PREFACE xi 



The blue of the Gentian is certainly the most 

 superb and velvety, especially that of Gentiana 

 bavarica. A group of Gentiana verna, brachy- 

 phylla, and bavaiica which I exhibited at the 

 Temple Show in London in May 1910, and which 

 was a very modest one, it having suffered during 

 the long voyage from Floraire to London, was 

 greatly admired, and did not cease to attract the 

 regard of all flower-lovers. Blue is so scarce, 

 every one said, that it is good to feast one's eyes 

 upon it when one meets with it ! 



The practical side of this volume resides in the 

 information it offers to lovers of Alpine flowers 

 in England. One readily beheves that, in order 

 to cultivate these mountain plants, big surround- 

 ings are necessary : a great collection of rocks, 

 as in the giant Alpine garden of Friar Park. We 

 have proved in our garden of Floraire — where 

 the public is willingly admitted, and which flower- 

 lovers are invited to visit — that mountain plants 

 can be cultivated without rockwork, and that it 

 is even important, if one wishes to give an artistic 

 and natural aspect to the garden, not to be too 

 prodigal of rock and stone. Much verdure is 



