158 



THE GARDENERS' MAGAZINE 



February 24, 1912 



THE KAMTSCHATKA 



STONECROP. 



The stonecrops 



so numerous 



and 



diversified in character and colour as to 

 form a large and highly interesting group 

 of plants, and a selection of the more dis- 

 tinct and beautiful kinds would, if placed 

 imder the conditions favourable to their 

 full development, constitute an attractive 

 feature. Stonecrops are of much value in 

 gardens that are naturally warm and dry, 

 and they are especially adapted for the 

 furnishing of hot, dry corners, in w^hioh it 

 is difficult to successfully cultivate plants 

 otherwise than those of a succulent nature. 



Some of the stonecrops grow freely nnd 

 appear to the greatest advantage when 

 growing on the ledges of the rock garden, 

 while others thrive in the hardy flower 



The bed or border should be sufficiently 

 drained to allow the surplus water to pass 

 away readily, and, if the soil is close and 

 tenacious, a liberal dressing of leaf-mould 

 and coarse grit, such as the sweepings 

 of gravel walks, will be beneficial. 

 In common with other stonecrops, this 

 species is readily propagated by division, 

 in the spring, when new growth is com- 

 mencing. 



RANUNCULUS RUT^FOLIUS. 



9 



A graphic writer of works on alpin 

 plants has gone into ecstacies about the 

 Rue-leaved Crowfoot, and has 'been im- 

 pelled by his admirat'on for it to bestow 

 upon it the name of the Rue-leaved 



Beauty Flower." One is not disposed to 

 deny its beauty, but, on the other hand, 

 one has met with many more delightful 



position. Yet it can be cultivated quite 

 well in a low part of the rockery, provided 

 that it receives frequent soakings of pure 

 water in dry weather in spring, summer, 

 and even early autumn. 



For its cultivation in such a place it 

 should have a well-drained position, and pre- 

 ferably one which can be flooded at times, 

 but will soon allow the water to percolate 

 through the soil^ and be carried away bv 



the drainage. This appeals somewhat 

 paradoxical, but R. 



like stagnant moisture. It is a slow 

 grower^ and is a long time 

 much in size, so that di\asion is not always 

 possible, nor is it advisable. Where seeds 

 can be obtained these may be sown as soon 

 as they are ripe. The roots look as if they 

 would lend themselves to propagation by 

 root cuttings, but the writer has tried this 

 unsuccessfully, and prefers raising from 

 seeds to attempting this experiment again. 



rutsefolius does not 



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THE KAMTSCHATKA STONECROP (SEDU>M KAMTSCHATICUM). 

 A handsome free-growing species, bearing a profusion of yellow flowers. 



border^ provided the soil is well drained 

 and they are not allowed to be overrun by 

 strong-growing kinds belonging to other 

 classes of hardy plants. The Kamtschatka 

 Stonecrop (Sedum Kamtschaticum)^ of 

 which a fine group is herewith illustrated, 

 beloners to the second of the two sections, 

 and when growing under suitable condi- 

 tions is so attractive as to fully justify the 



high estimation in which it is held by 

 those w^ho are acquainted with its merits. 

 This species grows from six to eight inches 

 in height, the stems purple-green, and the 

 ovate leaves with which thev are furnished 

 are green and dentate towards the apex. 

 It blooms in September, and the compara- 

 tively large flowers are bright ye llow, and 



borne on flower stems four or five inches 

 in length. 



There is no <lifficulty in growing this 

 *itone-,M-()p to a high <legree of perfec-tion. 



alpines of its chiss. Yet this T?ue-leaved 

 Ranunculus. liuttenup, or Crowfoot, has 

 a charm which appeals to all who take 



pleasure in such plants as this, and when 

 it is growing happily in the garden, its 



flowers are incontestably pretty enough, 

 especially when we associate with them the 

 dainty, rue-like foliage, to command and 

 deserve a place in the garden. 



This is a pleasing, rather prostrate, little 

 plant from the high Alps, with neat, very 

 finely cut, glaucous leaves, and wonderfully 

 large flowers of white, with golden anthers, 

 and reminding one of a glorified daisy at 

 the distance, yet with all the character of 

 the Crowfoots when seen near. 



It is a slow-stowing plant, especially if 

 not supplietl with all it prefers in the way 

 of moisture. Planted on a bog, by the side 

 of a stream, in shingly soil, or by a pond, 

 it thrives much better than when in a drier 



Growing only a few inches high, and hav- 

 ing wonderfully large and pleasing flowers 

 and foliage, Ranunculus rutrefolius de- 

 serves the consideration of alpine grower 



S. Aknott. 



s. 



Perennial Asters. — 



daisies can advantageously be pl^"^^^ ;?Vj 

 and, if space permits, a border should ^ 



set apart entirely for them. A P^^^^^^^^ 

 shaded position suits them well, and tfl^ 

 ground should be deeply cultivated and weu 

 enriched for their reception. Root^ that ar 

 capable of producing five or six strong stem 

 are large enough to plant at each station, 

 and it is well to allow from three to tour 

 feet between each plant. Many of the vane- 

 tieti introduced during recent years are ver^^ 

 charming, as in numerous cases they p^^ 

 duce flowers from almost the whole leiigto 

 of their stems, and they will well repay ^^^^ 

 grower for any pains taken witli them. 

 Gardner, Batsford Park Gardens. 



