CHAPTER VII. 



Gentians. 



Great interest attaches to these beautiful Alpines, for 

 they give us blues of a richness and intensity equalled 

 by few plants of any class. Further, they stimulate 

 the flower-lover bv little eccentricities of behaviour, 

 in some cases requiring a certain amount of study 

 before they will give of their best. 



In their native homes on the European, American 

 and Himalayan mountains, the Gentians form brilliant 

 pictures of floral beauty, growing in broad masses, 

 covered with vivid blue flowers. Those who have the 

 opportunity of seeing them there are full of admiration 

 for their richness of colour, and covet the dwarfer kinds 

 for their rock gardens. The Gentians differ greatly in 

 habit. One of the best known is the Gentianella, 

 acauliSy a dwarf plant, bearing large, rich blue, stemless 

 flowers in spring. It is easily raised from seed sown 

 under glass in spring. It is admirably suited for the 

 rockery, and is often pressed into service as an edging 

 plant. It hkes a light weU-drained soil, pressed quite 

 firm. It will grow in heavy, damp ground, but I find 

 it very hable to cast its flower-buds in such soil. There 

 is a white variety called alba, besides other forms. 

 A caulis is a native of the European Alps, and is shown 



I4Q 



