PLANTING THE GARDEN 55 



Alexandra, both of which increase very freely. As the 

 Auricula is usually considered a moisture loving plant, 

 it may seem to my readers rather unwise to grow it in 

 an arid chink in full sun, where the surrounding stones 

 become in summer unbearably hot. The explanation 

 is to be found, however, by reference to the photograph 

 on page 49 which I made one time, when rebuilding a 

 portion of the Rock Garden. 



In a crevice at the junction of two large stories, I had 

 a plant or two of P. Auricula v. Alexandra, and upon 

 moving one of the stones it disclosed the root system 

 as there shown. It will be noticed to what a depth 

 the roots have extended, in proportion to the size of the 

 plant, while to a considerable degree, as will be observed 

 they are at that part of the soil immediately in contact 

 with the lump of stone rather than in the soil itself, 

 suggesting that the conditions there were more uniform, 

 doubtless due to the moisture retained in the stone 

 which, while never permitting the earth to be sodden, 

 would prevent the too rapid evaporation of moisture, 

 and so provide the conditions necessary for this and 

 many other alpine plants. 



On hot dry knolls, the Sun-roses or Helianthemums 

 are particularly happy, and a perfect blaze of colour 

 in their season, while in similar positions, but near the 

 eye, Houseleeks or Sempervivums in an endless 

 number of varieties find an ideal home. Semp. 



