April, 1 910 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



I2C 



The stone table and seat. 



Physically a rock garden is an attempt to provide each 

 plant with its natural environment, and this means approxi- 

 mations varying from a temperate desert to an alpine 

 summit. 



The term rock gardening may include alpine gardening, 

 though strictly alpine plants need a moist atmosphere and a 

 heavy cover of snow throughout the winter. Here our dry sum- 

 mers and winter thaws, followed by zero weather, are against 

 the successful growth of most alpines, which at the best are 

 finicky. Gentiana aucaiilis is a typical example, of which its 

 variety Kochiana is said to "require a compost of one-third 



A good place for a rock garden. 



crushed granite, one-third heath soil, and one-third vegetable 

 loam, and should be planted on rock work half exposed to the 

 sun. It dislikes lime." A careful soil prescription which might 

 not save the patient's life. 



The rock garden should be on natural rocks. Ugly piles 

 of stone (rock work) on the lawn can never be a rock gar- 

 den or anything but an eyesore. As a substitute for a natu- 

 ral ledge, large stones can be arranged in a sloping bank 

 with some success in the imitation of natural conditions, as 

 shown herewith in the plan and sections of a rock garden. 

 Rough stones should be used rather than smooth boulders, 



A lost opportunity- 



Excellent planting in a rock garden. 



