AN IDEAL ROCKERY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 6, 7 February 1912, Page 41

AN IDEAL ROCKERY.

HOW TO PLANT IT. There is nothing so fascinating or so bewitchingly beautiful as the Alpine or rock plants, and to behold these dainty little subjects growing in their native habitats is a sight that will ever linger in the memory. The neat and graceful habit of these tiny plants, and the charm and brilliance of their flowers, fill us with admiration, and a longing to possess and grow them in our own gardens. And this is not such a difficult matter as many would have us believe, for there is quite a large number of the most lovely of Alpine plants that will thrive in common or garden soil without the smallest particle of rock near them, auch as in the foreground of herbaceous borders, •tc. Rut if we intend to make a special feature of these plants in our gardens, *nd to be successful in the cultivation

of .them, we should carefully note the treatment most suited to each different species or variety. The stone most suitable for the construction of a rockery is sandstone, but, wherever possible, the atom; common to the district should be used, M thia will be found mucli cheaper. When planting the rockery, we should endeavour to have a good mass of bloom for as long a period as we possibly ean, and this may be achieved by having a portion of the rockery in the shade. ROCK PLANTS FOR ORDINARY SOIL. The following list comprises some of the most beautiful of the Alpine plants that will thrive in any ordinary soil, and will quickly drape the rocks with a mantle of lovely colour. The Aubrietias, especially those of recent introduction, are undoubtedly the most suitable plants for a sunny aspect. Other good plants are Geum Heldreichii (orange-scarlet),Geum Heldreichii super ba (bright scarlet), Geum Ewanii (orange), Heuchera brizoides Flambeau (bright pink), Heuchera sanguinea (choral-pink), Helianthemum vnlgare .(bright tyellow), 'H. cupreum (orange), H. amabile (pink). Phlox subulata (vivid pink), Phlox s. setacea (flesh-pink), Phlox amoena (bright pink), Erigeron aurantiaca (orange), Aquilegia coerulea (light blue), A. Stuartii (blue and white), Phlox Laphamii (light Hue), Daphne cneorum (pink), Lithospermum rosemarinifolium (dark blue), Geranium Endressii (rose), Arabis alpina flore pleno (white, double), Arnebia echioides (yellow), Lonicera coerulea (light blue), Aster amellus (purple), Aster alpinus superbus (purple), Alyssum saxatile citrina (pale yellow), Biscutella laevigata (pale yellow), Campanula carpathica (light blue), C. serpyllifolius (purple), C. Wilsonii (dark blue), Polemonium Richardsdnii (light blue), Iberis sempervirens (white), Aquilegia canadensis (orange and yellow), Aethionema grandiflora (pink), Dianthus alpinus (pink), D. coesius (pink), D. superbus (pink), D. multiflorus (bright pink), Sedum Ewersii (rosy purple), and Scabiosa Parnassii (lilae). There are few plants so well suited for shaded positions as the mossy Saxifrages. They delight in a cool, moist soil, the following being among the best varieties: —S. Guildford Seedling (erimson), S. muscoides Khaeii (pink), JS. Camposii (white), S. Stansfieldii (white), and S. ajugaefolia. Other good varieties are S. oppositifolia (purple), S. ceratophylla (white), S. cordifolia (rose), such pretty and useful plants as Primroses, Polyanthuses, dwarf Irises, Ranunculus amplexicaulis glnuea, Chortia cordifolia, Viola persicaefolia, Viola, Saponaria ocymoides, Lithospermum purpurea coeruleum, and the common Hart’s-tongue Ferns (Scolopendrium vulgaris) are also veryeffective when grown on a shady rockery. When putting in the'plants spread out the roots as much as possible, press the plants in firmly with the hands, and give a good soaking of water. Should the weather become very dry, it will be necessary to repeat the watering operation every day until the plants are established.

W. F. GLOVER.