THE CULTIVATION OF SAXIFRAGES. 



39 



S. rotundifolia likes places almost as damp as S. granulata. Of 

 this group the most ornamental, in addition to those already 

 named, are S. Geum, S. virginica, S. Andrewsii, S. capillipes, 

 S. taygetea — the latter a very pretty variety of S. rotundifolia, 

 and like Soldanella minima in habit. 



In the section of Mossy Saxifrages, with vivid green foliage 

 and white fragrant flowers, the plants luxuriate in moist but 

 well drained and cool situations ; for choice, say, on the northern 

 or eastern wall or slope of rocks. They are very suitable as 

 edging to beds under shade, and ferneries. When well grown 

 they form beautiful green carpets, especially in autumn. The 

 most ornamental kinds are S. ajugaefolia, S. Camposii, S. 

 hypnoides, S. Lindseana, S. tenella, S. Whitlavi, and the beauti- 

 ful exception, as to colour, S. muscoides purpurea, which has 

 reddish-crimson flower buds and flowers. 



The group of which S. oppositifolia is the type contains 

 plants very difficult to grow well. They are inhabitants of our 

 highest mountains, and are probably survivors of the flowers of 

 the glacial period. They are found only near mountain tops ; 

 and in our warm, lowland climate they require very careful 

 treatment to keep them alive through a hot summer. When 

 well grown, they form dense matted tufts, and when in 

 bloom they are very striking objects. The flowers are large in 

 comparison with the foliage, and are produced generally in great 

 abundance during the months of March and April. These plants 

 should have a well-drained or, in other words, a deeply drained 

 soil, a declivity with a northern aspect, and plenty of granite or 

 slate chips distributed on the surface. The soil in which they are 

 planted should be gritty loam, also freely mingled with granite 

 chips. Of this group S. pyrenaica seems the most difficult to 

 grow. As pot-plants, all the oppositifolias are very beautiful. 

 They should have at least one-third of the pot filled with granite 

 chips for drainage, and the rest with gritty loam. They should 

 have copious supplies of water in the summer, to keep them in 

 perfect health. They can stand full exposure to light and air, 

 but the less hot sun the better. The best varieties are S. 

 oppositifolia major — a discovery of Mr. James Backhouse on our 

 English mountains — and S. oppositifolia pyrenaica, of which 

 there are two fine-flowered forms, known in gardens as maxima 

 and superba. 



