68 



IRISH GARDENING. 



lose thai liisfnu-tive appearance which is llieir chief 

 claim to beauty ; it is easy to maiiag-e this as the dwarf 

 plants must necessarily occupy a forward position in 

 the border. 



For those who prefer a straiofht edjfing- of one 

 species of plant the old-fashioned clove pink will make a 

 neat blue-green border smothered with fragrant blossoms 

 in June or cerastium stretch a snowy line of both flower 

 and leaf. Sedum fonnosum will look well summer or 

 winter, and July is brilliant with yellow blossoms. 



Indeed there is such a wealth at our command that 

 the trouble is not whatio take but what to leave, and if 

 one has not a herbaceous border of glowing beauty and 

 richness in a year or two after the making the fault is 

 surelj' his own. 



The close study of flowers and plants is an entrancing 

 hobby and educative from every point of view, and the 

 closer we come into contact with nature the better will 

 we understand her. A writer has truly said, " Nature 

 belongs onl)' to the eyes who see her," and the person is 

 much to be pitied to whom nature is as a sealed book. 



Rock Gardens. 



By George S. Satterlev, Brennanstown Gardens, 



Cabinteely, Qo. Dublin. 



(Continued frotn page 55). 



THE stone employed will usually be local, but is 

 sometimes imported. A dull, coloured stone is 

 preferable, and if sveather-worn is so much the 

 better. \\*hate\'er the material selected, care must be 

 taken to have it of a durable nature. Limestone is about 

 the best. Granite is very good, and sandstone also, but 

 care must be taken that the latter is not of too soft a 

 nature. No artifically made stone, clinkers, or other such 

 material should be used. These always look out of place, 

 and in the ■•\lpine garden the rocks are never entirelj' 

 hidden from view. In the actual placing of the rocks in 

 position it will always be found that each has a best side, 

 and it will follow that if, instead of dumping, care is taken 

 to let each sit as it would rest naturally a great deal will 

 have been attained in the way of informal arrangement. 

 .•\s the work proceeds, a series of pockets, ledges, 

 bluffs, hillocks, and bays will be formed. Such pockets 

 as are formed should be of irregular shapes and providing 

 varied aspects. Some should be made in such a way as 

 to effectually screen foliage and flowers from sun, rain, 

 and snow, but leaving means whereby the rain may 

 penetrate to the roots. In fact it is essential that the 

 rain may be able to pass through the whole body of 

 soil. In preference to the formation of too many pockets 

 provision should be made for whole colonies of subjects. 

 Allow for the lateral extension of plants. Large rocks 

 need to be buried considerably, and as each is fixed in 

 position it must be made to lock with its neighbour, and 

 be capable of withstanding a heavy strain. 



Never trust the soil to support the rocks. Excessive 

 use of stone is to be avoided. This mistake is sometimes 

 to be observed in otherwise well-made rockeries. The 

 contour of the ground is to be followed as far as 

 practicable. Where additional height is needed it 

 should be obtained by adding sufficient soil, and then 

 embedding the rocks. .\s the soil is excavated for the 



reception oi the rock, it is used to fill up all pockets and 

 cavities already formed, ramming firmly into such 

 spaces. The whole work when completed will present 

 an irregular outline. In rock-gardens on a large scale 

 steps and walks are necessary for freedom in moving 

 about. Steps and minor walks ma)' bo formed bv laying 

 down partially flat stones in such a way as to provide 

 good footing without undue formaUty. For main walks 

 gravel is recommended. If the work has been carried 

 out with an informal outline, as above recommended, 

 and plants allowed to roam freely into the walk in 

 places, a pleasing effect is obtained in addition to a 

 serviceable walk. Before furnishing with the plants add 

 the necessary soil where sinking has taken place. 



Spring is the right time for furnishing. When 

 planting bear in mind the requirements of each, 

 whether a moist, shady, or open and sunny situation is 

 best. In all cases plant firmly and allow for extension. 

 Manj' are best sown where ihey are to remain Some 

 will afterwards reproduce themsp ves by self-sown 

 seed. Plant the whole surface. Chinks between masses 

 of rock, beside walks and steps, all will provide a home 

 for some subjects. In natural formation, plant all 

 banks, cliff's, and such like. 



When once furnished the rock-garden will not give 

 ntuch trouble. Weeds must be rigidly kept down. 

 Stirring the soil occasionally, removing decaying foliage, 

 saving seeds and sowing same, doing the necessary 

 propagation, preventing strong growers from over- 

 running weaker ones, and mulching as necessary, all 

 come under the routine treatment. 



In some cases protection is needed during winter 

 from excessive rains. A good method of providing 

 what is desired is bj' means of a sheet of glass fixed in 

 a frame in such a way as to throw off' the rains without 

 coddling the plant. A good mulch for general purposes 

 is composed of fine leaf-mould, grit and loamv soil. For 

 some plants it is advantageous to place small stones 

 over the surface. Slugs and snails give trouble. For 

 very choice subjects a wire gauze prolectic>n is advised. 

 There are preparations on the market fatal to these 

 pests and harmless to vegetation. A list of plants, 

 grouped according to different positions, here follows. 

 It is not intended as a complete list, but to serve as 

 a guide to the planter. For further information about 

 suitable varieties, &c., reference should be made to 

 the catalogues of reputable firms. 



PL.\iSTS RECOM.MENDED FOR RaMBLIXG OVER ROCKS. — 



AcEena, ajuga, arabis, alyssum, aubretia, cytisus, 

 corokia, corvdalis, daphne, dianthus of sorts, genista, 

 gaultheria. helianthemums, hypericums, iberis, litho- 

 spermum, sethionema, polygonums, phlox (alpine vars.) 

 saponaria, sea campion (double form), saxafrages, 

 (mossy section), thymus, and many more. 



Plants Recom.mended for Shady Places. — As- 

 trantia, andromeda, Bellis carulcscens, chrviosplenium, 

 corydalis, claytonia, epimediums, epilobiums, ferns, 

 hepaticas, Houstonia, incarvillea, Orobi's -vrniis, ompha- 

 lodes, primulas in variety, cyclamen (h.irdy varieties), 

 polygonatum, Ramondia pyrenaica. 



For Planting in Chinks bet ween Rocks, Steps, &.c. — 

 Antennaria, anemones (some varieties), armeria, aren- 

 aria, erodium. Geranium argenteuni^ Linaria niplna^ 



