204 ALPINE FLOWERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



many flower-lovers) of thriving in hot, dry, places. 

 They revel in the most sun-baked spots, and a soil 

 devoid of humus and moisture has no terrors for them. 

 They will thrive on sandy banks, and vie with Wall- 

 flowers on walls. These considerations are important, 

 and it is satisfactory to feel that the plants are far 

 removed from weeds, having large and brilliant 

 flowers. It is true that the blossoms fade quickly, but 

 successive crops of them maintain the display. Some 

 of the Cistuses are too large for small rockeries, but 

 several good species are sufficiently small to be available. 



Most of the Cistuses are best propagated by means 

 of seeds, which may be sown out of doors in a frame in 

 spring. Some are propagated by cuttings inserted in 

 a frame in early autumn, or by layers after flowering. 



The principal defect of the Rock Roses is a want of 

 perfect hardiness, which may not be apparent in a 

 mild winter or in a sheltered garden, but may show 

 itself all too plainly in severe winters and in exposed 

 places. They should be given a warm, sheltered 

 position. 



Dealing with the principal species and varieties in 

 alphabetical order, albidus may be first mentioned, 

 but it is quite large enough for most rockeries, and 

 too large for some, growing two feet and more high. 

 The flowers are rose-coloured, and the foliage downy. 

 Incanus is a purple variety of it. They have large 

 flowers, which they produce in early summer. Clusii 

 is handsome with its large white flowers, but somewhat 

 too vigorous. Crispus, with dark rose flowers, is very 

 good and not so large as the preceding. It is one of 



