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Wall Gardening: Arabis
Aubretia, Purple Rock-Cress. The foliage of Aubretia resembles that of Arabis and its blooming [111] season is April. Like Arabis, it forms dense mats of foliage that are covered with flowers ranging from pale lilac to purple. Its propagation is the same as that of Arabis.
Varieties. Dr. Mules, purple, Græca, lavender, Deltoides, lilac. Bridesmaid, lilac.
Anemone pulsatilla. Blooms in April; flowers pale lavender, rather colorless in the effect it gives. Alyssum sexatile Compactum. The perennial alyssum is easily grown from seeds or cuttings and the stock may be increased by means of division of the old plants in spring. The blooming season is April and the plants form dense mats that are thickly covered with bright yellow flowers.
Campanula rotundifolia. Also known as the Blue Bells of Scotland. The flowers are deep blue.
The carpatica variety comes in white and blue and begins to bloom in June. These campanulas are certainly worthy of admittance to the rock garden where the grace and beauty of their flowers cannot fail to attract.
Cerestium tomentosum, or Snow in Summer.
Blooms in spring. The flowers are white, and the gray foliage is useful for the purpose of toning down plants of vivid hues. It has a creeping habit of growth and finds its way into many a nook and cranny form- [112] ing dense mats that are covered with dainty white flowers borne in profusion during the month of May. Cypripedium, Hardy Orchids, Lady Slippers.
They prefer moist situations but are also adapted for planting in rock gardens. They also prefer soils containing ample leaf mold. Varieties. Acaule, pink, pubescens yellow, it prefers a partially shady location and should not be allowed to suffer from dry spells. The blooming season of these varieties is May and June.
Dianthus, Pinks. The Garden Pinks bloom in June and their flowers, which come in shades of pink and white, are well adapted to wall gardening where they will thrive if given a warm, sunny, well-drained spot. They are easily grown from seed sown any time during the summer, with the exception of the double kinds, which do not always come true to variety if propagated in this manner; so, for these, it is best to increase the stock by means of cuttings. If any difficulty is experienced in rooting the slips one might try pegging down a few of the bare stems and covering their joints with soil. In the course of a few weeks roots will be emitted from the nodes at which time the young plant may be separated from its parent and planted where desired.
Varieties. Deltoides, Neglectus, Alpinus Plumarius [113] Daphne, variety cneorum. A beautiful and most effective little plant with evergreen foliage and lovely pink flowers that come during the month of May. It attains a height of 12 to 18 inches and likes a sunny location in light soils into which sand has been incorporated. They may be propagated by seeds or by layers, but both methods are slow and somewhat difficult, it is, therefore, better to purchase established, healthy plants from a nurseryman.
Geum, variety heldrichi. Grows about one foot high and bears bright orange flowers during May and June. It is easily increased by seeds sown in June and July or by divisions of the roots.
Gypsophila repens. One of the best varieties of Gypsophila for use in the wall garden where its trailing, dwarf habit of growth makes it an attractive plant to include in the wall or rock garden; its white flowers that come in June and July are especially welcome, continuing as they do into mid-summer when bloom is somewhat scarce. They can be propagated by seeds, but from two to three years are required for the full development of the seedlings.
Varieties. G. repens rosea, pale pink, June and July. G. cerastoides, white with pale pink markings, June and July.
Heuchera, Coral Bells. Heuchera bears bright [114] pink flowers in June and July. It is not particular as to the conditions under which it grows and will give satisfaction in either sun or partial shade if provided with a fairly rich soil. The foliage is most attractive and the flowers are both cheerful and dainty. Increase by seeds and divisions.
Varieties. Sanguinea and Brizoides are the leading varieties Iberis, Candytuft. The foliage of the perennial Candytuft is evergreen and the flowers, which are white, resemble those of the annual kinds. The blooming season is May; the Sempervirens is the hardiest and best kind, but the Gibraltarica variety is a little taller growing and bears larger flowers than those of I. Sempervirens. Iris. There are a few dwarf varieties of Iris, admirably adapted to rock gardening seldom growing over 10 inches high. Further information on Iris growing may be found in Chapter III.
Varieties. Cristata, lavender. Pumila Cyanea, purple. Their blooming season is early spring, April to May.
Phlox subulata, Moss or Ground Pink. It is of the easiest culture, thriving in almost any soil. It forms a dense matted growth and increases rapidly, creeping over rocks and finding anchorage in many a [115] tiny crevice. The blooming season is April. Increase by division of the roots.
Varieties. Rosea, bright pink. Alba, white. Lilacina, pale lilac. Polygonatum, Solomon's Seal, is a graceful plant suitable for use in rock gardens, it likes a rich soil and is especially useful for planting in shady nooks where it will give satisfaction provided it is not allowed to suffer from drought. Propagate by dvision.