THE PINKS OF THE ALPS 131 



In the valleys of the Waldenses (Cottian Alps), a small 

 Protestant country hidden in the midst of surround- 

 ing Catholic Italy, some of the most attractive of 

 the wild Pinks may be seen in bloom throughout the 

 summer. The scene is a striking one, for the plants 

 are in profusion as well as in many different types and 

 varieties. This abundance is no doubt owing to the 

 nature of the soil and to the full, free light of the 

 mountain heights. 



The Dianthus group contains flowers whose colour- 

 ing is some of the most intensely brilliant that may be 

 found in Nature, so that they are all the more welcome 

 to eyes that enjoy bright and warm colourings. 



The Dianthus are plants belonging exclusively to 

 the Old World. Many of them have been grown in 

 gardens for centuries, and have given us some of our 

 most ornamental plants, such as Carnations, Picotees, 

 Pinks, Sweet Williams, &c. 



As a general rule they love the sun, and, above all, 

 full open light. Many are sweetly perfumed, and a 

 large number are of brilliant colouring. Those of 

 the Alps and other mountains of Europe are especially 

 beautiful because of their dwarf, tufted habit and large 

 flowers, but the best of all come from the mountainous 

 regions of Eastern Europe. 



In the plant catalogue of our gardens of Floraire 

 we have classified the genus Dianthus in two 

 categories ; firstly, the alpine species, the dwarf, tufted 

 kinds, which spread over the soil and form carpets 

 of flowers ; and secondly, those with upright stems 

 and an erect and branching habit. 



