200 ALPINE FLOWERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



than the Arabis, it spreads even more, growing later in 

 spring and flowering on every bit of new growth. It 

 has the defect of its quahties, sometimes rambling so 

 far and growing so densely as to smother small things. 

 It never looks better than when streaming down the 

 face of a steep rockery, and if there is no small and 

 precious gem in its course it should be allowed to pour 

 along at will. Deltoidea is the most important species, 

 and with its purplish-blue flowers brightens many a 

 rockery. There are many varieties of it, and some of 

 them have been given preference. Campbellij violet ; 

 and Leitchlini, rose, are special favourites. Grandi- 

 ■fiora is much like the former. Dr. Mules, with rich 

 purple flowers, is one of the most brilliant. Fire King, 

 crimson, is perhaps the richest of all. They come 

 readily from seed when procurable, and if it is not, 

 plants may be bought and increased by division in 

 autumn. Auhrietias are the plants par excellence for 

 dry banks, poor soil and exposed places. Nothing 

 can qu.ench their vigour or kill their beauty. 



BELLIDIASTRUM MICHELII (Aster Belli- 

 diastrum). — ^This pretty plant, which is shown in one 

 of the coloured plates, is classed by modern botanists 

 with the Asters, and called Aster Bellidiastrum. In 

 cultivation it grows about a foot high, and bears white 

 flowers in summer. It is not a common plant. It is 

 not particular as to soil, and might be added to a fairly 

 large rockery if procurable. Propagation by division. 



BULBOCODIUM VERNUM.—A useful little 

 winter-flowering bulb, with purpHsh flowers, quite 

 cheap and easy to grow. It generally blooms in advance 



