igS ROCK GARDENING FOR AMATEURS 



the plants are liable to damp off in heavy ground. Even 

 in light land, they often have a woebegone appearance 

 after a very wet winter, but recover in a remarkable 

 manner in spring. An increase is effected by means of 

 seeds sown in autumn or in spring, or by cuttings taken 

 after the flowers are over. The cuttings form roots quickly 

 in sandy soil in a cold frame. The most popular is 

 Alyssum saxatile, with grey leaves and a profusion of 

 golden-yellow blossom in spring. It grows quickly in 

 light ground, soon forming a mass several feet in diameter. 

 When in full bloom it is exceptionally brilliant. There 

 are several varieties of Alyssum saxatile, the most charm- 

 ing of which is sulphureum with sulphur-yellow blooms. 

 Another variety called compactum is of exceptionally 

 dwarf and compact growth. Alyssum argenteum forms 

 a little stiff-branched shrub covered with small grey 

 leaves, and in June bears an abundance of small yellow 

 flowers. A. montanum forms a compact, small tuft not 

 more than three or four inches high, having yellow blossoms 

 in May ; Alyssum spinosum develops into a prickly 

 little plant, and bears white blooms in May. A. serpylli- 

 folium is neater than A. montanum, and has small yellow 

 flowers. 



Antennaria (Mountain Everlasting). A grey-leaved 

 creeping plant, belonging to the Daisy family (Compositae) ; 

 it is found growing wild in mountain pastures in this 

 and other European countries. It is admirable for 

 carpeting the ground where bulbs are planted, and its 

 bright grey leafage is attractive all the year round. The 



