PLANTING THE ROCK GARDEN 191 



of permanence so lacking in annuals. For 

 these reasons I never use annuals of any kind, 

 if I can avoid it, except that dainty little 

 yellow Saxifrage, Cymbalaria^ which appeared 

 in my garden of its own accord, and goes on 

 sowing itself from year to year, but never 

 encroaching. 



Many varieties of bulbs can be used with 

 delightful effect on the slopes of the rock 

 garden. They have, however, one objection, 

 that they only make a show during the flower- 

 ing season, which, alas ! is all too short. Once 

 that is over, little else but withered leaves 

 remains. To remedy this defect, put your 

 bulbs under dwarf- and close-growing plants, 

 such as the Thymes, Sedums, mossy Saxifrages, 

 etc. In the spring they will push up through 

 these carpets, have their flowers, and disappear 

 until the following year. 



Ferns can also be used with good effect in 

 the shadier and damper parts of the garden. 

 Their lovely green foliage will show off and 

 accentuate the livelier colouring of the flowers. 



My reiterated emphatic advice with regard 

 to the scheme of planting is to mass. Mass 



