SAX1FRAGA. 



of the buyer, and the merciless elicitation of his pence ; and matters 

 aro now yet further complicated by the enormous new issue of garden 

 seedlings in the Mossy-group, particularly emanating from 8. decipiens, 

 and for ever being announced in more and more flamboyant tones, as 

 more and more marvellous and brilliant novelties with pompous 

 names — all being, in fact, mere seedlings, no more deserving separate 

 titles outside their own territories than tho thousands of Aubrietias 

 that could annually be christened out of a well-born packet. With 

 such horticultural waywardnesses neither commination nor Con- 

 ference can cope ; in the meantime, as a forerunner, earnest and humble, 

 the following list shall try to clear a few blocks from the path which 

 the Conference will ultimately make smooth and straight for over — 

 until China begins to contribute its enormous quota to the 

 confusion. 



Group I. Bergenia. — Only doubtfully included now under 

 Saxifraga, and here for the purposes of convenience. These 

 arc vast plants of round leathern glossy leafage, and uncurling 

 spreading rays of very large pink or white flowers on short 

 stout stalks in the early year. Their needs are rich border- 

 soil in half shade, and their type is S. crassifolia. (Spring.) 



Group II. Borapliila. — Soft leaves, all at the base, forming a 

 rosette ; flowers in a spike or shower, usually rather insignificant 

 and ugly. Their preference is for a dampish cool place ; their 

 type may be our own 8. nivalis, and their best example our 

 own S. stellaris. (Summer.) 



Group III. Cymbalaria. — Frail little annuals with glossy leaves 

 and flowers usually golden. 8. Sibthorpii (8. Cymbalaria, Sibth. 

 and Sm., as of gardens) is their exemplar, and they all love cool 

 damp places, shady walls, &c. (All the summer.) 



Group IV. Dactyloeides. — The mossy Saxifrages may bo repre- 

 sented by 8. hypnoeides or S. X Wallacei. Their form is that of 

 vast loose and mossy cushions with fine largo blossoms on slender 

 stems. They are among tho most useful of all, but not among 

 tho most choice, although they have a section of small high- 

 alpines that are sometimes lacking in charm, but as difficult 

 and miffy as the rest of the group is easy and hearty, in any 

 good clean soil, in sun or partial shado. (Early summer.) 



Group V. Diptera. — These aro stoloniferous runners, not of any 



note in tho garden, for tho section is not very hardy. Tho 



Mol her of Thousands, S. sarmentosa, hangs in sheets from every 



greenhouse pan and cottage window, and stands as tho typo 



236 



