DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE BEST KINDS 255 



seeds sown in spring or summer or by division in early 

 September, the latter method only for S. acaulis. 



Sisyrinchium (Satin Flower). The Satin Flowers are 

 Iris-like plants (natural order Irideae), native of North 

 America. Only one kind, S. grandiflorum, is commonly 

 grown, but it is of especial value. The narrow Iris-like 

 leaves are evergreen, and the purple flowers open in 

 spring. Well-drained sandy loarn forms a suitable soil. 

 An increased stock is obtained by dividing the plants 

 when they have died down. 



Soldanella. The Soldanellas, members of the Primula 

 family (Primulaceae) , are very dainty and beautiful little 

 alpines, found on high elevations in the European Alps, 

 where in spring the flowers are often found peeping 

 through the snow. The rounded evergreen leaves lie 

 close to the ground, and in April the fringed flowers 

 rise on stems some three or four inches high. Soldanella 

 alpina, violet-blue, is the most popular of all ; others 

 are S. montana, purple, and S. minima, lilac with stripes 

 of deeper shade within. A peaty soil seems essential 

 to success with Soldanella, since it is so necessary to 

 ensure against drought ; a position sheltered from the 

 midday sun, too, is needed. The Soldanellas are shy 

 blooming, and often may be induced to flower more 

 freely if covered with glass for the winter. 



Trillium (Wood Lily). The Wood Lilies or Trinity 

 Flowers (natural order Liliaceae) are very lovely rock- 

 garden plants, found wild in America, in India, and 

 Japan. Most popular of all is Trillium grandiflorum, 



