298 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



in whorls ; the scapes reach a height of from 6in. to 8in, 

 P. japonica, the Japanese Primrose, is a well-known and orna- 

 mental species, with massive whorls of rose-coloured flowers 

 produced during spring on scapes varying from i2in. to i8in. 

 high. It prefers damp and shady places, in which, if planted in 

 good rich loam, it will make vigorous growth. P. marginata 

 (Fig. 178) has bluish-lilac flowers with mealy centres; it grows 

 about 3in. high, and flowers during April and May. P. rosea is 

 a charming plant for moist situations ; in early spring it produces 

 numerous scapes from 4-in. to 6in. high,, each terminating in 

 a head of bright rose-coloured flowers having yellow eyes. 

 P. sikkimensis also delights in damp, shady situations; it sends 

 up strong scapes from ift. to 2 ft. high, each bearing a large 

 umbel of fragrant, drooping, pale yellow flowers. 



Prunella grandiflora grows from 6in. to i2in. high, and 

 bears violet-purple flowers in dense terminal spikes during July 

 and August. It thrives in any good light soil, and is suitable 



either for the rockery or for the 

 front of borders. It may easily 

 be increased by division of the 

 old plants. 



Ramondia pyrenaica is . a 



charming little alpine suitable for 



damp, shady nooks between the 



rocks ; it prefers a sharp, peaty 



soil. The leaves are borne in 



rosettes, and lie close to the soil;' 



they are dark green, crimped, 



and covered with reddish-brown 



hairs. The flower-stalks grow 



5in. or 6in. high, and each 



usually bears two or three 



violet-purple flowers with 



yellow eyes during May and 



June. There is also a white 



variety known as alba, which 



is a handsome plant, though 



somewhat rare. Increased by 



seed or by division. 



Saxifraga is a large genus 

 Fig. 179.— Saxifraga Cotyledon. f interesting and ornamental 



perennials adapted for rock- 

 garden culture. Increased by offsets or division. The numerous 

 species may be roughly divided into five sections, viz. : 



(1) The Encrusted Section, comprising plants with rosettes of 

 silvery-tufted foliage. To this section belongs S. Cotyledon 

 (Fig. 179), a large silvery-leaved kind, sending up a branched 



