5<^ 



IRISH GARDENING 



Courtesy o/J [Unnmill 



(iLADIOLUS. 



Hood.Hl Flowered Ty^u^. 



foi Crocus sppcios; this is not a Crocus climate, but 

 one must grow thorn — but this year I have been 

 forcibly impressed with the advantage of growing 

 species which do not hide all tlieir beautj- inside the 

 flower. Por instance, C. dalmatkus, with buff 

 exterior, I only enjoyed once owing to the prevalent 

 low temperature, whereas golden 6'. gurfjaricus, wine 

 purple Tomwasinianus and rosy lilac Hcuffcllii 

 were a joy from the moment the flowers emerged 

 from the sheath; the latter species should be more 

 generally groMU. The medium sized flowers are 

 produced freely and are of a delightful warm rosy 

 lilac shade, sometimes feathered externally, and to 

 increase the beauty the cups are jjoised on soft 

 orange tubes. A small grpup on a sunpy ridge was 

 a great joy during February. Does everj-one else 

 succeed with Primula cashmcriava except myself? 

 Planted in peaty soil with N. aspect it grows well 

 and forms plenty of buds, some of which decay in 

 the winter wet; others push up and open a few 

 flowers, but before the head is a lilac ball the east 

 winds arrive and nothing more happens. This is not 

 due to lack of moisture, for the soil remains quite 



moist. 1 am beginning to think ihut there is a lot 

 of diflferencc between what one might call " cold 

 ^hade, or a N. aspect, and " warm " shade, or a 

 position normally sunny but shaded by rock or 

 shrub. 1 propose to tost tliis theory next spring. 

 Two other plants which I find it a little diflBcult to 

 .stablish, although books are rich on the subject, 

 are Ilalierleas and Ramondias, esixeially the former, 

 plant. d in a N. aspect they certainly are gowinj.- 

 but have not yet condescended to flower, but suc- 

 (•( ed they must do unless 1 iiocoine bankrupt first. 

 Finally, 1 must call attention to the exquisite Hari- 

 fiatja Strachcyii, the most beautiful of all the 

 .Megasea section; the sprays of waxy apple 

 blossom are freely borne, last well, and the foliage 

 colours beautifully in autumn. It is quite happy 

 in a slightly shaded place in ordinary sandy soil. 



Gladioli. 



These popular flowers Avere never available in 

 greater variety tlian to-day, and corms may 

 still be planted for an autumn display. Some 

 fifteen or twenty years ago it was possible to dis- 

 tinguish fairly well between such races as G. 

 Lemoinci, G. Childsii, and G. Kanceiamts, but of 

 later years hybridists have so intercrossed all these 

 that it is almost impossible to tell where one begins 

 and another ends. Most firms now offer them in 

 colour groups, a very satisfactory way, for then the 

 jnuchaser can select the colours wanted, or may 

 select a few from each group to taste. The 

 Primulinus hybrids are generally distinguishable 

 by the yelloAV and orange colours, w^hich are such an 

 added attraction to these beautiful flowers. Good 

 soil deeply dug and well drained suits Gladioli ad- 

 mirably. The addition of manure to heavy soil is 

 not advisable, but in light soils it is l>eneficial if it 

 y>: dug in deep enough, so that the corms do not 

 come into immediate contact with it when planted. 



Gladioli may be planted in groups in herbaceous 

 borders, where, if the soil is light, holes should be 

 opened a foot deep, into which a small forkful of 

 manure may be placed, covering this with a couple 

 of inches of soil; on this the corms may be placed 

 six inches apart, filling in the remainder of the soil 

 on top. They may also be planted in beds of 

 Pseonies or other herbaceous plants grown by them- 

 selves, in beds of dwarf shrubs or in beds by them- 

 selves. In the latter case it is a good plan to sow 

 an annual over the bed after planting to furnish the 

 base of the Gladioli. GypsophiJa clccfnns makes a 

 pietty groundwork for any colour of Gladiolus, but 

 Clarkias, dwarf Go<letias and many other things 

 may be used. 



As the floMcr spikes develop neat stakes must be 

 placed to the plants, as the spikes are heavy and 

 easily broken down by wind or heavy rain. Never 

 allow the plants to become dry and a most pleasing 

 and satisfactory display will be certain. 



Contrasts and Longevity in the Rock 

 Garden, 



OxE could obtain some delightful contrasts in the 

 Alpine garden if we could only get our subjects to 

 flower at the same time and under similar condi- 



