52 CRUCIFER^. 



or in the autumn early, or in early spring, and by seed sown in 

 small pots in a cold frame or where it is to remain, if a few 

 plants in a permanent position on rockwork or open border are 

 all that is aimed at. It is widely distributed on the greater 

 mountains of central and southern Europe. 



Iberidella rotundifolia, syns. TMaspi rotundifolia and 

 Iberis rotundifolia {Rowid-kaved I.) — This is a little-known 

 plant in British gardens, but deserves a place in every collec- 

 tion of alpine plants. It is a dwarf compact plant, with thick, 

 leather}^, slightly milky-green, roundish leaves, rather densely 

 tufted. The flower-stems rise to the height of 5 or 6 inches 

 bearing the flowers — which are rosy lilac with a yellow centre, 

 and sweet-scented — in erect dense racemes. The plant is 

 most suitable for rockwork, and succeeds best in rich gritty 

 loam in deep fissures ; being tap-rooted, it will not readily 

 increase by division, but it is easily raised by seed sown in 

 small pots in a cold frame, or in the spot it is designed to 

 occupy. It is an elegant bright little plant, which should be in 

 every collection. Flowers from JMay till July, and is a native 

 of the Swiss Alps and other European alpine regions. 



Iberis ( Candytuft). — This is a beautiful and well - known 

 group of hardy plants. It comprises a good many species, but 

 among the perennials there are but a few really distinct for 

 ornamental purposes, the others being too close in resemblance 

 to be worthy of being cultivated, except in botanical collec- 

 tions. They are plants of most simple requirements in culti- 

 vation, adapted to grow in any kind of garden-soil, succeed- 

 ing best in that which is light, rich, and dry, but doing 

 very well in the debris of an old ruin, or on a dry sandy bank 

 where not many plants would exist. If this easy habit were 

 taken advantage of freely, many an unclothed and uninvit- 

 ing spot would be gracefully garnished and attractive through- 

 out the year. Besides their great value as mixed border-plants, 

 and for the adornment of rockwork, they are invaluable subjects 

 for the spring flower-garden, whether as temporary occupants or 

 permanent in a garden set apart for such plants ; they are use- 

 ful also for planting in shrubbery borders. Propagate by seed 

 sown in the open ground, or better in a cold frame or hand- 

 glass, and by cuttings or division, at almost any time of the 

 growing period ; but both operations are best performed either 

 immediately after flowering is over or in early autumn. 



I. corifolia, syn. I. saxatilis, var. corifolia {Coris-kavcd 

 Caiidytiift). — If not one of the best of the group, this is one of 

 the dwarfest and neatest, rarely exceeding 6 inches in height, 

 making a close carpet of bright green foliage, and producing its 



