i879-] HERBACEOUS BULBS. 497 



all the ends of the earth. At the present time the Hyacinth has a rep- 

 resentative in the shape of Hyacinthus candicans, yet in bloom, a 

 gaunt-looking but interesting plant. The Colchicums, in variety single 

 and double, are now bearing it company, the latter not so common as 

 they might be ; so is the Belladonna Lily, where the climate and soil 

 are suitable ; and the more modest Sternbergia lutea, as hardy as the 

 Snowdrop — the first to close and the other to open the bulb season. 

 The Belladonna Lily is specially gorgeous when planted along the 

 front of a vinery or conservatory, in suitable light and peaty soil, and 

 allowed to remain undisturbed like the Colchicums. Between the 

 Sternbergia and the Snowdrop is only three months ; the other nine 

 can be filled up with a succession of these herbaceous bulbs : the Lilies 

 alone would fill the gap. But there are many old-fashioned bulbs be- 

 sides which are nearly forgotten, but which are to be often found in 

 cottage gardens, and gardens which have been neglected, or which 

 have escaped the modern march of improvement. How pleasant it is 

 to see great clumps of Fritillaria meleagris coming up in spring where 

 unexpected, growing and flowering anywhere ; or the sturdy Crown 

 Imperials, which require, however, to be well established in strong 

 clumps on good soil to flower well. 



There are no herbaceous bulbs which surpass the Narcissus for hardi- 

 ness, beauty, or variety, — from the grassy little Hoop-petticoat, with its 

 ample flower, to the giant maximus, in all shades of yellow and white, 

 single and double. These, as well as the Polyanthus Narcissus, annually 

 make stronger and stronger clumps, flower earlier, and, of course, more 

 profusely, if left alone. The Pheasant Eye, single and double in 

 variety, are our favourite : as sweet - scented as Gardenias, and more 

 beautiful, they are not even surpassed by Eucharis or Phalsenopsis to 

 our taste. Everybody may now have them, as they are being offered 

 by the bushel like Onions. The bulbs we have seen this year are un- 

 usually large. The double varieties especially require a rich soil and 

 rich top-dressings, and plenty of room to develop themselves. The 

 old Muscaris botyroides and monstrosum, the Grape and Feather 

 Hyacinth, are herbaceous bulbs almost forgotten, except in the foresaid 

 cottage or neglected garden. The same may be said of the Scillas, ex- 

 cept siberica and bifolia. The Wood Hyacinths are showy and cheap ; 

 and though plentiful enough in the woods in some parts, are equally 

 unknown in others and about towns. The Day Lilies, of which there 

 are several varieties, all more or less yellow in colour, come in just 

 after the Narcissus, and are worthy of cultivation, though very old- 

 fashioned. They cannot be called bulbs, however, being evergreen, 

 their growth being more after the style of the Agapanthus— another 

 plant neglected, though hardy, in the south, and everywhere on light 

 soil. Then there are the Anthericum liliastrum, and spring and summer 

 Snowflakes, and the Ornithogalums, most of them native and conse- 

 quently hardy, that will grow anywhere, even among grass. The whole 



