ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PLANTS 229 



Androsace (Primulaceae) 



The choicest and most typical plants of the highest mountain 

 ranges. All are beautiful and gems for the rock garden. Whilst 

 some are of easy cuhivation, others are amongst the most difficult 

 of alpines to grow. They all require a deep root-run in well-drained, 

 gritty soil. Some varieties will grow on the level, while others need 

 to be planted in vertical fissures of the rock, where they cannot 

 suffer from damp lying about them, which quickly proves fatal, 

 though at the same time they require moisture at their roots. 



It is advisable to cover those kinds that have hairy leaves with a 

 sheet of glass during the winter to protect the foliage from exces- 

 sive moisture. A clear pure air, free from dust, is essential ; they are 

 almost sure to perish in a smoky atmosphere. 



A. alpina. — Vertical fissure shaded from the sun and protected 

 from damp overhead, though it requires moisture at its roots, which 

 must also have free escape. Requires gritty, fibrous loam mixed 

 with pieces of sandstone, and at least 15 inches deep. Forms dense 

 cushions about 3 inches high, with pink flowers in June. A lovely 

 plant, but difficult to grow. 



A. arachnoi dea.— QdiVi be grown on the level in fine, sandy, gritty 

 loam. Grows about 3 inches high, forming little rosettes which 

 in the early part of the year are not covered with the white silky 

 hairs that appear later. Flowers white, with a distinct red eye, 

 towards the end of May. Fairly easily cultivated. 



A. brigantiaca.—'RQqmres sloping ground, half-shady position, 

 and sandy soil. Dwarf-growing, with deep green foliage, free from 

 the characteristic fine down. White flowers. This species does 

 not require so much protection from the rain as do some of the 

 others. 



A. carnea.—QdSi be planted on a level, exposed spot in a mixture 

 of peat and sandy loam at least a foot deep. A distinctive plant, 

 growing about 3 inches high. The small pointed leaves, instead 

 of forming rosettes, as most of the other kinds do, make a dense 

 spiny cushion rather like Saxifraga Juniperifolia. The flowers 

 rose-coloured, with a yellow eye, are freely produced in May. It 

 is not difficult to cultivate, and can be raised from seed. It is one 

 of the best of this attractive genus. A. eximia is a larger form. 



A. Chamaejas7ne (syn. A. villosa Chamaejasme). — Plant in a 

 position fully exposed to the sun, in light sandy loam mixed with 

 pieces of sandstone. The surface of the ground should also be 

 covered with pieces of stone. The foliage forms rather large rosettes 

 of fringed leaves a few inches high. Flowers white at first, with a 

 yellow eye, changing to crimson. Blooms in June, and fairly freely. 



