BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 
LEAFLETS 
THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 
Series VII Brooklyn, N. Y., May 7, 1919 No. 4 
FLOWERS OF THE ROCK GARDEN 
In the month of May the rock garden is at its best. It is at 
this time that the majority of alpines and rock plants are in 
bloom, and their beauty of form and gaiety of coloring make a 
picture that never fails to satisfy the eye. It must not be inferred 
that the rock garden is lacking in interest at other seasons of the 
year: from late winter right up to leaf-fail there is always some- 
thing in bloom, and, even when not flowering, many of these 
alpines are of value for their beautiful or curious foliage. At the 
time of writing (March 15th) , in spite of the ground being covered 
with a slight fall of snow, several mountain species of Crocus are 
bravely displaying their blossoms. These are not the corpulent 
kinds so greatly in favor for spring bedding, but are dainty 
wildlings, full of charm and elegance. Bulbocodium vernum , the 
spring meadow-saffron, from the mountains of Europe and Rus- 
sian Asia, is also in bloom. The color of the flowers, rosy 
purple, is not all that could be desired, but one cannot afford to 
be hypercritical of colors in the outdoor garden at this season of 
the year. Erica carnea , a native of the Alps, and one of the best 
of the hardy heaths, is also in bloom, and will remain in good 
condition until May. Saxifraga Burseriana , a native of the 
mountains of Central Europe, is displaying its pure white flowers 
in the “moraine.” This is one of the gems of the genus andivell 
worth the extra care necessary to make it happy. Iris reticulata , 
a bulbous iris from Asia Minor and Persia, is getting ready to 
display its bright purple flowers, which have a delightful violet- 
like perfume. Other plants that are showing their flower buds 
are the grape hyacinths, Muscari species, and several species of 
Primula. Among the latter are P. denticulata , from the Hima- 
layas, which has pale purple flowers arranged in a dense head 
on the top of a long scape; P. frondosa; P. fariuosa; and P. mar- 
giuata. 
During the month of April the most conspicuous objects in 
the rock garden are several large groups of golden tuft, Alyssum 
