THE WISLEY ROCK AND WATER GARDEN. 



233 



the top to a depth of a few inches. Needless to say the mechanical 



contrivances connected with this are well hidden. 



Last autumn Edraianthus seripyllifolius major, E. Pumilio, and 

 Androsace carnea were in the moraine, while a month ago Campanula 

 cenisia, G. excisa, and G. pulloides were in bloom there. That rare and 

 difficult alpine, Eritrichium nanum, was also tucked in between two 

 stones laid at a sharp angle, and was receiving moraine treatment. 



All the principal paths (fig. 83) were taken out to a depth of about 

 six inches, with a trench about six inches deeper along the middle 

 of each. In this trench a land drain is laid and filled in round with 

 rubble, so that ample drainage is assured. These drains discharge 

 either into the cave, the bog garden, or the ponds below. The surface 

 of the whole of the paths within the confines of the rock garden 

 is paved with rough, irregular, stone slabs, provision being made 

 for Sedums, Sempervivums, and other small plants to grow in the 

 interstices. 



Owing to the steep nature of the bank, many rough steps were put 

 in (fig. 84) to enable visitors to get about with greater ease, and in 

 the open joints of these steps many Sedums, Saxifrages, and other 

 suitable plants have already been planted with happy effect. On the 

 side of the path" a colony of Gentiana acaulis has been planted in good 

 firm soil. 



The rock garden was finished by the end of August last year, 

 and in the early part of that year the Council appointed a gardener 

 specially experienced in rock and alpine plants to plant and keep it 

 in order. On commencing his duties, he- started with such plants as 

 could be obtained from other parts of the gardens and some presented 

 by the Fellows. I might perhaps emphasize the fact that the 

 Council will gratefully accept plants suitable for planting here. The 

 top portion of the rock garden is perhaps the most completely furnished 

 of any, but some bold planting should be undertaken, as soon as possible, 

 chiefly with effective flowering and evergreen shrubs. No doubt the 

 Council will see their way clear to pushing on with this most important 

 work during the coming season. Figure 85 shows a portion which is 

 more thickly covered than much of the other part. Here is a carpet 

 of Trifolium repens atropurpureum ; on the edge of the stream is 

 Myosotis Welwitchii ; above that is Gypsophila prostrata rosea, while 

 further along the path is a good example of Sedum stoloniferum. 

 Amongst some other noticeable objects in various parts of the garden I 

 may m.ention Juniperus littoralis. Primula me gaseae folia, Androsace 

 lanuginosa, Gentiana verna, and G. cruciata. 



