PART II] 



ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS 



223 



species, with scentless yellow flowers, is 

 also a good alpine plant, and so is E. 

 rupestre easy to grow, and thriving in 

 gritty soil and well-drained spot. 



ERYTHR.EA (Centaur y).K small 

 genus of rather pretty dwarf biennials, 

 belonging to the Gentian family. The 

 native species, E. littoralis, common 

 in some shore districts, is worth 

 cultivating. It is <* to 6 inches high, 

 and bears an abundance of rich pink 

 flowers, which last a considerable time 

 in beauty, and will withstand full 

 exposure to the sun, though partial 

 shade is beneficial. The very beauti- 

 ful E. diffusa is a similar species. It 

 is a rapid grower, with a profusion of 

 pink blossoms in summer. 



Erythraea Muhlenbergi is another 

 Leant i ful plant. It is neat and about 

 8 inches high, putting out many slender 

 branches. It bears many flowers, and the 

 blossoms are 3^ inches across. They are 

 of a deep pink, with a greenish- white star 

 in the centre. Seeds should be sown in 

 autumn, and grown under liberal treat- 

 ment till the spring ; the plants will then 

 flower much earlier and produce finer 

 flowers than spring-sown plants. They 

 are excellent for the rock-garden and the 

 margins of a loamy border, but the soil 

 must be moist. On account of their dura- 

 tion or other peculiarities, they are of 

 more botanical than garden interest. 



ERYTHRONIUM (Dog's - Tooth 

 Violet). Graceful and distinct bulbous 

 plants, dwarf, hardy and well suited 

 for our purpose. The European kind 

 is a charming flower with handsome 

 spotted leaves and drooping flowers, 

 of which there are various coloured 

 varieties. No need to speak here of 

 its cultivation, as it is one of the 

 easiest plants to naturalise in grass. 

 The most interesting of the family 

 are the American kinds recently come 

 to us; these have a graceful habit 

 and beauty. Like so many other 



plants, they are best in warm light 

 soils. 



Erythronium dens-canis (Dog's-tooth 

 Violet}. One of the hardiest of the moun- 

 tain plants, its handsome oval leaves 

 pointed above, marked with patches of 

 reddish brown, the flowers singly on stems 

 4 to 6 inches high, drooping, and 

 cut into six rosy purple or lilac divi- 

 sions. There is a variety with white, 

 one with rose-coloured, and one with 

 flesh-coloured flowers. It is one of the 

 best plants for the spring or rock-garden, 

 and will grow in any ordinary soil. The 

 bulbs are white and oblong; hence its 

 common name ; and it is increased by 

 dividing them every two or three years, 

 replanting rather deeply. Alps. 



E. Americanum. The commonest kind 

 in the Eastern United States of North 

 America, narrow in foliage, Avith bright 

 yellow pendent flowers. It is a good and 

 free growing plant, but in our country 

 fails to flower on some cold and heavy 

 soils. To ensure its doing so, plant in 

 warm open sandy soil. The main interest 

 of these plants, however, is centred in the 

 fine kinds from the North Pacific coast, 

 including the Rocky Mountains and a 

 vast region of tree-clad mountains, a 

 thousand or more miles across, from which 

 all of these plant treasures are not yet 

 gathered. In some soils in our countries 

 they do not thrive, requiring soils of a 

 leafy and open nature, which accounts 

 for their slow and uncertain growth in 

 heavy soils, like some of those around 

 London. The following by one who knows 

 them well in their native homes, is invalu- 

 able as a guide : 



Erythroniums are woodland plants, and 

 need some shade to develop the leaves 

 and stems. Partial shade by trees will 

 answer. I give my beds a lath shade. 

 I have for several years been experi- 

 menting with soils for them. While 

 often found in heavy soils, they make 

 better growth in a soil of rocky debris 

 mixed with leaf mould. Much of the 

 charm of Dog's-Tooth Violets is in their 

 large leaves and tall slender steins. 

 Rocky debris has not been available, and 

 I have tried several substitutes, but have 

 discarded all for a soil of one-half to one- 



