A most important family of plants for the wild garden, though perhaps less so for lowland gardens where more vigorous types flourish. There are, however, certain species that are vigorous and indispensable, such as A. montana and A. graminifolia. The smaller alpine species are charming for rocky places, and the little creeping A. balearica has quite a peculiar value, inasmuch as moist rocks or stones suffice for its support. It covers such surfaces with a close carpet of green, dotted with numerous star-like flowers. Some of the smaller species, such as Arenaria csespitosa (Sagina glabra var.), better known as Spergula pilifera, might be grown in the gravel, and even used to convert bare and sandy places into carpets of Mossy turf. In certain positions in large gardens it would be an improvement to allow the very walks or drives to become covered with very dwarf plants - plants which could be walked upon with little injury. The surface would be dry enough, being drained below, and would be more agreeable to the feet. Removing any coarse weeds thai established themselves would be much easier than the continual hoeing and scraping required to keep the walk bare. Of course this only refers to walks in rough or picturesque places - the wild garden and the like - in which formal bare walks are somewhat out of place.

Siberian Columbine in rocky place.