ROCK, ALPINE, FEKN, "AND WILD GAEDENING. 



273 



Cyananthm lobaius (Loted Cyananthus).— A rare 

 rock gem, delighting in peaty soil and fuU expo- 

 sure. It does not usually exceed nine inches high. 

 It flowers in August and September. Is inci-eased 

 freely by cuttings, and by seeds when obtainable, 

 but a dry season is needful to ripen them. A native 

 of the Himalaj'as. Should be gTowu in positions 

 where the stones of the rockery allow it to nestle 

 between them. Situation fully exposed, but damp. 

 It flowers during September and October. Quite 

 worth trying in the bog-garden. 



Cyclamen Atkiiisi (Atkins' Cyclamen). — The worthy 

 man who raised this ■('ariety was of opinion that the 

 hardy Cyclamens ought always to be planted hehtv 

 the surface of the soil, in this country at least. He 

 paid much attention to the subject, and was one of 

 the most successful growers of hai-dy Cyclamens. 

 His chief reason for the opinion expressed above 

 was that, in many cases, the roots of hardy Cycla- 

 mens proceed from the upper stu-face of the tuber 

 only. Our own experience bears out this idea. 

 Mr. Atkins was also of opinion that hardy Cycla- 

 mens should be grown in rich, friable, open soil, of 

 which Tegetuble debris formed a constituent, and 

 that plenty of moisture should be supplied to them. 

 They are best placed in warm, sheltered, onA well- 

 drained positions in the rock-garden, where they 

 wiU usually thrive to the grower's content. They 

 should not be exposed to the east or the north if 

 success is desired. These interesting plants are 

 readily raised from seed sown as soon as ripe in 

 pots, the surface being covered -n-ith moss, which is 

 to be removed gradually when the tiny plants begin 

 to make their appeai'ance. C. Atkitisi produces rosj-- 

 red flowers in February and March. There is also a 

 white form of this hybrid variety. 



Cyclamen Coum (Eound-leaved Cyclamen). — This 

 species blooms at the same time as the foregoing, the 

 flowers being deep red. These plants, when grown 

 in the open air, should, fiom the. period when they 

 bloom, be afforded some protection, and at least 

 should he covered with bell-glasses (cloches). It 

 will be still better to grow some of them in frames, 

 for in. severe winters the flowers will be much in- 

 jured in the open. Soil should be rich and well 

 drained. A native of the Greek Ajchipelago. 



Cyclamen eitropanun (European Cyclamen). — This 

 flowers from June to Xovember, more or less, ac- 

 cording to the season. The normal colour is bright 

 red, and the blooms are very fragrant. Usually 

 does well in a light, rich, loamy soil, well drained. 

 A native of Switzerland. 



Cyclamen hederafolium (Ivj'-leaved Cyclamen). — 



A synonym of this plant is C. neapolitanum. This 



is in bloom from the end of August to October. It 



is a Tery hardy kind ; grows almost in every kind of 



42 



soU and situation, though kindly attentions are never 

 thi-own away upon it. It is a native of Switzerland 

 and elsewhere. 



* Daphne Blagayana (White Daphne).— This is at 

 present rather rare, hut when its great merits are 

 recognised it wiU be in much request, and wiU no 

 doubt be forthcoming from all the leading trade 

 growers of Alpines. It grows about six inches high, 

 and has sweetly-scented white flowers, which appear 

 eai-ly in the year. It should be grown in light 

 sandy loam and peat. Propagated by layers. A 

 native of Carniola. 



* Daphne Cneorum (Gai-land Flower). — This dwarf 

 evergreen produces under favourable circumstances 

 a profusion of rosy-pink flowers, deHciously per- 

 fumed. It rarely exceeds nine inches in height. It 

 blooms early in the summer, and sometimes also in 

 the autumn. Sandy peat should be mixed with the 

 soil, and a plentiful supply of water applied during 

 the summer months. Should be planted in an open, 

 sunny position. Propagated by layers. A native 

 of the European Alps. 



Daphne riipestris (Rock Daphne). — Another lovely 

 rock plant of dwarf growth, and when grown well 

 is covered with a mass of rosy-pink flowers. Grows 

 naturally in the fissures of limestone rocks. Should 

 be grown in light sandy loam and peat, and care 

 taken to prevent it being overrun by more rapidly- 

 growing plants. 



*Diaiithiis alpinus (Alpine Pink). — Bears solitary 

 rosy-pink flowers from July to August. Is very 

 dwarf in growth. Will grow in almost any soil, 

 but thrives best when peat is one of the principal 

 ingredients. It enjoys an exposed position, hut 

 should be kept rather moist. Can be propagated 

 from seeds or by division. A native of Austria, &c. 



Dianthui ccmim (Cheddar Pink). — So named popu- 

 larly because it grows wild on the Cheddar rocks in 

 Somersetshire. It is also found in various parts of 

 the European continent, on limestone or volcanic 

 rocks. The flowers, which appear in early summer, 

 are large and ros\- in colour. It should be grown on 

 the highest and di-iest part of the rockery. It also 

 grows well on walls, and the best way to establish 

 it there would be to sow the seeds on the wall 

 in a little cushion of moss, if such existed, or if 

 not, to place a Httle earth with the seed in a chink 

 of the wall. 



* Diantlms deltoidcs (Maiden Pink ; Gerarde called 

 it the Virgin-like Pink). — ^Another native Dianthus, 

 which will grow anj'where, and is admirably fitted 

 for the rougher and drier parts of the rockery. The 

 flowei-s are pink or spotted with white. The flower« 

 stems are from six to twelve inches long. It flowers 

 more or less throughout the summer. Propagated 

 by division or from seeds. 



