THE ROCK GARDEN 131 



cinths, crocus, scillas, primroses, pollyanthas and 

 many others that come almost as soon as the bluebird 

 does. These early bulbs that have bloomed in the 

 house in winter may be planted out in the rockery the 

 next fall and will give good returns for years to 

 come. 



One of the earliest plants to bloom, often appear- 

 ing in early April, is the saxafraga (Megaseas). 

 These have immense leathery leaves of deep green and 

 large clusters of pink, deep rose, rosy-crimson and of 

 white flowers that are very attractive and showy, and 

 the plants are very hardy and entirely free from 

 insects. Once established they require no further care. 

 The tall-growing saxafragas are also very desirable 

 for the rockwork, especially saxafraga pyramidalis, 

 which defines itself clearly against the grey of large 

 boulders. The rock-loving columbine is a beautiful 

 thing planted on the west side of a big, grey boulder 

 where the sun can etch its shadow on the rock. All 

 the Sedums are at home in this environment and in- 

 crease in size and effectiveness from year to year. 

 Some, as the sedum acre, or golden moss, are low- 

 growing forms, hugging the rocks closely; there are 

 many forms of these; pink, white, yellow flowered, 

 and all are good. 



The earliest of the low-growing plants to flower is 

 the arabis or rock cress; this soon covers the rocks 

 with its-silve*y-green foliage, starred in April with 



