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284 ROCK GARDENS 



almost stalkless flowers. It is a difficult species to grow, but one 

 of the best. 



G. septemfida. — Requires full sun, in moist, sandy peat and loam. 

 Bears flowers in clusters on stems about 9 inches high. Blue and 

 white inside, and brown outside. Of fairly easy culture in a cool, 

 moist position. A very lovely plant, flowering in August. 



G. verna. —Requires sun, in moist, peaty loam and limestone 

 chips. Forms compact tufts about i| inches high, from which 

 spring flowers about 3 inches high, of the most dazzling azure-blue. 

 Seed and division. A lovely little gem, and one of the choicest 

 rock plants, but, though a native, is not easy to keep when grown in 

 the garden. Good tufts of it, to start with, are essential, and copious 

 waterings during the spring and early summer. It likes very 

 fibrous loam, so a good plan is to half bury a sod of turf, grass side 

 down, and plant the Gentian in it. Firm planting is also very 

 important ; after the winter's frost it is well to go round and press 

 the plants firmly home. It is so lovely that no trouble should be 

 spared to endeavour to grow it, trying it in different positions. 

 South-east is a good aspect. 



This completes the selection of the dwarf choicer varieties of 

 Gentians. There are many others also of low-growing habit, but 

 they are either very nearly akin to G. acaulis or G. verna^ without 

 having their brilliancy of flower, so are scarcely worth growing, 

 except in a botanical collection. Of the taller and coarser-growing 

 varieties, most of which, though easy of culture, are only suitable 

 for the rougher parts, the following are the most showy of this 

 description : — G. Andrewsu, Burseri, lutea^ saponaria^ all require 

 moist loam and bear blue flowers, with the exception of lutea^ which 

 has yellow blossoms, and is the strongest-growing of the genus, 

 reaching 3 feet in height. 



Geranium (Geraniaceae), Crane's Bill 



A genus of showy perennials, but too strong-growing for the rock 

 garden, with the exception of the following. They are all of easy 

 culture in sandy, well-drained loam, and are not particular as to 

 aspect, provided they get a fair amount of sun. Propagated by 

 seed and division. 



G. argenteuni. — Grows about 6 inches high, with silvery-grey 

 leaves and large, pale rose-coloured flowers. A charming, compact- 

 growing plant, flowering in June ; it should have a place amongst 

 the choicest plants. 



G. cinereum. — A dwarf, compact-growing plant, with silvery 

 leaves and pink flowers veined with red. Quite a vigorous grower, 

 easily increased by seed or division. A very good plant for a choice 

 spot in the sun. 



