222 ROCK GARDENING FOR AMATEURS 



well known by repute but seldom seen in good condition 

 in our gardens, is one of the most difficult of plants to 

 cultivate. In its home on the high Alps it is found in 

 rocky crevices where, during the winter, it is covered 

 with a thick mantle of snow. Here it is difficult to 

 imitate those conditions, but a certain amount of success 

 may be ensured by planting it in the moraine, in granite 

 chippings, with which is mixed a small quantity of fibrous 

 loam and sand. A spot should be selected where it will 

 be fully exposed, but during its growing period moisture 

 must be supplied from below, and none should be allowed 

 to touch the foliage. In its home it does not appear to 

 be a long-lived plant, for rarely are large specimens found ; 

 in this respect it is evidently like many of the Forget-me- 

 nots to which it is closely allied. Plants procured in 

 the spring may usually be kept through the summer, 

 but the great enemy of this charming gem, as well as of 

 other alpine plants with silky foliage, is damp in winter, 

 which causes it to rot off. It may be kept during the 

 winter by covering the whole plant with dry sand, and 

 then placing a piece of glass over it to keep ofi the rain, 

 while still allowing free access of air. It makes a small 

 tuft of silky-leaved rosettes, covered in spring with beautiful 

 bright blue flowers on short stalks. 



Erodium (Heron's Bill). Delightful little rock plants, 

 allied to the Geranium (natural order Geraniaceae), and 

 excellent for warm, sunny positions on the rockery. 

 They thrive in light soil. The plants grow only a few 

 inches high, have pretty foliage, generally finely divided 



