CHAPTER XXVIII 

 Sedum (Stonecrop) 



THE Stonecrops are very numerous. There are over 

 a hundred species, many of which are essentially rock 

 plants. They belong to the natural order Crassulaceae. 

 They are amongst the easiest of plants to grow, and 

 succeed in establishing themselves on any position, 

 such as old walls, or rocky ledges and dry banks. Many 

 are valuable for their evergreen character, and help 

 to furnish the rock garden during the winter months. 

 It would be superfluous to give any directions for cul- 

 tivation, as the merest bit of most of the kinds will 

 grow in ordinary soil. The following are a few of the 

 best : 



S. acre (Wall Pepper). A native plant of creeping 

 habit, quite covered in spring with a sheet of yellow. 

 The var. aureum has golden-tipped foliage. 



S. album (Worm Grass). A quick-growing native 

 carpet er, with short, fleshy leaves, and panicles of white 

 flowers in June. It is very handsome when in flower, 

 and is quite evergreen. S. Alberti is a closely allied 

 plant, while the var. brevifolium has shorter leaves than 

 the type. 



S. Anacampseros. The Evergreen Orpine is a hand- 



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