IN A DUNEDIN ROCK GARDEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21196, 29 November 1930, Page 7

IN A DUNEDIN ROCK GARDEN.

November differs from October in the rock garden mainly in Ijiat a much greater number of plants are hi bloom with a corresponding increase of variety of form and tint. At the same time November seldom offers masses of colour equalling those of the preceding month, for few plants are so free or so fiorifproua as those great stand-bys of October—Alyssum Saxatile, Arabis albidus, Aubretias, and the mossy saxifrages and phloxos. But the November plants offer much more variety of tint, including some precious blues, and the wonderful range of shades found in Helianthemums running from white and yellow through pink, orange, salmon, and apricot to scarlet and crimson. For big splashes of blue the European forms of veronica are hard to excel. It is easy to brighten the early summer garden with the innumerable forms of pinks. For masses of colour we have Dianthus Caesius and D. plumarius, for general purposes we have the beautiful D. neglectus, the favourite 1). alpinus and the brilliant D. Boysii. Then there is the Lithospernums, another invaluable group which includes -L. prostratum and its variety, Heavenly Blue, Among plants suitable for the summer rock garden Aethionemas hold a prominent position, largely on account of their long, flowering period, which extends from November till January? If offered a somewhat dry, stony position, they are true perennials, but if grown in rich soil and on flat ground they often die out. They are beautiful plants with their long racemes of deep nink and lavender flowers, and their glaucous leaves gives them an additional charm. . Two or three jittle gems arc in bloom just now, including Wahlonbergia pumiHo, a charming little alpine that will flourish in limestone scree or in a tight crevice in full sun. The plant makes a

tuft of shining silver grass like leaves two inches high. From these appear numerous dainty little cups of amethyst blue flowers. • The beautiful Ramondia pyrenaica is another favourite in the rock garden. It is perfectly hardy and should be grown between’the stones in a light, well-drained peaty soil, but on no account exposed to full sunshine, which will cause the plant to shrivel and die. The first of the campanulas to flower is C Allioni. It is an excellent rock plant, with flowers very large for the size of the plant, being only three inches high. It should have_ a well-drained position in a narrow crevice filled with sandy loam and grit, and must have plenty of moisture. Haberlea Ferdinandi-Coburgi is a pretty little rock plant like a miniature gloxinia. It forma rosettes of leaves, which somewhat resemble ramondia pyrenaica, and ,‘requires similar treatment. As a crevice plant Erinus alpinus stands alone. It sows itself freely, and baa a special liking forsome place where it can get its back against a stone. There are three shades—-lilac, carmine, and white. The Himalayan variety of aster alpinus is a fine rock plant, only five or six inches high, t with large Michaelmas daisy-like flowers of purple blue. Another Himalayan plant with Gentian blue flowers is Mertensia echioides, only a few inches high. If grown in a favourable situation Dodecatheons, or shooting stars, are plants. They are also known as the American cowslip, although bearing little resemblance. These plants, as well as Mertensia, like a shady position. Linum capitatum, with golden yellow flowers differs from other Linums in having a cluster of flowers on each head. It likes the an*. In spite of the dull weather many other plants are in flower including ' Lewisia Howellii, Linaria alpina, Daphne Cneorum, Erigonum umbellatum, Globularia macradonta, and all the varieties of celmesia. In the water garden a very pretty group is made up with Primula Heladoxa (yet low), P, Pulverlenta (rose pink), and Meconopais Baileyi (a beautiful blue). The last-named plant has come with a great reputation, being described as the blue poppy from Tibet, with sky blue flowers four inches across on two feet stems. It is a hardy perennial, and was found growing on marshy ground at an altitude of over 10,000 feet. Whether the colour will remain on our low levels, as yet remains to be seen, but the contention of the,botanical world is that .the higher the situation- the clearer the blue. TJfie primula stands among the foremost of plants that are becoming known as more and more worthy each year. This is particularly the case with Asiatic species; they are sturdy and hardy, and provided they have sufficient moisture, they are not only perennial but sow themselves freely. Half the battle with these Asiatic primulas is to keep them free from weeds. Rotting of the crown is often caused by their being covered with damp vegetation in winter, as well as their own dead foliage, which should he removed. Insufficient drainage and deep planting are other errors that should he avoided. Varieties in bloom are P. Japonica, P Pulverlenta, P. Heladoxa, P. Secundiflora, P. Cockburniana, and P. Chionantha, also P. Wardii, and the hybrids of P. Bulleyana.—W. P.