162 



GARDEN FLOWERS. 



steinii). It forms dense mats of bright green foliage, six 

 to eight inches high, and is covered with white flowers in 

 early spring. Cerastium tomentosum is still better suited 

 for a carpet plant. It is a very dwarf, woolly plant, grow- 

 ing one to three inches high, and bearing small white 

 flowers. The pretty stemless gentian ( Gentiana acaulis) is 

 an alpine plant, one to three inches high. It forms a mass 

 of leathery leaves, and bears in early May flowers of a vase 



form, two inches long 

 and bine in color, as 

 no other flower but a 

 gentian can be. It is 

 admirable foi- rock- 

 work, makes a good car- 

 pet, and is altogether a 

 0^ charming plant. Avery 

 pretty dainty plant, six 

 to eight inches high, is 

 the EpiTTiedium, bloom- 

 ing in May. It is hardly, 

 however, suited for car- 

 pet purposes. The foli- 

 age is neat, but not 

 massive enough, and 

 does not grow in tufts 

 or mats. The airy clus- 

 ters of purplish and yellow flowers of quaint shape also 

 unfit it for a carpet. It should be planted among rocks or 

 by itself, where its charms will be a little protected. Its 

 common name is ban-en \voit, and it is an alpine plant. 



ALPINE BARRENWORT. 

 (epimedium alpinum.) 



