ALPINE PLANTS IN BRITISH GARDENS. 29 



The one serious obstacle to the extension of rock 

 gardening in Great Britain is the widespread beUef 

 that it is impracticable in small gardens. This is a 

 complete delusion. There is no reason whatever 

 why the culture of Alpines should be the prerogative 

 of wealthy people. Perhaps one reason why it 

 prevails is that rock gardening is either entirely 

 neglected by most of the great public gardens and 

 parks, or else conducted in such a way as to give the 

 impression that a heavy expenditure on stones is neces- 

 sary. When we see — as we may see — vast masses of 

 rock looming over very small clusters of plants, we 

 have no difficulty in understanding why it is that false 

 ideas prevail. 



The truth is that public gardening in England 

 panders far too much to the crude tastes of the non- 

 gardening classes. It caters for the curious crowds 

 who throng the parks on Sundays, when there are no 

 cricket or football matches to provide it with more 

 thrilHng and congenial fare. It does not lead public 

 opinion. It does not keep pace with the most artistic 

 school of gardeners. Happily the principal botanical 

 gardens show a more progressive spirit, and most of 

 them make a special feature of rock gardening. 



Kew, which does most things well, gives us a very 

 good example of rock gardening. It is hampered by a 

 low and somewhat gloomy site, practically on a level 

 with, and only a few yards from, the Thames. One 

 descends into the garden as into some ferny dell, and 

 in damp weather the place is apt to be uninviting. 

 But at least an attempt is made, and not without 



