COMMON GARDEX FLOWERS. 



347 



native place of all the species. It is a very dwarf 

 Alpine herb, tufted into light green masses like a 

 wide-spreading Moss, hut quite firm. It does well 

 in the rock-garden, in exposed parts, and in any 



S. JEllzahethcc is Elizabeth's Catch-fly ; a beautiful 

 species, the flowers of which look more like those of 

 some handsome but dwarf Clarkia than those of the 

 commonly-grown Silenes ; it bears large bright rose- 



open moist soil. This 

 plant, though humble in 

 stature, aspii'es to the 

 highest of dwelling- 

 places ; for whether in 

 the British Islands, in 

 Germany, or even Lap- 

 land, it is found only 

 near the summits of 

 mountains. It is said to 

 have been the last flower- 

 ing j)lant observed by 

 Saussure in ascending- 

 Mont Blanc. 



S. noctiflora is the 

 Xight-flowering Catch- 

 fly, and the common 

 name alludes to the time 

 of flov/cring ; the border 

 of the j)etals being rolled 

 inwards during the day, 

 but uniolding in the 

 evening, and emitting an 

 agreeable fragrance in 



mild weather. It is an annual, flowering in July, 

 and found in corn-fields on sandy or gxavelly soil. 



S. alpcstris is the Alpine Catch-fly ; a charming 

 evergreen rock or border plant, growing with the 

 greatest freedom in almost any soil or situation; 

 forming tufts of dark green foliage, completely 

 covered with panicles of glossy white flowers ; grows 

 about six inches in height, and flowers in early 

 summer. A native of the Alps of Em^ope. 



SiLENE PENDULA. 



vation. 



colouied flowers in sum- 

 mer. It is a native of 

 the Tyrolese mountains, 

 and does well in the 

 rock - garden, in warm 

 spots, in well - di-ained 

 sandy loam, and on the 

 margin of the choice 

 mixed border. 



Siloie maritiina is the 

 Sea Catch - fly. The 

 double variety of this is 

 a choice hardy plant in 

 gardens, growing in the 

 form of prostrate tufts 

 of glaucous foliage, 

 scarce an inch in height, 

 bearing double flowers 

 as large as the old double 

 white Pink ; very easily 

 grown and exceedingly 

 free-flowering, and one 

 of the most conspicuous 

 rock -plants in culti- 

 is a native of several 



The single foim 

 parts of Britain and Norway. 



S. regia is a very effective North American species, 

 growing about nine inches high, with rough erect 

 stems, thick leaves, and clusters of deep scarlet 

 flowers. 



S. Schafta is a neat trailing autumn-flowering 

 species, with bright rosy-purple flowers. It is very 

 free-blooming, and makes a fine edging mass. It is 



