1869. ] DIANTHUS NEGLECTUS AND ALPINUS. STIRLING CASTLE PEACH. 217 



DIANTHUS NEGLECTUS AND ALPINUS. 



WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 



HE subject of the annexed illustration, Dianthus neglectus (fig. 1.), is one 

 of the loveliest of the Dianthus family. Itcombines the dwarf sturdy character 

 and fine form of the handsome but rather fastidious Alpine pink, with the 

 vigorous constitution of the common or the maiden pink, and forms tufts 

 which resemble short wiry grass. The leaves are slightly glaucous, concave, 

 pointed, and, except in vigorous specimens, from half an inch to an inch long, the 

 lower ones on the stems being somewhat longer. The flower-stems rise from one 

 to four inches high, according to the position and soil in which the plants are 

 grown, are freely produced, and each bear a solitary flower, or rarely two, about 

 an inch, or, in vigorous specimens, an inch and a quarter across, and of the purest, 

 deepest, and most brilliant rose, the petals being quite level and firm-looking, 

 with the outer margins slightly notched. In a wild state, and in poor sandy 

 earth on well exposed rock-work, specimens may be seen in perfect bloom and 

 robust health at one inch and a half high, and even less ; but at lower altitudes 

 and in a deeper soil, it is sometimes to be found three, foui% or five inches 

 high. In rich deep sandy soil in gardens it will also attain this height, or a little 

 more, perhaps at some slight loss of neatness and compactness, It is surpassed 

 by no Alpine plant in vividness and purity of colour. It is so dwarf in habit, 

 and has flowers so large, that tufts of it might at first sight be taken for the 

 Alpine Pink, Dianthus alpinus (fig. 2), but its narrow and sharply-pointed 

 grass-like leaves immediately distinguish it from that species. The colour is 

 also more vivid than in D. alpinus. It is happily very easily grown, unlike some 

 of the other Alpine Dianthuses flourishing freely in very sandy loam, either in 

 pots or on rockwork. It roots through the bottoms of the pots as freely as any 

 weed, is perfectly hardy, and a very gem either for chinks or level spots on rock- 

 work, in all parts of these islands. The fact that it is so very free renders it 

 useful for the front margins of mixed borders in fine sandy soil, but when 

 planted thus, it should be surrounded by a few stones half plunged in the ground, 

 to prevent evaporation and guard it from injury. It is a native of the highest 

 Alps of Dauphiny and the Pyrenees, Switzerland, and Italy, and is easily increased 

 by division, and by seed. It was introduced to cultivation by Messrs. Back- 

 house, of York, from whom the annexed figures are derived. W. E. 



THE STIRLING CASTLE PEACH. 



AISED a few years ago at Dunmore, by Mr. Carmichael, now the Eoyal 



gardener at Sandringham, this Peach was sent out by Messrs. Osborn 



and Sons, of Fulham, having for its character " an improvement of the 



Eoyal George." Until this season I have never had an opportunity of 



seeing the Stirling Castle in such condition as to enable me to form an opinion 



3rd series. — II. L 



