Herbaceous plants. 369 



with crimson flowers marked with yellow. There are many 

 varieties of this gladiolus with white, scarlet, rosy-red and 

 orange-colored flowers ; the most common in cultivation. 

 G. psittacimis, as large as the preceding, with one-sided 

 spikes of scarlet flowers spotted yellow with green tube. 

 All are bulbous-rooted plants and must be taken up after 

 flowering and kept in a cool, frost-free place in winter. 

 They increase rapidly by means of offsets and are of ex- 

 tremely easy culture. Require rich and moist ground. 



Crocus. The many varieties of Crocus vernus, as also 

 those of C. aureuSj are exceedingly showy and floriferous 

 spring flowers either for bedding or naturalized in the grass. 

 They vary in color from pure white to deep violet in the 

 first named species ; the varieties of aureus are of different 

 shades of yellow. There are also several rare species suit- 

 able for rockeries. Many species flower in autumn, such as 

 the common C. sativus with its fragrant, violet flowers ; C. 

 speciosus, bright lilac; C. nudiflorus, bright purple, of 

 which last species the leaves appear in spring and die down 

 before the time of flowering. When planted in a lawn 

 there should be a sufficient number to make an attractive 

 display in spring or autumn. Bulbs taken from beds may 

 be used for this purpose and may be planted, by means of 

 a dibbler, about two inches deep. 



THE LILY FAMILY. 



Meadow Saffron, Colchicum autumnale. This species 

 resembles a large-flowered crocus in appearance. The 

 flowers, which appear late in the season after the leaves 

 have died down, are of a bright purple color, open, erect, 



