and whatever the re l re son I certainly say I have found this little appliance quite an effective

a a safegu rd ag inst slugs . OMPHALODES NITIDA is another choice kind that shoul d also be included in the choicest coll ections either for the

er a e The r are rock y or the lpine hous . ﬂowe s sky blue ,

e borne in S pikes of good l ngth . Cuttings of young growth

e a may be rooted , but r quire closely watching in reg rd to watering .

OS — a ON MA . R nking among the choicest of alpine plants ,

n er a e e e O osma echioides , or, as it is p h ps mor fr qu ntly

a e t auricum an a r c ll d , Onosma , is ltogethe lovely plant .

e -S e a n Its inﬂated b ll haped ﬂowers, borne in clust rs on rchi g

e an st ms , are of a rich yellow , Golden Drop being

r ri a e a . a app op t common n me for the plant It is h rdy,

e the a a e d spite f ct that it is not invari bly a succ ss , but failure will generally be traceable to the choice of a posi tion where moisture and shelter combine to produce a

Onosmas a soft , sappy growth . The must h ve a thor

hl - and - e oug y well drained soil , a fully expos d position , where sun and wind will ripen every stem before winter

r . e sets in . The e are several species besides O echioid s ,

- a one . O . lbo roseum being that is of very e asy culture CHOICE PLANTS FOR R OCK GARDENS 1 63

— ' OURI S I A COCCINEA To have a plant with blossoms of outstanding brilliance that will thrive in shade is a

S e al a p ci boon , for it may be used to great dvantage as a contrast to the blues and purples of Veronicas and Cam

anul as l (Enotheras Dra p and the ye lows of , Ranunculus , bas f i i . S ax a ra as . Our s a , etc , or the whites of the mossy g

a e e a a e coccine is th refor plant we may cordi lly welcom .

ni a Its blossoms are like shi ng coral , the effect being enh nced

e e by conspicuous white stamens . The ﬂow ring s ason is

e a prolong d , spring , summer, and autumn ﬁnding the pl nts

e continuously in bloom . Cuttings will provid young stock,

a re - e — whilst two or th e y ar old clump will divide .

OC S ComMUNI s — I t f PAR HETU . is somewhat di ﬁcult to account for the fact that this unique little trailer remains

a e uncommon and ppar ntly slighted , for it is a sweetly

e a C a e and has e pr tty pl nt of quite distinct har ct r , be n in

hi e and ee t s country for fully a c ntury, yet is not often s n h l t e a e a e e a . a in v r g col ction of rock pl nts Of tr iling habit ,

the e e e are e re — e e sl nd r st ms cloth d with th e lob d leav s,

a a e The are with d rk zone in the l aﬂets . ﬂowers blue

e a S ea- a e e of a v ry rich d rk hade , p sh p d , sometimes born singly and sometimes in twos and threes on S hort foot

a r ea The st lks f om the axils of the l ves . ﬂowering period

r and the extends th oughout the summer months, plant grows well in ordinary soil either on ﬂat patches of the r e ockery or in the alpin bed .

S — a a l PENT TEMON . M ny g rden owners have col ections or selections of large ﬂowered Pentstemons of what we

’ % e ﬂorist s e e a t rm the vari ties , and a v ry h ndsome and

e e us ful class of plants th y are , but it is not of these I 1 64 ALPINE PLANTS

hi l e iti must write at present , for they are not wit n the g

e Pentst mate scope of this work , albeit the large ﬂow red e mons do sometimes ﬁnd their uses in large rock gardens or where a rock bank merges into a broad expanse of

e border perennials . Th re are , however, quite a large number of dwarf-growing S pecies with comparatively

a sm ll but strikingly coloured ﬂowers , and which in char

r a acter, habit of g owth , and hardiness are appropri te

e for the collection of alpine and kindr d rock plants . The

r are maj o ity of American nativity, but come from the hi gher altitudes , the Rocky Mountains giving us some , and a few coming from Mexico . A few kinds are not absolutely hardy , but on the whole my experience of the Pentstemons is that they generall y get more coddling than is good for them , and provided they are given hl thoroug y good drainage , with plenty of grit in the soil , l most of them wi l pass through our winters unharmed , and even where frost kills the stems the stools throw up vigorous new growth in spring . The sub-S hrubby kinds are easily propagated from

n S cutti gs of the young growth , either in pring or in early autumn , the latter being given the protection of a cold

few frame during their ﬁrst winter . A make tufted growth of a herbaceous character, and these may be divided and transplanted in spring . Seed also affords a means of rapid

increase of stock , but in most cases the seedlings are prone

to considerable variation in colour and form , and it is advisable to select the best forms and purest colours for n further increase from cutti gs .

r P . hete ophyllus is one of the most pleasing for either

1 66 ALPINE PLANTS after they have ﬂowered profusely for one or perhaps

a two seasons . A word of explan tion may serve to S how how these collapses may be avoided . The Phl oxes are among those plants that grow on their native mountains in broad masses where avalanche and torrent sweeping down the mountain side during S pring

i e and a thaws carry down grit , decay ng veg tation , fr g ments of rock that smother the plants with what we are

l The hl accustomed to ca l a natural mulching . P oxes have become so accustomed to this rough - and -ready care of nature that they thrust forward their leafy growths

e e e on the extremities of long bar stems . Th n wh n these stems are buried in the gritty mixture that is washed down

a the a upon them , they throw out innumer ble roots , and pl nts renew growth with greater vigour and over a still greater

a l i the a area . In our g rdens the mu ch ng of pl nts is too often

e neglected . The long , bare st ms are produced , but they i are left exposed to dry ng wind , frost , and sun , with the consequence that they become hardened and shrivelled to such an extent that they become incapable of con veying sap from the roots to the starving growths at their

’ r ext emities . A season s ﬂowering under these conditions

a e e so completely exh usts these growths that th y collaps ,

a and the whole plant dies off . A common pr ctice is to

a the the a cut b ck old growths, inducing plants to bre k

a the s e l up fresh from ba e . Th y wi l do this , but to compel them to do so se ason after season is to weaken

far the growth and ex haust the root system . A better w plan is to trim out the smaller weak growths after ﬂo ering , peg down the long rambling stems with hairpins and CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 67 cover with a couple of inches of light soil freely in termixed

e with sand , sifted mortar, rubble , or limeston chippings.

the e e Allow just gre n growths to pe p through the mulch, and the resul t will be a luxurious carpet of foliage and

e the w n a great sh et of glorious colour follo ing spri g .

r a e wa Furthermo e , pl nts treat d in this y can at any time

e e re during late summ r or autumn be lifted , divid d , and

a e e pl nt d , a b tter method of increasing stock than striking

S e a a a e cuttings . The peci s subul t , with its m ny varieti s , is a group to which the foregoing remarks particularly

a oe . a ar e pply, but P . am na , P stell ria and its v i ties , and

e a ma a a a P . v rn y all with dv ntage be simil rly treated .

a e e P . div ricata and its vari ti s , such as canadensis ,

La hami a a t p , lb , and o hers , constitute a group of different

a e hi e h bit . Th y form clumps or tufts from w ch ﬂow r

e i ri e . spikes se rect These do not r quire mulch ng , but shoul d have their ﬂower spikes cut back when ﬂowering has ea the a be c sed , and pl nts may nourished with a

k li e a sprin ling of good ferti z r or with liquid manure . L rge

ma be e roots y divid d , or cuttings of young growth from he r t base may be ooted in sandy soil . The phl oxes are superb plants for the alpine house or

. a a e e frame P ns of P . stell ria or subulata vari ti s , pots

i a a a an a of d v ricat or P . ov ta , and of y other of the dw rf and the e ef trailing members of genus , are extrem ly fective and r r will g ow with quite o dinary care .

