February 25, 1886.] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
155 
is one of the two be9t examples of this handsome Conifer in Belgium, the 
other being in M. C, Yan Geert’s nursery. Cryptomeria japonica also 
grows vigorously, a finely shaped tree 25 feet high being \ ery notable. 
Abies Nordmanmana is represented by some beautiful specimens, but 
Wellingtoniac and Araucarias which had previously done well were killed 
in the winters of 1879-80 and 1880-81; young plants have however been 
placed out, and at present seem to be progressing favourably. Hoses 
occupy considerable space, and a number of medals from various shows 
prove with what success they are grown. They are great favourites with 
Madame Everaerts, and receive her special attention. 
Returning from the shrubberies we approach a small lake, and skirting 
this is a path with a rustic fence, leading to the most remarkable feature 
of the garden—the rockery. Without rivalling the York Rockery for 
extent, this is in some respects an extraordinary production, more especially 
as being the work of one person, and its history may be briefly given in 
M. Everaert’s own words. “ It was commenced twenty years ago, was 
very modestly and gradually enlarged by continual personal work during 
leisure hours, business retaining me in town from 9 A.M. to 5 and 6 P.M. | 
display is made in the spring, April being one of the gayest months, for 
at that time a large number of early-flowering plants are at their best. 
Aubrietias, principally A. graeca, occupy much space ; the rich blue 
Lithospermum prostratum scrambles about over the stones in all direc¬ 
tions. Baxifraga oppositifolia and others flower abundantly early in the 
year. Silene acaulis and S. alpestris furnish some lovely tints of pink, 
while Veronicas rupestris and saxatile supply blue tints. Primulas of 
many species and varieties, the delicate little Soldanellas with their 
charming fringed flowers, Linaria alpina, and Daphne cneorum are all 
conspicuous for their numbers. The humble namesake of a great botanist, 
Linnsea borealis, i9 thoroughly at home, creeping in all directions over the 
stones ; while that difficult plant the Edelweiss c uld not be better in its 
native home. A few Rhododendrons are employed, and amongst these 
are extensive patches of Saponarias, which also hang over the larger rocke, 
clothing them most gracefully. Omphalodes and Forget-me-nots are 
abundant and strong, but one of the most telling features is Erinus alpinus, 
which is thoroughly established, seeding freely and flourishing in all parts 
of the rockery. A pretty dwarf shrub which succeeds well in the rockery 
Fig. 27. — Rockbrt in M. J. Everaert’s Garden at Vieux-Dieu, Belgium. 
Every stone has been placed with my own hands, and every alpine has 
been planted by myself.” Moreover, a large proportion of the occupants 
have been collected in the Swiss Alps by M. and Madame Everaerts, and 
established in their present quarters after much care and some unavoidable 
failures. Comment upon this is needless; it hu neen a work of love, and 
the results are unequalled. A mound was raised artificially to the height 
of 25 feet above the ground level, declining at s me parts to 20 feet, and 
then sloping down into lower ranges and mounds, forming little valleys 
and suitable nooks for alpine plants of all requirements. The total length 
with the outlying mounds is over 100 yards, and it is traversed by narrow 
winding walks into rough natural stone steps. The stone is employed in 
large irregular blocks and arranged as informally as possible, like the 
numerous alpine scenes the designer has seen. To introduce an element 
of utility, however, the lower portion of the rockery is occupied by an 
ice cellar. In the engraving (fig. 27), which has been reduced from a 
photograph, a portion of the rockery slope is shown at its highest part 
with the lake at the base, but it is difficult to do justice to it in this form, 
though it will suffice to illustrate the general plan. 
It would be impossible to enumerate in these notes the whole, or 
even the most beautiful, of the plants which occupy the rockery, and a 
few observations upon the principal features must suffice. The great 
is Rhododendron hirsutum (fig. 26) or the Mountain Rose, as it is sometimes 
termed. With R. ferrugineum, album, and a few dwarf Himalayan species- 
it grows and flowers profusely. Andromedas, Pernettyas, and Ericas are 
employed in the most exposed positions, while in the shady parts Gaul- 
theria procumbens luxuriates. 
Cypripediums, such as C. Calceolus and C. spectabile, appear to be 
equally happy, but the latter is seldom seen in such fine condition, for 
some plants last year bore between fifty and sixty richly coloured flowers. 
Lilium auratum thrives and gains strength yearly, all the protection that- 
is given being an old door placed over the bulbs to throw off the rain, 
which does them more injury than the frost. Bulbs are planted freely, as 
in part of the shrubbery already mentioned, and yield their flowers in 
profusion, as also do the Hellebores, of which there is a good collection. 
These last named have been very fine this season, the old Christmas Rose 
having flowered grandly. Sedums and Sempervivums serve to clothe 
many of the rocks, and in the lower portions a collection of bog plants, 
such as the Buck Bean, Pontederias, &c., Water Lilies having a place at 
the margin of the lake. 
Such is a brief list of the plants which M. Everaerts has been suc¬ 
cessful with, and that have rendered his rockery so famous. But he says, 
“ I have of course had many failures and even till now have not succeeded 
