30 ROCK AND WATER GARDENS 



countries. It cannot be considered a hardy variety, but 

 is worthy of a good position. There are various forms 

 all having rush-like leaves. Conspicuus, with large 

 yellow leaves, is very early, as also is citrinus, the pale 

 sulphur French kind. The White Hoop Petticoat (N. 

 B. monophyllus) is an exquisite variety from Algeria. 

 N. triandrus (Ganymede's Cup) and its sub-variety albus 

 (Angel's Tears) are among the daintiest of the race, but 

 must be carefully sheltered from high winds. The 

 Rush Jonquil (N. juncifolius) is sweetly scented and not 

 difficult to establish. Though somewhat expensive, a 

 small clump of the Queen Anne's Jonquil (N. odorus 

 minor) well repays the outlay ; on warm soils the pale 

 yellow double flowers are very striking. If the rock 

 garden contains a somewhat moist corner, it would be 

 worth an effort to grow the Cyclamen Daffodil (N. cycla- 

 mineus). The flowers are bright golden, the leaves a 

 vivid green. On peaty soils it would almost certainly 

 succeed. 



Beside the Narcissi with their note of creamy yellow, 

 we may place the Scillas and Muscari, giving us a pro- 

 cession of blues from porcelain to deep indigo. SciUas 

 are of the simplest culture, and when once established 

 merely require an occasional top dressing. The best 

 known and perhaps most beautiful form is the Siberian 

 Scilla (S. sibirica), with flowers a delicate shade of pale 

 blue. It is a vigorous kind, and the clumps should be 

 divided every few years. On a warm, sandy soil it 

 blooms in February. One of the most delightful ways 

 of growing this Scilla is to plant bold colonies near the 

 margins of Alpine shrubs. The sight of the blue drifts 

 of flowers escaping from the shelter of dark foliage, and 

 in small colonies descending the rock slopes, is a spring 

 picture of true charm. Later in the year the Spanish 

 Scilla (S. hispanica) raises its stout racemes of pendent 

 bells. It is a vigorous kind, and is suitable for natural- 



