THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



green ; blades 4-10 in. long, 3-5 in. wide, broadly ovate or some- 

 times cordate at the base, acute at the apex, the margin often 

 wavy, with 6-9 curved nerves on each side of the midrib ; petiole 

 up to I ft. long; scape 1-2 ft. tall; inflorescence racemose, ex- 

 tending much above the leaves, the bracts 10 lines long or less; 

 flowers up to 12, on pedicels 2^—5 lines long, finally nodding; 

 perianth pale or deep blue, ij^— 2 in. long, the tube, less than one 

 half the length of the perianth, abruptly spreading into a broad 

 ample limb, the segments of which are about 10 lines long and 

 4-5 lines wide, acute; capsule pendulous, i—iYz in. long. 



Native of Japan, northern China, and eastern Siberia. It was 

 first introduced some time prior to 1797 into England from Japan 

 by Mr. G. Hibbert. of Clapham, in whose garden it flowered. It 

 was first cultivated as a hothouse plant, but was later found to 

 be hardy. 



This is usually known under the name of Fuiikia ovata Spreng. 

 There are forms of this also with variegated leaves. The variety 

 albomarginata has the leaves margined with white. 



A word now as to the vises of these plants in horticulture, to 

 which they lend themselves readily and effectively. By selecting 

 the species, flowers may be had continuously from June to the 

 time of frost. The first to flower arc Niobc Sieholdiana and 

 A^. Fortunei, closely related species, which are at their prime in 

 June, with white flowers flushed with lavender. As these are 

 waning the deeper lavender flowers of Niobe unditlata and its 

 variegated variety make their appearance, late in June or early 

 in July, accompanied at almost the same time by the blue bell- 

 shaped flowers of Xiobc cocrulca. Xext to appear are the flowers 

 of Niobc japonica, and its later-flowering form, the variety tardi- 

 flora, which carry the flowering period of this interesting genus 

 up to the time of killing frosts. Accompanying these last, and 

 perhaps the most stately of them all, is Niobe plajitaginca, some- 

 times known as the plantain lily, from the resemblance of its 

 leaves to those of that plant. This is quite in contrast with the 

 other species, the flowers being much larger, of a different shape, 

 and a pure white, with no trace of coloring. They appear usually 

 early in September, and continue through the month. 



Some of the day lilies are desirable foliage plants, in addition 

 to the interest of their flowers. For those who like the rich 

 variegated effect of white and green, perhaps no other plant is 



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