THE ROCK GARDEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 28

THE ROCK GARDEN

NEW CONSTRUCTION

(By T. W. Attwood.)

The question is of ten asked what is the bestjkind of sdilfor rock plants. Briefly, any kind of soil;will suit some plants; but no possible. mixture or make up will suit rall*-plants, and as rock plants' are gathered from all classes of soil conditions, from many lands, and mountain .fastnesses, the best Kind of .soil- would setem*-to be that which most nearly approximates that found in the natural habitat of the individual-plant. 7

In ordinary rock garden practice, however, good results may be obtained with a "foundation" of rotten rock, old brick, and mortar rubble, or any similar substance that will provide .perfect drainage, the top soil composed of ordinary garden soil and coarse sharp sand or small rock chips (limestone chips for preference), the rock chips and sand representing one-third of the bulk.. A very large range of plants may be grown tea rock garden made up of such material. Some few plants,.however, such as some of the companulas, the choicer alpines preferring crevices, or banks of well made light limey soil in the: rock-work, or in the moraine in open positions; While for. the ■ white '■ woolly-leaved ievantines hot dry.-chinks and sheltered sunny places in deep and light and stony soil are indicated, with protection in "raw climates7against winter wet. ??'? .Ay:**'- '.'.',

Continue to propagate,,all varieties of sempervivums by divisions, Acaena Buchanani and7Auricula, by division, all the; mesembryanthemums • and ' all the sedunis'by cuttings, Crassula Perfossa and Punctata, Achillea Lewisii, Eroduim Hybrida, Geums, Zauchneria Californica, and the mat veronicas all by division. Gazanias* and Arctotis by cuttings. Pratia angtilata and Ajuga tricolour by runners. Most of the mat plants may be increased by cutting into small pieces and replanting.

There is still time to take cuttings of pansies and violas, and sow aubretia and dwarf antirrhinums. These dwarf "bunnies" are very useful to All up any odd pockets that may be empty.

Renovate all pockets that were not disturbed last autumn, and incorporate

some rich leaf mould or decayed cow manure and loam with some coarse sand. Aerate the soil as well as possible without damage to growing plants. Plants that are getting leggy should In most cases be lifted and restarted with either cuttings or new plants. It may be taken for granted that plants doing exceptionally well are quite satisfied with present conditions, but any showing signs of weakness or exhaustion shottld be given a change of situation. The Kaffir. Lily is a lovely autumn and even winter-flowering plant that blooms just when the garden is most in need of a patch of colour. Everyone who has a little sheltered border should grow a few plants of the beautiful kaffir lily (Schizostylis). It bears more resemblance to a gladiolus than a lily, and its red flowers, borno on tall stems, make it invaluable at this time, both for house and garden decoration. Schizostylis coccinea, crimson, used to be the only sort, but there is now another variety with lovely pink blooms called "Mrs. Hegarty." The story goes that a traveller for a large nursery garden, touring in the West of Ireland, came across a patch of this handsome plant growing by a wayside cottage and was so struck with its beauty that he stopped and asked the owner to sell him the whole patch. She, however, offered him the whole lot for nothing, but he presented her with a substantial cheque which brought joy and comfort to poor old Mrs. Hegarty for the rest of her days.