334 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENING-. 



* Sedums (Stonecrops). — These universal plants are 

 extremely well suited for rockeries, and being very 

 varied in appearance and colour, may often be em- 

 ployed to produce striking effects of contrast if judi- 

 ciously used. We have a number of native kinds, 

 all of which are in cultivation. They are most 

 easily grown in fully-exposed positions ; any small 

 scrap pressed firmly into the soil will be sure to take 

 root. They are- particularly adapted for dry sunny 

 positions, and will thrive on old walls as well as any- 

 where. The following are some of the most useful 

 and distinct kinds : — 



Sedum acre (Common Stone- 

 crop). 



S. album (Wliite Stone- 

 crop). 



S. Anacampseros (Evergreen 

 Orpine). 



S. bi'evifolium (Mealy Stone- 

 crop). 



S.dasphyllum (TMck-leaved 

 Stonecrop). 



S. Ewersii (Ewers' Stone- 

 crop). 



S. glaucnm (Milky - green 

 Stonecrop). 



S. rupestre (Eock Stone- 

 crop). 



S. sexangnlare (Tasteless 

 Stonecrop). 



S. Sieboldii(Siebold's Stone- 

 crop). 



S. spectabile (Showy Stone- 

 crop). 



S. sptirium (Purple Stone- 

 crop). 



* Sempcrvivums (Houseleeks) . — These now popu- 

 lar plants owe their i^resent popularity to their use 

 in panel bedding, which, in some gardens, is much 

 employed for the summer adornment of formally laid- 

 out lawns. Some of the kinds have been long culti- 

 vated in this country as curiosities. The most com- 

 monly distributed form is the ordinary Houseleek 

 {S. tectorum) grown on the tops of walls, and on the. 

 roofs of low out-buildings in all parts of the country. 

 They are all adapted for dry, stony, and sandy spots 

 of the rockery, with full exposure to sunshine. It is 

 advisable to let them grow into good-sized clumps, as 

 they then show to most advantage. The smallest 

 amount of soil seems ample for their growth, pro- 

 vided the roots are firmly fixed in it. They are 

 easily propagated by offsets. The following are some 

 of the best of the hardy kinds : — 



S e m p e r V i V u m aracbnoi- ] S. globiferum ; synonym— 

 deum (the Cobweb Hoiise- | S. soboliferam (Hen and 

 leek). i Chicken Houseleek). 



S. arenarium (Sand House- I S. Laggeri (Lagger's House- 

 leek). leek). 



S. calcareum ; synonym — I S. montanum (Mountain 

 S. californicum (Glaucous j Houseleek). 

 Hoi;seleek). \ S. tectorum (CommonHouse- 



S. fimbriatum (Fringed ■ leek). 

 Houseleek). i S.triste(Sonibre Houseleek). 



* Senecio argenteus (Silvery Groundsel). — A small 

 plant, the leaves of which are silvery, and which 

 make it useful for contrast Avith green-leaved plants. 

 A well-drained situation and sandy soil suit it best. 

 Increased by division. A native of Chili. 



* Silene acauUs (Stemless Catch-fly). — A plant 

 that grows in tufts, and bears masses of rosy flowers 

 from May to July. It is very dwarf, but spreads 

 freely, and should be planted in an exposed position 

 where it will have room for development, and away 

 from small slow-growing plants, or it will soon 



overrun and smother them. One of its common 

 names is most appropriate, namely, Cushion Pink. 

 Easily propagated by division. This is one of our 

 loveliest native plants. 



* Silene alpestris (Alpine Catch-fly). — A charming 

 little Eui-opean Alpine which flowers in May. The 

 flowers are the purest white, and are produced plen- 

 tifully if the plant is allowed to remain undisturbed 

 so as to grow to some size. Ordinary soil in an ex- 

 posed situation, the surface of which should be flat- 

 Propagated by division. 



Silene Elizabeths (Elizabeth's Catch-fly). — Avery 

 choice Alpine requiring some care, but amply re- 

 warding it. The flowers are large, and of a rose- 

 colour. Soil, sandy peat and loam with which some 

 fragments of sandstone are mixed. Situation, sunny. 

 Propagated by division. A native of the Tyrol. 



* Silene mariiima (Sea Catch-fly). — The double 

 form of this native plant deserves a place on the 

 rockery, especially on a ledge of rock where it can 

 hang over the face of it. Ordinary soil. Propa- 

 gated by division. 



* Silene Scliafta (Late Catch-fly). — A hardy Alpine 

 blooming from July to September. Flowers, rosy- 

 pink. Any ordinary garden soil suits it, and it may 

 be placed in any position where there is room for it. 

 Being a late bloomer, a goodly number of plants may 

 be used with advantage. Readily raised from seed. 

 Native of the Caucasus. 



SisyrincJtium grandiflorum (Rush-lily). — A native 

 of Oregon, bearing Rush-like leaves, and purple 

 flowers resembling Lilies. It is hardy and flowers 

 early (February and March). As it is a slow-growing 

 subject it should remain undisturbed for several 

 years. Soil, a mixture of sandy peat and loam; 

 situation, a sufficiently large crevice between two 

 stones facing south. There is a white-flowering 

 variety, S. g. album. 



Soldanella alpina (Alpine Soldanella). — This comes 

 from great elevations on the European Alps. Has 

 roundish dark green leaves, and drooping feathery 

 bell-shaped flowers, of a pretty blue colour. Soil, 

 sandy loam in a chink of the rockery, the surface 

 being covered with fragments of rock or cocoa-nut 

 fibre to prevent evaporation. The drainage must be 

 good, but the ground must be kept moist. Propa- 

 gated by division directly after flowering. 



Soldanella minima (Smallest Soldanella). — This 

 is a truly pigmy Alpine, the leaves often only a 

 quarter-inch across, and the flowers rarely exceeding 

 one inch in height. 



Soldanella moniana (Mountain Soldanella). — 

 This may be described as a magnified Alpine. The 

 cultural directions for the Alpine form of Solda- 

 nella will be found to ax^ply to the two other forms 

 named. 



