35o THE ALPINE FLORA 



It is a common mistake to regard the Edelweiss as 

 peculiar to Switzerland and the Alps. It is found on the 

 Himalaya, in Siberia, Japan and China. It can only be 

 this mistaken idea and the general sentiment that has so 

 undeservedly attached itself to a plant, no doubt beautiful 

 enough in itself but with no claims to be the typical alpine 

 of alpines, which has given rise to a superstition that the 

 cultivation is difficult. As a matter of fact it can be 

 raised with the greatest ease from seed, and nothing but 

 winter wet can kill it. Like all other woolly plants it 

 must be kept perfectly dry during the cold damp season 

 and should be planted sideways on a slope packed among 

 protecting stones in very gritty, calcareous soil. Annual 

 division is advisable. As the removal of mountain 

 specimens is unwise and difficult of success, it is well to 

 raise seedlings or procure established roots. To preserve 

 the characteristic white tint of the involucre, nothing, so 

 far as my experience goes, is equal to an admixture of 

 mortar rubbish in the soil where it grows. Occasionally 

 Edelweiss may be seen to attain extraordinary dimensions 

 under cultivation ; the effect, however, is neither true 

 nor beautiful; far preferable is it to preserve the natural 

 character and freshness. Therefore give it poor soil. At 

 Floraire we have very delightful examples growing in the 

 chinks of a chalk wall, facing full south, or even in pots, 

 where it is grown for exportation. Perfect whiteness is 

 always secured and by this treatment remains unchanged 

 in a chalky soil. 



Artemisia 



Eng. : Wormwood; "Fr. : Armoise, Artemise; Ger.: Beifuss. 



The Wormwoods are to be recognised by the small 

 globular heads, in racemes or panicles, of tubular flowers, 

 the outer three-toothed, the inner five-toothed. They 

 are somewhat shrubby plants with finely cut, whitish 



