EASILY GROWN ROCK PLANTS 99 
Ononis.—Belonging to the leguminosz, or plants with 
pea-like blossoms, the family Ononis includes several 
interesting plants of sub-shrubby character. They are 
specially useful for growing on dry slopes, and on the 
higher parts of rockeries in exposed positions, for the 
plants withstand both drought and wind with impunity. 
The flowering period of the members of this family extends 
from May to September, and the foliage is effective even 
when the plants are not in bloom. 
The best of the species are rotundifolia, with rosy pink 
flowers on 18-inch stems, arvensis, a prostrate spreading 
plant with pale pink flowers, fruticosa with purple flowers, 
and spinosa alba, with prickly branches and white blos- 
soms. Natrix adds distinct variety by providing flowers 
of bright yellow, veined with red. 
ORIGANUM.—By botanical classification the Origanums 
are just marjorams, but the four or five sorts that are to 
be strongly recommended as excellent plants for the rock 
garden, the alpine bed or for pot culture are decidedly 
more ornamental and attractive than the marjoram which 
is familiar as a kitchen herb. The foliage is certainly 
somewhat similar and is just as aromatic, but in vulgare 
aureum the leaves and stems are of bright yellow, and 
are specially effective in the spring months. 
O. dictamnus throws up graceful slender stems with 
nodding bracted flower-heads of rosy pink that bear a 
strong resemblance to small heads of pink coloured hops. 
O. hybridum is perhaps larger and brighter, but is still 
similar, and O. pulchellum has silvery foliage. All may 
be rooted from cuttings with ease, the best time being in 
