228 ROCK GARDENS 



margin, and a deep and broad keel by which it may be distinguished 

 from A. tetragona^ which it otherwise much resembles. White, 

 waxy, bell-shaped flowers borne at the end of each branch. A 

 beautiful little shrub, and worthy of some care, though difficult to 

 cultivate. It should have stones placed round the neck of the plant 

 and should be pegged down when first planted. 



A. floribunda (syn. Pieris fioribunda). — Requires the same 

 position and soil as the last. A beautiful, compact evergreen shrub 

 growing about 3 feet high, and producing white, waxy, bell-shaped 

 flowers very freely. It is of easy culture. 



A, hypnoides (syn. Cassiope hypnoides). — Requires a position, 

 fully exposed to the sun and air, in moist, very gritty, sandy, well- 

 drained, peaty soil. A tiny, spreading, moss-like shrub, only grow- 

 ing I to 4 inches high, with small wiry branches densely clothed 

 with minute bright green leaves. Small, white, waxy, drooping 

 flowers borne on reddish stems in June. It is one of the most 

 beautiful and most difficult to grow of alpine plants, and is seldom 

 seen in a robust state. The chief difficulty is procuring healthy 

 plants to start with. It is advisable to carefully peg down the main 

 branches, and place stones round neck of plant to prevent evapora- 

 tion. Drought is fatal to its successful cultivation. 



A. japonica (syn. Pieris japonica). — Open, though sheltered 

 position, in good, moist, peaty soil. A graceful evergreen shrub 

 growing some 3 feet high. It is of slow growth. Flowers white, 

 borne in long pendulous clusters in May. Quite hardy. A choice 

 shrub for the rock garden. 



A. poUfolium (Wild Rosemary). — The only true species of 

 Andromeda, and a native of Great Britain. It requires an open 

 position in moist, peaty soil, in which it forms a compact little shrub 

 about 12 inches high, with beautiful, very dark glossy green leaves, 

 glaucous beneath. Drooping, bell-shaped flowers of a lovely 

 delicate pale pink shade, produced in May. Easy of culture and 

 quite hardy, and can be propagated by layers or seed. One of the 

 choicest shrubs for the garden. There are several varieties, which 

 differ principally in colour of flowers. 



A. tetragona (syn. Cassiope tetragond). — Half-shady position in 

 very moist, well-drained sandy peat. Of compact habit, seldom 

 more than 8 inches high. Deep green foliage. The whole plant has 

 the appearance of a miniature Cypress. Beautiful drooping, white, 

 waxy, bell- shaped flowers rather like Lily-of-the-valley, produced 

 singly. Blooms in April. Quite hardy, and one of the most 

 delightful and choicest of peat-loving shrubs. Easily increased 

 by division. It may be distinguished from A. Fastigiata^ 

 which it much resembles, by the absence of the chaffy margin 

 of leaf. 



