8 ROCK AND WATER GARDENS 



superabundant moisture of the earth. Although water, 

 either in the shape of a small stream or still pool, often 

 occurs in beautiful rock gardens, it should never be 

 found in places where Alpines are exclusively grown. 

 A lonely tarn may be found on the mountain side, or a 

 tiny spring gush from the rocks, tracing its way like a 

 silver thread to the valley below. But these instances 

 are the exception, not the rule ; and in the small space 

 of the Alpine garden, water is destructive to the best 

 effects. In the same way, trees and shrubs, apart from 

 their propensity for impoverishing the soil, are a decided 

 anachronism. All signs of bold vegetation disappear as 

 we ascend the mountain side and approach the home of 

 Gentian and Edelweiss. 



The rock garden should not be situated near highly 

 cultivated ground, neither should walls or buildings come 

 into the view. It is best approached from the region of 

 woodland or shrubbery, and by walks, the margins of 

 which are left undefined. Occasional mossy boulders, 

 with a bold grouping of Foxgloves and homely plants, will 

 prepare the eye for a change, and incidentally heighten 

 the effect produced. 



Perhaps the most beautiful way of all in which to gain 

 the garden of Alpines would be across a stretch of turf, 

 through which in places the natural rock appeared. Here 

 we should have patches and drifts of Gentiana acaulis, 

 Muscari, Narcissi and Scilla. Fortunate indeed are those 

 who may attempt something of this kind, happy reminder 

 of those exquisite gardens of Nature, the upland pastures 

 of the Tyrol. 



