28* THE ALPINE FLORA 



Cistineae: 



This order is composed of small sub-shrubs, of which 

 the leaves are usually opposite and undivided, the flowers, 

 not unlike small wild roses, regular with five sepals (the 

 two exterior being smaller) and five transient petals, which 

 usually fall before evening. The stamens vary in number. 

 For garden purposes it is represent by the genus Tielianthe- 

 mum, with similar characteristics. 



Helianthemum 



Eng.: Rockrose; Fr. : Hclianthemc ; Ger. : Sonncnroschen. 



We have no more ornamental or useful plants for rock- 

 eries or dry, sunny banks. They may be employed as 

 edgings or carpets, for the decoration of walls, rocks or 

 shrubbery borders, and ask for no attention beyond a 

 lightish soil and open situation, while their hardiness is 

 beyond all question, neither heat nor drought preventing 

 them from flowering throughout the length of summer 

 up to the autumn frosts. All varieties should be cut back 

 after the first period of bloom to ensure new breaks, com- 

 pact growth and a second bloom. They are raised with 

 the greatest ease from seed. The common sunrose breaks 

 into glorious varieties of colour rose, red, carmine, 

 vermilion, crimson, white, yellow, both single or double. 

 From it originate most of the listed kinds, which are in 

 themselves sufficient to furnish a garden with representa- 

 tives of the genus. 



Ji. vulgare* (PI. XV). Small, shrubby; erect branches, 

 drooping at top; leaves oblong-ovate, green on the upper 



