146 ROGK GARDENING FOR AMATEURS 



wild in cool alpine pastures and uplands, where it is 

 never subject to the parched conditions that often obtain 

 in this country. Grit or broken limestone may be mixed 

 with the soil, and an annual top dressing of gritty soil 

 should be given, working this well in between the slender 

 stems. In addition to the above there are many other 

 Gentians well worth growing. 



In the autumn, when the rock garden is less attractive, 

 the Gentians are very much appreciated, and deserve 

 to be planted more extensively than they are. They 

 well repay a little extra care in the preparation of a deeply 

 worked, well-drained pocket of loamy soil. Plants from 

 seed vary to a great extent, some are dwarf, while the 

 colour of the flowers ranges from very dark to pale blue. 

 Seeds are produced freely, and should be sown as soon 

 as ripe in a pan of sandy soil under glass. They are best 

 grown in partial shade and a rather moist soil. 



