This is a brief list of some of the species and varieties of bulbs suitable for planting in the rock garden amongs various garden water features; while not complete, it presents a considerable range from which selections may be made, and indicates the type of bulbs which may be used if one cares to experiment further in this direction.

Alliums: Small heads of mauve and reddish flowers on stems 6 to l2 inches tall; Cyaneum, dwarf and blue, and Moly, bright yellow, are two of the  most  satisfactory.

Bulbocodium: Cheery little, rosy, purple flowers two weeks ahead of the crocuses.

Chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow): One of the joys of early spring; Sardensis gives us the first note of blue in the spring garden; there are other pale blue and white forms flowering later.

Calochortus: The “Butterfly-tulip” of delicate shades of rose, white, lavender and primrose; grows to 18 inches tall; full sun and gritty soil;  hardy with protection.

Colchicum: Autumn flowering bulbs, excellent for the rockery, especially with sedums, saxifrages, arenarias and other low growing rock plants; will do well in partial shade and amongst garden statuary.

Crocus: The ordinary bedding varieties, if used in small groups will answer, but the species are better for the rock garden; these include the early crocus (C. imperati) and C. tommasinianus, blooming in March or even in February; the Scotch crocus (C. bifiorus) ; and Cloth of Gold (C. susianus) a few weeks later.

Eranthis hymenalis (Winter Aconite): One of the very earliest to bloom, and a bright pure yellow; prefers moist soil even in partial shade; long season of bloom and beautiful foliage; most satisfactory with patio waterfalls.

Erythronium (Dogwood Violets or Trout-lily): Excellent native plants for shade spots; several species, all good; dens-canis is earliest; give  leaf mold soil and mulch during  summer.

Fritillaria meleagris (Checkered-Lily) : These unique and quaint little checkered, nodding bell flowers, growing about a foot tall and blooming in April, breathe the rock garden spirit and are easy to establish; pudica is a yellow variety, doing well in gritty soil; recurva is a good variety for the rock garden.

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, much larger, may also be grown, especially if given a winter mulch.

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 Octoberall 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 border-like 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, 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 undisturbed for years; Siberian Squill (siberica) and bifolia are earlyFebruary or March6 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, free of large water features; 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.

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