124 GARDENSPAST AND PRESENT 



higher parts, and spreading drifts of aubrietias, 

 mossy phloxes, or other creeping plants towards 

 the edge, with here and there, to make a few sug- 

 gestions, groups of taller growth some of the 

 hybrid columbines or anemones, perhaps, or the 

 fine sorts of pentstemon or scarlet lobelia would 

 be a source of continual pleasure, and might be 

 varied indefinitely. A crowning of some of the 

 higher points with one or other of the yuccas 

 the dwarf er Y. flaccida seems to flower every sea- 

 son without fail would in some positions of the 

 kind be very effective. In a dry soil some of the 

 hardy opuntias would thrive and be very dis- 

 tinctive. 



Another simple form of rockery is the hillock 

 or mound, which may be large or small according 

 to the space at disposal. The height above the 

 ground line may, in this case, rise to about four 

 feet, while the sloping sides would allow of varied 

 aspects, sunny and shady, to suit plants of different 

 character. Experts insist, for this type of rock- 

 work, on the importance of forming in the first 

 instance a strong and stable skeleton of stonework, 

 the blocks or slabs resting firmly each upon each, 

 but with as many angles and spaces and pockets 

 as possible. This done, the prepared loam, peat, 

 and leaf mould, well amalgamated and intermixed 

 with chips and nodules of stone, which constitutes 

 a likely compost for most Alpines, must be filled 

 in with the utmost care. Loose packing, with the 

 ultimate result of settlement of soil and dangerous 

 hollows, is fatal to the well-doing of delicate plants. 

 Externally the stones should jut out irregularly, 



