FLOWERS 133 



are started, the earlier will the flowers come, of course. But 

 with even the very earliest possible sowing out-of-doors the 

 blossoming period can hardly be reached before July. It usually 

 extends to frost however, and if it does not, successive plantings 

 will carry it on as late as one may choose. 



The ten varieties here given are all that a good-sized garden 

 should attempt to entertain. Grouped and arranged according 

 to the methods which would be followed with hardy perennials 

 in the same amount of space, there is no reason why these should 

 not furnish as lovely and brave a feast for the eyes as perennials. 

 It is simply a question of arrangement of keeping to the stand- 

 ards of line and form and mass. 



FOR CLOSE CUT LAWN 



Scilla Sibirica: Siberian squill; four inches high, lily-like 

 leaves ; any soil ; plant in quantities of never less than twenty- 

 five; set the bulbs out in early autumn, planting to a depth 

 of twice their diameter; flowers a deep and beautiful blue, 

 on an erect stem; blossoms in March and April; endures 

 shade nicely. 



Galanthus nivalis: common snowdrop; six inches high; ordinary 

 soil, which should however be cool and shady, where mid- 

 summer sun cannot reach the ground to bake the bulb; 

 flowers white, solitary and drooping ; blossoms in March and 

 sometimes earlier, coming actually through the snow ; plant 

 in quantities of never less than twenty-five fifty or a hun- 

 dred will be better; the foot of a tree, either evergreen or 

 deciduous, suits them admirably, for meadows, orchards 

 and fields. 



