THE ANDROSACES. 123 



Villosa is one of the most familiar of all the 

 Androsaces, being a great favourite with lovers of 

 Alpine flowers. It has grey leaves densely covered 

 with fine hairs (" villose '*), hence its name. The pink 

 flowers are borne in umbels. This species is a Hme 

 lover, and thrives in loam broken up with limestone 

 grit. Propagation is by seeds. It is a European 

 plant. 



Vitaliana is also a native of the European Alps, and 

 as it is yellow-flowered it has distinction of colour, 

 but that is by no means its only charm, inasmuch as 

 it is a very close, low grower, and a most exquisite 

 object when nestUng cosily in a crevice. It is not a 

 lime lover, and had better be grown in sandy loam. 

 If the soil is at all heavy, sandstone grit and chips, 

 mixed with leaf mould, should be used liberally, 

 especially in autumn, as it is impatient of surface 

 moisture. It may be raised from seed, or when well 

 estabhshed and strong may be divided. 



Wulfeniana is a pretty plant with deep rose flowers 

 borne in spring. It is a very close grower, and looks 

 charming on a sandstone ridge. The treatment 

 advised for Vitaliana will suit it. It does not appreciate 

 limestone, and is not much good in poor chalky soil. 



