1 70 PROTECTION OF HALF-HARDY PLANTS IN WINTER. 



Ayres, nearly hardy, and certainly less tender than the Tiger flower, which it 

 somewhat resembles. The flowers are large, and of a vermilion tint. It is a 

 summer flowering bulb, and may be treated exactly as the Tigridia; that is, planted 

 in April in the open border, and dug up in autumn when the foliage is decayed. 

 This plant may be purchased in a dry state at this season, of most of the London 

 Seedsmen, at a maximum price of 6d. per bulb. Herhertii is not the only species ; 

 but the others, if introduced into this country, are very rare. 



The other genus to which we have alluded is Homeria, which comprises several 

 species of much interest. The best of those that are attainable is the H. Mneata, 

 a plant growing about two feet high, with foliage somewhat longer, and producing, 

 in long succession, numerous star-shaped flowers of a delicate bright red colour, 

 spotted in the centre with yellow and green. They are very handsome, and we are 

 surprised that the plant is not more generally cultivated. It is a half-hardy bulb, 

 and may be planted in the open ground in spring, in a mixture of sandy peat and 

 loam ; after the flowering season, and when the leaves are decayed, it must be dug 

 up, unless planted six inches deep and covered with leaves ; in which case it would 

 probably out-live ordinary winters. We do not like to particularize seedsmen, 

 but as we are desirous of enabling our readers to procure such of the plants we 

 name as are not commonly met with, we will for once depart from our usual rule, 

 and state that Mr. W. Denyer, 82, Gracechurch Street, has a supply of this 

 beautiful bulb, and it may be had, we believe, for about 4d a root. A group of 

 three bulbs would produce a very showy effect. 



"We hope to figure both the Cypella and Homeria, when their flowering season 

 arrives ; in the meantime, some of our readers may perhaps be induced by our 

 recommendation of them to procure the roots, now they may be had in a dry 

 state. 



PROTECTION OF HALF-HARDY PLANTS IN WINTEL 



The mellow tints which are stealing apace over hill and dale, and the rapidly falling 

 leaves in the grove and shrubbery, announce the near approach of Winter and his 

 train ; and admonish us, before yielding up the garden to his withering hand, to 

 make the requisite preparations for guarding from the effects of frost such of the 

 more tender plants as it may be necessary or desirable to expose. 



We have, on several occasions, when treating of plants not in the strictest sense 

 hardy, given hints as to their management in the winter season ; but it may be 



