THE PINKS OF THE ALPS 141 



in shade. We have it at Floraire as edgings in a dry 

 and arid place ; these edgings are remarkably beauti- 

 ful, and are much admired by our visitors in the 

 spring. It sows itself in the poorest gravels. It is 

 an excellent plant to sow in dry and sterile places, 

 where it will grow to perfection. 



The garden varieties of D. plumarius are well 

 known, and under the name of Pinks are widely 

 distributed in our English gardens. These are 

 hybrids of — 



D. plumarius x csssius. 

 plumarius x Seguierii. 

 plumarius Y. Caryophyllus^ &c. 

 At the great horticultural exhibition at Turin, Dr. 

 Ragioneri, of Florence, showed a whole series of 

 varieties and hybrids of D. plumari7is, which had a 

 fine effect and aroused lively interest. 



D. polycladus {Boiss.). — Plant slightly hairy-tomen- 

 tose, forming pretty spreading tufts, from which rise 

 a quantity of flowers, not very large, but of a light 

 rosy-carmine colour, making a considerable effect 

 from their great number. May and June, with some- 

 times a second bloom in autumn. 



We have had from the Lebanon, under the name 

 D. polycladus diffusus, an extremely floriferous variety 

 of this handsome species, with bright crimson flowers, 

 and have thought it better than the type. In a burnt- 

 up gravelly corner at Floraire we have had it full of 

 flower from May to July. D. polycladus is an oriental 

 plant, growing in the Anti-Lebanon and on the hills 

 of northern Syria. It must have full sun. 