PHUOP S I S S OS —A a TYL A . trailing pl nt with slender

r i a a and wi y stems clothed w th light iry foli ge , producing hr a e a e t oughout summer m ss s of lively pink tubul r ﬂow rs ,

Phuo sis and n . the p , or Crucianella is dainty charmi g It 68 ALPINE PLANTS

a likes a f ir amount of moisture during the growing season , and thrives better in partial shade than in the full glare

Ma a of the sun . y be prop gated by division soon after

ﬂowering .

— e er a PHYTEUMA . Som members of this family are p h ps

e edi eligible for inclusion in our pr c ng group of plants ,

far as a the whilst , so speci l cultural care is concerned , chief essential in regard to the choicest is to guard against

s . the ravage of slugs and woodlice The whole genus ,

a however, is commend ble for distinct character and beauty , m . ca anul oides and some of the stronger growers , such as P p ,

P . orbiculare , and both the blue and white forms of P .

the spicatum , may be grown in alpine bed or on the

rockery by novice as well as expert .

ri Blue in ch shades is the predominant colour , the

n inﬂations blossoms bei g more or less tubular, with that give them something of a bottle -shaped appearance that

led to the common name of bottle ﬂower . CO O — PLATY D N . Closely allied to the Campanulas , and ,

a a randiﬂora in fact , sometimes cat logued as C mpanula g , Platycodon grandiﬂorum and its varieties provide us with a group of very handsome plants of distinct char

e acter and great beauty . The roots are ﬂ shy, tuberous ,

e n and d eply penetrati g , the foliage is of a slightly glaucous

a - S tint , and the ﬂowers are l rge , saucer like in hape , with

pointed margins . The type is blue , with purple veins

running through the petals , and there are white , pale

- ar and a greyish lavender, semi double , dw f , l te ﬂowering

a variations from the type , one of the best being n med

a mariesii m jor . Plants are easily raised from seed , but

CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 69 considerable variation in shade and purity of colour must

e S e rm a be looked for in se dlings . A p cially good fo m y be propagated by taking young growths from the crown

a 2 e e me when bout 5inch s long , rooting th m in a close fra ,

a a al s a using compost th t is bout h f of nd . When planted on the rockery care should be taken to provide plenty of

e the e a d pth for ﬂ shy roots , but the genus is speci lly

suitable for the raised alpine seed .

O G — Of ar r a a P LY ALA . dw f , sh ubby ch r cter, and neat and

Chamaebux us a compact habit , Polygala and its v riety purpurea is not onl y a pretty evergreen with box -like

l - a a an n a . fo iage , but is pr ctic lly ever bloomi g pl nt Its

- e l a blossoms are pea shaped , born in between the fo i ge ,

e e bad e e e thus being w ll protect d during w ath r, and wh n a plant is well established in sandy soil of a leafy or peaty

u the nat re , free from lime , it will be very rare , whether

e month be January, June , or Decemb r , for one to look in l vain for blossoms . In the type , the ﬂowers are yel ow

r blotched with purple , but in the form purpurea the pu ple

r i p edominates , the tips alone being yellow . By earth ng

l rm the up a plant with sandy peat , roots wil be fo ed up n stems , enabli g a clump to be divided and successfully n tra splanted . — PRIMULA . The primroses of Europe would provide hi ample material to ﬁll the whole of t s book , and when ,

in a the e ddition , we begin to think about delightful speci s

a th t have been introduced from China and Japan , and of the glorious hybrids that have been produced by crossing

e e r a S som of th se with Eu ope n pecies , we despair of con densing into the limited S pace that can be spared for any 1 70 ALPINE PLANTS one genus a tithe of the comment and information the merits of the hardy Primulas woul d warrant . Fortunately some members of the primrose family are so well known that detailed description of them is un

e e n c ssary , and furthermore although

it is a family of inﬁnite variety , containing species of remarkable

e e e distinctiveness , th re is n v rtheless an unmistakable facial likeness be

e tween wellnigh all its memb rs .

the From minute Primula scotica ,

and a . a a the almost as sm ll P f rinos ,

a . and the even sm ller P minima , to the great whorled spikes of l l a . u Primu a j ponica , P pulver enta

F and we PRIMULA ORRESTII . their hybrids , ﬁnd the same

a e form of individu l ﬂower, wid ly as e a e th y may v ry in size and arrangem nt on their stalks . In the common primrose we see the blossoms standing

e l singly on sl nder stalks , in P . denticu ata the ﬂowers are a closely bunched in heads as spheric l as drumsticks ,

. a . cortusioides . in P el tior, P , P Sieboldii and many others

s et m we find the flowers in loose u bels , and , some , such as P . sikkimensis , the blossoms are pendent , nodding , but still the S hape of the flower itself clearly marks its identity . About the most strikingly distinct species is Primul a litt oniana e hi ll and , the flow rs of w ch are sma set closely on erect spikes after the manner of Orchis foliosa . Its

a r a colour lso is ve y distinct , m uve with some shading of r e e i . Pr usset on the unop ned buds But in colours th . mulas

1 72 ALPINE PLANTS

stout ﬂeshy stems , after the manner of the auricula . These rosettes with stem attached may be cut from

a the m in plant as offsets , and if ﬁrmly embedded in f pans of sandy compost , the o fsets will root . The chief points to observe with offsets are

r a pe fectly dr ined rooting medium ,

and cautious watering, an even but

not too high temperature . Many Primulas reproduce them

selves fairly truly from seed , whilst in some cases all sorts of pleasing colour variations are obtainable

from seedlings . Success is always greatest when seed can be sown

immediately it is ripe , but in the ( o ' t event of seed being purchased which

’

r m r %. A ou ALPINA , (A is of the previous season s growth a P o p ’ “ gfifiuff gfix f considerable amount of patience e fre n eds to be exercised , for very quently the outer S hell of Primula seed becomes so hard ened that germination is delayed for months or even a

a e year . It is disastrous to try to h sten matt rs by sub

ectin i and a j g the seeds to art ﬁcial heat , it is lso unwise to allow the soil to be alternately very dry and very wet . A little powdered charcoal dusted over the surface of

the soil will maintain sweetness, and check development of moss which, if left to grow, would smother the minute l young seed ings . Always endeavour to prick out seedling Primulas while

very small ; although this is a somewhat tedious task , CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 73 the beneﬁcial results in gr owth of the young plants amply

a rep y the effort .

a — Established colonies of Primul s the plants should ,

r a whenever possible , be planted in g oups r ther than dotted — about singly will appreciate an annual mulching with a mixture of leaf mould and thoroughly rotten manure

- which has been passed through a sieve . Pot grown plants

nl may be nourished with liquid manure , but o y during the period of active growth and ﬂowering . RAM ND I A — O . Every one who has the slightest knowledge of alpines learns to speak with special terms of appreciation

Ramondias e of the , and it is not to be wondered at , for th y are undoubtedl y among the most bewitchingly beautiful

subjects we can possibly grow in our rock gardens . n h Formi g broad ﬂat plates of foliage t at is thick,

ru l a tough, and c mpled a most like a savoy cabb ge , the plant has a distinguished appearance at any season of

and the year, when from the centre of the rosettes the

a ﬂowers rise , their form and softly beautiful shades and blends of colour hold us in rapt admiration .

