THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



851 



from ten to twenty on each scape, and 

 the lea\es are larger and broader than 

 those of 5. bifolia. The white form of 

 S. b. taurica is very scarce. 6'. b. alba., a 

 pretty ivory-white form, has flowers not 

 larger than those of the type. 5. b. rosea 

 is a new garden form with deep rosy 

 flowers, and carnea a paler variation. 



S. festalis ( Wood Hyacinth or Bluebell). 

 — Though the Bluebell abounds in every 

 wood and copse, its beautiful varieties are 

 uncommon. Amongst the best are — the 

 white variety, alba; the rose-coloured 

 variety, rosea; the pale blue variety, ca'ru- 

 lea; and a pleasing " French- white " 

 variety. There are now selected large- 

 flowered strains of all these colour varie- 

 ties, mostly distinguished as major or 

 graiidiiiora. The variety bracteata has 



parts, and is a noble flower ; still larger 

 is a new form, Excelsior, with large deep 

 blue bells, and Skyblue, with flowers of a 

 paler shade. Good new colour variations, 

 still rather scarce, are Rose Queen and 

 Rosalind in shades of pink, and alba 

 maxima., an improved white with fine bells. 

 The older white and rosy forms are also 

 welcome, the white being much grown for 

 market. -S'. Jiispanica is never better seen 

 than in the fringes of shrubberies and beds 

 of Evergreens. The shelter so received 

 protects its large leaves from strong winds, 

 but it is sturdy enough for any position. 

 It deserves to be naturalised by wood- 

 walks and in the grassy parts of the 

 pleasure-ground. S. Europe. Syn., 5. 

 campauulata. 



S. italica {Ilaliaft S.). — This kind, with 



Scilla hispanica. 



long bracts, and ccrnua is a Portuguese 

 form with reddish flowers. S. patiila 

 is closely allied to the Bluebell, its flow- 

 ers being of a pleasing violet-blue, but 

 not sweet or arranged on one side like 

 those of the Bluebell. They are larger 

 and more open, and have narrow bracts. 

 All these kinds should be planted here 

 and there in tufts among common Blue- 

 bells, along the margins of shrubberies, 

 near the rock-garden, or for borders or 

 woods. Syn., .S". nittans. 



S. hispanica {Spanish Scilla).— One of 

 the finest of early summer bulbs, and, 

 though from Portugal and Spain, quite 

 one of the most robust of the family. 

 It is easily known by its strong pyramidal 

 raceme of pendent, short-stalked, large, 

 bell-shaped flowers, usually of a clear light 

 blue. A variety major is larger in all its 



its pale blue flowers, intensely blue 

 stamens, and delicious odour, is the most 

 brilliant of the Scillas. It grows from 5 

 to 10 in. high, the flowers small and 

 spreading in short conical racemes, which 

 open in May. J)', italica is hardy in 

 almost any soil, but thrives best in warm 

 and sandy places sheltered from east 

 winds. Divide and replant in fresh posi- 

 tions every three or four years, not oftener. 

 S. Europe. 



S. sibirica {Siberian S.). — A minute gem 

 among the flowers of earliest spring, and 

 no rock-garden, or garden of any kind, is 

 complete without the striking and peculiar 

 shade of porcelain - blue which dis- 

 tinguishes this from all other Scillas. S. 

 sibirica has many names, but, unlike S. 

 bifolia., it has sported into few varieties, 

 the chief being alba, a pure white kind, 

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