. Alpine flowers for English gardens . Mountain plants. 74 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part Fig. 46.—After Loudon. few blacking pots-or pieces of obscene crockery are all that is needed to make the group complete. One of the commonest forms which rockwork is made to assume is that of a rustic arch; and the following illustration, copied from Loudonj is less hideous than numbers that may be seen about London. Frequently they are formed out of burrs, and occasionally of clinkers, but even if composed of the finest stone obtain- able, they are utterly useless for the growth of alpine vegetation. How many
. Alpine flowers for English gardens . Mountain plants. 74 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part Fig. 46.—After Loudon. few blacking pots-or pieces of obscene crockery are all that is needed to make the group complete. One of the commonest forms which rockwork is made to assume is that of a rustic arch; and the following illustration, copied from Loudonj is less hideous than numbers that may be seen about London. Frequently they are formed out of burrs, and occasionally of clinkers, but even if composed of the finest stone obtain- able, they are utterly useless for the growth of alpine vegetation. How many Saxifrages, or Pinks, or Prim- roses, could find a home on such a structure planted in a part of the Alps highly favourable to vegeta- tion ? Probably not one, and should a few succulents establish themselves on its lower flanks, they would in all probability perish from heat and drought if their roots had not a free course to the earth beneath. Even persons with some experience of plant life may be seen sticking plants over such objects as these, as if their tender roots were capable of bearing as many vicissitudes of heat and cold as a piece of copper wire. The fact that plants push their roots far into masses of old brickwork is no 'justification for the rustic arch as a home for alpine flowers. If the cement, burrs, and clinkers permitted them even to enter it, they have nothing of any kind into which to descend. There is rarely an excuse for constructing such arches ; where they occur, they should be completely clothed with Ivy or other vigorous climbers : the expense ne- cessary to construct one would suf- fice for one of the simpler types of rock-garden already described. The next scene is one in which a miniature representation of various mountains is attempted. Efforts of this kind usually end ridiculously, ex- cept when carried out at a vast expense. Let us succeed with a few square yards of stony mountain turf and flowers before we attempt. Please note that these
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookpublisherlondo, bookyear1870
