Ajuga reptans, and A. genevensis, the common Bugle Weeds 
although not strictly rock plants, can with propriety be admitted 
to the rock garden on account of their habit of growth which is 
dwarf, and because they are found wild in mountain pastures. 
The latter has the best flowers. The shining leaves of both 
species turn a beautiful copper color in late fall. To grow these 
to best advantage they should be planted in good soil in a moist 
part of the garden. 
Clivia Miniata or as it used to be called ImantophyUum has 
been so long cultivated in our greenhouses as to be almost an 
old-fashioned plant; yet for all its age and real use it has not 
achieved great popularity though at the same time it is fairly 
common. Nearly everybody knows the plant and it is to be 
found in a great many window garden collections. Indeed it is 
an excellent house plant. Perhaps its comparatively high 
price has been a handicap to its greater distribution. It is 
nearly always seen in the spring flower show and this year 
visitors to the New York International were regaled by a dis- 
play of these plants from Mrs. F. A. Constable’s greenhouses 
which, arranged with Acacias, made oneof thestrikingfeatures of 
the exhibition. Related 
to the Amaryllis and a 
native of South Africa 
the plant differs from 
its popular relative in 
being evergreen and the 
dark green lustrous 
strap-like leaves are in 
themselves quite ef- 
fective. There is con- 
siderable variation in 
the flowers both in 
coloring and in breadth 
of the segment but all 
are shades of brick to 
orange-red shading to 
clear yellow in the 
throat and crowned by 
yellow stamens and 
anthers. In the conti- 
nent of Europe, es- 
pecially in Belgium 
named varieties are 
much sought for. The 
plant flowers normally 
in the early summer but 
it is easily brought into 
bloom in spring in a 
cool greenhouse. It is 
not hardy and must be 
kept away from frost 
and steadily growing at 
all times. Established 
plants may be grown 
on in the same pot for 
several years, given a 
good lasting well 
drained rich soil. They 
take water in abund- 
ance when they are coming into flower and are to be dried off 
during winter in a temperature not below forty. The name 
Clivia is given in honor of the Clive (Dukes of North- 
umberland) family and should seemingly be spelt with an e, 
but it is not, the correct spelling being as here given. 
Armeria juncea is a European Thrift that grows wild in sandy 
soil and on dolomite rocks, and is useful as being reluctant to 
heed the warnings that winter is near. “As late as Thanks- 
giving after several killing frosts had been experienced,” says 
Mr. Free of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, “1 have seen a display 
of flowers. An indefatigable bloomer, it shows its first buds about 
the middle of April. It is in full bloom about the second week 
in May and continues in good condition until the second week 
of June. It then has a short rest after which it flowers spo- 
radically until stopped by severe frost. It is a smaller plant 
than the Common Thrift, with somewhat hoary leaves and 
bright pink flowers. Give it a sunny position, and well 
drained, sandy soil.” 
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Nana, the Japanese Dwarf Cypress, 
has its especial use in 
winter, when nothing 
whatever is blooming 
outdoors and interest in 
the rock garden is usual- 
ly confined to the rocks 
themselves. Then its 
evergreen foliage serves 
a real purpose. The 
somewhat horizontal 
lines of this and many 
other delightful dwarf 
conifers serve in a meas- 
ure to suggest the 
windswept and gnarled 
Spruces and Firs found 
along the timberline in 
the mountains, and of 
themselves these dimin- 
utive trees are alto- 
gether charming when 
associated with a suit- 
able rocky background. 
There is abundance of 
material to chose from 
when selecting worth 
while evergreens for the 
rock garden. Pinus 
montana and itsvariety 
Mughus can always be 
worked in to advantage, 
also the dwarf forms of 
Spruce, Juniper, and 
Fir. Those which show 
too clearly the selective 
skill of the nurseryman 
— those with silver or 
gold variegation — 
should be rejected. 
CLIVIA MINIATA 
An evergreen bulb from South Africa having orange-red flowers in a variety of tones and 
shadings. Useful for the cool greenhouse or the window garden and for porch decoration 
234 
