9 Dec, 1907.] 



Garden Notes. 



725 



and other parts of tropical South America, and the islands adjacent, and 

 vary greatly from Amaryllis in the production of their flowers, and the 

 flowers also, which develop with the foliage during spring and summer, 

 the bulb resting during winter. Hippeastrums have been greatly improved 

 by horticulturists, various species being hybridized with success. The 

 hybrids are far superior to the original types in size of flowers, range of 

 colour, and form. Sprekelia is also a native of tropical South America. 

 The only species cultivated in our gardens is S. formosissima which bears 

 singular but beautiful flowers of a bright crimson colour. Vallota fur- 

 fiirea, a native of South Africa, flowers during autumn, and is one of the 

 most beautiful of bulbous plants, the blooms being large, cup-shaped, and of 

 a brilliant scarlet shade of colour. Zepl/vrajithes are small, bulbous, plants. 



HIPPEASTRUM HYBRID. 



AMARYLLIS BELLADONNA, MAJOR. 



producing white and pink flowers. The whole of these are hardy plants 

 in the greater part of tliis State, and may be grown successfully in most 

 of our gardens. 



Culture. 



Amaryllis belladonna is probably the hardiest bulbous plant cultivated 

 in Victoria. It requires an open position and good drainage and under 

 such conditions it will thrive in most soils with a minimum of attention. 

 It is a splendid subject for large dry borders, producing its delicate pink 

 flowers, which are borne in umbels on long stiff stems, freely for several 

 years without special assistance. Bulbs should be planted during summer 

 at a depth of about six inches below the surface in unmanured soil. They 

 are most effective when planted in patches containing many bulbs, which 

 should not oe disturbed for several years except for the purposes of increase 

 which is effected by offsets from the large bulbs. The bulbs should be 

 planted sufficiently apart to provide for increase, about six inches being 

 enough. There are several fine forms of the belladonna lily including 

 A. blanda and Baptisti, white; magnifica, major, rubra, multiflora, and 

 purpurea, of various shades of rose and purple. These are scarce, and 

 fairly expensive, and usually receive much more care and attention than the 

 ordinary type, though requiring practically the same treatment. 



