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and gold into July. Although only an inch or two high, it 1s, 
when planted in good moist soil, so rampant that it must be closely 
watched to prevent it from smothering its less robust neighbors. 
It is good for carpeting the ground between stepping stones. 
Very attractive in early July is Jasione montana, a relative of 
the bell-flowers (Campanula). Unlike many of our alpine and 
rock plants it has no lack of common names—you may call it 
Blue-bonnets, Blue-buttons, Blue-daisy, Iron-flower, Sheep’s-bit, 
or Sheep’s-bit Scabious! Its flowers are produced in heads on 
stems about nine inches high. 
The Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla alpina) from the Turopean 
Alps, has worthless flowers but compensates in the beauty of its 
foliage. Its digitate leaves are glossy green above, and _ silvery 
below with silken hairs. A relative, 4. major, also a native of 
the mountains of Europe, has claims to distinction as a foliage 
plant with pale green leaves not so deeply divided as those of the 
first named. 
Talinum calycinum is an interesting native whose range is 
through Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and southward into Mex- 
ico. It is related to the ever popular Portulaca. Its deep pink 
flowers are produced over a long period. A sunny rock cleft or 
well drained gritty soil suits it admirably. It has survived two 
winters in our rock garden but whether it will persist if subjected 
— 
to a real hard winter is open to question. 
The Alpine Sculleap (Scutellaria alpina) is another plant that 
commends itself for its long blooming habits. Although not 
showy, its lilac-blue and white flowers are pleasing and are in 
evidence from May until September. We grow also the var. 
prostrata which is perhaps more typically alpine in appearance. 
The Tunic-Flower (Tunica Saxvifraga) may be expected to give 
blooms from May to November. It is well suited if planted in 
poor soil in a dry, sunny situation where it produces its small 
rosy pink flowers in great abundance on wiry stems. 
Writing of Gentians Farrer says? “ Give them pure, cool air. 
They are as much dependent on good, bracing air as Mrs. John 
Knightley and her babies. They might almost be called compara- 
tively careless about soil if only the atmosphere be moist and clean. 
1 Reginald Farrer, My Rock Garden. Edward Arnold, London. 1920, 
