OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 265 



Saxifraga Rocheliana. 



ROCHEL'S SAXIFRAGE; Nat. Ord. SAXIFRAGACE^:. 



ANOTHER hardy evergreen species, distinct in form, foliage and 

 flowers, and a native of the alpine regions of central Europe ; it 

 nevertheless thrives well in our climate with ordinary care. Its 

 foliage takes the form of miniature rosettes, which are closely 

 packed; the tiny leaves are distinctly and regularly dotted; and 

 present a frosted appearance. 



The flowers are unimportant, though they form an interesting 

 feature of such a choice and somewhat rare plant ; they are 

 small, white, and produced on stems Sin. to 4in. high, which are 

 thick and curiously furnished with leaves. During summer this 

 species has a very bright silvery appearance, as if laid on in 

 patches. 



Similar treatment is required for this as for 8. Burseriana, 

 but it will be found much more difficult to propagate, as its 

 roots are of the tap kind, and are more sparingly produced, 

 while its seed seldom ripens, I believe, in this climate. To 

 increase it, the better plan is to prepare the old plant by 

 keeping it well earthed up, and so encouraging new roots ; after 

 a year's patience it may be divided in April. The small pieces 

 should be secured by stones or verbena pins, and a supply of 

 pebbles placed around them will keep them cool and moist 

 during summer. 



Flowering period, March and April. 



Saxifraga Umbrosa. 

 LONDON PRIDE ; Nat. Ord. SAXIFRAGACEJE. 

 THIS common flower is well known, and is only mentioned here 

 as the typical form, and by way of introducing a beautiful 

 variety called 8. u. variegata, broad cushions of which, from 

 their verdant condition, good habit, and pleasing variations of 

 leaf colour, are amongst the more attractive objects of the garden 

 in January. It hardly need be said that the plant is not valued 

 for its flowers, which are similar to those of the parent form and 

 borne at a corresponding date. The leaves, however, are much 

 less in size and more flatly arranged in rosette form, they are 

 also recurved at the edges. The markings are of two colours, 

 creamy-white and pink, and there are many shades of green. 

 The forms of the markings are most irregular, as striped, 

 flecked, marbled, dotted, and edged; the various shades of 

 green blended with pink and white, although figured on one of 

 the commonest plants we know, render such plant worthy of a 

 place in every garden, and more especially on rockwork. 



