ON ROCK PLANTS 



Edelweiss. — See Leontopodiiiin alpinum 



Epilobium obcordatum is an alpine species suitable for a 

 moist position in the rockery ; it grows about 4in. high, and 

 from May to July produces an abundance of bright rose-coloured 

 flowers upwards of lin. in diameter. 



EpniEDiUMS are useful plants for shady positions, and they 

 thrive best in a light peat soil. E. alpinum grows upwards of 

 I ft. high, and flowers in May and June. The outer sepals are 

 greyish, the inner ones crimson, whilst the petals are of a yellow 

 colour; several flowers are borne on the same stem in a loose 

 panicle. 



Erinus alpinus is a charming little alpine, suitable for dry 

 places in the rockery, whilst it also grows well on old walls. It 

 forms compact cushions 3in. 

 high, covered during May 

 and June with rose or purple 

 flowers. 



Erysimum pulchellum is 

 a fine plant for a sunny 

 position. It grows from 6in. 

 to i2in. high, and blossoms 

 during May and June. The 

 flowers are of a lemon-yellow 

 colour, and produced in great 

 abundance. 



Erythr^a diffusa grows 

 3in. high, and bears br]2;ht 



rose-coloured flowers 

 during June and July. 



Galax aphylla 

 {Blandfordia cordata) is 

 a neat little plant (Fig. 

 172), delighting in a 

 moist, sandy, peat soil. 

 It is an evergreen, wdth 

 round, notched leaves, 

 w^hich in the autumn 

 assume a reddish hue. 



The flower-stems rise to a height of 9in., and bear numerous 

 small white flowers in July. It is propagated by division. 



Gentianas are lovely plants for the rockery; the dwarf kinds 

 are sometimes used as edging plants, but, unfortunately, in many 

 localities they are very shy at flowering. Propagation is effected 

 by carefully - made divisions; plants may also be raised from 

 seed, but it is a very slow process, especially if the seed is old. 

 G. acaults, the Gentianella, forms cushions of glossy -green 



Fig. 172. — Galax aphylla. 



