THE SMALL ROCK GARDEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19952, 20 November 1926, Page 3

THE SMALL ROCK GARDEN.

ATTRACTIVE FOLIAGE PLANTS. Too frequently tho value of foliage is deemed secondary to that of tho flower. With some plants tho beauty of the foliage is not soon until tho flowering season is over, while with many others the approach ot winter is signalled by brilliant coloration of their leaves. The following is a list of 20 plants which can bo trusted to provide beauty at a time when there is little to see in tho small rock garden. Achillea Kclleri. —A silvery beauty with delicately cut leaves and the purest of white flowers. Artemisia podemontana.—Another silvery treasure without tho same beauty of flower, but well worthy of a place in any collection. Berberis Wilsonae.—For autumn colouring berberis are supreme. This is one of the dwarfost. Gotoneastor adpressa.—Probably the most perfect habited of all rook shrubs, and with leaves which turn a beautiful shade in late autumn. Tho berries are delightful in their turn. . ~ Dianthus caesius.—Forms a beautifully neat mat of a wonderful silvery blue colour. Erodium chrysanthum.— Pure silver with exceedingly charming flowers, tho yellow colour being exceptional in a race of pinky tints. . Geranium argonteum.—Very well named and probably the best of its kind. Juniperus communis compressa. —The cheeriest of baby conifers and universally beloved. Juniperus Fletcheri. —Much bigger, though still a baby, xiio foliage is more attractive.

Picea Pungens Kosteriana compacta.— This is the blue spruce and a matchless colour. It is far too seldom seen in rock gardens. . , Potentilla fruticosa Vilmoriniana. —Grows rather tall, but its silvery leaves and pale lemon flowers make it a welcome addition to any rock garden. Potentilla nitida.—A sun-loyer- whose loaves positively sparkle. It is, unfortunately. rather reluctant to flower. Raoidia australis.—Probably the most beautiful carpeting plant in cultivation. The pure silver of its tiny leaves excites admiration. . . . Saxifrage cochlear is minor.—A splendid example of the diminutive encrusted saxifrage with most attractive flowers. It follows tho contour of a rook like moss. Sedum spathuhfolium piirpureum.—Hero tho foliage is an iniensely deep plum comur and forms a wonderful foil to tho burnished gold of tho flower. Sempervivum rubicundum. —Another wonderful colour which deepens as the season advances. Sonico Grayii.—A pure silver plant, with a very charming yellow flower. This is a well-known New Zealand native. Teucriutn aureum. —A silvery aromatic which scorns to get daily more silvery when flowering has ceased. Veronica incana..—Tho true plant is exceedingly beautiful and the leaves arc pure silver. The flowers in their turn are of a splendid shade of purple. Veronica Trehane. —Here wo.have golden foliage, a neat habit, and flowers of a pleasing shade of blue. Much more could be said of the charm of foliage, a- 1 many other plants possess as groat or greater charms; those enumerated are, however, in general cultivation, inexpensive, and not difficult to grow.— The Garden.