156 THE GARDENER. [April 



green alpine and other dwarf-growing evergreen perennials become 

 unattractive in any position in which they may be placed, and this 

 untidiness leads to their becoming patchy and rusty in winter. 



I will now proceed to give a list, with slight descriptions of the 

 species which are best adapted to the object in view. The list will be 

 more suggestive than exhaustive, the aim being to present a few of the 

 best only. 



Aubrietia, in some variety as regards the size of the leaves and vigour 

 of growth, and somewhat also in the particular shades of green winch 

 the several forms present, are very neat pretty plants with their leaves 

 arranged rosette fashion. They are of spreading, yet close-carpeting 

 habit, and when well attended to in the matter of trimming and 

 equalising their growth during the growing season, they make a very 

 pleasing soft carpet of green. These are favourite plants with many 

 for spring bedding, and are very beautiful for three months in favour- 

 able weather, clothed as they are during that period in the beautiful 

 purple and deep lavender flowers that they severally present. This is 

 a consideration that may be objectionable in the flower-garden in the 

 way in which I wish to recommend these and other subjects of similar 

 character, except it be utilised by placing next to it something that 

 would contrast or harmonise with it in its flowering season, which is 

 often prolonged into June, and therefore into the earlier part of the 

 summer display. The variegated form of A. deltoidea is one of the 

 most attractive of minute variegated plants at all times, and is partic- 

 ularly beautiful when in flower. 



Arabis albida and alpina are considerably larger growers than 

 either of the Aubrietias, but in general style of growth they are similar. 

 They are by no means so neat, but by careful trimming and annual 

 renewing of the stock by means of cuttings, they are trim plants of 

 three or four inches in height. The former is the stronger of the two. 

 Both have their leaves in rosulate tufts at the extremities of the 

 branches, and they are of a light hoary green. They are splendid 

 plants for spring flowering, continuing from March till June. Con- 

 sidering the profusion and long continuance of their display, it may 

 reasonably be wondered why they are so seldom met with in use as 

 spring bedders. .There are variegated forms of both, but Alpina is the 

 best of the two, both in the normal colour and variegated. 



Arabis lucida has a variegated form which is one of the most beauti- 

 ful of all hardy variegated perennials. It is somewhat difficult to keep, 

 but is worth trying to keep, being always fresh and attractive. The 

 plants should be propagated from cuttings, annually renewing the 

 stock in the beds every spring, or at bedding-out time. A dry, moder- 

 ately light soil suits it best ; but extreme drought is inimical to its 

 wellbeing. The flowers should not be permitted to develop in this 

 form ; they weaken the plant much, and very often lead to its destruc- 

 tion ; they are, besides, in no sense ornamental. 



