PART II.] 



ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS 



265 



independent of the rock-garden, and 

 its advantages, and grow freely in 

 the coldest soils, one of the most 

 beautiful things we can do is to keep 

 the dwarfest and choicest of them 

 for growing through mossy dwarf 

 plants on the rock-garden, and also 

 in the grassy places near and among 

 the groups of rock shrubs. I have 

 never seen anything more beautiful 

 in nature or in gardens than grassy 

 banks planted with the smaller and 

 rarer Narcissi in the gardens at "Warley 

 Place. The effect is all the more 

 precious, coming so early in the spring. 

 Among the smaller Narcissi, the little 

 N. minimus, with its flowers bent into 

 the Moss or short turf, is charming 

 for the rock-garden, as are all the 

 smaller wild kinds, and any choice, 

 new variety may also find a home 

 there. For names and descriptions of 

 the kinds, see the "English Flower 

 Garden." 



NARTHECIUM OSSIFRAGUM 



(Bog Asphodel}. A small native plant, 

 in growth somewhat like an Iris, with 

 a spike of small yellow flowers. It is 

 an interesting plant for the marsh- 

 garden, and is of easy culture. 



NERTERA DEPRESSA (Fi-uiting 



Duckweed). The flowers of this 

 diminutive plant are inconspicuous, 

 but when in fruit it is best compared 

 to a small Duckweed growing on firm 

 earth, and bearing numbers of little 

 oranges ! They not only occur on the 

 surface of the tufts, but by pushing 

 the fingers between the small dense 

 leaves, the bright berries are found in 

 profusion hidden among them. It is 

 (juite distinct, deserves a place for the 

 pretty fruit, and should be associated 

 with the dwarfest plants in firm and 

 moist soil. New Zealand and the 

 Andes of S. America. Division. 



NIEREMBERGIA RIVULARIS 



(Water N.).Of quite a different 

 type to the other members of its family 

 seen in our gardens, the stems and 

 foliage of this trail along the ground, 

 while from amongst them spring erect 

 open, cup-like flowers of a creamy- 

 white tint, just above the foliage. 

 Sometimes the blossoms are faintly 

 tinged with rose, are usually nearly 2 

 inches across, with yellow centres, and 

 continue blooming during the summer 

 and autumn months. It is said to 

 abound by the side of the Plate River, 

 but only within high-tide mark, its 

 flowers rising so high among the very 

 dwarf grass that the plant is discerned 

 from a great distance. Rooting much 

 at the base, it is easily increased by 

 division. 



NYMPH^EA (Water Lily).- 

 Wherever water is associated with the 

 rock-garden (I have shown before it 

 is not often a natural condition), the 

 lovely new Water Lilies may lend 

 great interest, and not a few give fine 

 colour. As they are described in so 

 many books and catalogues, there is 

 no need to enumerate them here. As 

 to culture, however, a word may be 

 said. They are usually starved in 

 pots and baskets. The right way is 

 to put them in the soil of ponds or 

 streams, or, failing this, in the case of 

 artificially made pools, use plenty of 

 loamy soil in the bottom (not less 

 than a foot), and protect from the 

 attentions of water-rats and water-hens, 

 if these are about. Otherwise, few 

 flowers will be seen. 



(ENOTHERA (Evening Primrose). 

 Perennial and biennial plants of showy 

 beauty, some more fitted for borders 

 than for rock-gardens, but the smaller 

 and prostrate kinds of high value. 

 From June onwards, they are at their 



