THE ROCK GARDEN 169 



intrude upon the gravel within limits. They 

 will soften the hard line where rock and gravel 

 meet. 



Plants of trailing habit should be put near 

 the top of a miniature precipice, over which 

 they will hang their flexible shoots and in due 

 course paint its surface with brilliant colour. 



Tall plants should go mostly to the higher 

 levels. Give each plant elbow-room to allow 

 for growth and expansion, but plant fully, so 

 that when the plants are established there shall 

 be little bare soil visible. Chinks in the vertical 

 surfaces should not be neglected — they will 

 carry their share of plant life, if care be taken 

 to insert the roots and ram the soil well in 

 contact with them. Ferns will thrive in similar 

 places, and, preferably, they should be located 

 in the shady corners. 



The choice of plants is a vast one, but it is 

 well for the novice to limit it at first to the more 

 hardy kinds, than which he will find none more 

 beautiful. 



At the back of all, on the topmost level, 

 small flowering deciduous and evergreen shrubs 

 may be associated with tall perennials like 

 starwort and snapdragon. 



