THE PURPLE ROCK-CRESSES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11462, 28 December 1897, Page 3

THE PURPLE ROCK-CRESSES.

(The Field,}

When Plato pictured the condition of his ideal Republic as living amid surronnd-ings-where “ loveliness, like a breeze, should pass into their souls, and teach them, without their knowing it, the truth of which beauty is a manifestation,” he doubtless imagined flowers as forming part of that beauty. And among them be would have included his native rock-cress as one of the ■ best. The Greek rock-cress (aubrietia. graeca) is one of the most interesting as well as one of the most beautiful introductions to our island gardens. To all lovers of literature it is a fascinating thought that the'violet flower we pluck from our English rockwork may be descended—remotely, it is true—from the very plants that delighted the eyes of Plato, Euripides, or Sophocles,- as they rambled over the rocky hills, or roamed by “ Kephissus’ wandering stream.” But when we see it cribbed in the bondage of bedding, we cannot judge of its beauty, for, like the skylark, it is a “ child of the rocks,” loving best to ramble fetterless over rocky banks, and being most effective in broad groups or free broad edgings. Seeing an isolated specimen in a garden border', one can have no idea of its value when growing in broad expanses, and flowing in purple rapids over ledges and rocky hillsides. Probably the aubrietia has neverbeen better seen in this country than in, .the Duchess’s garden at Belvoir, as grown by the late Mr William Ingram. This garden, which might be named “ The Garden of the Violet Crown,” is formed in -a ' small amphitheatre. The rocky banks that fold it in on three sides, are, mantled with aubrietia, add the topmost: Hedges are, wreathed with violet blossom. Coming suddenly out. of the shadowed woodland into this hillside garden in'the spring sunshine, the effect is charming, masses- of luminous violet clothing the, banks, &c., cascades of bloom tumbling over ledges. Some of the best sorts for English gardens are Aubrietia grceca, A. Gampbelli, A. Byrei, A. purpurea and A. Leichtlini, raised b# Herr Max Leiehtlin, of Baden. All the above sorts are regarded by

common on the hills" of Greece.; butrtor garden use it is convenient to speak of them by distinct names. BeantifnLshadM of violet form the colour of most of the sorts, but.A. Leichtlinx is-of a-roseate hoe. We muat.admit that it ie-one of the most beautiful, glowing.as it does ..with ..aJsr ight rosy red, unique in its genus. A mass-of sthis sort, when seen in full armsbine, is • very effective. . _ M. Correvon,.of Geneva, a Mgiwuithority, assures us that all alpine -plants-am host increased by seed, and aubrietia, being constitutionally an alpine, is included in the above rule. , Sow in gooddnamrin. April and May, and transplant in the'autnnm to permanent quarters on rock garden er beds for spring flowering. If thus the beds in autumn, they will have time*to get well established before they bloom in the spring. After flowering, the plants may be taken up and divided. It is.a goo 4 plan to set the divided portions*on .a.north border, as they will quickly die off if allowed to get too dry in the full glare of the early summer sunshine. In thetaufemm the portions torn asunder' in spring will have formed strong plants, and be ready for transferring to the.spring beds.