NORTH SIDE OF THE ROCK GARDEN 213 



come from Asia Minor and other hot countries. But, 

 as mountains have their northern slopes as well as 

 their southern, there are many mountain plants that 

 will thrive better on the north side of the rock garden 

 than on the south; and, since many gardeners seem 

 to have some difficulty with the northern slopes of 

 their rock gardens, we propose to give a list of these 

 north-loving plants. 



First we will speak of those which, although they 

 thrive on a northerly slope, yet require an open situa- 

 tion free from any kind of shade or drip. Some of 

 them also, although they like a northern aspect be- 

 cause it is turned away from the full power of the sun, 

 do not like our north and north-easterly winds par- 

 ticularly in early spring, when they are just starting 

 into growth. There is a great difference between a 

 north aspect that is sheltered by a bank to the north 

 of it, and one that is quite unsheltered. We shall 

 therefore first mention the plants which require shelter, 

 or, at any rate, a north-easterly aspect rather than 

 one facing north-east or full north; for there are many 

 plants that will endure an unsheltered north-westerly 

 aspect but require shelter if they are facing full north 

 or north-east. Of these, one of the most valuable is 

 Lithospermum prostratum, perhaps the most valuable 

 of all rock plants. It will do well on the south side, 

 but even better on the north when it is sheltered from 

 the wind; but it must have light, rich, and deep soil 

 free from lime, and should be placed so that its roots 

 can run under a large stone. It must also have very 