Ramondias e r like shade , lik peat , like moisture du ing

owm n a their gr g season , but they cannot sta d st gnation and cannot endure saturation of the foliage during humid ll spells of weather whilst growth is at a standsti . At Kew

- e Ramondias and in a good many well built rock gard ns , the have been planted S ideways on the perpendicular face hi of a rough rock formation . T s is undoubtedly a very

good plan , but only if the building and planting is so carried out that the plants will ﬁnd moisture behind the

. i stones R . pyrenaica with its p nky lilac blossoms, and 1 74 ALPINE PLANTS

hi Nathaliae e the w te ﬂowered variety , and with d ep mauve

e e e petals and bright orange anthers , are eith r of th m v ry

e the e choice , and they make sup rb subjects for alpin

. r e a a house Seed p ovid s the best means of prop g tion . — RANUNCULUS . Who loves a primrose loves a buttercup u too , might well be taken as an axiom , and f rthermore it may certainl y be said that whoever loves ﬂowers must delight in the charms of the many lovely buttercups that make S pringtime gay with their glittering gold and glisten in . a a are g white So far as cultur l dem nds concerned , practically the whole genus Ranuncul us ﬂourish with

e e as a al p rfect ase so long they have a f irly cool , parti ly

S a and haded situ tion , can be supplied with copious sup

dr er a plies of water during y p iods . In fact , the R nunculus does well under just such conditions as best suit the majority

all are m a of hardy primulas , and the dwarfer kinds ad ir bly ﬁtted for planting in the S hady nooks of the rock garden

ed e e a or on the al pine b . Sev ral of the speci s also m ke

e a e n excell nt subjects for p ns or pots , for ﬂow ri g in the

e li alpine house or in frames ; here again, unstint d supp es

r e . of water, but f ee drainage b ing their chief requirements

. a ma el R glaci lis y w l be given ﬁrst place , it being one of the sweetest little ﬂowers we can plant in a cool recess of

S the rockery , where its preading stems , ﬂeshy , but prettily

l a and e a cut fo i ge , dainty little blossoms , whit with blush

a e S of rosy pink , will m k a brave and delightful how right

a e a through the middle of the summer . R . mpl xic ulis must certainly be named as one of the best of the family . Its petals are of satiny lustrous white against which the

a e S l rich golden nth rs how up most beautiful y , whilst the

1 76 ALPI NE PLANTS a particularly desirable plant which wil l cover a wi de‘

S e n a pr adi g are , and tumble over borders of rock , draping

e wi e lia th m with slender, ry st ms clothed with bronzed fo ge

i w Ma wh ch even in inter is effective , whilst from early y to midsummer the whole mass is converted into a S heet

r of lovely rosy p ink ﬂowers , starlike in fo m , and backed

e by inﬂated calyces of bronzy gre n . The plant is easily

and e wi a raised from seed , onc planted ll spre d itself over

a a in a l rge area , and maint in health and vigour for an ni ii deﬁ te period occasionally mulched with gritty compost .

. a wi f S c espitosa is also rosy pink , of close gro ng , tu ted

a i h bit , del ghting in a sunny position , and capable of

enduring a good deal of drought . A hybrid between the two species already named is

Boissieri hi S . , the ﬂowers of w ch are of the same rosy

e S a rox i shade but are of comparatively larg ize , often pp

mating an inch in diameter . Cuttings of young growth d will root rea ily enough in spring . There are yellow

hi e Saponarias w ch afford interesting vari ty , both lutea

l naris lli li . u vi and be difo a being suitable for rock work . S p

a di is another distinct pl nt of minutive growth , but bearing

a profusion of brillian t red blossoms .

F G — e E. SAXI RA A . When ver alpine plants are written or

lectured upon , or even discussed by a couple of enthusiasts , we may be sure Saxifragas will come in for some share of u attention , and quite naturally so , for there s rely is no family that has a greater number of good claims to um

stinted affection and widespread cultivation . In point

ri rm a the a of va ed fo , character and cultur l demands S xi

fragas leave the maj ority of plant genera far behind . In CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 77

the multitude of natural species , garden forms or varieties ,

e and hybrids of accidental birth or of scientiﬁc bre ding , the genus is one of the weal thiest families of plants with ll which we have to deal, and it matters not how sma or

dr how large , how hot and y, or how cool and shaded a

a l e rockery may be , there are Saxifr gas well qua iﬁ d to occupy places of importance and prominence among the l choicest of its treasures . For pot cu ture , or for pans i in the alpine house or frame , Sax fragas of many kinds

RA GE E AI Z OONI A A TYPICAL ENCRUSTED S Ae (SECTION U ) .

e are among the most d sirable subjects , whilst many are as happy and effective in an ordinary bed of soil as upon

a e an elaborate rockery . The remark bl diversity of form among Saxifragas is evidenced by the fact that the famil y i i is d vided into no less than sixteen dist nct groups , and a study of these groups is both interesting and of practical

e value , for it is not worthy that throughout the whole range the members of any particular group are akin in their habit of growth and cultural requirements . More often we ﬁnd in catalogues the genus is divided into two or three M 1 78 ALPINE PLANTS

e a groups , as Encrusted , Mossy, M gase , and sometimes we have subdivisions of these groups , but the arrangement is unsatisfactory , because unscientiﬁc . There are many Saxifragas that do not properlybelong to either the encrusted

a fre or the mossy sections , and in uncert inty these have quently been erratically classiﬁed , and indeed the one fault to be found with Saxifragas is that their nomenclature

S has long been somewhat confused , and even alpine pecialists ar e not invariably accurate in regard to names . It would be an immense advantage if the botanical classiﬁcation

al into the sixteen sections were adopted for gener use , and if all trade catalogues so grouped them or indicated by some distinctive S ign to which section a variety belongs ; it would within a short time prove of immense assistance in bringing order out of what may al most be termed the

e di pr sent chaotic con tion , and would greatly facilitate the

ar e dissemination of cultural instructions . The following

the names of the sections , with a brief description of their dis

i e e t nctive characteristics and exampl s of their sp cies or kinds .

’ B — Me se e er ema a a as . g . Often c lled g Plants of larg vigorous growth with strong rounded leaves in tufted

a ea form tion , with clustered h ds of bloom generally rosy

n . : . d pi k , red , or purple Examples S cor ifolia and its

a . varieties . Of e sy growth in ordinary soil . Sun or shade

Bom l h lla — j y . Leaves in rosettes , undivided , ﬂowers white ,

or spotted with red , thrive best in cool , moist , but well

: . . drained soil in shady positions . Example S hieracifolia

’ a a —Oi C mb l rza . y annual or biennial duration , freely

i f r seeding , produc ng tu ts of glossy leaves , and b ight yellow

ﬂowers . Preferring shade and moisture without stagna

1 80 ALPINE PLANTS

l r general y glaucous . Flowers la ge , singly or few on a

l l - short stem . White or yel ow . Wel drained gritty soil suits

a dr . : . ul best in f irly y positions Examples S apic ata ,

burseriana S . , etc .

