THE ROCK GARDEN IN SPRING 31 



ising in grass and on the outer flanks of the rock garden. 

 The white variety (alba) and rosea, a pink form, are 

 also good. For association with choice Alpines it is a 

 trifle too vigorous. S. bifolia, with deep blue flowers, 

 is the type from which several handsome varieties have 

 been evolved. S. b. taurica, S. b. praecox, flowering 

 very early, and S. b. alba, are all worth growing. The 

 Itahan Scilla (S. italica) combines extreme hardiness with 

 brilliant colouring and sweet perfume; in semi-wild 

 places we must not forget the improved forms of the 

 Woodland Bluebell (S. nutans). Deeper shades among 

 the Scilla blues may be provided by patches of Grape 

 Hyacinths (Muscari botryoides), which will answer to 

 the same treatment. 



Other blue flowers are the Chionodoxas (Glory of the 

 Snow), of which C. Luciliae and C. Sardensis are desir- 

 able. They are at their best after they have had time 

 to become thoroughly established. The Bulbous Fumi- 

 tory (Corydalis bulbosa), with purple blossoms produced 

 in April, may be included in large rock gardens, and in 

 really warm localities the lovely Chilian bulb Teco- 

 phylaea cyanocrocus gives us a shade of blue hardly to 

 be equalled. Finally, there are the Dog's Tooth Violets 

 (Erythronium), with spotted leaves and single, drooping 

 flowers. E. Dens-canis, the best known of the family, 

 thrives in fairly moist sandy soil, but requires a sunny 

 position. The white, tooth-like bulbs should be planted 

 deeply, and division every few years will increase the 

 stock. This variety is of European origin ; others come 

 to us from America. E. giganteum and E. grandiflorum 

 are large, white flowered, and succeed on slightly peaty 

 soil. 



Blue is a colour which in garden pictures calls for 

 contrast. In the spring rock garden, patches and drifts 

 of Snowdrops and Leucojum should be associated with 

 the Scillas and Muscari. There are many varieties of 



