SAXIFRAGES 303 



they require a fairly sunny place and a good rich soil. 

 S. ligulata and its variety S. ciliata are better suited 

 for bold rock-work, and look well among plants such 

 as Corydalis nobilis. S. Stracheyi is the prettiest 

 species of the section, with delicate pink flowers early 

 in March or April. It sometimes dies in very hard 

 winters and should be given a fairly cool, sheltered 

 position among the rocks. The variety Afghanica 

 has white flowers and is a beautiful plant not often 

 seen. 



We have mentioned but a few of the innumerable 

 species and varieties of the saxifrage. The gardener 

 who begins to collect saxifrages will never come to 

 the end of them, and he will be wise always to see less 

 known species and varieties before he buys them. If 

 he does not, he will probably acquire many common 

 or nondescript plants with romantic names. The 

 anarchy among saxifrages is such that nothing could 

 put an end to it except the appointment of a Dictator 

 and an Act making it a criminal offence to call any 

 saxifrage by any name except the one given to it by 

 him. But even then in a few years there would be 

 a number of new hybrids and as much confusion 

 among them as ever. 



