Part II. CERASTIUM. 169 



flowers, and fruit. Useful for the same purposes, and propa- 

 gated and cultivated with the same facility, as C. tomentosum. 

 It was once expected that it would surpass in utility the common 

 kind, but this it has failed to do. A very good plant for borders 

 or rough rock or root work, and, being seldomer seen than the 

 common one, deserves a little more attention, and a better posi- 

 tion in the mixed border or the lower and rougher parts of 

 rockwork. A native of the higher mountains of Tauria, flower- 

 ing with us in early summer. 



CERASTIUM G-RiNDIFLORTTM.— Zar^^-^<7W^r^rf C. 



Allied to C. tomentosum, but less downy and silvery. It is 

 readily known from either C. tomentosuTn or C. Biebersteinii by 

 having narrower and more acute leaves, and being less hoary, 

 and it usually grows somewhat larger than either of the two very 

 silvery kinds, rapidly forming strong tufts, and producing pure 

 white flowers in great abundance. A fine plant for the front 

 margin of the mixed border, or for the rougher parts of rock- 

 work, but only iii association with other strong and fast-growing 

 things, as it spreads about so quickly that it would overrun and 

 injure deUcate and tiny plants if placed near them. It is not so 

 likely to be appreciated for edgings as other kinds, though there 

 is no reason why it should not be used for variety's sake as a 

 bordering on a small scale. Like the other cultivated species, 

 it is readily propagated by division or by cuttings inserted in the 

 rudest way in the open ground, and is a native of Hungary and 

 neighbouring countries, on dry hills and mountains. Flowers 

 with us in early summer. 



CERA.STITJM TOMENTOSUM. — Common Woolly C. 



This is now used in almost every garden for forming compact 

 silvery edgings to flower-beds and borders. Its hardiness, power 

 of bearing clipping and mutilation, and great facihty of propaga- 

 tion, make it worthy of all the attention it receives. No plant 

 has proved more useful in our great public gardens. It is also 

 very useful as a border-plant, and for rootwork or rough rock- 

 work, but is too common to be permitted a place on small or 

 choice rockwork that might be devoted to some of the many 

 rarely seen and beautiful alpine plants. A native of mountains 

 in the South of Europe, flowering freely with us in early summer. 



