294 
Rustic Adornments. 
etc. These need never more be touched, and will in no way interfere with 
the other plants put over them, but form charming effects in spring, peeping 
up here and there through the bright green clumps of saxifrages. The bulbs 
of lilies may likewise be placed in the little valley for the sake of being in a 
moist position. Such saxifrages as notata , crustata , and Hostii form striking 
clumps on the terraces. Let them be near the edge, putting at the back 
primulas, auriculas, campanulas, etc. The choice Saxifraga lo?igifolia often 
does well planted in a vertical crevice, and S. densa delights in growing down 
the face of a little cliff, as shown in accompanying illustration. 
For filling up large pockets there is nothing like sedums, selecting album 
roseum and the very beautiful glaucum. Sempervivums will do well on any 
exposed point, but the curious cobweb one, S. arachnoideum , likes to grow 
vertically in a partially sheltered nook. Veronica rupestris will soon render 
a barren slope lovely with its sessile growth and bright blue flowers, whilst the 
white or pink creeping Phlox setacea can be used to relieve it. Whilst some 
sedums like a rather calcareous soil, it is curious to find Sedum anglicum 
delighting in peat. Wallflowers and little coniferous trees form an admirable 
finish on the topmost ridge of the rock-work, of the former the beautiful pale 
yellow Cheiraiithus alpinus being a lovely sort. In the hollow which we call 
a valley, in addition to the lilies we may grow that gem, Primula rosea , and 
there is a host of moisture-loving beauties to keep it company. A large 
space can soon be filled if required in this situation by one or two fine 
Osmufida regalis. Iris of the various sorts go capitally with rock, and always 
seem to suggest the presence of water. 
As to the boundary borders, what can be more beautiful for covering any 
wall or fence, not faced with rock, than Japanese flowering shrubs, Pyrus 
japonica , for example, with its lovely red or pink flowers. Choice ivies, too, 
may here be grown, or any creeper that takes the fancy of the planter. The 
rock borders around the garden will suit a host of things, if variety be desired, 
but in some of the rocky, well-drained pockets, a few of our choice little 
British ferns will flourish like weeds. In the borders, too, Ceterach officinarum , 
Asplenium adiantum-nigrum , A. trichomanes , A. Ruta-muraria form quite 
large clumps. They are always beautiful and very interesting. Supposing 
we have devoted the large centre terrace rockwork chiefly to saxifrages, let the 
soil be so selected for any that require very special treatment, which are but 
few; for a fairly good soil, sandy loam preferably, will do for anything almost. 
See that the soil is thoroughly well-drained, this being, perhaps, the great 
