SAXIFRAGES 1 



THERE is no genus of hardy plants so diverse 

 in form as the saxifrages, and none, perhaps, 

 with such a multitude of species and varieties. But 

 the diversity of the saxifrages is mainly in their leaf- 

 age and habit of growth. Their flowers vary, of course, 

 in size, in colour, and in shape; but less than the 

 flowers of many other genera, far less than the flowers 

 of the orchids; while even orchids do not vary so 

 much in their whole appearance. There are mossy 

 saxifrages; saxifrages growing in rosettes, some, at 

 their largest, 9 in. across, some smaller than the flower 

 of the daisy; saxifrages with great leathery leaves, 

 some of them rather coarse border plants; saxifrages 

 in close minute tufts, obviously high mountain plants, 

 and only to be grown with some skill on rockwork; 

 and saxifrages of the London Pride class, the most 

 homely of plants, yet with the peculiar character 

 and grace of the family. There is Saxifraga peltata, 

 the umbrella plant, so called from its great spreading 

 leaves, sometimes 18 in. wide; and, for contrast with 

 this, there are Saxifraga caesia and Saxifraga squar- 

 rosa, the single leaves of which are almost too small 

 to be distinguished, while a large plant of either of 



' Most of the Saxifrages are difficult in the United States, though with 

 pains many can be successfully grown. 



293 



