.January -24, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
67 
THE ROCK GARDEN. 
Saxifraga apiculata. 
The above—known formerly under the name of S. Frederici- 
Augusti—is among the most charming of hardy plants. Com¬ 
ing into flower with the earliest of the Saxifragas, its primrose- 
yellow flowers, in short, dense spikes, peep up to gladden our 
hearts and herald the advent of the approaching spring. The 
plant forms a dense tufted cushion, which is handsome the 
whole year through, and is a splendid and choice Saxifraga, 
which should find a place on eveiy rockery. W. B., Hates. 
Variegated Perennials for the Rockery. 
In my previous notes I confined myself chiefly to variegated 
hardy herbaceous plants, and I take this opportunity of thank- 
under the notice of the younger portion of your readers. Ajuga 
reptans variegata, in marked contrast to the dark-leaved form, 
is a capital edging plant, with green and white leaves on creep¬ 
ing stems. Alyssum saxatile variegatum is a pleasing form of 
the “ Gold Dust.” It is in all respects a counterpart of the 
type, with the exception of its finely-variegated leaves, which 
are objects of much interest nearly the whole year round. It 
is a gem for the rockwork or front of .the border, and can easily 
he increased by cuttings. Arabis albida variegata and A. 
lucida variegata are also' well-known edging plants, to be found 
in almost eveiy garden, and deservedly so, the latter especially 
being a great boon as a winter edging plant. 
Amongst Aubretias, the only one I know that has coloured 
foliage is A. purpurea variegata. It is like its parent—a grand 
carpeting plant for the front of the rockwork, a dry position 
suiting it best, which, of course, holds good for all this family. 
Campanula balchiniana stands an ordinary winter if planted 
Saxifraga apiculata. 
ing “ J. Mcl.,” p. 282, Yol. XIX., for drawing attention to 
several varieties not included in my selection. Regarding 
Scrophularia nodosa variegata, I can only say that is the 
name I have always known it under, and also see it so named 
in trade catalogues; but I can find no trace of S. aquatica 
variegata, which, from “ J. Mel.’s ” description, appears to be 
the same thing. On turning to the only dictionary I possess, 
viz., Johnson’s, I find no mention made of it at all, at least 
under the heading of Scrophularia ; mayhap it has still another 
name. Can our obliging Editor throw any light on the matter? 
[You will find S. aquatica variegata recorded in “ Cassell’s Dic¬ 
tionary of Gardening.” Apart from its variegation, it is 
purely a botanical plant, which will account for its infre¬ 
quency in dictionaries and gardening books. We have seen 
plants under the name of S. nodosa variegata, but they were 
S. aquatica variegata.— Ed.] 
But to proceed with my story. On this occasion I wish, to 
draw attention to a few dwarf variegated perennials, most of 
which are well known, but none the worse for beinir brought 
in a diy position on the rockwork, where its long, graceful, tri¬ 
colored sprays can trail over some projecting ledge. The 
leaves are green and white, flushed pink, and when seen in a 
mass have a grand effect in pots, etc. For hanging baskets 
it is also' a great favourite, making a grand companion 
to the C. isophylla varieties. Cheiranthus alpinus variegatus 
differs from the type in the colour of its leaves only, being 
finely margined white. On dry banks, the brow of the rock¬ 
work, etc., it is an object of much interest, and is easily in¬ 
creased by division or cuttings. 
Nepeta Glechoma variegata, a variegated form of the Ground 
Ivy, well merits a place on the rough rockwork, sloping bank, 
tree stumps, etc., where it can ramble at will. It also makes 
a good carpeting for taller plants. Hypericum moserianum 
tricolor is, of all the St. John’s Worts, the most conspicuous, 
on account of its finely-blended green, white and red graceiul 
foliage, on the rockwork, sloping bank, or dotted in beds. 
With a suitable carpeting companion it Las a grand effect. 
For edging and other purposes Lamium album variegatum 
and L. maculatum are also indispensable. 
