194 



THE FLORIST. 



Colvillii, and other hybrids, grow in the open border without 

 any protection, and they flower finely every year. G. cardinalis 

 is also quite hardy, as the following extract from the Gar- 

 deners Macjaz'nie will shew. Mr. A. Mackenzie, of Blair 

 Adam, N. B., states, that "in a space of about 12 feet by 7, 

 there were not less than 500 trusses of this magnificent flower. 

 It is generally considered tender ; yet it grows here on an 

 elevation of about 900 feet above the level of the sea, the sub- 

 soil naturally cold and wet, in rather a light soil, with little 

 or no protection. For two winters I gave a covering of leaf- 

 mould about 2 inches deep ; but the last two winters they got 

 none whatever, and the result is, that they were never seen 

 growing here in such luxuriance and splendour. About the 

 beginning of October, when I wish to propagate them, I take 

 from well-established plants, a ball or cluster of corms, about 

 J or 2 feet in circumference, from one side of the strongest 

 plants, and plant them in beds 2 feet wide, and the plants 1 

 foot apart, putting a little sand beneath the bulbs ; and in the 

 course of two or three years, the beds will be covered with 

 the plants : I plant them about 2 or S inches deep. In 1839, 

 I planted a bed in this manner, and with as little care as I 

 would take in planting any herbaceous plant; yet, in both 

 seasons, namely, 1840 and 1841, the bed was nearly covered 

 with strong trusses of flowers." 



The writer further recommends " that single bulbs be 

 grown in pots, and protected during winter (especially from 

 damp) until they grow into a cluster of bulbs. When they 

 have attained a sufficient size, they may be planted out with 

 safety, and will stand the winter." 



The flower represented by our plate, as will be seen, is a 

 beautiful variety, the two colours which it contains contrast- 

 ing charmingly together, and making it well worthy of intro- 

 duction into every collection. Our drawing was prepared from 

 a plant growing in the garden of R. Stains, Esq., at Maida 

 Vale, Paddington. 



In addition to Gladioli, there are many more interesting 

 bulbs which will, for the most part, thrive in the borders 

 amongst other plants. Some of these are Erythronium Dens 

 canis (Dog's-tooth Violet), Tigridia pavonia, Pardanthus 

 chinensis, Zephyranthes atamasco and Candida, Fritillaria im- 

 perialis and meleagris, Leucojum aestivum and pulchellum ; 

 Scilla amoena, campanulata, and prascox; Asphodelus ramo- 

 sus, tauricus, and lacteus; Van Thol, Sun's-eye, and Parrot 

 Tulips ; Ornithogalum pyramidale, &c. 