M e alu — isco t m. n n p Foliage rou d , undivided , stalked . Pa i cled ﬂower stems bespangled with white or spotted ﬂowers .

l e Prefer light sandy soi , and shady positions . Exampl l S . rotundifo ia .

kr u —Oi Ne o h ll m. l p p y tufted growth , with sta ked leaves

a al a hi ni from b se , and erect flower st ks br nc ng into pa cles i l - of white and somet mes yel ow tinted flowers . Require moist fibrous soil, some shade . Example S . granulata .

e u — P ltiphyll m. Flower spikes strong and carrying round heads of pink , or sometimes white ﬂowers which appear l - n before the leaves . Fo iage broad spreadi g on top of sub i l — stant a . stalks , umbrella like in form Suited for stream

s irmas . a i . side planting or among p , etc , around pond m rg ns

Ex ample : S . peltata . ' — i P or h rzon . r t p y Prostrate in g ow h , the stems th ckly

- a O clothed with tiny closely set foli ge . Flowers wide pen ,

l lk . practical y sta less, generally rosy or purple Delight in moisture that ﬁlters quickly through stone chippings and gritty soil , but love sun so long as roots are kept moist .

O . Example S . ppositifolia ’ — Robertsoma . Rounded foliage , notched or toothed at

r s edges, glossy, tall panicles of small sta ry ﬂowers , ometimes pink , often spotted on white ground . Generally very easily

- in ai s . grown any well dr ned soil , preferring some hade

Example : S . umbrosa . /m — Trach h u . yp l Tufted rosettes of toothed leaﬂets , CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 8 1

a . i e e coated with downy h irs Flowers wh t or y llow, and

e e in some cases pink or red , in loos panicles . Us ful for

iz oid S : . a es . hady places . Examples S , S tricuspidata ,

etc .

T a s — rid ot li . y Annuals with ﬂeshy leaves , divided , and

s resembling edums in appearance , ﬂowers white . Readily

reproduced from seed . Sunny positions . Example : S .

adscendens . A few of the foregoing sections have but a very small

number of species or varieties, but others embrace a great number of

distinct species and useful varieties .

The Euaiz oonia en , including the

crusted kinds, is perhaps the most attractive and serviceable for small

rockeries in sunny positions , although the Dactyloides contains many delightful varieties that will

wi X D n make a beautiful display thout S A IFRAGA acrp m s . A G D V S readm OO MOSSY ARIETY unduly p g DA TYL rD E ( C o s S ECTION) . The Kabschias ar e extremely ' l beautiful , and are particu arly suitable for cultivation in pans or pots for the alpine house or frame . For the encrusted type limestone or lime rubble is essen tial to intensify the edging of limy substance that so greatly enhances the beauty of the rosettes of foliage even during l winter . The mossy kinds will thrive quite wel in ordinary

soil , but it is advisable from time to time to mulch with n n gritty sandy compost , working it well dow amo g the l stems beneath the cushions of fo iage . 1 8 2 ALPINE PLANTS

CH Z D ON LDANELLOI DEs — i S I OCO S O . Th s is a plant that belongs to the mountain heights of Japan . It is one of the rar est and perhaps one of the most uncertain of plants

a that come within the scope of this book , but its be uty is such that no effort can be accounted too troublesome

a r the ea to achieve success with it . Wh t was forme ly gr test

s ar difﬁculty has now to a great extent di appe ed . Twenty years or more ago the trouble was that to obtain plants of S chiz ocodon we had frequently to buy newly-imported plants which during their long journey from Japan had be come so dried and weakened that onl y a bit here and there

ul ll nl e co d ra y, and u ess these were v ry carefully nursed

the ﬁrst win ter proved too severe a strain for them . By perseverance specialists have at length succeeded in develop ing and propagating stock that has become well acclima

tiz ed a , and with home prop gated stock which can be

n e e transplanted from pots , we have an i ﬁnit ly bett r chance

S chiz ocodon of success . The best conditions to provide for may be summed up as a sheltered but only partially

S a shaded pot , a soil m de up of good loam , peat , coarse

grit , and broken charcoal . If the soil is as porous as a

l a e ﬁlter plenty of water wi l be appreci t d , but on a close soil where drainage is sluggish trouble will not be long l de ayed . The foliage of this plant is brightly tinted with

some of the metallic shades one ﬁnds on some irises , and the prettily fringed blossoms are of deep pink in the centre

shading off until almost white at the fringe . — S ENEcro . With the common names of groundsel and ragwort the genus Senecio is reputed to contain a larger number of S pecies and vari eties than any other

1 84 ALPINE PLANTS t al r a here may we so succeed with the Sho ti s , and they are most admirable companions for each other . The foliage of Shortia gal acifolia is beautiful enough without its blossoms to ensure it a safe place in the affec tions of alpine plantsmen . To describe its colours , its l netting and mottling , and the g istening metallic sheen

r e e that ove lays the whol , might w ll be a task for poets

e i - of ﬂowery eloquenc , wh lst the chastity and wax like reﬁnement of the blossoms is but the crowning glory of a

n uniﬂora bewilderi gly beautiful plant . S . is another irresistibly charming variety with pink ﬂowers of a pearly

ll S ul scinti ating hade . Both are superb for pot c ture

ll - u hi e or, better sti , for broad s rfaced pans in w ch thr e or t four plants may be grown toge her . It is unwise to frequentl y disturb Shortias for the sake n of increasi g the number of plants , but it is better to carefully top- dress from time to time with a mixture of

S sifted peat , ilver sand and charcoal to encourage the strengthening of the central crown s and the development

of young offsets . S C — SI YRIN HIUM . Akin in character of growth to slender

w hi are gro ing irises , the plants of t s genus possessed of

a quiet type of beauty, and are admirable for receding positions where surrounding stones or shrubs will protect i the frag le blossoms from boisterous winds . The purple diﬂ ra m . . n oru rm S g and its white fo are the best , but S

berrnudia um angustifolium and S . n are others that may

well be grown . —H SILENE . ere again we have a large genus that con tains among something like half a hundred S pecies many CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 85

r -ﬂowerin few pretty f ee g plants , and a that deserve honoured positions among the choicest collections of

l a u l alpines . Of Si ene ca lis , popu arly called moss campion or cushion pink , there are a good half

ri e ll dozen va eti s , the typ e making dense little hi ocks of

ar - a hi sh p pointed green foli ge , w ch during summer are mantled with bright rosy pink blossoms on the S hortest

r of stalks . The e is a larger ﬂowered variety named

randiﬂora hi e g , a w te , a doubl ﬂowered , and one with

l a . a ul schaft a bright yellow fo i ge , named S ca is aurea . S . is another sweet little plant , with ﬂowers of a very pleasing

a and somewhat uncommon shade of pink , and sm ll dainty

a a S has a foli ge of a p le hade of apple green . It the adv ntage

e m e of ﬂow ring in autu n , when the greater numb r of alpine ni plants have gone to seed . S . virgi ca has ﬂowers of l hi a particu arly bright scarlet , and there are several w tes ,

uadriﬁda hi S . q , and S . maritima , of w ch there is a large

e e l ﬂowered double vari ty, being us fu examples .

a Silenes may be used with good effect on w ll gardens , and anywhere on the rockery where gritty soil and good

rai d nage can be afforded .

C —A a - SMILA INA . sm ll genus of erect growing plants with attractive foliage and blossoms somewhat like a

’ % a a sm ll edition of Solomon s seal , the Smilacin s are particularly useful for planting in rockeries S ituated in

a ll d mp , shady places , such as the corners of a wa ed

garden or under trees . They demand plenty of moisture

n e at the root , and should be left undisturbed u til th y

become crowded . — SOLDANELLA The violet that shyly hangs its head 1 86 ALPINE PLANTS down in the green and shady dell is not more coy l or Winsome than the sweet little Soldanel as, that nod their deeply fringed hoop- petticoat blossoms over their tufts of rounded glossy green leaves . Many a plant

e makes a more ost ntatious display of charms, but few i are more bewitch ngly beautiful . We may have them i in violet , purple , lavender, and wh te , and if planted in

S a a bed of good leaf soil with some ilver sand and charco l ,

S all a choosing a shady pot , they will delight us with goodl y quantity of ﬂowers from early April till the latter

a e end of May . Not th t the plant is t nder, but rather

e e e in ord r that it may be nsured a p riod of rest , it is advisable to place a sheet of glass over it to ward off the

S rains of winter, otherwise during pells of mild wet

a ll weather young foli ge wi start from the crowns , and this

’ is calculated to be detrimental to the following spring s

blooming . Soldanellas are very ﬁne subjects for pans in the alpine

house or frame .

