276 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



given to gay and brilliant examples of the floral world, we have, 

 I hope, sufficient taste to turn with pleasure to those diminutive 

 plants that barely lift their blossoms above the level of the 

 ground. Such Alpine gems as the spreading, the mossy, and 

 the tufted Saxifrages have fortunately found appreciative 

 admirers, and not uncongenial homes in our gardens, and I may 

 specially mention Saxifraga oppositifolia major, S. Burseriana 

 major, and S. luteo -purpurea, as not only plants of interest, 

 but of beauty. A green carpet of vegetation is always pleasing to 

 the eye in winter, and the system of spring gardening I pursue 

 covers every open space of ground with different shades of ver- 

 dure. The mossy section of Saxifrages helps me materially in 

 this endeavour, and such examples of what is known as S. mus- 

 coides coccinea, which is a compact mass of bright green in 

 winter, and in spring is dotted all over its surface with a pro- 

 fusion of bright red flowers, forms a charming feature both in 

 borders and on rockwork. Of the Saxifrages the Megasea is a 

 very distinct section of the family. It affords me two kinds for 

 early spring, S. Ugulata and S. Stracheyi ; the former I employ 

 extensively. 



S. Ugulata is perfectly hardy, but its handsome heads 

 of bloom, lifted above its broad leaves, are not unfrequently 

 injured by frost ; but it is worth protecting on the occasion of 

 severe frosts. It forms a good base or groundwork, planted in 

 masses, for Hyacinths, and is a good vase plant. Saxifraga 

 Stracheyi is more beautiful than the foregoing — its blossoms a 

 delicate pink and white ; but though early it is very tender. Any- 

 one seeking for a perfectly unique effect, and taking the trouble 

 to cover the plants occasionally with some slight guard, would be 

 amply rewarded by the result in uninjured blossoms. 



Scarcely a season passes without the discovery and introduc- 

 tion of some interesting plants to our gardens. One of the most 

 beautiful hardy plants brought to us in recent years was found 

 by Mr. G. Maw in the mountain region near Smyrna. It is called 

 Chionodoxa Lucilice, and by the mountain people " the Glory of 

 the Snow " ; it scarcely waits for the snow to recede before it bursts 

 into bloom. It might be presumed that a plant from such a 

 position and country would be difficult to establish in Britain, 

 but no imported plant I am acquainted with has so rapidly 

 naturalised itself or proved more amenable to culture. There is 



