DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE BEST KINDS 247 



and has rounded spikes of bright crimson in summer. 

 It needs peaty soil, and is rather difficult to establish. 

 All are propagated by division, while the two first-named 

 produce roots on the creeping stems. 



Pratia angulata. A pretty little creeping plant, native 

 of New Zealand, and belonging to the Bellflower family 

 (Campanula ceae). The flowers, small, white, spreading 

 and pointed at the top, open in July ; they are suc- 

 ceeded by small red fruits. It needs a cool, moist soil 

 among rocks, such as is afforded by mixing in a little 

 peat or leaf-soil, though the plant itself does not mind 

 the sunshine. Propagation is by seeds or by layering 

 the creeping stems. 



Ramondia. The Ramondias are charming little ever- 

 green plants for the rock garden, members of the Gloxinia 

 family (Gesneraceae). They form a tuft of rough leaves 

 from which in May spring flower-stems some three or 

 four inches long, bearing dainty flowers. The way to 

 grow them is to plant the rosette flat against the face 

 of rock crevices or a stony bank facing north or east, 

 the roots being laid horizontally. A soil consisting of 

 loam, leaf-soil, and sand is suitable. Ramondia pyrenaica, 

 native of the Pyrenees, has exquisite purple-blue flowers 

 with orange centre in May. R. serbica, native of Servia, 

 has shorter flower-stems, smaller, pale violet blooms, 

 though more of them. Increased by seeds, though this 

 method is slow, or by division of old tufts. 



Ranunculus (Crowfoot). The Ranunculus or 

 Crowfoot family (Ranunculaceae) includes some charming 



