PLANT BRIEFS 
A FEW ROCKERY ANNUALS RECOMMENDED 
BY LOUISE BEEBE WILDER 
E VEN more than the garden beds and borders the rock 
garden is subject to periods of uninterest and dullness 
when it is the part of wisdom to fall back upon annuals 
to keep up a display. Not just any dwarf annual will 
serve, however — Sweet AlysSum, Verbenas, California Poppies, 
Petunias, Candytuft, are not appropriate company for the dimin- 
utive beings that inhabit the select area of the rock garden. 
They bear too unmistakably the stamp of the border, are too 
obviously “easy” and usual; search must be made for kinds 
that have the choice, aloof look common to rock plants and 
alpines generally, though they may be as easy to grow as weeds. 
It is important to sow thinly and to thin out the young plants 
remorselessly. For sowing over the heads of departed bulbs or 
for filling any gaps 1 have found the following both useful and 
delightful. Many will self-sow, thus perpetuating themselves, 
but none are of a character to become obtrusive or a menace. 
Abronia umbellata (Sand Verbena), a graceful trailer from 
California with rounded heads of rose-purple flowers, slightly 
fragrant, produces a fine effect planted in a warm, sunny situa- 
tion where it may trail over a little precipice. For early flower- 
ing it may be started indoors or it may be sown directly where 
it is to bloom when danger from frost is past. 
Anagallis coerulea (Blue Pimpernel) is a charming, half- 
hardy annual about six inches tall with sky blue flowers. It is 
best sown where it is to flower when frost is gone. 
Asperula azurea setosa (Blue Woodruff) is one of the pret- 
tiest of dwarf annuals. It is less than a foot in height and bears 
a profusion of grey-blue flower heads above whorls of small 
dusty looking leaves. It thrives both in sun or shade, or in 
rich or poor soil, but for the best results should be shown as 
early in the year as possible. It self-sows freely. 
Corydalis glauca (Pale Corydal) may be found growing 
wild in many parts of the east in rocky woods. It is a cheerful 
little annual with delicate grey foliage and gay pink and yellow 
blossoms that continue to develop all summer. It self-sows 
freely, and once given a place, preferably on the shady side of 
the rockery, it may thereafter be counted upon. 
Gypsophila muralis has the appearance when in bloom of a 
tiny sunset cloud. It has the wiry, airy growth common to 
its family and bears myriads of tiny pink blossoms on thread- 
like stems throughout the summer and fall, often resisting 
several degrees of frost. Nothing prettier could be found 
for sowing above bulbs in sunny places, or for veiling the un- 
sightly joints of steps or paths. Its self-sown colonies are a 
delight wherever they appear. Sow early. 
Grammanthes dichotoma (or G. gentianoides), a very small 
South African succulent, deservesspace in the rock garden byrea- 
son of its neat habit and great brilliance when in flower. 1 1 grows 
not more than three inches tall and bears many bright orange- 
yellow blossoms that increase in strength of color as they mature. 
It is best started indoors and set out in a dry, sunny place. 
Ionopsidium acaule (Violet-cress), a dainty, two-inch plant 
from Portugal with pale lavender four-petalled flowers, is a 
delightful subject for crevices in cool sections of the rock garden, 
or for the joints of shaded steps or paths. It grows and self-sows 
with great freedom, but is too small to do any harm, and may 
be found in bloom for most months of the year that are not frost- 
bound. Sow early where it is to bloom. 
Kaulfussia amelloides (Charieis heterophylla) is a South 
African growing nine inches tall and bearing freely pretty 
daisy-like flowers, bright lilac in color, with a dark disk. It is a 
hardy annual liking a position in full sun. 
Gilia densiflora (Leptosiphon densiflorus hybridus of gardens) 
is entirely delightful when grown upon the rock garden. Seed 
sown on little sunny plains or gentle slopes in early April 
germinates quickly, forming small tufts of plumy greenery 
about four inches tall, from which spring the dainty, many- 
colored flowers in the greatest profusion. Its effect is in- 
describably gay and jewel-like, and it blooms all the season. 
Limnanthes Douglasi (Meadow-foam) is one of the lovely 
Californians. It grows six inches tall, has fragrant yellow 
flowers white-edged and beloved of bees, and a lax, trailing 
habit. Sow very early in spring, or in mild climates in autumn. 
Nemophila insignis (Baby Blue-eyes) is one of the gems of the 
rich California flora, and a most charming plant for cool, moist 
situations. Its habit is trailing, and given plenty of stretching 
space, a single plant will cover considerably more than a foot of 
ground. The round blossoms are sky-blue with a white eye and 
are produced with astonishing profusion. The seed is hardy 
and should be sown as early as possible or it may be sown in- 
doors and the plants later set in place. Autumn sowing is 
frequently successful with this plant. 
Omphalodes linifolia (Venus Navelwort) is a charming 
little plant for partially shaded locations on the rock garden 
that will self-sow when once established and is always welcome. 
It grows about a foot high and has pretty narrow grey leaves 
and a profusion of white flowers like large Forget-me-nots. Sow 
early where it is to grow. 
Phacelia campanularia (California Blue-bell). Few flowers 
display a more perfect blue than do the spreading bells of this 
beautiful Californian. It makes a bushy plant about nine inches 
tall, the foliage greyish with dark markings, and it likes a light, 
warm soil in full sunshine. Seed may be sown indoors and the 
little plants set out in May about eight inches apart. 
Platystemon calif ornicus (Cream-cups), a lovely Poppywort 
with trailing grey stems and leaves and inch-wide pale yellow 
blossoms, that is to be found growing wild on the hillsides of 
California. Seed should be sown where the plants are to grow 
and the plants thinned to a foot or more apart. Once estab- 
lished it self-sows and these gypsy plants are commonly a good 
deal more vigorous than those come by in the ordinary way. 
It likes a sunny position. 
Sanvitalia procumbens is a vigorous six-inch trailer bearing 
a profusion of black-eyed blossoms like little sunflowers. It is 
useful in an emergency but is not of the first order of beauty. 
Saponaria calabrica (Annual Soapwort), a nice tufted little 
plant with white or bright pink flowers is a useful annual in time 
of need. It grows six inches tall, should be sown in a sunny 
situation and thinned to about eight inches apart. 
Sedum coeruleum (Blue Stonecrop), is a delightful miniature 
succulent seldom exceeding three inches in height. Its com- 
pactly grown foliage shows both bronze and grey lights and the 
blossoms are a pretty soft grey-blue. It should be sown early 
where it is to flower, in some sunny raised position or outlining 
a warm crevice. 
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