WHAT TO GROW IN ROCK-GARDENS 109 



rock-garden is V. gracilis. This is 6 ins. high, and produces 

 from June onwards quantities of lovely violet-blue flowers. 

 Plant in November or March. 



ROCK-GARDEN SHRUBS. 



A word must be said about a few of the many shrubs 

 suitable for the rock-garden. Generally speaking, any 

 dwarf shrubs may be planted. They can be used for the 

 summits of mounds or spurs of the rock-garden, as a 

 boundary to it, or as a shelter in it for other choicer 

 plants. 



Small plants of Laurel, Aucuba, Holly, and Golden 

 Privet are quite useful. The ordinary Privet must not be 

 used. But these shrubs are not so useful as dwarf Conifers 

 (Picea excelsa, dwarf Cypresses, and Pines such as Pinus 

 montana). I would rather be without Yews, but many 

 people plant them. Other good subjects are the Coton- 

 easters, especially C. horizontalis and C. mycrophylla, 

 Cytisus argenteus, austriacus, and biflorus ; Cistus cymosus, 

 crispus, and Clussii ; Daphne Cneorum, Mezereum, striata, 

 and collina. 



A few other shrubs which may be used are Choisya 

 grandiflora, Garrya elliptica, Arbutus mollis (warm 

 sheltered position) ; Andromeda polifolia, Empetrum 

 nigrum, Erica carnea, Cinera, and Staminea, Rhododendron 

 praecox, and Raphiolepsis indica. 



The rock-gardener should not use more shrubs than he 

 is obliged ; too many detract from the beauty of the rock- 

 garden. They should only be used with a definite object 

 such as already referred to, and I do not think they should 

 ever be regarded as absolutely essential. 