E — F0r a SPIR A . l rge rock gardens with cool, moist l depressions or recesses , many of the comparatively tal , erect- growing Spiraeas are very useful and ornamental

e a subj cts , but there are a number of dw rf , rambling , or ﬂat -growing species that are exquisite for small rockeries

in damp places . Spiraeas can never be entirely successful except where their roots are abundantly supplied with l water . Most like peaty soi , but some are not at all

a a p rticul r as to the character of the soil, so long as moisture

is not lacking , and whilst their roots are within reach of

l e u water they wil nd re hot sunshine , and even revel in

1 88 ALPINE PLANTS

e the whole plant a hoary grey appearance . Th re are al so

a a number of erect , compact growing species that simul te

mo . az oricus . co sus . ericaefolius miniature Conifers , T , T and T

ri being a few such . G tty soil, rocky niches , the chinks of a loosely built wall, or a position on the ordinary alpine bed , with a few flat stones pressed around the roots , will ffi any of them su ce to ensure the comfort of the Thymes , i and stock may be eas ly increased by layering, division , or by striking cuttings in a cold frame . ul TIARELLA . Foam flower is the pop ar name l given to Tiarel a cordifolia and its varieties , and the . appropriateness of this name strikes one when a good colony is seen with a gentle breeze upon its fragile ,

l - i S feathery , mi k wh te blossoms , waving on lender but

. t wiry stems The grow h of Tiarella cordifolia is dwarf, n tufted , spreading by means of ru ners , which take root i and extend the plant in all directions . The fol age is very effective in winter as well as summer, a bronzy tint ,

al suffusing with a p e green , and a glistening sheen over i spread ng the whole .

C X F G - TUNI A S A I RA A . Useful as an autumn blooming

S plant of lively colour , the Tunica makes lender trailing

a growths , covered with small foliage , and produces iry

di a panicles of rosy tinted ﬂowers . It is not a fﬁcult pl nt

to grow , and its lightness and elegance give it a very

attractive and pleasing appearance . Where clumps of spring ﬂowering bulbs occupy pockets on the rockery , a

plant or two of Tunica may very well be planted , to cover what would otherwise be a bare patch during the summer

and autumn . CHOICE PLANTS FOR ROCK GARDENS 1 89 — WAHLENBERGIA . The genus Wahlenbergia contains a number of dainty little plants that are very closely al lied

a . fﬁ to the Campanul s They are not at all di cult to grow, but never look better than when wedged between closely

packed stones, with a good

body of soil behind them , into which their rambling roots may

penetrate for moisture . W . ser

h llifolium S p y is the best pecies, of which there are a few varie ties possessed of distinctive

s merit , such as enlarged ﬂowers

or richer colouring . The type itself has very attractive violet blue ﬂowers, borne on slender

i WAHLENBERGIA GENTIA ‘ w ry stems . The foliage is nar

N OI D E S ' ser h ll i row, hence the name p y

— ll m entianoides ser h u . . folia foliage like Thymus p y W g ,

S here ﬁgured , is a daintily beautiful plant of lender growth but wonderfully free ﬂowering propensities .

— - Z Z AUS CHNERIA . A well developed bush of auschneria californica is one of the most striking plants one can

have upon a rockery . Its colour is a most intense coral

scarlet , the blossoms being long , tubular, and poised l f horizonta ly on sti f woody stems , in loose elegant

spikes . The foliage is soft , downy, and of a greyish green . 1 8 An established plant may grow to a height of inches , S 2 and pread to or 3 feet in diameter . An added merit

Z a is that the uschneria ﬂower through the autumn , when

brilliant colour on the rockery is particularly valuable . 1 90 ALPINE PLANTS

h a S e It is a plant t at requires a f irly helter d position , being

- S e of sub hrubby habit , but I have known plants in expos d S ituations to be preserved by heapin g ashes around the

the e a e a base , plants br aking aw y fr ely when the shes are

e e e removed in spring , v n though th ir top branches have

e r perished during wint r . Pe fect drainage is essential , and an established plant should not be disturbed at the

a I s o S root . A good method of propag tion to peel ff hoots

a from the br nches early in autumn , insert round the

a a edge of a pot of s ndy compost , and pl ce in a sheltered

S frame until spring, when they may be haken out and potted to grow for a season before planting in permanent

quarters .

1 92 ALPINE PLANTS and interest to justify inclusion in even a small collection of rock plants . l f In regard to bu bs , also , there are su ﬁcient kinds of a suitable character for either the rockery or the Alpine ll house to occupy sti further chapters , but the most that can at present be done is to furnish a list of the names of some of the best and easiest , although it may be remarked that quite a number of tuberous rooted plants that are generally classiﬁed with bulbs have received due notice hi in the previous sections of t s work .

Evergreen shrubs, pigmy trees and ﬂowering shrubs in have found but little space this book, but for no other reason than that the whole sphere of al pine gardening is so vast that it cannot be compressed into a volume of

a a reason ble dimensions . Some amends h ve been made by naming in this chapter a few of the kinds that may

z be used with advantage in gardens of moderate si e .

a ratiﬁ Whilst I feel , as my task ne rs its close , some g cation that I have contrived to include so large a number of excellent plants, and have dealt with most phases of ul alpine plant c ture , I am fully alive to the fact that a

ea l vast d l is sti l omitted , for the subject is indeed l inexhaustible . The reader wil however ﬁnd that even l small beginnings wi l for a while fully occupy him , and in course of time the acquisition of knowledge and experience will enable him to deal successfully with fresh acquaintances among this fascinating class of plants , and the further the hobby of alpine gardening is pursued the more enjoyable it becomes . PLANTS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES 1 93

A FEW OF THE EARLIES T AND MOS T EFFECTIVE OF SPRING O G OC S FL WERIN R K PLANT .

[Where the gen eric n ame al on e is given it may be assumed that a number

e e ed of the species an d vari ties b ar the characteristics in dicat .% ADONIS HA CQUE TI A EPIPACTIS ANEMONE I BERIS SEMPERVIRENS ARABIS I RIS RETICULATA AND OTHERS ASPERULA MACROTOMIA E CHI OD E S AUBRIETIA MORI S I A HYP OG CEA AURICULA POLYGALA C P ARDAMINE RIMULA , MANY KINDS CHEIRA NTHUS ALPINUS PULMONARIA ANGUSTIFOLIA CONVALLARIA MAJALIS A RVE RN E N S E CORYDALIS RANUNCULUS DRABA S ANGUINARIA CANADENSIS DRYAS OCTOPETALA S Ae RA G A APICULATA EPIMEDIUM CORDIFOLI A ERICA MEDITERRA NEA HI BE R TRILLIUM NIVALE NICA OVATUM GENISTA TINCTORIA VIOLA GENTIANA ACAULIS

C O OF S OO I N A SELE TI N PLANT THAT BL M AUTUMN , WHEN BRIGHT COLOUR IN THE ROCK GARDEN rs S PECIALLY CO WEL ME .

