LATE SUMMER AND AUTUMN IN THE ROCK 

 GARDEN 



MOST mountain plants flower in spring and early 

 summer. In the higher altitudes, of course, 

 they begin late, as "the spring comes slowly up that 

 way," and last well into August. But our rock gar- 

 dens are not in the higher altitudes, and Alpine plants 

 in them usually flower earlier than in their native 

 homes. A rock garden may have many flowers in 

 March, and its greatest profusion of bloom will prob- 

 ably come about the middle of June with the flower- 

 ing of the Pinks. Then a decline will set in, gradual 

 at first, but rapid in July; and in August many rock 

 gardens contain but few flowers except the last of the 

 Campanulas, especially if the summer is hot and dry. 

 This is certainly a defect; and it is one which cannot 

 be altogether overcome, though it may be lessened 

 with a little contrivance. It is in the later months 

 of the summer that one begins to appreciate the value 

 of those plants and shrubs which do not lose their 

 fresh colour and compact habit after flowering. There 

 are many rock plants which spend all their energy 

 and beauty for the year in blooming, and when their 

 bloom is over look weedy and dishevelled. A rock 

 garden filled with these is a dull sight by August, 

 however splendid it may be in June. Such plants 



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