254 ROCK GARDENING FOR AMATEURS 



A position not fully exposed to the sunshine and a 

 soil composed chiefly of sandy peat are likely to ensure 

 success, though, providing there is a fair depth of moist 

 soil, a sunny spot may be chosen. Propagation is most 

 easily effected by removing rooted offsets in late 

 summer; these form on plants that have become well 

 established. 



Silene (Catchfly). Of the perennial Catchflies, which 

 belong to the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae), there are 

 several of value for the rock garden. Some are easy, 

 and some are difficult. Most tantalising of all is the 

 Cushion Pink of the Alps (Silene acaulis) ; this forms 

 tufts of minute evergreen leaves, and in May and June 

 bears, or should bear, exquisite little pink blossoms. 

 But the great trouble is to get it to flower freely ; in fact, 

 in gardens it never seems to give anything like the pro- 

 fusion of blossom that distinguishes it on its native heights. 

 It is most successful in a moraine or in extremely well- 

 drained, very gritty soil, and should be covered with 

 glass from October until the end of February. There is 

 a white variety, Silene acaulis alba. Silene alpestris, on 

 the contrary, is delightfully easy in sandy, well-drained 

 loam among the rocks ; it is of altogether different 

 habit, and from a leafy tuft sends up, in May and June 

 stems six or eight inches high, bearing lovely little white 

 flowers. Silene Schafta is a pretty little plant, native 

 of Southern Russia, bearing purple rose blooms in July 

 and August ; it is quite easy in well-drained soil. Silene 

 Schafta and S. alpestris are readily propagated from 



