270 ROCK GARDENS 



fully exposed to the sun. Heads of sulphur-coloured flowers on 

 prostrate stems, about 12 inches long. Distinct on account of the 

 colour of its flowers, but is a ragged and weak-growing plant of but 

 secondary beauty and little value. Grows freely from seed. 



D. monspessulanus. — Sandy loam in sun. Pink fringed flowers 

 on slender stems about 12 inches long, rather similar to D. superbus. 

 A pretty and useful plant. Varieties of above are albus and 

 dependens. 



D. neglectus. — Light sandy loam and lime rubbish, m sun. 

 Compact tufts of grass-like, wiry, glaucous leaves about 2 inches 

 high, from which rise on slender stems, about 3 inches long, numerous 

 bright rosy-pink flowers, having the undersides buff- coloured. 

 Blooms from June to September. Comes very readily from seed, 

 though by this means the colour of the blooms is apt to vary 

 somewhat as to shade. D. neglectus is the gem of the genus. 

 Lovely and dainty in appearance, and of the easiest culture, it 

 should be freely grown, and can be associated with the choicest 

 plants. 



D. petraeus. — Dry, sunny position in sandy, limy loam. Compact, 

 hard tufts of narrow, sharp-pointed leaves, i to 2 inches high. Rosy- 

 white, sohtary flowers. Hardy, and of easy culture. 



D. pluniarius. — Sandy soil on sloping bank. The original from 

 which many of the garden pinks were raised. It has pink and 

 fragrant flowers, is easily grown, and is useful for massing in the 

 less choice parts. 



D. Robinsonii. — Sandy loam, in sun. An attractive hybrid, bear- 

 ing, on 12-inch stems, large double salmon -pink flowers of a most 

 delicate shade. A most persistent bloomer, being in flower for 

 about nine months of the year. Of easy culture, and quite hardy. 



D. sylvestris.— Open, sunny position in dry, stony, and sandy loam. 

 Flat tufts of rather sparse leaves, and on stems 6 to 8 inches long 

 two or three rosy-pink flowers. A lovely species, but having the 

 same characteristic of some of the alpine pinks of dying off without 

 warning. 



D. suavis. — Sandy loam, in any situation. Should be planted to 

 fall over the face of a rock. Forms rapidly spreading, compact 

 mats of stiff, grass-like leaves, from which spring countless small 

 white, rather flat-shaped flowers, borne singly on slender stems, and 

 about 6 inches long. Quite hardy, and easily increased by rooted 

 layers. Quite one of the best, although not as brilliant as some. Its 

 delightful habit of growth would give it a place in the front rank. 



These comprise about the best and most distinctive varieties of 

 Dianthus, for although there are many others, they have more a 

 botanical than garden value. New hybrids are constantly being 

 advertised in catalogues, some of which are acquisitions. There 



