GENTIANS. 151 



with Primula longi flora. It is not often seen in cultiva- 

 tion, and is probably a form of acaulis, 



Cruciata is a popular species, bearing blue flowers on 

 stems about a foot high in June. The specific name is 

 in allusion to the cross-setting of the leaves. It is a 

 European plant, and Hkes loam with limestone chips. 



DecumbenSj growing about nine inches high, and 

 bearing blue flowers in terminal spikes in June and 

 onwards, is an exquisite plant. It is a Siberian 

 species. 



Freyniana is a July bloomer with immense deep 

 blue flowers on stems about six inches high. It is one 

 of the finest of the Gentians. It likes peat and 

 loam. 



Kurroo is a Himalayan species, growing about six 

 inches high, and bearing blue and white flowers in 

 August. It likes peaty soil, and plenty of water in 

 summer. 



Lutea, which yields the Gentian of commerce^ is 

 hardly suitable for the small rockery, as it grows 

 three to four feet high. It is a fine plant, but not an 

 abundant bloomer. It may w^ell give place to some of 

 the choicer blues. See coloured plate with G. punctata. 



Pneumonanthe is the pretty Marsh or Heath Gentian, 

 and gives blue flowers in spring. It is a British plant, 

 and a very beautiful one, well worth cultivation in the 

 rock garden. In nature it favours boggy places, and 

 should be planted in moist peaty soil. There is a white 

 variety of it called alba. 



Punctata, a native of the European Alps, has purple 

 flowers, thickly spotted with yellow, on stems two to 



