THE ROCK GARDEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 68, 17 September 1936, Page 26

THE ROCK GARDEN

SOME USEFUL SEEDLINGS

(By T. W. Attwood.)

As soon as conditions permit, the rock garden should be lightly pricked over with the fork, it is much safer than the hoe, especially where companulas and many other treasures lhat for a time lose their foliage are planted. , ■ . As soon as the soil is sufficiently friable, plants may be taken up, divided;, and replanted. Mat veronicas, catmint, zauchenera, plumbago larpentae, may be cut right back and the dead flower stalks of all others cleared away. Primula denticulata and others of this type should be taken up and divided.

I Some people find seed raising a troublesome'affair, but the following will well repay the difficulties attendant upon their propagation. However, unless you can givel the proper attention they require my advice is do not bother with them. Others again find half the pleasure in their garden work watching the marvel of Nature, "First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear." The plant you have yourself raised from seed will always be more precious than the one purchased from the nursery. Many of us have not the time nor the convenience necessary for raising many of the finer and: choicer varieties of rock plants, and must per-* force leave this work for others.

The following are useful and beautiful varieties:—

Hibiscus trionum, a New Zealand native plant, and a real beauty, easily raised by sowing seed in the open pocket where they are to remain, thinning the plants to six or eight inches apart.

Arthuropodium candidum is another native. Though perhaps not a true lily, is called the tiniest lily-in culti-

vation, • only 4in high, and is perennial. Clematis foetida, another New Zea- ■ land native.' - ... . ' Blue.and white linum, both native. Clianthus puniceus, known as red kaka beak, native. Purple ake ake, a handsome purple-leaved-shrub, native.' , Purple-leaved rangiora, native; . , Lilliums, noble ; 'flowers, easily '* grown" . , ' ■ ": " ■ Alyssum saxatile, which no rock garden is complete without; a charming plant. .' . ■ i '; Silene, a perennial received from the • Edinburgh Botanical Gardens. It is . a low mat plant, the sprays of grey : •' Tsh white little flowers not being very showy, but very useful as floral work. Except in colour they resemble Heu- - chera- sanguinea. , . - Potentilia yellow, a most useful winter flowering variety. Bomar'ia* (scarlet or yellow), a handsome climber for six feet trellis or to coyer up a bare fence. Beautiful trusses of tubular flowers. It cannot be too strongly emphasised ! that the' gardener should avoid sowing seed in- wet, cold ground. .It is better , to wait till the, soil conditions are right j if you have to sow in the open. If , in frames, boxes, or.pans see that in 1 each case they are protected from heavy rains.