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Coronilla - Scorpion Senna. Though little grown, this is a desirable plant, C.iberica forms dense tufts of trailing foliage, which in June become studded with vivid yellow blossoms. C.varia, with pink and white flowers, is also good. A fair depth of soil is essential.

 

Dianthus - Pink. This large family includes several species of value. The Cheddar Pink (D.caesius) thrives in gritty crevices between adjacent rocks. On rich soil it soon dies. D.deltoides (Maiden Pink), a charming pink spotted variety, is of particularly easy culture. The Glacier Pink (D.neglectus) thrives in sandy loam, its dwarf tufts of foliage and myriad rosy flowers producing a charming effect on the higher ledges.

 

Dodecatheon - American Cowslip. These plants should be grown in similar positions to the Alpine Primulas, the roots being divided from time to time and replanted in sandy loam. D.integrifolium blooms in March, the flowers a purplish crimson. D.meadia, with drooping umbels of purple flowers, is another good kind.

Draba - Whitlow Grass. Among small mosses and in rock crevices a few plants of D.aizoides, with their brilliant cushions of yellow flowers, are interesting Alpines.

Dracocephalum - Dragon's-head. Easily grown plants of the Sage family. D.grandiflorum is covered in July with dense clusters of rich blue flowers. Division or seed.

 

Erigeron - Fleabane. Though most of the family are border plants, E.alpinum grandiflorum should be grown in the rock garden. The mauve, daisy like flowers are produced very abundantly in late summer. Well drained loam.

 

Erinus - Wall Erinus. On bare rocky places the racemes of lilac flowers and tufted foliage of E.alpinus are most welcome.

 

Geranium - Cranesbill. The two rock garden kinds are G.argenteum and G.cinereum. Among the smallest Alpines, the clusters of red flowers are charming. Seed.

 

Helianthemum - Sun Rose. There are few more beautiful rock plants than these dwarf trailing shrubs. For mantling sunny ledges they are unequalled. They are quite hardy and succeed in any sandy loam. From a long list of varieties, we may choose H.pilosum, white, H.grandiflorum, yellow, and H. roseum multiplex, double pink. When in full bloom these flowers are of exquisite beauty.

 

Houstonia - Bluets. A grassy little plant, with numerous dainty blue flowers on slender stems. A sheltered corner with sandy soil should be afforded.

 

Hutchinsia  H.alpina, a good white flowered Alpine for association with the dwarfest plants. Sandy soil.

 

Leontopodium - Edelweiss. The well known hoary­ leaved plant, with yellow flowers. It is of the easiest culture and will always be of interest.

 

Linaria - Toadflax. For rock crevices and the joints in rough steps L.alpina is useful. L.antirrhinifolia forms dense tufts covered with purple flowers, and is a bright note of color among the stones. Moist, sandy soil.

 

Linum - Flax. The yellow L.flavum and the exquisite Narbonne Flax (L.narbonnense) with sky blue flowers, are both good. The latter should be planted in somewhat rich soil, if it is to bloom freely

 

Lychnis - Campion. The best of these is L.lagascae with bright rosy flowers. Rock fissures with gritty soil. Seed.

 

Mertensia - Little known but very graceful plants. M.dahurica and M.alpina, both with drooping clusters of bright blue flowers, may be grown in sandy soil. Owing to their slender habit, the Mertensias should be given sheltered positions.

 

Myosotis - Forget-me-not. M.alpestris is a gem for rocky places. Its light blue flower masses harmonise perfectly with those of its relative M. dissitiflora, which are of a deeper shade. Moist loam.

 

Omphalodes - Navelwort. Well drained sandy loam suits these charming rock plants. O.Luciliae, with glaucous foliage and lilac flowers, is hardy, and O.verna (Creeping Forget-me-not) of trailing habit, bears a profusion of bright blue and white blossoms. Seed or division.

 

Onosma - Golden Drop. Dense tufts of evergreen foliage, with drooping clusters of bright yellow flowers. O.tauricum does well in a sunny aspect with deep loam and broken grit.

 

 


 

 

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