3 i8 



MY GARDEN. 



The Creeping Willow (Salix herbacea) should have a nook, but it 

 has never done well with me, from some cause which I never could 

 discover. 



The Alpine Rose, or Rhododendron {R. ferrugineum, fig. 690), is a 

 plant of much interest to all who have visited alpine scenery. It does 

 not appear to grow well with me. Wherever it is planted peat soil 

 should be used. 



Out of respect for the immortal naturalist Linnaeus, no less than from 

 the intrinsic beauty of the plant, every alpine plant cultivator should 

 remember the Linncea borealis (fig. 691). It does not grow readily, but 



FIG. ^90. Alpine Rose. 



FIG. 691. Linnsea borealis. 



FIG. 692. Omphalodes verna. 



if planted in damp soil, in a shady place, it will thrive, and produce its 

 exquisite little flowers. The great naturalist was so fond of this little 

 plant that he adopted it for his coat of arms. I found it growing in 

 great luxuriance in some woods in the valley of the Don, and brought 

 home a fine specimen, which I trust will flourish in my alpinery. 

 Amongst showy flowering plants, the exquisite blue Omphalodes verna 

 (fig. 692) is striking, as it puts forth its flowers in spring, and, though 

 not uncommon, a garden may advantageously have several plants. 



Somewhat resembling this latter plant, we have the Forget-me-nots, 

 which last from earliest spring till late in autumn. The Wood Forget- 

 me-not (Myosotis sylvaticd] is apt to seed too freely in the alpinery, and 

 therefore may be confined to the other parts of the garden, and the 

 M. dissitiflora (fig. 693) used in its stead : this really has a much finer 

 flower, but is apt to be neglected, as it opens with a reddish tint, and 

 does not show its full beauty till the flower is completely expanded. 



