ROGK GARDENING 



determine its design. On flat ground it should not rise 

 abruptly, but should begin in the form of a rock border 

 with isolated, half -embedded stones cropping out here 

 and there, and rise and become more rocky as it progresses. 

 A charming effect is easily obtained when a dell or shallow 

 dip in the ground can be utilised. A winding walk may 

 then traverse the centre, formed of gravel if there be plenty 

 of room, but consisting of a rude stone-paved path if 

 the space be limited. On the banks that rise on either 

 side the home gardener may dispose the rock plants with 

 admirable effect. A rough bank may be the only avail- 

 able site ; if the bank is steep, the best thing to do is to 

 make a wall rather than a rock garden, embedding the 

 stones firmly in the bank, with plenty of soil between. 

 A rough wall such as this may be made most beautiful 

 by planting the crevices with Evergreen Candytuft, 

 Aubrietia, Pinks, Wallflowers, Snapdragons, Saxifrages, 

 and others. 



Most alpines love the sunshine, so let the rock garden 

 be in the open, away from tall or strong rooting trees, 

 though preferably not on high ground, exposed to all the 

 winds that blow. Alpines love a gritty, well-drained 

 soil, so it is wise, when digging the land before the rocks 

 are arranged, to mix in plenty of sand, brick rubble, and 

 road grit. On ill-drained ground there will be many losses 

 during the winter, not only with delicate plants, but those 

 that in well-drained soil would have been quite happy. 



I cannot attempt to give a long list of alpines, nor do 



