CHAPTER IV. 



The Campanulas or Bellflowers. 



These form one of the most important genera of 

 hardy plants, some members of which are practically 

 indispensable to the rock gardener, giving, as they do, 

 compact habit and abundance of beautiful flowers, 

 mostly blue. Few genera vary more in habit, some 

 of the species growing several feet high. These, 

 handsome as they are, may be set aside from the rockery 

 point of view. So, too, may the popular Canterbury 

 Bell, which may be very well reserved for the border. 

 There remain, however, a large number of purely 

 Alpine species, some of which can hardly be excluded. 

 Such species as Allioni, carpatica, garganica, muralis, 

 pulla, Raineriy and rotundifolia are real gems. In 

 several cases charming varieties are now available, 

 some of the best of which shall be mentioned. 



The Campanulas are not troublesome plants, and 

 the beginner will find them among the best that he 

 can take in hand. They are not, as a whole, fastidious 

 as to soil, and will thrive on the limestone, on which 

 their colours are brilliant and rich to a degree. The 

 majority seed freely, and are procurable from seed 

 dealers. They may be raised by sowing in cold 

 frames in late spring, and planting out in showery 



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