156 ALPINE PLANTS 
seems to be incessantly in bloom, and is a fine subject for 
high and dry positions. Most Linarias, however, prefer 
shade and moisture, and will effectively carpet the ground 
as well as curtain rocky boulders or stone walls. 
LINN#A BOREALIS.—Named after the great botanist, 
Linneus, this is a modest but exquisite and lovable little 
plant that thrives best in some cool shady place, as though 
too shy to flaunt itself before the crowd. Its prostrate 
stems are clothed with pretty foliage upon which bronzy 
tints mix with green. The blossoms, borne in pairs at 
intervals along the stems, are of a pretty shade of pink. 
They are sweetly fragrant, and altogether charming. 
Layering will be found the best means of increasing stock. 
LinuM.—tThe flax family contains a number of delightful 
free-flowering plants that are of elegant growth and easy 
culture. Linum alpinum is blue flowered, growing about 
6 inches high; L. austriacum is of taller growth with 
flowers of a lighter shade of blue; and L. narbonense is 
still another blue of much beauty, and L. perenne is still 
another. Then we have L. flavum, throwing clusters of 
brightest yellow blossoms, and arboreum, also yellow of 
shrubby growth, and monogynum, with pure white flowers. 
There are several other sorts, but those named provide 
us with a selection of the best. All may be raised from 
seed, and should be planted in batches of several plants 
rather than dotted about singly. Ordinary soil suffices, 
and when once planted it is unwise to disturb the roots. 
LITHOSPERMUM.—Compel me to limit myself to a dozen 
alpine plants, and Lithospermum prostratum in its variety 
‘“Heavenly Blue” must be one of them, and I believe 
