266 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part II, 



eighteen inches high ; is propagated very readily from seed, and 

 also by division of the root, and attains its greatest development 

 in deep warm soils in sunny, sheltered positions. 



Some other species of Orobus useful for borders and rockwork 

 are in cultivation : 0. pubescens, O. canescens, O. varius, and 

 O. Fischeri being among the best. All are of easy culture in 

 ordinary garden soil, and are increased by seeds or division of 

 the root. 



OTHONNA CHEIEIPOLIA..— ^ar^ary Ragwort. 



A PLANT of very distinct character ; the leaves and shoots quite 

 smooth and glaucous, and the habit neat and spreading. Forms 

 whitish-green and rather ornamental tufts from eight inches to 

 a foot high, or perhaps more on very rich soils, and flowers 

 sparsely on heavy and cold soil, but on light soils it blooms 

 often somewhat freely in May, the blooms of a rich yellow, about 

 an inch and a half across, but not ornamental. Chiefly useful 

 for its distinct type of leaf and aspect on the rough rockwork or 

 mixed border. A native of Barbary ; propagated by cuttings. 



OXAlilS BOWIEI.— ^ozyzVj Wood Sorrel. 



A BEAUTIFUL Wood Sorrel from the Cape of Good Hope, often 

 grown in pots in our greenhouses and frames, but quite hardy, and 

 never seen in its true beauty except when growing on very sandy 

 or warm soil in the open air. It grows all round the wall of one 

 of the stoves in the Botanic Garden at Chelsea on a very sandy 

 soil, and flowers most profusely, as it does in various other places 

 in Southern England, and would do in most places on dry soil if 

 commonly planted. Few dwarf plants are more attractive when 

 jts large and handsome rose-red flowers, six to ten on stems 

 usually reaching from eight inches to a foot high, are open. It 

 should be on every rockwork, and is best planted on sunny 

 slopes in well-drained sandy loam, and, if convenient, against 

 rocks or stones. Where walls rise directly from gravel walks, 

 a pleasing line of the plant may be established, and, if the 

 bottom be dry, it will flower charmingly every year. In cold 

 soils I have observed it grow freely enough, but not flower well. 

 It is very easily increased by division, and flowers in autumn. 



