36o ROCK GARDENS 



SOLDANELLA (PrIMULACEAE) 



Charming little true alpine plants, found on the snowline. There 

 are several species in cultivation. They have rather a bad reputa- 

 tion as to culture, but are not really difficult if a few points are 

 observed. They like moisture in summer, but require to be kept 

 dry during the winter. A partially shady position, or, in a dry 

 climate, the edge of the bog garden, suits them. The soil should be 

 composed of peat, leaf-mould, loam, and a little sand. Stones should 

 be placed about the plant to prevent evaporation, and during dry 

 weather, occasional copious waterings. A pane of glass should be 

 placed over the plants in October till the flowering season, which 

 is very beneficial in producing flowers. They can be increased by 

 seed or division. 



S. alpina. — Roundish leathery leaves, and beautiful fimbriated, 

 pendulous, bell-shaped flowers, of a lovely shade of blue. These are 

 borne two to four on each stem, which rises about 3 inches high. 

 Blooms in April. This is quite one of the best of the genus. 

 There are several varieties, but differing little from the type. S. al. 

 alba is a white form. S. al. pyrolaefolia is a good form of S. alpina. 



S. minima. — Dwarf er form, with solitary flowers of a lovely 

 suffused lilac colour, and the interior striped with purple, which 

 are borne on 2-inch stems. A lovely little plant. 



S. montana. — Leaves almost round. Two to four purple, deeply 

 cut, and pendulous flowers are borne on each stem, about 4 inches 

 high. A very lovely plant, blooming in April. 



5. pusilla. — Flowers blue, with margins notched. One or two 

 flowers borne on each stem, 2 to 3 inches high. There is also a 

 white form of this. It is an easy plant to cultivate, and very attrac- 

 tive. There is some confusion as to the name of this species. 

 There are also several hybrids, but not in general cultivation. 



Sphaeralcea Munroanum {see Malvastrum Munroanum) 



Spigelia Marilandica (Loganiaceae) 

 Deep, moist, sandy peat in partial shade. Of erect habit, with 

 acute sessile leaves. Flowers i^ inches long, red outside, and 

 yellow within, and borne six to twelve in a terminal spike on stems 

 about 12 to 15 inches high. A very desirable plant for the bog 

 garden, and not of difficult culture. 



Spiraea (Rosaceae) 



A large genus of handsome shrubs, of which a few of the dwarfer 

 kinds are very suitable for associating with other shrubs in the rock 

 garden. The following are a selection, blooming in summer :— 



