ROCK, ALPINE, FERN, AND WILD GARDENING. 



33.3 



* Sternbergia lutea (Yellow Sternbergia) . — A fine 

 bulbous plant, blooming- late in the year, which may 

 be grown underneath any dwarf-growing surface- 

 rooting plant. It comes to us from South Europe. 



* Thallctrum minus (Maiden-hair Meadow-rue). — 

 This plant has found a place in oui- gardens on ac- 

 count of its foliage, which by many is regarded as 

 an efficient substitute for the fronds of the Maiden- 

 hair Fern. It will thrive in any soil, and is easily 

 increased by division. It is a native plant. 



* Tliymm citriodorus aureus (Lemon-scentedThyme) . 

 — This is only a variegated form of the green-leaved 

 Lemon-scented kind ; very common, but extremely 

 beautiful. Grows readily in any soil ; is easily pro- 

 pagated by cuttings, and is a pretty plant always. 

 In selecting shoots for cuttings, those most distinctly 

 variegated should have the preference. 



* Thymus lanuginosus (Woolly Thyme). — A very 

 hardy plant, of much use for the front of rockeries. 

 It is easily propagated by cuttings, and will grow 

 in any soil and situation. It is supposed to be a 

 variety of our common wild Thyme. 



Triteleia uniflora (Spring Star-flower). — A bulbous 

 jjlant, introduced from Buenos Ay res in 1836. The 

 flowers appear early in the s^Dring, and are always 

 welcome. Contrasted with Scilla sibirica, side by 

 side with which they usually appear, the beauty of 

 one enhances that of the other. The bulbs should be 

 planted in good soil in a somewhat sheltered part of 

 the rockery, as the flowers make their appearance so 

 eaxly. 



* Tunica saxifraga (Mock Tunica). — This is a 

 plant which will thrive nearly anywhere, and under 

 almost any conditions. It is, notwithstanding, worth 

 cultivating. It is a desirable plant for dry situations. 

 A native of the Pyrenees and elsewhere. 



* Veronica Chamcedrgs (Germander Speedwell). — 

 A common native plant, of much beauty notwith- 

 standing, and deserving of a place on our rockeries. 

 It produces bright blue flowers in jplenty. Easily 

 propagated by division and from seeds. No special 

 cultivation is needed for this, or for most of the 

 other members of this genus. 



* Verona incana (Hoary Speedwell). — An easily- 

 grown plant which it is better to divide in the spring 

 months than in any other part of the year. It is 

 quite distinct, and a plant worthy of cultivation 

 everywhere. 



* Veronica prostraia (Prostrate Speedwell). — The 

 flowers of this kind are a deep blue, and though 

 the plant is often mistaken for V. repens, it is easily 

 recognised by those who know the respective cha- 

 racters. It should be planted in a sunny situation, 

 and will then flower so freely as to secure its recog- 

 nition from any other species. This is a good plant 

 to hang down the face of the rockery. A native of 



France. Nearly all the hardy Veronicas are worth 

 cultivation. 



Viola bi/lora (Two-flowered Violet). — This is a 

 dainty little yellow Violet, the principal charm of 

 which in this country depends on keex^ing it alive 

 and blooming. This, however, is not such a very 

 difficult proceeding, provided the grower will pay the 

 needful attention. It grows naturally on the Alps in 

 somewhat damp, sheltered positions. The English 

 grower must endeavour to imitate these conditions, 

 and his success with the plant will be generally pro- 

 portionate to his success as an imitator. A moist, 

 shady spot having been found for it, its other re- 

 quirements will not be found exacting. It is really 

 so distinctive as to be worth a little trouble to get 

 it firmly established. This little gem is so widely 

 distributed as to be a native of Europe, Asia, and 

 America. There are many other Violas suitable for 

 the rockery, which we are restrained from men- 

 tioning on account of our space being limited. 



The foregoing list of Alpine plants is indeed and 

 really a " select " one. Hundreds of Alpines have 

 been designedly omitted from it ; for our principal 

 objects have been (1) to name no plant unworthy of 

 a place on any rockery ; (2) to name no plant not 

 worthy of a place on every rockery ; (3) to give a list 

 of plants of beauty of foliage or flower, or of foliage 

 and flower, and at the same time so easy to grow, the 

 conditions of success being so stated, that any intel- 

 ligent j)erson may undertake their cultivation with 

 a certain degree of hopefulness and confidence ; and 

 (4) an additional number of plants of great beauty 

 in some one or more respects, or of great rarity, or 

 requiring attention to some exceptional conditions, 

 involving unusual skill to grow them successfully. 

 The plants most easily grown are all marked with 

 an asterisk (*) ; the remainder not so marked may be 

 regarded as plants to be avoided by young beginners, 

 but also as plants- to-be grown later on when they 

 have proved themselves capable of growing success- 

 fully the plants of easier culture. Some of the plants 

 most difficult to grow are among the brightest gems 

 of the Alpine flora ; but it may also be said that some 

 of the plants most easily grown are equal to those 

 most difficult, except in the one particular of diffi- 

 culty. Much might be said to encourage intelligent 

 amateurs to undertake the cultivation of Alpines. It 

 involves a study of the conditions in which the plants 

 grow naturally, or to substitute for them such as 

 will compensate for the difference, which involves the 

 employment of brains. It is this consideration which 

 has made the growth of Alpine plants under difficul- 

 ties such an attraction for enthusiastic amateurs of 

 the humbler class, and no men in our nation have 

 succeeded better in their endeavours than they have. 