BELLIS ROTUNDIFOLIA ccERULE s CENS CERATOSTIGMA PLUMBAGINOIDES COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE CORIARIA TERMINALIS CORYD ALIS CYCLAMEN A F RI CA NU M E U RO P cE U M LATIFOLIUM NEAPOLITANUM DAPHNE CNEORUM ERICA CILIARIS CI N E RI A n ALBA COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE . e ERYSIMUM RUPESTRE (The blossoms appear before the foliag .) N I 94 ALPINE PLANTS

GEUM HE LD RE I CHI I OXALIS LOBATA I BERIS ROSEA MERTENSIA PANICULATA PRUNELLA MICROMERIA C R OA TI CA S CUTELLARIA SPLENDENS MIMULUS THYMUS MYOSOTIS SEMPERFLORENS Z AUSCHNERIA CALIFORNICA

E W S OO G A F PLANT THAT WILL BL M DURIN WINTER .

ANEMONE BLANDA HA CQU E TI A EPIPACTIS NEMOROSA HELLEBORUS NIGER (Christmas CROCUS IMPERATI R ose) CYCLAMEN C I LI CI CU M I BERIS G I BRA LTA RI CA COUM SEMPERFLO RENS IBERICUM I RIS STYLOSA LI BA N O TI CU M LITHOSPERMUM PROSTRATUM ERANTHIS HYE MA LI S PETASITES FRAGRANS ERICA CARNEA POLYGALA CHA ME BUXA MEDITERRANEA H I BE RN I S AX IFRAGA APICULATA CA BU RS E RI ANA GALANTHUS E LWE S I I (giant sn ow S CILLA S I BE RI CA drop)

A FEW PLANTS THAT ARE POS S E S S ED OF BEAUTIFUL O G C O F LIA E , EITHER TINTED , L THED WITH SILVERY

O OR F CUT G . T MENTUM , BEAUTI ULLY AND FRIN ED

e Generally as eff ctive in winter as in summer .

Those arked w h an a i v o e m it ster sk have s il ery f liag .

A CCENA ANTHEMIS MONTANA ACANTHOLIMON S TYR I A CA *ACHILLEA OF SEVERAL KINDS * ANTHYLLIS MONTANA AJUGA BRYANTHUS ALCHEMILLA *CHRYSANTHEMUM ARGENTEUM *ALYSSUM OF SORTS CONVOLVULUS MAURITANICUS *ANTHEMIS BI E BE R S TE I N I A NA DRYAS CANESCENS EPIMEDIUM MACEDONICA ERICA

1 96 ALPINE PLANTS

BULBOUS OR TUBEROUs-ROOTED PLANTS THAT MAY APPROPRIATELY BE AS S OCIATED WITH ALPINES I N THE OC OR THE O S R K GARDEN ALPINE H U E .

ALLIUM I RIS RE TICULATA AN EMONE , OF NUMEROUS SPECIES ANGLICA CHI ON OD ox A LEUCOJUM (spring and autumn COLCHICUM (A utumn Crocus) sn owﬂakes) C M ra e h acin th ROCUS , OF SEVERAL SPECIES USCARI (g p y ) C D see O YCLAMEN , HAR Y SPECIES ( RNITHOGALUM Chapter I X) S CILLA S I BE RI CA DODECATHEON BIFOLIA ERA NTHIS HYE MALI S S TERNBERGIA LUTEA ERYTHRONIUM OF SEVERAL TRILLIUM GRANDIFLORUM KINDS TULIPA G RE I G I I GALANTHUS (S n owdrop)

TREES AND SHRUBS OF DWARF HABIT AND SUITABLE CHARACTER FOR AS S OCIATION WITH ROCK PLANTS OR FOR THE APPROACHES AND BACKGROUND To THE

ROCK GARDEN .

n s Many shrubs , and even co iferous tree , may be kept dwarf and made appropriately attractive in rock gardens , by pegging down their branches .

A P YG MJEA min iature s il er C BIES ( v ISTUS , VARIOUS SPECIES AND fir) VARIETIES (rock rose) A RTE ME S I A worm C ever reen ABROTANUM ( HOISYA TERNATA ( g , wood) with white flowers like orange AZ ALEA ROS E F LO RU M (pink blossom) flowers) COTONEASTER THYMIFOLIA (ever BERBERIS D A RWI N I NANA (ever green with scarlet berries) reen wil h oran e owers C Z g , g fl ) OTONEASTER HORI ONTALIS BERBERIS EMPETRIFOLIA (ever (evergreen with scarlet berries) reen with ellow owers C g , y fl ) RYPTOMERIA ELEGANS NANA C olden olia e autumn tinted a anese ASSINIA FULVIDA (g f g , ( j p white flowers) PLANTS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES 1 97

C KE WE NS I S rostrate O YTISUS (p , NONIS ROTUNDIFOLIA with cream pea sha ped flowers) bl oss oms) RHODODENDRON FERRUGINEUM DAPHNE BLA G A YA N A (f ragrant (bright red) white blossoms) RHODODENDRON FERRUGINEUM DAPHNE CNEORUM (fragrant pin k ALBUM (white) bloss oms) VERONICA BI D WE LLI I (white with A see Cha er i olet tin ts ERICA , M NY KINDS ( pt v ) I X) VERONICA CUP RESSOIDES (conif er GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS (orna like in appearan ce) men ta l e er reen olia e red HE CTORI cl ub moss v g f g , VERONICA ( berries like in rowth lilac owers ) g , fl ) JUNIPERUS SABINA PROSTRATA VERONICA HU LK E A N A (laven der (dwarf j un iper) flowers) ONONIS FRUTICOSA (purple VERONICA S A LI CO RN OI D E S (con i owers er -like olden tinted olia e fl ) f , g f g )

HARDY FERNS SUITABLE FOR ROCK GARDENS AND THE

O S ALPINE H U E .

The following is but a small selection Of the immense

Of l e l a e range gracefu , el gant ferns that might wel eng g

The our attention and form a S pecial study . collection and cul tivation of hardy ferns is indeed a delightful and

s i m engro sing hobby . Many ferns del ght in a oist shady

e situation with peaty soil , but it is a mistaken id a that

S i all ferns must have peat , hade and cont nuous moisture ,

l e and indeed some wil thrive better on a dry ston wall ,

F01 some seek the sunshine rather than the S hade . the

Of I e guidance the beginner, hav divided the list into two

- - : i . sections shade loving , and sun lov ng 1 98 ALPINE PLANTS

S - S S UN - F HADE LOVING PECIES . LOVING ERNS . *A LLO S O RU S CRISPUS *BLECHNUM SPICANT * ASPLENIUM AD I ANTUM-NIGRUM LASTREA DILATATA RUTA-MURARIA LASTREA F I LI x -MA S T RICHOMANES G OLD I A NA ATHYRIUM FELIX F zE MI NA PSEUDO -MAS CRIS CO RYMB I TATA FERUM SEVE RAL OTHER DIS G RAND I CE P S TINCT TYPES AND P LU MO S U M MANY VARIETIES *CETERACH OFFICINARUM OS MUNDA PALUSTRIS * CYSTOPTERIS FRA GILIS REGALIS * POLYPODIUM CAL CA RE U M ONOCLEA SENS IBILIS DRYOPTERIS POLYPODIUM VULGARE AND ITS S TRUTHIOPTERIS GERMANICA VARIETIE S *WOODS I A ALPINA POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE AND S COLOPENDRIUM , MANY KINDS VARIETIES POLYSTICHUM LO N CHI TI S

h u e v o on s Those marked s o ld b gi en well drain ed an d f airly dry p siti .

