Excerpt from 1932 Autumn Catalogue, Rockmont Nursery: New or Noteworthy Plants, Iris, Peonies, Lilacs, Colorado Mountain Flowers, Lilies, Phlox, Seeds

Desert plants differ from the rock garden types in requiring even more careful attention to drainage and a soil quite lean in the elements of fertility; the edge of a terrace with full sun is an ideal situation.

Alpines are of two general classes, including first, dwarf mountain types of rather dry places, to be treated as rock plants. Second, the true alpines or glacial plants from the highest elevations, requiring more moisture and other Special conditions.

For glacial plants the moraine or its equivalent offers the best promise of success. The moraine is a subirrigated bed, watered from below, and 'the specifications sometimes given are rather formidible. Reduced to essentials, we should have an excavation twelve to eighteen inches in depth. In a fairly retentive subsoil cementing is unnecessary. Place three to six inches of broken rock or coarse gravel over the bottom, inserting a tile or short pipe, through which to apply water, so its upper end will reach the ground level. Then lay inverted sods over the gravel and fill with a suitable compost, preferably a mixture of stone chips, sand and humus, of such a texture that it will act as a sponge, yet at the same time afford free drainage. A little experience will determine how much and how often water should be given. A few moments with the garden hose once or twice a week will give better results in the moraine than superficial daily sprinkling any where else. The benefits of a moraine for alpines are an equable supply of moisture, a desir able coolness oi the soil and a favorable winter condition after watering is discontinued. A few square yards of moraine will accomodate a great many plants, and the cost per yard is little if any more than for rock garden.

The soil for Colorado plants in general should be of mellow texture, well supplied with humus, but not very rich. The natural habitat of nearly all mountain species varies from neutral to acid Most species probably are reasonably tolerant but when acidity or alkalinity is advised it is best to provide such in moderation.

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