150 ALPINE PLANTS 
To describe the plant one may liken its leaves to those 
of the taller and larger Incarvillea Delavayi, prince among 
border perennials. They are flat, long, of rich green, 
deeply notched at the edges, and radiating from a central 
crown. The flower stalks are short, but stand erect from 
the centre of the crown, and the handsome flowers are 
trumpet shaped with broad flattened margins. The colour 
is a rose-cerise, bordering on crimson, the interior of the 
tube or throat being creamy yellow. There is a lustrous 
gloss over the flower reminiscent of the Gloxinia, and an 
established plant in bloom is an object for fervent admira- 
tion. To secure success with this lovely plant is worth 
some effort, and the first thing to do is to prepare a deep, 
well-drained root run. Dig down a couple of feet at least, 
and break up the bottom of the hole. Put in a good layer 
of crocks, and fill in the hole with sandy loam with an 
admixture of well rotted manure. Press the soil firmly 
about the thick, fleshy, tuberous roots, and allow the crown 
to remain just visible at the surface of the soil. During 
the growing and flowering period the plants enjoy liberal 
supplies of water. After flowering they should be kept 
comparatively dry for awhile, so that the crowns and tubers 
are well ripened. A sheet of glass tilted over the plants 
during October will suffice to ward off rains, but by the 
latter end of November the glass may be removed, and 
a little mound of sharp silver sand may be placed over 
the crown. Year by year the plant will, if undisturbed 
but periodically afforded nourishment, increase in strength 
and vigour, producing an increasing number of its glorious 
flowers. Seeds germinate freely if sown as soon as ripe, 
