22 ALPINE PLANTS. 
ASPARAGUS ACUTIFOLIUS. This plant 
looks exceedingly graceful hanging from 
the rocks high up; plant in good loam, 
sand, and leaf-mould. The place where 
it is to be planted should be made of the 
above compost, 18in. deep, so that the 
roots can get well down. No manure must 
be used with the soil. It is an evergreen, 
resembling somewhat a graceful little pine; 
protect from north and east winds if possible. 
ASTER ALPINUS AND VARIETIES are all 
very easy of culture, any ordinary garden soil 
suiting them well. Care should be taken to 
top-dress once or twice a year, early spring being 
the most suitable time. If this is not done they 
grow right out of the ground and the stems 
become quite bare, in most cases getting broken 
off by the wind. By using the top-dressing this 
is prevented and they will keep good for years. 
ASTRAGALUS ALPINUS requires a very hot 
sunny place with plenty of stones and poor soil ; 
mix together two parts stones and one soil. 
A. argenteus requires deep loam and limestone 
in a well-drained position, facing full south. 
Keep as dry as possible in winter. A. 
Tragacantha will do well planted high up 
