48 
THE DICTIONARY 
OF GARDENING, 
Garden—continued. 
in hardy plants for the general beauty and florai dis- 
play presented by such a large proportion of their num- 
ber, to completely ignore an objection like this. The 
Perennial Garden or mixed border should be of con- 
siderable width, to admit of tall-growing subjects being 
included; and if a background can be obtained of high 
Rhododendrons, or other evergreens that shelter without 
causing too much shade, the cultivated plants will be 
benefited, and, when in flower, will be seen to the best 
advantage. In Fig. 76 is represented a summer view 
of an existing garden, a little less than an acre in 
extent, devoted chiefly to the cultivation of hardy pe- 
rennial and alpine plants. Sufficient space is here found 
Fig. 76. HARDY PERENNIAL AND ALPINE GARDEN, 
for upwards of 2000 species and varieties, and all suc- 
Vite more or less -under unfavourable atmospheric con- 
itions. 
Rock Garden. Where numerous hardy alpine and 
herbaceous plants are cultivated, a Rock Garden, greater 
or less in extent, is the most suitable place for their ac- 
commodation. Many of the best and rarest species will 
not succeed so well elsewhere as they do amongst the 
crevices on an elevated piece of rockwork, which, in 
addition, affords a situation for an endless variety of 
hardy and half-hardy plants. There are few Gardens 
in which something of the sort might not be con- 
structed and rendered attractive, especially in localities 
where stones are plentiful. After being once planted, 
the requisite care in after treatment is but nominal, 
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Garden—continued. 
compared with the additional interest thereby secured, 
particularly when only a select class of plants is 
allowed, and these are appropriately placed, according 
to their height or special cultural requirements, At- 
tempts are sometimes made, in a Rock Garden of an 
extensive description, to imitate, so far as practicable, 
the work of Nature in the arrangement of the stones 
employed. This has often to be conducted partially at 
the expense of providing adequate means for the well- 
being of the plants, which should be the main considera- 
tion. Where space and material are unlimited, excel- 
lent results may be attained; but in a confined area, 
the effect produced in many cases only shows the insig- 
nificance of the work in comparison with that of Nature. 
Rockwork may be introduced for various reasons, apart 
from the culture of alpines, such as hiding an unsightly 
wall or other objects of limited height, or for giving a 
diversity to an otherwise flat and uninteresting scene. 
A Rock Garden may be successfully formed where the 
surface is generally flat, by digging a deep cutting of 
an irregular outline through a piece of ground, and 
utilising the soil thus obtained as mounds of uneven 
heights along the upper part on either side, whereon 
trees and evergreen shrubs may be planted as a back- 
ground and for affording shelter. The stones should 
be arranged to form cavities of an irregular size and 
shape, for the accommodation of various plants, from the 
sides of a walk made in the centre of the cutting, up 
the gradual slope formed by the soil, until the shrubs in 
the background are reached. It does not so much matter 
what the quality of the soil is underneath, providing it is 
porous enough to insure drainage, as additional new soil 
should be given each plant when inserting it. Formality 
must be avoided as much as possible in the arrange- 
ment, and the stones should be deeply embedded, in order 
to hold them firmly. Various aspects are desirable to 
suit different plants, and these should be readily secured 
in a Rock Garden by the irregular shape the latter should 
assume in construction. Artificial masses of rockwork, 
for ornamental effect, are sometimes introduced into the 
slopes of hills adjoining a mansion; and, if properly 
executed, they present quite a natural and fine appear- 
ance. The extent of, and position for, a Rock Garden 
must depend on the surroundings, and on the amount of 
space and number of plants at command. If arranged 
on a mound in the open, the slope should be very gradual; 
and a good proportion of shrubs should be introduced 
near the top. Dwarf-growing shrubs, Yuccas, and other 
subjects of an evergreen character, are always accept- 
able for their attractiveness in winter when the primary 
alpine and herbaceous occupants are resting. Care should 
be taken not to over-fill the cavities with soil, so as to 
bury the stones; and the surface of each, when planting, 
should be left somewhat flat, in order that rain and 
other water may enter the ground instead of running off. 
Considerable experience is necessary for the proper con- 
struction of a Rock Garden on a large scale, and a know- 
ledge of the various habits of hardy plants is requisite 
before their positions for planting can be appropriately 
fixed. A quantity of loam and leaf soil, with some small 
pieces of granite or other stone, should be mixed before- 
hand, and a portion placed round each plant, the addi- 
tion of peat being made in the case of those requiring 
it. Rockeries usually improve in appearance with age, 
and when the plants have had time to develop and fill 
their allotted space. Other plants may be continually 
introduced, and improvements effected, where the ar- 
rangement of those first selected proves in any degree 
unsatisfactory. Annual top-dressings of new soil should 
be given to such as do not appear to succeed; and a 
plentifal supply of water in summer is requisite, almost 
without exception, for all. 
Wild Garden. 
Of recent years, the naturalisation 
