274 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENING. 



*Dianthm dentosiis (Toothed Pink). — A dwarf kind 

 producing large flowers much toothed at the edge. 

 In bloom during May and June and often later. 

 Thiives in light, dryish soil ; can be readily raised 

 from seed. Is a native of Southern Russia. 



* Dianthus glacialis (Glacier Pink). — One of the 

 choicest gems of the rock-garden. It is very dwarf. 

 The flowers are rosy-pink, and it is quite hardy. 

 Grow it in poorish, sandy soil, fully exposed. Pro- 

 pagated from seed and by division. Native of the 

 Alps and Pyrenees. 



Dodecatheon inLegrifolium, now named 1). Aieaata 

 lancifolium (Entire-leaved Cowslip). — A gem from the 

 Rocky Mountains. Flowers in May. Soil, sandy 

 peat. Situation not too exposed. Bt-st grown in pots 

 preserved in a frame during winter, and plunged in 

 a shady part of the rockery during summer. Propa- 

 gated by careful division and from seeds. 



*Dryas octopetala (White Dryas). — A neat native 

 evergreen trailing plant, having white flowers. 

 Moist peat suits it best. Propagated from seeds 

 and by division. There is also a yellow-flowered 

 species named D. Drummondi, to which the foregoing 

 remarks apply equally. 



Edraianthus dalmaticus (Dalmatian Edraianthus) . 

 — A herbaceous perennial of which slugs are ab- 

 normally fond. It rarely exceeds four inches in 

 height. The flowers are pale purple in colour, and 

 an inch in length. The soil should be gritty and 

 well drained, and the position in fissures among the 

 most exposed rocks. The oft'sets may be used for 

 propagation if separated after the plant goes out of 

 flower. It blooms in July and August. Native of 

 Dalmatia and Switzerland. The modern name is 

 Wahlenbergia tenuifolia. 



* Ericas (Hardy Heaths). — Among hardy Heaths 

 there are a number of very dwarf -growing kinds of 

 great beauty, which are admirably adapted for flrst- 

 class positions on the most select rockery. Many of 

 these form dense dwarf cushions of velvety-green 

 when not in flower, but when in flower are gems not 

 to be matched. They should all be planted in fully- 

 exposed positions, and in soil in which sandy peat 

 predominates. The following is a list of the best 

 and most characteristic kinds : — Erica carnea (flesh- 

 coloured), E. c. alba (pure white — very choice), E. 

 Tetralix Mackayana (crimson), E. vagans (Cornish 

 Heath). E. vulgaris alba aurea (golden foliage), E. v. 

 a. Hammondi (white), E. v. Allporti (crimson), E. v. 

 Foxii (a compact variety), and E. v. Pygmea (very 

 dwarf), are all forms of the common Ling {CaMuna 

 vulgaris). There are many other kinds worth grow- 

 ing, the names of which may be found in the cata- 

 logues of the leading growers. 



*Eroditi)n Reichardii (Reichard's Heronsbill). — A 

 pretty dwarf plant, with numerous small white 



flowers, from June to August. Soil, moist sandy 

 peat or loam. Native of Majorca. 



Erpetion reniforme (New Holland Violet). — An 

 Austrahan plant, not quite hardy in this country 

 except in warm sunny spots. It therefore is needful 

 to give it in-door protection during winter. It is, 

 however, such a perfect little gem that no one will 

 grudge as much attention to it as they bestow on 

 common-place half-hardy summer bedding plants. 

 It is a suitable plant to form a close-fitting carpet 

 in the best positions. Soil, light and well drained. 

 Propagated by divisions, protected in pots in the 

 winter, and planted out the latter end of May. 

 Requires plenty of water during the summer. 



Erysimu/n pnmilmn (Fairy Wall-flower). — A very 

 dwarf plant, suitable for the highest and driest 

 positions of the rockery, or on the tops of old walls. 

 It has a branching habit, and the prostrate shoots 

 often emit roots where they come in contact with 

 the soil, so that it is easily propagated. Soil, very 

 sandy loam. Native of Switzerland. 



* Erythronium dens-canis (Dog's-tooth Violet). 

 — One of the choicest of early spring-blooming 

 plants ; foliage and flowers alike beautiful. A 

 mixture of peat with ordinary soil seems to suit it 

 best, but it will grow under almost any conditions 

 provided it is fully exposed. It propagates itself 

 by the formation of new bulbs annually, and these 

 should be taken up, divided, and re-planted every 

 third year early in the autumn. Native of Central 

 Europe. 



* Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop).— Not only the 

 common kind, than which none is more beautiful, 

 but G. Imperati and G. Elwcsi should be grown by 

 every one. The common Snowdrop is thoroughly 

 naturalised in many parts of England, but it is 

 doubtful whether it is indigenous. Needs no special 

 culture, and propagates itself by rapid increase of 

 its bulbs. 



* Gentiana acaulis (Gentianella). — To grow this 

 well it must be planted in deep rich loam, and be 

 well supplied with water during the summer. Al- 

 though in some respects a common plant like our 

 Daisies, it is like them too in being extremely lovely. 

 There is really nothing like it in this respect, its 

 beautiful dark blue flowers, when the plant thrives, 

 having no equals. Wherever the circumstances suit 

 its requirements it grows like a weed, and no one 

 can have too much of it. The base of the rockery 

 seems to suit it best, and it should be grown in 

 positions rather flat than sloping, and fully exposed 

 to the sun. May be readily propagated by seeds and 

 division. It flowers from IMay to July. It is a 

 native of the Alps and Pyrenees. Where a bog- 

 bed exists it should be planted as a marginal plant, 

 as it is fond of nlentv of moisture. 



