The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Rockweler Rockgardens

Galanthus (Snowdrops): One of the earliest, with dainty bell-like flowers, especially charming among small rocks; good for sun or shade; muralis is the hardiest variety, but except in the extreme north, elwesi.
Leucojum (Snowflake). Similar to the snowdrops but of stronger growth. Spring snowflake (L. vernum) blooms in March or April; aestivum in May or early June; autumnale in September or October—all very satisfactory.
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth): Always satisfactory; they should be among the first bulbs secured for the rock garden; azureus is the earliest; Heavenly Blue, the largest flowered; there are several others, all good for the rockery; they increase freely, often from self-grown seed.
Narcissus: Most of the garden sorts are rather too large and borderlike for the rock garden; but among the species, which naturalize exceptionally well, are some of the most pleasing of all rock garden plants; these include narcissus minimus, the smallest of all, usually less than half a foot tall; minor, but slightly larger; triandus albus, the "Angel's Tears" daffodil; calathinus; bulbocodium; cylamineus, distinct with its cyclamen-like flowers, and numerous others; of the varieties of the garden or Trumpet daffodil, Cervantes, with me always the earliest to bloom, is but a foot tall; and W. D. Milner, later and cream colored, has a quaintly drooping habit; all prefer rather moist, cool soil.
Scillas (Bluebells) : Hardy and fine for naturalizing, remaining undis- turbed for years; Siberian Squill (siberica) and bifolia are early —February or March—6 inches tall; the English Bluebell (S. nonscripta) and the Spanish Bluebell (S. hispanica) are taller and later; do well in sun or in considerable shade. Place the scillas near the top of your list.
Tulips: As with the narcissus, it is to the species rather than to the garden sorts that we must turn for the rock garden; they like rather hot, dry locations; T. dasystemon, yellow, and greigi, vermilion and sylvestris, yellow, bloom in April in the order named; the latter is fragrant and increases rapidly; clusiana, the Lady Tulip, with tiny pointed white flowers and a carmine feather up the center of each outside petal, is extremely hardy and easy to grow; try this if no other; kaujmanniana, pale yellow, is the earliest of all to bloom; and sprengeri, orange scarlet, the latest —in late May or June.

TENDER BULBS

For obvious reasons, it is desirable to use in the rock garden only the hardy or perennial bulbs which will establish themselves and flower season after season with little care. Sometimes, however, there may be occasion to use something for immediate results, as a temporary substitute, especially in the new rock garden. Among those most suitable for this purpose are the zephyranthes or Fairy Lilies; tigridia or Tiger Flower, cooperia, the Texas Evening Star, with sweet scented waxy white flowers, and the various oxalis. All are satisfactory as "pinch hitters"; they have this further advantage, also, that they bloom throughout summer and fall long after most of the other bulbs are taking their summer's nap.