DWARF-GROWING PLANTS 41 



they have an interesting effect. One of the quaintest is 

 the Cobweb Houseleek, £. arachnoideum, in which the 

 points of the leaves are covered with crossing strands of 

 down like a spider's web, while a particularly striking 

 species is S. holochrysum, with yellow flower-heads 

 fifteen inches in length. This, however, can only be 

 grown in the open in the most favoured spots. 



Silene. — S. alpestris is a pretty little plant with delicate 

 white flowers, borne on stems about four inches high, 

 and is an attractive sight when its low green leafage is 

 plentifully starred with bloom-sprays. S. Elizabeths and 

 S. virginica are two handsome species, but of more 

 difficult culture than is S. a/pestris, which is easily estab- 

 lished in porous soil. 



Thymus. — Thymes are always acceptable from their 

 pleasing aroma when brushed by the hand, and form 

 neat rounded cushions among rocks and on dry sandy 

 banks. The Lemon-scented Thyme and the Golden 

 Thyme are the general favourites, but the Peppermint- 

 scented, T. corsicus, should not be forgotten. 



Tiarella. — Foam Flower. T. cordifolia is a delightful 

 little plant throwing up spikes of ivory-white, feathery 

 flowers about a foot in height in the spring. It will 

 grow in the full sunshine, but succeeds also in partial 

 shade, and should be naturalised in leaf-mould and loam 

 in open spaces of woods or by the side of paths where 

 weeds will not overpower it. 



Veronica.- — There are several dwarf species of Speed- 

 well that may be employed for surfacing bare spaces, 

 hanging over low ledges or filling gaps between rocks. 

 Their culture presents no difficulties. Some of the best 

 are V. Chamadrys, V. incana, V. pectinata, V. pro strata, 

 V. repens, V. rupestris, V. saxati/is, V. taurica and V. 

 Teucrium. All have blue flowers, some darker, some 

 lighter. 



Vinca. — Periwinkle. These will grow in any soil and 



