CHAPTER VIII 



THE ROCKERY 



BY many people it is erroneously supposed that the chief 

 purpose served by a rockery is that of filling up any odd 

 corner, no matter what its position so long as it be dark 

 and damp such a spot indeed as will not grow the ordinary 

 garden flowers that thrive only in the sunshine. 



Before choosing the situation for a rockery, it is well to realise 

 clearly what its object is. It is intended to be the home of the 

 flowers that clothe the Alpine slopes, and to display them to the 

 best advantage in a position, artificially provided, which shall 

 approximate as nearly as possible to their natural surroundings. 

 In any collection of Alpine plants that may be secured there will 

 inevitably be both sun and shade loving subjects, and in selecting 

 a position for the rock garden it will be necessary to study the 

 requirements of both classes of plants. 



Avoid above all things, therefore, the dark, damp corner. 

 Choose, rather, a position in which there can be a free circulation 

 of air, and in which both sunshine and shade can be provided. 

 If possible let the aspect be one running from north-east to south- 

 west. 



Another common error, examples of which may be seen fre- 

 quently, arises from want of care in constructing a rockery. One 

 sees sometimes a " rock garden " which is nothing better than a 

 heap of clinkers, bricks, and rough stones shot haphazard upon 

 an ill-formed mound of earth. No plant worth cultivating can 

 be expected to thrive under such conditions ; even if it lived for 

 a few months it would inevitably die when the full heat of summer 

 arrived, for the sufficient reason that for want of room in which 

 to expand, the roots would wither. 



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