THE ROCK-GARDEN 101 



Here and there along the irregular edges, Sea Pinks 

 (Armeria), Sedums, Saxifrages, Corydalis, and other plants, 

 growing out into the walk, will create an informal verge, 

 while in the chinks of rough rock-steps the Erinus alpinus 

 will blossom freely, and Arenaria balearica spangle the per- 

 pendicular stone faces at the side with countless tiny 

 white blossoms. Some plants, such as Ramondia pyrenaica, 

 prefer shade, while others delight in the fullest sunshine, and 

 for each class sites are readily provided in the well-arranged 

 rock-garden. In the lowest level a bog bed may be formed 

 where hardy Cypripediums, Trilliums, and other moisture- 

 loving plants will flourish. Running water, though by no 

 means a necessity, adds much to the charm of such a garden, 

 and where this is procurable a streamlet, falling from the 

 higher to the lower levels by a series of cascades, passing here 

 over rocky slabs and there beneath overhanging outcrops of 

 stone, and entering at length an informal rock basin where the 

 hardy Water-lilies flower, produces a pretty effect. The sur- 

 roundings of the ideal rock-garden should be picturesque, and 

 it therefore follows that the most perfect is one that is not 

 overlooked by houses or buildings. Such a site is, however, 

 out of the question in the majority of small gardens, in which 

 the rock plants will flower as profusely as when provided with 

 a less formal environment. No trees should overhang the 

 rock-garden, but the shelter of a belt of shrubs, planted at a 

 sufficient distance to preclude their roots robbing the soil, is a 

 decided advantage. The selection of plants for the embellish- 

 ment of the rock-garden is largely a matter of taste. The 

 amateur can provide a bright display by confining his atten- 

 tion to the hardier section, such as Arabis, Aubrietia, Phlox, 

 Omphalodes verna, Alpine Wallflowers, Alyssum, Arenaria, 

 Armeria, Cerastium, Corydalis, Helianthemum, Iberis, Sedum, 

 and the commoner Saxifrages ; or he may choose to try his 

 hand at some of the rarer gems that star the Alpine heights. 



