ALPINE FLOWERS. 



32s 



the blossoms which cover the plants in their natural habitats. They 

 should be planted against pieces of sandstone, as the delicate roots 

 penetrate deeply, and like continual moisture. The plant must not 

 be shaded or overcrowded by any other plant. With 

 all our care we cannot produce perfectly well-grown 

 plants, but can only hope to exhibit a specimen of 

 the flower. The two former species have single 

 blue flowers, but there are other species with spikes 

 of flowers, such as the G. gelida (fig. 723), which 

 we grow with little trouble. I have seen others of 

 the smaller kinds on the Alps, which are excessively 

 difficult to grow artificially, but the whole class of 

 Gentianas is so exquisitely beautiful that the horti- 

 culturist should endeavour to cultivate any that f,g. 723— g. geiida. 

 he may be able to obtain. Some of the larger kinds, as G. gelida, 

 are not difficult to cultivate; and one, G. Pneumonanthe, grows wild 

 on some of the commons of Surrey. 



Many species of Campanulas are grown in my alpineries, and yet 

 I do not know that there is one which I mOre appreciate than the 

 blue Hare-bell, which grows wild on the neighbouring commons, and 

 has even insinuated itself as a wild plant into my garden. (See Wild 

 Flowers.) Some species are tall growers, others creep upon the earth, 

 and again some are of an intermediate size; but all are lovely 

 C. pyramidalis is a fine species with blue flower, which was formerly 

 much used to decorate the interior 

 ^f buildings, and by management 

 can be grown above four feet in 

 height. There is also a white 

 variety of it. C. persicifolia (fig. 

 724), a fine species with large blue 

 flowers, of which there are several 

 florists' varieties, — one of which, 

 var. coronata alba (fig. 725), is par- 

 ticularly beautiful, — is a great ornament to the alpincr}' 



FjC- 794- — Campanula 

 persicifolia. 



Fig. 725. — Campanula 

 coronata alba. 



C. rotun- 



