418 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



sometimes difficult little shrubs to flourish. The beautiful prostrate 

 species D. Blagayana is an evergreen with creamy-white and very 

 fragrant flowers. It should be planted in a sheltered, half-shaded nook 

 in a compost of sand, peat, and fibrous loam. To ensure success with 

 these Daphnes, the young growths must be pegged down every year, 

 and the plants top-dressed in August. D. alpina, D. japonica, D. 

 neapolitana, and D. hybrida are dwarf deciduous shrubs, any of which 

 may be included on the rock garden. Rhododendron indicum var. 

 balsaminaefiorum (syn. Azalea rosaeflora) is a beautiful dwarf plant which 

 does well in sheltered spots in ordinary soil with a little leaf-mould. 

 Loiseleuria (Azaka) procumbens, said to be the smallest shrub grown, 

 grows naturally on the mountain-side and proves a tiresome plant to 

 some growers. It requires a south-east aspect, where it is sheltered 

 from midday sun, either by a tree or a big stone, and should be planted 

 on a well drained sloping bank in a compost of hard peat, strong 

 fibrous loam, and granite chips, to which a little leaf-mould may be 

 added. The compost should be passed through a sieve, the hard 

 spongy peat being used making it very firm. An annual top-dressing 

 of fine sand and peat is appreciated by this plant. Polygonum 

 vaccinii folium, from the Himalayas, is quite hardy and thrives in almost 

 any soil, but it is best seen where its shoots can ramble over stones. 

 Under favourable conditions it grows rapidly, and produces a profusion 

 of rosy flowers in autumn. Margyricarpus setosus, a pretty, prostrate, 

 shrubby, heath-like plant, studded with white pearl-like berries, is 

 suitable for a sunny bank. Veronica is a large genus, including 

 many dwarf and shrubby species, some trailing or carpeting in their 

 growth. The flowers are generally of a blue shade, but range from 

 rose to a dull white. V. salicornioides is a compact little golden shrub, 

 9 inches high, rather inclined to die off in the centre, a fault which 

 may be prevented by top-dressing in autumn or early spring. V. 

 pimeleoides, V. Hectori, V. buxifolia, and V . pingui folia are also suitable 

 for a small rockery. Helianthemums (Sun Roses) are charming little 

 shrubs of low spreading habit, indispensable to the rock garden, and 

 excellent for dry sunny banks. The flowers, somewhat resembling 

 tiny roses, single or double, are produced in extraordinary profusion 

 in June and July. ' Fireball,' * The Bride,' and ' Mrs. C. W. Earle ' are 

 three of the best. They are easily increased by cuttings in the autumn 

 or spring. Cistuses (Rock Roses) are very beautiful shrubs, suitable 

 for very sunny positions, and although they will do in any light garden 

 soil, they are specially suited in a sandy one. They should be 

 sheltered from cold north-easterly winds. The hardiest are Cistus 

 laurifolius, with large white flowers and very fragrant foliage, and 

 C. cyprius, pure white, each petal with a dark purple-brown blotch, 

 and both with thick, gummy leaves. They may be increased easily 

 by seeds and cuttings. C. salvifolius has white flowers, C. lusitanicus 

 large white flowers with crimson and gold blotches. The Cistuses 

 are apt to make long straggly growth, but by taking out the leader 

 during the growing season they may be kept more compact. 



