128 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part II. 



grown by Dr. Moore, in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Dublin, 

 and should have a very sandy, moist peat soil. It is most 

 likely to thrive in moist and elevated districts ; but, safely 

 planted on rockwork in deep, moist, but well-drained soil, and 

 carefully guarded against drought during the warm season, it 

 may be grown without difficulty ; and doubtless, when it be- 

 comes sufficiently plentiful, it will be found, like the next 

 species, to thrive very well in the natural soil of some districts. 



ANDROMEDA HYPNOIDES.— ^OJjy A. 



A MINUTE, spreading, moss-like shrub, one to four inches high, 

 with wiry, much divided branches, densely clothed in all their 

 parts with minute bright green leaves, and bearing small, waxy, 

 white, five-cleft flowers, with reddish calyces. These flowers are 

 freely produced, and are borne singly and drooping on slender 

 reddish stems. It is one of the most interesting and beau- 

 tiful of all alpine plants, and one of the most difficult to 

 grow, being very rarely seen in a healthy state even in the 

 choicest collections. Drought is fatal to it. It is a native 

 both of Europe and America, either far north into the coldest 

 regions of these countries, or on the summits of high mountains. 

 It is such a delicate and fragile evergreen shrub that any im- 

 purity in the air is sure to injure it. In elevated and moist 

 parts of these islands, it will succeed in very sandy or gritty 

 moist but well-drained peat, freely exposed to the sun and air, 

 and placed quite apart from more vigorous plants on rockwork. 

 The chief difficulty would seem to be the procuring of healthy 

 plants to begin with ; once obtained, it would be desirable to 

 carefully peg down the slender main branches, and to place a 

 few stones round the neck of the plant, so as to prevent evapo- 

 ration. It is a subject which the most skilful cultivator might be 

 proud to succeed with, and worthy the best attention of those 

 who delight in conquering difficulties. * 



ANDROMEDA 'SWY&KQiO^K.—Square-stemm.ed A. 



One of the neatest and prettiest of all the diminutive shrubs 

 introduced to cultivation, seldom growing more than eight inches 

 high. When in good health, the deep green branches are 

 produced so densely that they form very compact and dressy 

 tufts, pleasing at all times. The flowers are produced singly, but 



