248 ALPINE FLOWERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



tinder glass in spring. The newer species, albo-roseum, 

 is also charming. The foliage consists of silvery 

 rosettes, and the rose and white flowers are borne on 

 stems about six inches high in summer. 



ORCHIS (British Orchids). — ^The searcher for 

 wild flowers in the chalky uplands in spring often 

 comes upon dwarf stiff plants with spotted leaves 

 and orchid-like flowers. In cultivation these hardy 

 orchids are mostly suitable for the bog garden, loving 

 moist soil. One of the best species, however, is not 

 British ; this is foliosa, which has purple spotted 

 flowers in late spring or summer. The stems rise eighteen 

 inches or even two feet high in moist peaty soil. 

 Latifolia is the British Marsh Orchid, of which the 

 Glasnevin variety is good, it has purple spotted flowers. 

 There is also a white variety, alha. These also hke 

 damp peaty soil. Mascula, with purple flowers in 

 spring, will grow on chalky ground ; and maculata is 

 also often found on poor soil in shady spots, such as 

 the undergrowth of the woodland, but is far better in 

 peat and loam in the bog garden. The latter has 

 purple flowers. The variety superb a ^ with mauve 

 flowers, is excellent. Other interesting kinds are : 

 hircina, the Lizard Orchis ; Militaris, the Soldier Orchis ; 

 Morio, the green-winged Meadow Orchis ; and papil- 

 ionaceUj the Butterfly Orchis. The Bee Orchis is 

 Ophrys apifera ; the Spider Orchis 0. aranifera ; and 

 the Fly Orchis 0. muscifera. These are all British. 



ORNITHOGALUM UMBELLATUM.— The'' St3ir 

 of Bethlehem'' (see photograph) is a well-known and 

 easily-grown bulbous plant. 