FEW C S S FOR OC - G G A HARDY OR HID , UITABLE R K ARDE NIN

AND INTERE S TING I N CHARACTER . BLETIA HYACINTHINA HABENARIA CILIARIS CYPRIPEDIUM ACAULE F I MB RI A I’ ‘ A CALCEOLUS O RCHIS FOLIOSA PARVIFLORUM LATIFOLIA PUBESCENS MA S CU LA TA SPECTABILE PURPUREA GOODYERA PUBESCENS PYRAMIDALIS HABENARIA BIFOLIA SPECTABILIS z oo INDEX

Art emes ia 1 6 Car e n l an s : Acaena 1 , 9 p ti g p t , 7 As er l a 1 A a 2 Arenar a bal e p u , 3 5, 79 , 9 3 jug , 7 ; i o dorat a ar ca 2 1 Hern ar a , 44 i , , 7 7 ; i i As l en m 6 1 8 l abra 0 Men ha re p iu , 3 , 9 g , 9 ; t qui Ast er al n s SO eni 1 ero n ca ane s pi u , , 59 ; V i c A h r m 1 8 ens 1 1 0 ero n ca re ens t y iu , 9 c , V i p , A brie a 6 1 6 u ti , 43 , 4 , 49 , 5 , 5 I IO 80—8 1 1 Cass n a l v ida 1 6 , 9 3 i i fu , 9 A r c l a 1 Cent rant h s r ber u i u , 9 3 u u , 3 7 A mn -flowerin l an s 1 Ceras m 8 1 utu g p t , 9 3 tiu , Az al ea rosaefioru m 1 6 Cerat os ma l umba inioide s , 9 tig p g , I 1 1 3 . 9 3 Ce era h Ofii cinarum 1 8 t c , 9 Chaenost om a h s da 68 i pi , Cheddar P n 1 i k , 3 7 Che rant h s 1 8 2—8 1 i u , 3 5, 5 , 4, 9 3 Ch onodo x a 1 6 i , 9 Cho s a t erna a 1 6 i t , 9 Bell is rotundifol ia caerul e s cens y Chr s an hem m 8 1 , 3 , 9 1 9 3 y t u 4 C s s 2 1 1 6 erber s 1 6 i tu , 3 , 3 7 , 44, 5 , 9 B i , 9 Cobweb Ho sel ee 1 06 l e hn m s an 1 8 u k, B c u pic t , 9 Codono s s o a a 1 2 ot l e flower 1 68 p i v t , 3 5, 3 B t , Col h ms 6 1 1 6 r an h s ere t s C8 1 2 1 c icu , 3 , 77 , 9 3 , 9 B y t u c u , , 7 , 9 4 Con erae 1 ld n a Ro k arden 2 if , 3 Bui i g c G , 7 Conv al aria m a al s 1 l b n ell a hooker j i , 9 3 Bu i i , 74 Co nvol u l s 68 1 2 1 , , 3 , 9 4 Bulbs and t ubero us root ed v u Co r dal s 68 8 1 1 —1 2 1 l an s 1 6 y i , , 3 , 3 3 , 9 3 , p t , 9 1 in t he Rock arden 2 9 5 G , 3 Cot one as er hor z on al s 1 6 t i t i , 9 h m ol a 1 6 t y if i , 9 Co l a s al da 8 1 tu qu i , 3 5, 4, 9 5 ’ Cranes ll 8 6 1 Bi , , 44 Cro s 1 6 cu , 77 , 9 Im era 1 p ti , 9 4 c Cr omer a el e ans nana 1 6 ypt i g , 9 Call rho e nv o l crat a 1 2 C sh on n 1 8 i i u , 7 u i pi k, 5 Cam an l a 1 68 C t n s ro a at on b 1 p u . 43 . 49 . 5 . . 74. ut i g , p p g i y, 5 Of Al ne s how t o ma e 2 pi , k , 5 so me d st nc inds of 1 0 Pro a at n rame for 2 i i t k , 3 p g i g f , 5 Cardam ne 1 2 1 1 se l s bs e for rame i , 7 , 9 3 , 9 5 u fu u titut f , Carl na a a l s 68 i c u i , 54 INDEX 201

C l amen 6 6 68 1 —1 r a cineria alba 1 yc , 3 , 4 , , 3 3 3 4, E ic , , 9 3 —1 6 Med erranea hibern ica 1 9 it , 9 3 , C r ed m 68 1 —1 1 yp ip iu , , 3 4 3 5 9 4 C st o t er s fra l s 1 8 s e es and v ar et e s o f 1 y p i gi i , 9 p ci i i , 43 C s s Kween sis 1 r n s Al n s 1 1 —1 2 yti u , 9 7 E i u pi u , 3 5, 4 4 rod m 1 —1 E iu , 44 45 r sim m 8 —8 E y u , 3 4 r est re 1 up , 9 3 r t hron m 6 1 1 6 D E y iu , 3 , 45, 9 horb a 8 —8 1 Eup i , 4 5, 9 5 D aﬁodil anemone 1 2 m r s n es 68 , 5 y i it , a s e s 8 i i , 3 v en n Pr mros e D E i g i , 9 7 a hne 68 1 D p , , 3 5 Bl a ana 1 gy , 9 7 Cneor m 1 1 u , 9 3 , 9 7 ant h s 6 68 Di u , 3 4, 3 7, 4 , 54, 55, , F 1 3 5 Pro a a on of 1 6 Fern s 2 1 1 —1 2 1 —1 8 p g ti , 3 , 3 , 3 5, 9 9 , 9 7 9 S e es and v ar et es of Fo am ﬂower 1 8 8 p ci i i , I 3 7 , onaea mus ci ul at a 68 Fol a e Orn ament al 1 Di p , i g , , 9 4 ode at heon 6 68 1 Fra ar as D c , 3 , , 7 , 77 , g i , 3 5 I —1 8 1 —1 6 F nk a 68 3 7 3 . 9 5 9 u i , D ou l asia 1 g , 9 5 raba 68 1 8—1 1 D , , 3 3 9 , 9 3 ra o ce hal m D c p u , I 3 9 ro ht 6 D ug , 3 G r as 1 —1 0 D y , 3 7 , 3 9 4 oc o e al a 1 al an h s Elwe su 1 1 6 t p t , 9 3 G t u , 9 4, 9 al ax 1 G , 9 5 al m 1 —1 6 G iu , 45 4 a lt her a ro mbens 1 G u i p cu , 9 7 az an a 68 1 6 G i , , 4 E en st a t n or a 1 G i i ct i , 9 3 delwe ss s ee Leon o o d m ent ana 68 8 1 E i t p iu G i , 49 , , 5, 47 Al n m aca l s 1 pi u u i , 9 3 E i wa re ens 1 e es and v ar et ies Of p g p , 9 5 Sp ci i m — e es 1 ed m 68 1 0 1 1 s had roc r , 9 Epi iu , , 4 , 9 3 9 4 y k i 5 ran h s 1 1 6 eran m 2 86—8 E t i , 9 4, 9 G iu , 3 , 7 r ca 1 2 1 erbera amesoni 68 E i , 55, 4 , 9 7 G J , arnea 1 erm nat on c , 9 4 G i i , 57 l ar s 1 e m 8 - 8 8 ci i i , 9 3 G u , 7 202 INDEX

