108 ALPINE PLANTS 
these crowns will die off, leaving bare patches in the middle 
of the mass. 
If only a few kinds of Sempervivums are required for 
a small sunny rockery, any of the following half dozen 
may be chosen as being distinct and pretty. S. arachnoi- 
deum, the cobweb house leek already described, S. atro- 
violaceum, S. calcareum, more frequently named cali- 
fornicum, a distinct flat rosetted plant with glaucous 
foliage, each segment tipped with chocolate brown, the 
flowers being of a light reddish shade. S. Pittoni, with 
medium-sized rosettes of soft claret colour, tipped with 
purple, and uncommon primrose yellow flowers. S. Regine- 
Amalie, producing large rosettes, the older segments of 
which assume metallic bronze tints, and large spherical 
heads of sulphur-yellow flowers, and S. triste, which makes 
rosettes about 3 inches across, of a glossy mahogany red, 
with tall spikes of bright red flowers. But there are at 
least a hundred varieties of Sempervivums, and anyone 
who is particularly fond of succulent plants may gather 
a remarkably interesting collection which, if grown in 
pots or pans, may be accommodated in quite a small 
alpine house or in a frame of moderate dimensions. 
VERONICA.—There is surely no garden in the land where 
some species of Veronica cannot be grown with a fair 
measurement of satisfaction, for it is a family of extensive 
variety and much merit, and is singularly free from what 
may be called fastidious notions. Ordinary soil, sun or 
shade, the rock garden proper, the alpine bed, or the wall 
garden will suit some of the most interesting of Veronicas, 
whilst it must be a hopeless sort of place that cannot pro- 
