DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE BEST KINDS 209 



depend from the top of a rockery wall. They form a 

 charming feature when planted on the summit of a 

 rounded heap of soil, soon covering this and making a 

 perfect mound of greenery, and in due season blossom. 

 A light loamy soil meets their needs ; after the flowers are 

 over all straggling growths should be cut back well, other- 

 wise the tufts are apt to become bare in the centre, and 

 then the effect is somewhat spoilt. But timely pruning 

 keeps them close and tufted, full of fresh growth, and 

 they blossom all the better for this attention. There 

 are some splendid varieties, though not so many distinct 

 varieties as there are names. The common sort is 

 Aubrietia deltoidea, native of Italy, with lilac-coloured 

 blooms, but it is easily excelled by the new variety 

 Lavender, with large, lovely, soft lavender-blue flowers. 

 The finest of the dark purples are Lloyd Edwards and Dr. 

 Mules. The most brilliant of all is Fire King, with glowing 

 rose-crimson blossoms; Leichtlini, rose-pink, is very 

 charming ; so, too, are Bridesmaid, rosy lilac ; Moerheimi, 

 with larger rose-coloured blooms ; and Prit chard's Ai, 

 violet-purple. The simplest way to raise a stock is to 

 sow seeds in spring or to divide the plants when the 

 flowers are over. The old tufts are taken up and pulled 

 to pieces, care being taken that each piece detached from 

 the parent plant has roots. If put out in a shady border 

 they will soon make progress. Cuttings, too, may be 

 inserted in June and July. 



Calandrinia, Only one species is commonly grown 

 in rock gardens, Calandrinia umbellata. This is a showy 