e m Heldreichii 1 J G u , 9 4 l a x mar t ma ’ G u i i , 3 5 acob s Ladder 1 01 J , Gl obul an a 8 8 , 3 5. Juniperus s abin a pro strat a 1 9 7 Gnaphal ium Leontopo dium Leont o podium Alpin um o lden ro 1 62 G D p , ro n ds el 1 8 2 G u , so h l a 8 Gyp p i , 9 Last rea 1 8 , 9 La er n Al ne l an s y i g pi p t , 54 ant h s Di u , 55 eron a s al icom oides 6 V ic , 5 Leo n o od m al n m 68 1 H t p iu pi u , , 53 I S 4 Haberl e a rhodo ens is 2 2 68 p , , Le o m ern m 1 6 uc ju v u , 77 , 9 1 8—1 1 4 49 . 9 5 Lew s a red iv a 2 1 68 1 i i iv , , , 54 Hac uet ia e ac s —1 q pip ti , 9 4 Limbux 66 , Hel ant hem m 2 1 i u , 3 , 3 7 , 44, 5 , L me 66 — i , 89 9 0 L nar a 1 —1 6 1 i i , 3 5, 55 5 , 9 5 Helichr s m l anat m 1 y u u , 9 5 L nnaea bo re al s 1 1 i i , 55, 9 5 Hell ebor s 68 1 , , 9 4 L n m 1 6 u i u , 5 He a ca s ee An emone — p ti , L ho s erm m 1 68 1 6 1 it p u , 5 , , 5 57 , Hern ar a 0—1 1 i i , 9 9 , 9 5 1 9 4 ’ Heron s l l 1 Bi , 44 Lo bel ias 3 2 He heras uc , 43 Lot s orn c l a s u c i u tu , 44 H o re s o mo s a 1 i i , 9 L hn s 68 1 8 pp c p c yc i , , 5 Ho mo ne 1 gy , 9 L s ma h a n mm l ar a y i c i u u i , 3 5 Ho s e l e e 1 06 u k, H m s 1 u u , 4 H a nt h 2 y ci , 3 H er c m 2 1 —2 1 M yp i u , 3 , 9 9 9 5

Macrot om a e h o des 1 8—1 i c i i 5 59 , 1 9 3 Mar oram j , 9 9 Me ono s s 68 1 c p i , 47 , , 59 Iber s 2 — 1 —1 Me as ea 1 8 i , 9 9 3 , 9 3 9 4 g , 7 I el and o I OO Men ha R e uieni 1 —1 60 c p ppy , t q , 59 Incarv ll e a randiﬁora 68 1 Mert ens a — 1 i g , 49 i , 9 3 9 4, 9 5 1 1 Pan l at a 1 5 icu , 9 4 I on0 s idium a a l e Mes embr ant hem m 68 1 60 p c u , 3 5 y u , , Ir s 68 0 1 1 —1 1 1 6 M haelmas da s 80 i , , 9 , 5 53 , 9 3 , 9 ic i y, S t los a 1 M romer a croat ica 1 y , 9 4 ic i , 9 4

2 04 INDEX

Ran nc l s 1 - 1 1 1 S l ene 1 8 —1 8 u u u , 74 75, 9 3 , 9 5 i , 3 5, 4 5 R ed al er an S s r n h m 1 8 v i , 3 5 i y i c iu , 77, 4 Rh z o ma o s roo s 6 1 0 S m l a na 1 8 i t u t , 4 , 3 i ci , 5 Rhododendron err ne m 1 S nowdro al ant h s 1 1 6 f ugi u , 9 7 p (G u ) , 9 4, 9 R o ck arden The 1 S nowdro anemone 1 2 6 G , , 4 p , l bs in 2 S nowﬂake L nar a 1 Bu , 3 i i , 55 Cons r t on o f 2 S o il for Al ne l ant s t uc i , 7 pi p , 3 9 S t e and s a on for 1 for Roc arden 1 i itu ti , 5 k G , 4 Trees an d hr bs for 1 6 S oldanell a 68 1 8 - 1 86 1 S u , 9 , 44, , 5 , 9 5 ’ Rocker es Pl ant s for shad 1 S olo mon s S eal 1 8 i , y, 9 5 , 5 Rod ers ia inn a a 1 S ow n s mall seeds 8 g p t , 9 5 i g , 5 Roscoea 68 S ir aza 1 86—1 8 , p , 7 S r n -ﬂowerin l an s 1 p i g g p t , 9 3 S t a e 68 1 8 tic , , 7 S ernber a l t ea 1 6 t gi u , 9 S t one for Rock ardens 2 8 , G , , 44

S a na 1 5 gi , 9 5 4 ’ S t r d s anemone 1 2 how t o deal wi h 0 . B igi 5 t , 3 S r h o t er s 1 8 S an nar a canadens I S 6 1 t t i i , 9 gui i , 3 , 75, u p S un Ro s e 8 1 9 3 , 9 S a o nar a o c m o des 6 p i y i , 3 5, 44, 4, 1 76 T S ax i r a a 2 1 1 6 f g , , 3 5, 4 , 43 , 4 , 47 , Tanace m 1 8 1 tu , 7, 9 5 6 68 1 1 1 6 1 —1 5 , , 4, 7 , 9 3 9 5 Thal r m 68 ict u , S ec onal ro n o f 1 8 ti g upi g , 7 Thr am l 8 ift f i y, 7 S arl e wind ﬂow er 1 2 c t , 5 Th m e y , 3 5 S chiz ocodon soldanell oide s 68 , , Th m s 1 8 —1 88 1 y u , 55, 7 , 9 4 1 8 2—1 8 3 T arell a 1 88 i , S c ll a 1 1 6 i , 9 4, 9 Ton u ein g g, 54 S OOl o end rium 6 1 8 p , 3 , 9 Tr ll m 1 1 i iu , 7 , 9 3 S t ell ar a 1 cu i , 9 4 r andiﬂorum 1 6 g , 9 S e a P n 8 i k, 7 Tro aeo l m ol h ll um p u p yp y , S ed m 68 1 0 -4 06 u , 3 5, 43 , 47 , , 5 , 68

s e o s m p ci u , 3 5 S eed sow n i g, 57 T l 2 u ip , 3 in t he Al ne bed pi , 47 T l a G rei l I 1 6 u ip g , 9 S em er v m 2 1 6 68 p vi u , , 3 5, 4 , 47 , , T n a s ax ra a 1 88 u ic if g , 1 06—1 08 1 , 9 5 S enec o 1 8 2—1 8 i , 3 S ho rt a 68 1 8 —1 8 1 i , , 3 4, 9 5 al acifolia 68 Uv l ar a 1 g , u i , 9 INDEX 2 05

V Wallﬂower 8 2 8 , 3 5, , 4 Wa er n 6 8 erbasc m hoenecium t i g, 3 : 47. 5 V u p , 3 5, 3 7 Wel sh Po 1 erben a 68 y, 59 V , pp W n er-ﬂow erin an eron a 2 1 2 6— 68 i t g pl t s V ic , . 3 , 4 47 , 55, , — Woo d S orr el 1 00 1 0 1 08 1 1 2 1 , 74, 3 , , 9 5 Woo ds a Al n a 1 8 S hr bb 1 i i , 9 u y, 9 7 p Wormwood 1 6 ol a 1 68 1 1 2 1 1 , 9 Vi , 5 , , , 9 3 , 9 5

W Z Wahl enber a 68 1 88—1 8 gi , , 9 Wall arden A Z a schneria Cal orn a 1 g , , 3 3 u if i , 43 , 5 , Pl an s for 68 1 8 —1 0 1 t , 3 5 , 9 9 , 9 4