ALPINE FLOWERS 



255 



I would not make a fetich of having rock plants that are less 

 than a foot high. I would have the maidenhair for its open, airy 

 grace, the gossamer fern for its hay-scented foliage and the 

 Christmas fern because it is attractive as late as Christmas. 



FLOWERS FOR SHADY ROCKS 



I said that we must make a special study of wild flowers that 

 not merely endure shade but actually need shade and which never- 

 theless have the alpine charm. Our woods furnish many such, 

 but they are mostly April and May bloomers. I will mention 

 only a few of them, but every one is of exceptional interest in leaf 

 or habit, particularly the Solomon's seal, of which the English 

 are very fond. 



Common Names 

 Hepatica 



Dutchman's breeches 

 Dwarf early flag 

 Solomon's seal 

 Alum root 

 Violet wood sorrel 

 Wild blue phlox 

 False lily-of-the-valley 

 Wild spikenard 

 Wood sorrel 



Scientific Names 

 Hepatica triloba 

 Dicentra Cucullaria 

 Iris verna 



Polygonatum biflorum 

 Heuchera Americana 

 Oxalis violacea 

 Phlox divaricata 

 Maiantkemum Canadense 

 Smilacina racemosa 

 Oxalis Acetosella 



WHY NOT HAVE A ROCKERY f 



Rock gardening will probably always be costlier here than in 

 England. True, Englishmen may have to pay as much for rocks 

 as we, but skilled labour costs more here and we must take artificial 

 means to cool the atmosphere. A first-class rockery is a com- 

 plicated structure because it must provide every kind of exposure, 

 many kinds of soil, a perfect water supply, and perfect drainage. 

 But a good one is worth all it costs. 



