DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE BEST KINDS 203 



They should be cut well back after the flowers are over, 

 otherwise they are apt to overrun and smother their 

 neighbours. Arabis alpina is similar to but less vigorous 

 than A. albida, and not so showy. There are two varieties 

 possessing beautifully variegated leafage, that of albida 

 foliis variegatis is silvery and green, and of lucida 

 variegata green and yellow. Arabis blepharophylla bears 

 rose-coloured blooms, but it is difficult to obtain true. 



Arenaria (Sandwort). Among the most valuable of 

 all rock-garden plants, member of the Pink family (Gary- 

 ophyllaceae) , and native chiefly of the mountains of 

 Europe. Arenarias vary considerably in manner of 

 growth, and in their requirements. Arenaria montana, 

 found wild in Spain, is the finest of them all ; it is a 

 creeping plant, forming a big loose tuft, and bearing in 

 May a profusion of fairly large white blooms. It is 

 happiest in a sunny position among the rocks in well- 

 drained sandy loam. When so placed that it grows over 

 the face of the rocks it is, when in bloom, a lovely sight. 

 Arenaria purpurascens, from the Pyrenees, with purplish- 

 rose flowers, is altogether of more compact growth. 

 It forms a neat tuft of low close-growing leafage, and 

 in May becomes smothered in small rose-purple blooms. 

 It needs similar conditions to A. montana. Arenaria 

 balearica, native of the Balearic Isles, is one of the most 

 bewitching alpines. It forms a close carpet of exquisite 

 green over steep rock faces, and in spring the green is 

 jewelled with myriads of tiny white flowers. It loves the 

 shady side of a rock, and if a plant is put out in the soil 



