THE FLORIST. 295 



THE GLADIOLUS; 

 WITH REMARKS ON ITS CULTURE. 



BY MR. STEPHEN BROWN. 



The genus Gladiolus now comprehends many brilliant species and 

 varieties, and is fast increasing in interest with the floral world. The 

 variety of colours, together with the beauty of its varied stripes and 

 markings, and its graceful habit, recommend it as well worthy the at- 

 tention of the florist or amateur. Like most bulbous plants, Gladioli 

 thrive and flower with less care than most florists' flowers. Being 

 comprised of early and late kinds, they blossom at various seasons 

 of the year : the earliest sorts commence flowering in June when 

 planted in the open air, and many of the late kinds continue in 

 blossom up to the very approach of winter. They are perfectly 

 hardy, and may be grown in any common garden soil not retentive 

 of moisture ; but should the soil be heavy where they are intended 

 to be planted, it should be removed to a depth of about two feet, 

 and replaced by a light rich soil, composed of a mixture of sandy 

 loam and leaf-mould, or sandy loam and peat, allowing six or nine 

 inches for the drainage. 



The early varieties, which flower in June and July, are best 

 planted in October and November; the later sorts may be put in 

 from November to January or February, and the varieties of Flori- 

 bundus and Gandavensis from January to March. 



The Colvillii kinds come very early into flower ; they are of taller 

 growth than others of the early sorts, and are of erect, slender habit. 

 They include Colvillii, Colvillii blandus, Colvillii superbus, odoratus, 

 tristis, and others ; they are succeeded by a more numerous class, 

 which generally commence flowering about two weeks later ; the 

 latter are composed of varieties varying from a foot to a foot and a 

 half in height ; they comprise great diversity of colours. Of these, 

 the following are very beautiful and showy : 



Albus, striped with bright pink on a clear white ground, and 

 having lemon spots. 



Curvijlorus, rose-colour, with white and lemon stripes. 



Dobrii, a fine rich crimson scarlet. 



Herbertii, deep rose, with white and crimson stripes. 



Habranthus robustus, fleshy pink, with white and crimson stripes. 



Insignis, a very large flowering variety, of a rich rose-colour. 



Loddigesii, a fine deep pink striped with crimson and white. 



Minerva, beautiful deep rosy red striped with white, and con- 

 tinues to flower longer than most of the early kinds. 



Rex rnbrorum, a new variety, of a rich dark colour, with beau- 

 tifully expanding petals and fine-shaped flower. 



Venus, delicate cream-colour, beautifully marked with pink. 



The following varieties are later, and mostly commence flowering 

 about the end of July, or in August ; they are of stronger habit than 



