218 ROCK GARDENING FOR AMATEURS 



native of the Himalayas and China, and belong to the 

 Bellflower family (Campanulaceae). C. lobatus is chiefly 

 valuable for the rock garden. It is quite a dwarf plant, 

 only some three inches high, and bears purplish-blue 

 flowers in late summer. It needs shade and a soil with 

 which peat and sand are freely mixed. Seeds sown in 

 spring form the best means of increase. 



Daphne. The Daphnes are attractive shrubs with 

 fragrant flowers, and several are of value for the rock 

 garden. They are native chiefly of hilly and woodland 

 countries in Europe, and belong to the natural order 

 Thymelaceae, which is closely allied to the Laurel family. 

 The well-known Mezereon (Daphne Mezereum) is a stiff- 

 growing, leaf-losing shrub, bearing fragrant purplish-red 

 blooms in March, followed by red fruits ; the white 

 variety has yellow fruits. Both thrive in ordinary loamy 

 soil. D. Cneorum, the Garland Flower, is the loveliest 

 of all ; it is a trailing evergreen shrub, bearing, in April, 

 bunches of pink and very sweet blossom at the ends of 

 the shoots. It needs peaty soil, and the little branches 

 must be kept down close to the soil by stones or pegs. 

 D. blagayana, a low shrub, needing similar treatment, 

 bears creamy-white flowers in April. The two latter 

 are increased by layering the trailing stems, D. Mezereum 

 by seeds sown as soon as ripe. 



Draba (Whitlow Grass). The Drabas (natural order 

 Cruciferae) are charming little alpine plants, mostly with 

 yellow flowers, but there are some with white, and another, 

 D. pyrenaica, with rose-lilac blooms. All are of dwarf 



