258 ALPINE FLOWERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



particular as to soil so long as it is friable and gritty, 

 remaining for a considerable time in bloom, almost 

 indifferent as to weather, it is a really useful plant. 

 There are, however, several other useful Squills, and 

 they are equally suitable for forming patches of colour 

 on the rockery, growing from a carpet of Herniaria, 

 mossy Saxifrage or other close green plant. Bi folia is 

 particularly good. It is as pretty as the Siberian 

 species, and earlier in bloom, but not quite so suitable 

 for exposed places. The flowers are dark blue, and are 

 produced freely. There are several forms of bi folia ^ 

 differing in colour. There is a white, called alba ; 

 an early blue called praecox ; a large handsome form 

 called Taurica ; a rose called Pink Beauty, and others. 

 Italica, light blue, is a larger and later species than 

 the preceding. It may be added that there is a white 

 variety of Sibirica. All the Squills may be obtained 

 from bulb dealers in autumn, and planted double their 

 own depth in gritty, friable soil. They may be in- 

 creased by division every three years or so. 



SCIRPUS. — ^Those who like to see reeds and rushes 

 on the margin of water may plant the Bulrush, Scirpus 

 lacustris, and other species. It will thrive in moist 

 peat, and may be planted in autumn or spring. It 

 may be propagated by division. 



SCUTELLARIA (Skull Cap). — A large genus, 

 but only one or two species need be considered. Alpina 

 is perhaps the best for the rockery. It grows about 

 nine inches high, and bears purple flowers. There is a 

 variety of it with yellow flowers called lutea or lupulina ; 

 a red named sanguinea ; a white called alba ; and a rose 



