For October. 1<I2) 



727 



Arabis — Aubrietia 



RICHARD ROTHE 



B(JTH the genus Arabis and the genus Aubrietia are 

 members of the large order Crucifcr. The species 

 we are chiefly interested in, being inhabitants of the 

 mountainous sections of Central and Southern Europe, 

 have a low trailing, or in some instances tufty cushion- 

 like growth in common. Noted for their very early and 

 Iree-flowcring habits they rank among our handsomest 

 harbingers ot Spring enjoying nationwide popularity. 



Arabis albida and the more robust growing Arabis 

 alpina have been used for edging" purposes in gardens 

 for over a century. Naturalized within thinly wooded 

 sections their snow-white sheets of blossoms are vieing 

 with the bright blue of scillas and crocuses and the 

 yellow of Adonis and trollius in conveying cheerful 

 greetings to mankind weary of long dreary Winters. Of 

 late the doulile flowering form of Arabis albida, — albida 

 fl. pi. — and the much improved floral displays of alpina 

 grandiflora siipcrba have been instrumental in reviving 

 the interest of many garden owners in the rock-cress. 



For the enhancement of a charming color gayety in 

 open sunny rockgardens and for dry wall plantings :he 

 dense siieets of bright lavender pink and purple blossoms 

 of aubrietias are well nigh indispensable. Most of the 

 forms in cultivatiiMi are the offspring of Aubrietia del- 

 tcidca. a lavender and purplish blue flowering denizen 



Ariihis altina. tirandillora snpcrha 



of the mouniainiius regions of (ireece and Asia Minor. 

 Bedecked with myriads of blossoms during April and 

 early May Aubrietia Frabcli appears in deep lavender, 

 grccca light puri)le. Hcndersoni deep purple, and of the 

 new named large flowering hybrids, "Dr. Mules" deep 

 violet, Moerheimi rose pink, Lcichtlini "Crimson" deep 

 red and the \ariety "Lavender"' light lavender blue. 



Arabis and Aubrietas thrive best in a light sandy soil 

 enriched by old barnyard manure. The open sunny 

 situation is generally considered best for them but within 

 the Middle .Atlantic States 1 notice both of them are 

 doing also exceedingly well in partial shade. In rock 

 gardens avoid for i^lantalions of aubrietias fully exposed 

 southerly and southwesterly slopes. During periods of 

 prolonged drought they require irrigation. ( )mitting 

 sufficient watering in mid-Summer proves fatal. 



Seeds planted in cold frames late in April or early 

 in May germinate quickly. Seedlings transferred into 

 the open ground when of sufficient size under ordinary 



.liihrictia hybrida, "Larendcr" 



cultivation and care grow up to trade qualities and are 

 ready for rockgarden planting during- C)ctober. Old 

 plants should be lifted after flowering and divided before 

 the hot waves of mid-Summer are due. Both the arabis 

 and aubrietias call for a light Winter protection. For 

 northern states leaf covering is preferable. 



THINGS AND THOUGHTS OF THE GARDEN 



{Continued from page 724 j 

 And then consider the method of soil preparation and 

 compare it with ours. We gathered the impression that 

 at Aldenham, in every case where intensive culture pre- 

 vailed, the ground was trenched three feet deep, and 

 sometimes even deeper. The orchard, the vegetable gar- 

 dens, and the herbaceous borders have all lx;en subjected 

 (0 this procedure, and again it must be admitted that it 

 ])roduces results. But when we think of the tons and 

 tons of soil moved by hand on the end of a spade we 

 doubt if this method of securing results will ever appeal 

 10 tlie American temperament. ITowcver. we cannot help 

 admiring the tenacity of purpose that sticks at nothing, 

 no matter how much labor it involves, to achieve su]ireme 

 excellence in the |)roducts of the garden. 



TO WILD GARDENS 



Wikl gardens by tlic ri>a<isides, 

 .\nd clamlicring up the hills, 



Carpctiiij; the meadows. 

 .And bordering the rills : 



Wild gardens on the mountains, 



.And by the Summer sea 

 With denizens of butterflies. 



And .swift, industrious bee; 



Rioting in color, 



Sweet with perfume too. 

 Brightening every vista, 



Framir.g every view ; 



Nature's truant children. 



Roaming at your will. 

 With beauty you're incarnate. 



With joy our summer till. 



— Till- (<"»l(/,' In Xalur 



