34 THE STORY OF MY ROCK GARDEN 



Each higher stone, even in an almost perpendicular 

 place, should slightly recede from the one beneath, 

 thus exposing a " lip " which will catch the falling 

 rain and convey it into the soil, owing to the inward 

 tilt with which each stone is laid. 



Occasionally such a position may be permissible 

 for such plants as dislike overhead wet as for instance 

 Eritrichium nanum, some of the Er odiums, Senecio 

 incanis var. Persoonii, and Primula Allionii, but then 

 precaution should be taken that moisture is conveyed 

 to their roots in some way. It is on the whole advis- 

 able to keep away from this form of building, until 

 one is familiar with the requirements of such 

 " touchy " plants as really need it. 



I found that with careful selection every part of 

 the rockery could be planted and to a great extent 

 covered with Alpines. Even in such a little garden 

 as mine I was able to provide positions in practically 

 every aspect from deep shade on the north face to 

 full sun on the south. In some instances it is policy 

 to plant certain varieties of say Campanula in partially 

 shady positions, as well as in full sun, and thereby 

 secure a longer period of blossom, since those in the 

 cooler spots are just coming into flower as the fully 

 exposed ones are passing. 



It is advisable also to plant at the lower portion 

 of the rock work, near to the path, especially 



