The Garden Magazine, July, 1920 
309 
Above is the soft and 
downy American Pas- 
que Flower, colored 
somewhat like the 
Hepatica though much 
larger 
The Mountain Phlox 
(centre) of the Rockies 
grows in tufts and has 
larger flowers than 
other creeping varieties 
The Douglas Clematis 
(below) will enjoy par- 
tial shade and as cool a 
place as may be avail- 
able in the garden 
much larger and closer together than in P. subulata and form tufts 
rather than carpets of solid color, varying from pale rosy-lilac to laven- 
der-white and deeper shades of pink and rose. It spreads less rapidly 
than P. subulata, which in some situations would be advantageous. It 
is probable that P. multiflora would present greater cultural difficulties 
than P. subulata but it is worth the trouble of trying, at least. The 
important thing is to remember that it is essentially a rock plant, re- 
quiring little or no shade and very little moisture. Instead of giving it 
level ground in the garden therefore, plant it on a dry, gravelly slope 
where the soil contains a little humus. 
T O LOVERS of Iris the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains and 
the high mountain parks offer the distinct, but little known Iris 
missouriensis. There is no finer sight in spring than a field of this Iris 
at the edge of the foothills — yet ordinary garden conditions are its only 
requirement. The flowers are light-blue, marked with darker veins 
and with clear yellow suffusing the throat. The plant is a foot tall, 
the flowers showy and abundant, and it soon forms large clumps which, 
with their numerous blossoms, are an attractive addition to the Iris 
garden. 
If we go from the foothills to the subalpine regions of the Rockies 
where sparkling streams rush over rocks, icy cold from the perpetual 
snows, we shall find rare treasures practically unknown except to the 
botanist. Some few in- 
deed of the subalpine 
plants have been received 
into English gardens with 
enthusiasm, perhapsthey 
will be just as welcome in 
American gardens, now 
that foreign sources of 
rare plants have been cut 
off. Soon after the snow 
has melted, tiny marshes 
in the high altitudes be- 
come dainty gardens of 
bright flowers. It would 
be impossible of course 
to transfer the deep blue 
skies, the exhilarating, 
cool air and dazzling sun- 
shine of these mountain 
heights to the lowlands, 
but the flowers will not withhold their delicate charm if given a chance 
in the cool, moist places in the garden. 
One of the finest of the subalpine flowers is the White Cowslip (Caltha 
leptosepala), which blossoms very early when brought down to low alti- 
tudes. It is related to the Marsh Marigold of the East, but is a finer 
plant for the garden. The flowers are white, tinged with blue in the 
bud and larger than those of Caltha palustris. The plant grows less 
rampantly, so that it fits well into the most refined nooks of the stream- 
side or marsh. But if you have no stream or marsh in your garden 
you need not be deprived of the joy which this little plant will give, for 
it will grow if it has a fair amount of moisture and partial shade. Some- 
times after resting it even blossoms a second time late in the summer. 
Another choice plant from the subalpine moist places is Primula 
Parryi, which has been successful under cultivation. From its foliage 
of broad fleshy leaves an umbel about a foot high of pinkish-purple 
flowers arises. The color is clear and vivid, and contrasts well with the 
foliage. It is necessary to take care that this as well as other stream- 
side plants are placed so that the roots will not heave out of the ground 
during the winter frosts. To do this, protect the edges of the stream 
with stones firmly placed, and fill in around the roots with soil early in 
the spring if necessary. 
On the uppermost heights of the peaks, high above timberline and 
up among the snowbanks, are myriads of alpine flowers, dwarf and 
