72 STUDIES IN GARDENING 



The first irises are over; but Iris orchioides is out, 

 rather late perhaps, since it was planted only last 

 year; and so is its cousin, Iris sindjarensis, and the yet 

 more beautiful Iris Willmottiana. Narcissus nanus is 

 in full blossom on a northern slope, making a vivid 

 contrast with the blue Scilla sibirica. This is the 

 most useful of all, perhaps, of the small rock narcissi. 

 It is larger than Narcissus minimus and flowers later, 

 but it has a more graceful habit of growth, and it is 

 not too large for the smallest rockery. It has not the 

 delicate beauty of Narcissus triandus albus, but it is 

 far easier to grow; and in a light sandy soil on a north- 

 ern slope it increases in numbers and in beauty from 

 year to year. Unfortunately it is rather scarce, and 

 many nurserymen sell N. lobularis under its name. 

 N. lobularis is a pretty daffodil, but much larger, 

 almost as large, indeed, as the English wild daffodil, 

 and it is better suited to the grass than to a small 

 rock garden. Narcissus cyclamineus, another rock 

 daffodil of great beauty, is going over. It likes more 

 shade than N. nanus, and, provided it is in shade, will 

 thrive even on a dry rooty bank. It does not die out, 

 like some small daffodils, but endures as well as N. 

 nanus. N. minor is said to be superior to N. nanus, 

 but there is not much difference between them, and 

 N. minor is more expensive. 



This spring of Alpine weather has favoured the 

 rapid growth of Alpine plants, which is often checked 

 and stunted by our March and April east winds. 

 No amount of experience can abate one's wonder at 



