298 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



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

 F. 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 iSin. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 umbel of fragrant, drooping, pale yellow flowers. 



Prunella grandiflora 

 bears violet-purple flowers 

 and Ausfust. It thrives in 



grows 



from 6in. to i2in. high, and 

 in dense terminal spikes during July 

 any good light soil, and is suitable 

 either for the rockerv or for the 

 front of borders. It may easily 

 be increased by division of the 

 old plants. 



Ramondl\ 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 lars-e cremis 

 of 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. : 



(i) The Encrusted Section^ comprising plants with rosettes of 

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

 (P'ig. 179), a large silvery-leaved kind, sending up a branched 



Fig. 179. — Saxifraga Cotyledon. 



