264 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



rather more highly coloured in the central markings than the 

 general run. They are produced on stout stems, 2ft. high, well 

 and evenly branched in the form of a pyramid, whence the 

 specific name. Each flower will be |in. or more across ; they are 

 very numerous, and, partly from the fact that they remain 

 perfect for a very long while, and partly because of the habit of 

 the plant being to open all its flowers about or near the same 

 time, the large panicle of bloom is very fine. The leaves, as 

 already hinted, are formed into lax rosettes, which are Sin. to 7in. 

 across ; they are strap-shaped, narrowing slightly at the connec- 

 tion, half an inch wide, the outer ones being reflexed; the 

 edges are finely serrated, and irregularly lined with a silver 

 colouring. 



This is a capital plant for rockwork, where it shows itself to 

 much advantage ; but specimens are much finer grown in beds or 

 borders, where the moisture and temperature at the roots are 

 likely to be more equable ; besides, I find that, owing to its small 

 quantity of roots, all of which are very near the surface, when 

 grown on rockwork they may often be seen bare on inclined 

 surfaces, and the weight of the flowers drags them entirely out 

 of the soil on one side. They may be planted as an edging to a 

 shrubbery, in bold groups, or as ordinary border flowers. So 

 useful has this variety been found by professional gardeners 

 that it is now largely grown in pots in single rosettes, which, 

 after becoming well established, send up their rich plumes of 

 blossom, all the finer for having been kept clean under glass. 

 So grown, nothing can better repay the small amount of trouble 

 which they give in order to place them in the conservatory as 

 showy specimens ; all they require being a 4in. pot, well drained, 

 a compost of half -rotted leaves, and fat loam and sand. Put in 

 one rooted offset any time from June to the end of July, the 

 earlier the better ; plunge the pot to its rim in sand or ashes until 

 next spring, when it may be taken under glass if desired. To 

 have fine flowers, the offsets should be pinched off as they 

 appear. I may also mention that a somewhat shady situation 

 has proved conducive to large and better coloured flowers ; 

 between irises 4ft. high and shrubs 6ft. high, the opening being 

 not more than 3ft., running north and south. The specimen 

 from which the drawing is taken was grown along with many 

 others. A baking or dry treatment is oft^n not only given to 

 plants of this genus, but believed to be of advantage to them ; it 

 may be to some, but there are exceptions, and this is one without 

 doubt. All the sections of Saxifraga to which it belongs are 

 fond of good loam, well enriched. It is propagated from offsets 

 taken as soon as they are from an inch to two inches across ; 

 they may either be put into nursery beds or be planted in 

 their blooming quarters. 



Flowering period, June and July. 



