156 A GROUP OF HARDY BULBS. 



from the partial adhesion of the filaments of the stamens, is another somewhat rare species, though 

 it is occasionally to he met with in the catalogues of the London Florists. It does not often exceed 

 two feet, and has rather small pale yellow flowers, with reflexed divisions. This species is some- 

 times confused with the Z. Colchicum, figured in our first Volume, hut is quite distinct ; its stamens 

 alone are sufficient to identify it. Like most of the Alpine species, it dislikes a hot exposure. 



The L. Colchicum just spoken of, is a finer plant than monadelphum, and its flowers are larger. 

 It is very hardy, and one of the most heautiful of the genus, hut is rather expensive at present. 

 Another species with yellow flowers is the Z. Pyrenaieum, though there is a variety with red 

 blossoms. The true species is pale yellow, spotted within, with reddish brown ; the stamens are 

 bright red. Both the varieties are cheap, and easily procurable. 



The Z. Cana dense deserves to be honourably mentioned : it is really a very handsome species, 

 and not at all expensive. Height from three to four feet : and in July and August bears from one 

 to ten flowers of a light orange tint, with reflexed divisions spotted with purple at their base. 

 There is a variety with deep orange flowers. Light vegetable soil. 



The Z. atrosanguineum is a species we must, on no account, omit to name, its flowers being 

 unrivalled in the depth of their tint. It is of moderate height, producing in July several reflexed 

 blossoms of a deep blood-red colour. It is quite hardy, though a Japanese species. Its hybrids 

 with Z. bulbiferum are scarcely less interesting, and they are rather taller than the species ; nearly 

 a dozen distinct varieties may be had of the London Florists, and of Mr. Groom of Clapham, by 

 whom they were raised; the varieties named Nabob, Rubens, Titian, and Vulcan, are all good. 

 To these we must add the splendid Z. lancifolium, or rather, its white variety, which is the 

 only one we can venture to recommend for full exposure. That, we are satisfied, will bear 

 almost any amount of frost; a pot containing a large bulb was left exposed the whole of the 

 winter and spring of 1852-3, and was completely frozen without receiving the least injury. 

 The varieties, rubrum and pimctatum, do not appear quite so hardy, though, if kept dry, they would 

 probably bear considerable cold. Grown, however, as pot plants, they all form noble objects 

 for the window. There are some other magnificent species, such as the Z. giganteum, L. Wal- 

 lichianum, L. Broivnii, and Z. Japoniciim, to which we do not now particularly advert, their 

 present rarity and costliness placing them out of the reach of all but the wealthiest 

 classes. 



Closely allied to the Lilies are the Fritillaries, including the well known Crown Imperial 

 and the dwarf F. melcagris and its varieties. It is to these latter we would more particularly 

 call the attention of the reader, as they do not appear to be so extensively known as they 

 merit. The Dutch Florists have recently introduced a considerable number of nearly every 

 imaginable shade of colour, from pure white to yellow and dark purple, and the union of 

 these three tints in the same flower is by no means uncommon. They are sold at a cheap 

 rate, and may be had of most of the Seedsmen by name ; if of no other Florist, Mr. Carter 

 of Holborn is sure to possess them. Although very hardy, they may be potted for the 

 window, being treated precisely as the Hyacinth. Besides these varieties, there are several 

 distinct species, of which Persica and Pyrenaica are the most common. 



Among the most beautiful of all the dwarfer Lilyworts is the Camassia esculenta. It is 

 allied to the Squills, but, in its rich purple colour, is much superior to any of that genus. 

 Its height is about eighteen inches, and its flowers are produced about the end of June. 

 Although the bulbs may be planted so late as March or April, it is better to plant them in 

 autumn, as it is perfectly hardy, and the roots are liable to injury by being kept out of 

 the ground through the winter; at all events, they should be purchased in autumn, that the 

 finest roots may bo selected. Everybody should obtain this shewy plant. [See page 109 of 



