ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PLANTS 343 



to classification and names. They have botanically been divided 

 into fifteen sections, but for our purpose it will be simpler to arrange 

 them in groups, more or less according to their cultural needs. The 

 species, for convenience sake, will he arranged alphabetically, and 

 after each will be found the number of the group to which it belongs. 

 If it needs any special treatment, this will be given ; otherwise it 

 may be understood that it will require the same cultivation as was 

 given for the group. The Saxifrages are all readily increased by 

 division or seed. It may generally be taken that any species 

 showing silvery encrusted markings on their leaves require a lime- 

 stone soil, or lime in some form. 



Group I. The Mossy 



These make compact, mossy tufts, and are of the easiest culture. 

 They are about the most valuable species for the rock garden, not 

 only on account of the wealth of their bloom in summer, but also 

 because of their evergreen foliage, which is beautiful even in the 

 depth of winter. These species do best in well-drained, gritty soil, 

 in an open, sunny position. Some, however, of the red-flowered 

 kinds, such as 5. " Guildford Seedling" keep their colour better if 

 planted in partial shade. Examples of this group are S. muscoides^ 

 S. trifurcata^ and S. Wallacei. 



Group II. The Encrusted or Silver Saxifrages 



These form flat rosettes of stiff, leathery leaves, more or less 

 encrusted with a silvery deposit, chiefly on the edges. From the 

 centres of these rosettes rise tall, loose spikes of flower. These 

 species require a sunny position, and look best when planted in 

 some crevice or chink of a rock, where they can have a deep root- 

 run in well-drained, gritty loam, plentifully mixed with lime rubbish. 

 They are mostly of easy culture. Examples of this group are 

 S. Aizoon and its varieties, S. longifolia^ and S. Cotyledon. 



Group III. The Cushion 



These are so called because they make dense, hard little cushions, 

 somewhat variable in appearance, being in some cases formed of 

 erect, spiny leaves, while in others of small flat rosettes. They 

 include some of the most difficult of the genus to cultivate. As a 

 general rule they require an open, sunny position, yet one not too 

 sunburnt, in well-drained, light gritty loam, plentifully mixed with 

 lime rubbish. Stone chips in the soil and around the plants will be 

 found beneficial. Examples of this group are S. burseriana and 

 its varieties, S. diapensioides, and S. apiculata. 



