IRISH GARDENING. 



87 



Rock Plants. 



A CORRESPONDENT asks for a few plain hints 

 on the cultivation of rock plants, meaning' thereby 

 Alpines. In the first place, it must be remem- 

 bered that all Alpines require dampness, not dryness, 

 at the root. Because they live naturallj' among- rocks it 

 does not follow that they thrive in a dry soil. The 

 moisture, however, must not be stagnant, the drainagfe 

 must be perfect. They are naturally water-fed bv 

 melting snows. 



The general disposition of the gi'ound should be 

 sloping, so as to give thorough drainage. Buried stones, 

 with the side facing the down slope, protruding should be 

 provided, and if placed at an angle, to have the ang^le 

 sloping towards the growing- plants, so that their roots 

 may get easily under the stones, and so iiito the damp 

 under-earth. 



Then here and there should be little le\ el patches of 

 grass or miniature lawns in conformity with what actually 

 obtains in nature. If the pocket system is followed, fill 

 the pockets with a mixture of good loam, leaf-mould, 

 sand and grit, decomposed granite rubble, such as may 

 be found on the Dublin mountains, being excellent. 

 All Alpines and other rock plants require a good depth 

 of soil — a foot deep at least. If lime-loving subjects 

 are included, then limestone rubble, so abundant in many 

 parts of Ireland, should be used for their particular 

 " pockets." Or, again, others may prefer peat or boggy 

 soil. If such are grown this mediiun must of course be 

 used. Finally, all soil should be pressed very firmly, 

 and special care should be taken to leave no empty 

 spaces among the stones. 



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London Pride. — There is a modern tendency in 

 gardens to forget the old-time favourites in our anxiety 

 to make room for the later introductions of the florist. 

 This remark is suggested by the sight of wide, hand- 

 some clumps of London Pride — green, glossy-leaved, 

 and full of flower — growing along the border of a shady 

 walk, and another of equal beauty — fresh-looking- and 

 widespread — its thousands of flowers quivering in the 

 sunshine on the rockery beyond. What an accommo- 

 dating plant this is ! It will grow and thrive almost any- 

 where, but please do not cramp it or divide it up into 

 silly little clusters, but give it room, and let it spread. 

 Permit it to show itself off properly, and it will reward 

 3'ou as few plants can. It is a common wild plant in 

 Ireland, and it is called St. Patrick's Cabbage in some 

 districts. 



Violets. 



By P. MAHON, The Gardens, Killeen Castle, Dunsany. 



THESE useful plants are appreciated by all, and 

 deservedly so, as they give a supply of bloom 

 throughout winter and early spring, when 

 flowers are few and far between. Although of easy 

 cultivation, violets respond splendidly untier good treat- 

 meiit. They delight in a rich, friable loam, but resent 

 a stiff, clayey soil. To obtain the best return young- 

 runners should be planted annually. This pertains in 

 particular to single varieties. Doubles give a fair 

 percentage of bloom from two year old plants, but on 

 such the flower stems are generally inclined to be short 

 — a great inconvenience in their proper arrangement 

 for bouquets. Hence, where possible, young plants of 

 both varieties should be preferred. In April the old 

 plants may be lifted, and the best rooted runners 

 selected if extra early bloom is not required, say, before 

 October. I do not advise planting right off in their 

 permanent position, as violets require a warm, dry 

 situation during winter and spring, and if planted under 

 such conditions during summer would probably 

 encourage attacks of red spider. Therefore, choose a 

 moderately shaded border, which should be brought to 

 a fine state of cultivation for their reception. In 

 planting allow enough space for regular use of the hoe. 

 During- dry weather keep them supplied with water. 

 As growth advances the ground should be kept in a 

 loose condition to enable the plants to get a g-ood 

 root-hold. As the runners form on single varieties 

 pinch to one leaf, and as fresh shoots appear pinch 

 again. Double varieties may have their runners cut 

 close to the plants. Towards the middle of August 

 select a warm situation for single varieties. The soil 

 should be deeply dug and enriched with well-rotted, 

 farmyard manure Some ashes from burnt garden 

 refuse can also be added with much benefit. The 

 ground being- prepared, form into raised beds three-and- 

 a-half feet wide. This will suffice for three lines of 

 plants. The distance from plant to plant depends 

 chiefly on varieties grown. Strong-growing singles 

 should be given fifteen inches if possible. Keep runners 

 pinched as already directed. Remove all decayed 

 leaves. See that the ground is kept clear of weeds by 

 the regular use of the hoe. Should the plants require a 

 stimulant, do not use liquid manure, as this induces 

 excessive foliage at the expense of bloom. Occasional 

 applications of some suitable fertilizer will keep up the 

 blooming qualities of the plants. 



Double varieties require the protection of a frame, 

 which should be placed in a warm position. To ensure 

 drainage place some broken bricks or shingle in the 

 bottom', over this a layer of old turfy peat or rough leaf- 

 soil ; fill the remainder to within six or eight inches of 

 the top with compost made up of two parts fibrous loam, 

 one leaf-soil, with a light sprinkle of sharp sand ; plant 

 ten to twelve inches apart ; put the lights on, and keep 

 close and shaded for a few days. After this they will 

 require as much air as possible. Heavy rains can be 

 guarded against by raising each light with a wedge or 

 brick. Keep the soil stirred between the plants, and 

 see that they do not suffer from drought at least until the 

 end of September, when they will require little or no 

 watering. Keep runners cut as directed, and remove 

 all decayed foliage. 



POTENTILLAS are especially useful to extend the period 

 of flowering in rockeries. For mid to late summer dis- 

 play few plants are more suitable than Potentilla repa- 

 lensis. Its rosy carmine flowers, with black anthers 

 carried on rosy filaments, show up radiantly in the sun- 

 shine. P. alpentris, with yellow, and P. nitida grandt- 

 flora, with rose-pink blossoms, are both valuable for the 

 same purpose. Thev all prefer a sandy soil. 



