PART II.] 



ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS 



203 



white on upper surface, and often of a 

 purplish cast beneath ; fleshy ; semi-trans- 

 parent whilst young. For many years I 

 believed this species to vary in the out- 

 line and colouring of the foliage less than 

 any other, but I have now received im- 

 ported tubers from Greece, with much 

 variety in both particulars, some of the 

 leaves quite plain and dark green, others 

 dashed all over with spots of white, others 

 with an irregular circle of white varying 

 much in outline. 



This, though hardy, is seldom met with 

 cultivated successfully in the open air. It is 

 impatient of wet standing about the tubers, 

 and likes a light soil, in a nook rather 

 shady and well sheltered from winds, its 

 tender fleshy leaves being soon injured. 

 The tubers should also be planted deep, 

 say not less than 2 inches to 2 inches be- 

 neath the surface. I have grown them 

 for many years in a border and on rocks 

 without any other protection than a few 

 larch-fir boughs lightly placed over them, 

 to break the force of the wind and afford 

 a slight shelter from the scorching sun. 

 Some authorities give C. repandum as a 

 distinct species, but I consider them 

 identical, the only difference being in 

 the shape and markings of the leaves, 

 which are very variable. It is generally 

 cultivated in England under the name 

 of repandum, but most of the best conti- 

 nental botanists adopt the name of 

 vernum for it, and it is, no doubt, the 

 original 0. vernum of L'Obel. 



CYPRIPEDIUM (Lady's Slipper) 

 Beautiful Orchids, the northern species 

 of which are prettier in colour than 

 the tropical ones, and of the highest 

 interest for the rock-garden. In-- it 

 the variety of surface and aspect offer 

 means of growing these charming hardy 

 Orchids better than borders. As most 

 of them come from the coldest countries, 

 it is not our climate that is against 

 them, but the soil, when not of the 

 leafy, moist, and nearly always open 

 soil of the moist woods in their native 

 countries. 



The best plants of C. acaule, C. 



Calceolus, and C. speddbile I have 

 ever had were grown in the flanks 

 of a piece of rootwork under a canopy 

 of Beech. In preparing a station for 

 them, the soil should be taken out to 

 a depth of 20 inches, and if the upper 

 spit consists of fairly good fibrous 

 loam, it may be laid aside for mix- 

 ing with the compost. Place a good 

 layer of rough stones or broken brick 

 in the bottom, and fill in with about 

 equal parts of rough fibrous peat, leaf- 

 mould, and loam, the leaf-mould to 

 be only partly decayed. A little 

 limestone grit, gravel, or similar 

 material may be added with advan- 

 tage, as some species delight in it, 

 while it will do no harm to any. The 

 roots should be planted from 4 inches 

 to 6 inches deep as soon as received, 

 and a soaking of water given to settle 

 the soil. They may then have a light 

 mulch of rough material, and usually 

 no more water will be required until 

 the leaves are pushing up. The time 

 for lifting and potting varies a little 

 in different species, but, as a rule, 

 the best time is just as the growth 

 has died off. One of the finest 

 species is : 



Cypripedium macranthum, a large 

 and handsome species, but it is rare. It 

 thrives in sound fibrous loam of good texture 

 broken into lumps, with some finely 

 broken charcoal and crocks suiting it 

 well, not disturbing the roots oftener 

 than is necessary. The downy flower- 

 spikes are about 1 foot high, and each 

 bears a single large flower of a rosy pink, 

 streaked with red and white. 



C. parviflorum is an old and useful 

 American species that thrives well in a 

 very moist, shady position, or it may be 

 grown in pots in a frame. The sepals 

 and petals are narrow, twisted, shining 

 brown, lined with deep purple ; the lip 

 large, drooping, lemon-yellow, spotted 

 with red. It is one of the best. 



C. japonicum (Japanese Lady's Slipper}. 

 A graceful plant about 1 foot high, its 



