n8 THE NEW GARDENING 



with variety as well as species with species, and bringing 

 into existence thousands of seedlings, in the hope that 

 among them may be found distinct and beautiful kinds, 

 worthy of being preserved, increased and distributed 

 among specialists. And if this process may be expected 

 in nearly every popular hardy plant most of all may it be 

 expected in Saxifrages, which are beyond question the 

 most important of all the Alpine genera. The large 

 number of beautiful species, the charm of the foliage not 

 less than of the flowers, the great diversity in structure 

 and habit of the various kinds, the exquisite grace of the 

 lovely blossoms, combine to place them at the head of 

 the rock plants. There are flowers more brilliant, but 

 none more refined. Whoever possesses a collection of 

 Saxifrages has a mine of interest and pleasure. They 

 begin blooming directly winter has relaxed its grip, and 

 there are species in beauty until midsummer. The Saxi- 

 frages comprise upwards of two hundred species, with a 

 very wide geographical distribution. Some are natives 

 of the higher Alps, others of Britain. Species are found 

 in eastern Europe, in the Pyrenees, in North Africa, in 

 Japan, in India, in North and South America, in the 

 Tyrol, in the Himalayas and in the Arctic circle. The 

 majority are low growers, but there is a section with 

 quite a cabbage-like vigour and habit. Even among the 

 smaller Saxifrages there is great diversity of structure. 

 There is a large class of moss-like growth, and an equally 

 large one which produces leaves in flattish rosettes ; the 

 London pride section differs from both, having a taller, 

 looser habit and bloom in long, loose sprays. The most 

 remarkable of the modern hybrids belong to the mossy 

 section, and one of the parents is decipiens, a species 

 that is a native of Wales and blooms in spring. Of the 

 beautiful forms owing parentage to this species may be 



