2o8 ALPINE FLOWERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



summer sun. Although a pronounced shade-lover, 

 however, it does not care for heavy, damp soil, such 

 as is beloved of the bog and marshy plants. Those 

 who find it in nature will often notice that the soil is 

 dry and heathy. It never does better in cultivation 

 than when planted in sandy, well-drained, friable 

 loam. Given this, and shade, it will thrive in most 

 places. When established it grows into thick matted 

 colonies, and its flowers, though abundant and sweet, 

 are not of the quality which satisfies the trained eye 

 of the flower-lover. The bloom can be improved 

 greatly by thinning the clumps every year or two, 

 and spreading a dressing of sandy loamy soil and leaf 

 mould among those that are left. 



As most flower-lovers know, it is necessary to procure 

 special crowns of Lily of the Valley if forcing under 

 glass is required, but this is not desirable for the 

 garden. It is better to begin with what the bulb-dealer 

 calls " clumps," and these may be bought and planted 

 in autumn. They may not give many flowers the first 

 year, but they will give plenty in future seasons. 



There are many varieties of Lily of the Valley, some 

 much finer in bloom than the type, and not less sweet. 

 Fortin is one, and Victoria another. The flower stems 

 of the former are a foot long under favourable 

 conditions. 



CONVOLVULUS (Bindweed).— While one must 

 be careful in admitting the Bindweeds to the garden, 

 since the more common kinds are apt to become 

 extremely troublesome, there is no denying the great 

 beauty of some of the species, and their complete 



