The Garden Magazine , June , 1921 
Some there are who remember Hen-and-Chickens in old gardens 
of the past, and are glad to come again upon them. They are 
favorites with children, too. The common folk-name pleases 
them, and they like to set the “ Hens ” in their own little gardens. 
In one of our village gardens vertical culture is given S. tec- 
torum, by inserting plants in holes bored around the sides of a 
wooden box. When I first saw it, the box — a receptacle for 
thriving pink Geraniums, placed on a tree stump — was fairly 
encrusted over all its sides with Houseleeks. 
1 really wish the doing-likewise idea were not so attractive — 
so persistent with me, in this connection, because of the crowd 
of mental reservations accompanying it. Despite many doubts 
about its artistic value as a garden ornament, however, the 
deed may yet be done. For in a struggle between the pros and 
cons, the pros seem likely to come off victors. At the joining of 
two paths now stands the bird-bath, an affair of straight-lined 
.concrete, its supporting post covered with Ampelopsis Veitchii. 
As a balancing feature at the opposite end of the long walk shall 
be placed, (1 fear,) the Houseleek box, built upon square lines 
and as like the bird-bath in form and color as may be and with 
an ivy-covered post to stand upon. Some of the choice Sedums 
261 
shall fill it perhaps; white-flowered S. album and Stahlii; pink 
Sieboldii; the blue of the annual Sedum caeruleum, and the 
lovely blue-green foliage of S. lydium glaucum. Sempervivum 
Allonii, described as having large rosettes of a light green 
shaded violet at base, would, no doubt, add interest to the out- 
side planting of the box, by contrast with the deeper green of S. 
tectorum. 
As the box must be brought indoors for the winter it might 
possibly serve a useful, as well as ornamental (?) purpose in 
carrying over some of the more tender succulents one might not 
otherwise attempt. Should my box plan work out satisfac- 
torily, well and good; if it turns out a monstrosity, why it is, 
after all, only an amusement easily laid aside. 
So truly, indeed, is the sense of play rather than anything 
approaching strenuous work felt in dealing with these odd make- 
ups of plant-form that they quite naturally take on a toy-like 
character in one’s regard, which places them in the curio de- 
partment of a collection of succulents. Therefore, it seems to 
me, these living curiosities, these garden playthings, provide an 
excellent hobby, of moderate pace, for any one with true garden 
interest who has a flair for Sempervivums. 
O. F. Browning, Photo. 
A CORNER IN MISS RATHBONE'S GARDEN 
The enterprising Houseleek scrambles enthusiastically hither and thither, obligingly filling odd nooks and 
crannies with its tiny, grey-green rosettes. Despite — perhaps because of — its unobtrusiveness it soon be- 
comes "fast friends” with every gardener who loves nature best in her less brilliant, humbly busy moments 
