7 i6 



SCILLA. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



SCILLA. 



the rock garden or sheltered border. 

 S. and C. Europe. Of all Scillas, S. bifolia 

 is the most variable, and most of the 

 garden forms are better than the type. 

 5. PYCBCOX is a stronger grower, the flowers 

 larger, more abundant, and earlier. In 

 purpureo-caerulea the ovary and base of 

 the segments are rosy-purple, gradually 

 merging into blue, which becomes intense 

 towards the tips, harmonising with the 

 black and gold-banded anthers. It is a 

 free flowerer, and the blooms individually 

 are nearly as large as a shilling. In the 

 Taurian variety, S. b. taurica, the flowers 

 are much larger than in 5. bifolia, and, 

 with the exception of the white base, 

 greatly resemble those of some of the forms 

 of Chiondoxa Lucilice. They vary from 

 ten to twenty on each scape, and the 

 leaves are larger and broader than those 

 of S. bifolia. The white form of 5. b. 



bell-shaped flowers, usually of a clear 

 light blue. A variety major is larger in all 

 its 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. S. hispanica is never better 

 seen than in the fringes of shrubberies. 

 The shelter so received protects its large 

 leaves from strong winds. It deserves to 

 be naturalised by wood-walks and in the 

 graSsy parts of the pleasure ground. S. 

 Europe. 



S. ITALICA (Italian S.). This kind, with 

 its pale blue flowers, intensely blue 

 stamens, and delicious odour, is one of the 

 best of the Scillas. It grows from 5 to 

 10 inches high, the flowers small and 

 spreading in short conical racemes, which 

 open in May. It is hardy, thriving best 

 in warm soils. Divide and replant in 

 fresh positions every three or four years, 



Scilla hispanica. 



taurica is very scarce. S. b. alba, a pretty 

 ivory-white form, has flowers not larger 

 than those of the type. S. b. rosea is a 

 new garden form with deep rosy flowers, 

 and carnea a paler variation. 



S. FESTALIS (Wood Hyacinth). Though 

 this abounds in many woods, its good 

 varieties are uncommon. Among the 

 best are the white variety, alba ; the 

 rose-coloured variety, rosea ; the pale blue 

 variety, ccerulea ; and a pleasing " French- 

 white " variety. There are now selected 

 large-flowered strains of all these colour 

 varieties, mostly distinguished as major 

 or grandiflora. All these kinds should be 

 planted here and there in wood or copse 

 and along the margins of shrubberies. 

 Syn., S. nutans. 



S. HISPANICA (Spanish Scilla). One of 

 the finest of early summer flowers, and one 

 of the most robust of the family. It is 

 easily known by its strong pyramidal 

 raceme of pendent, short-stalked, large, 



not oftener. It is easily naturalised in 

 meadow grass. S. Europe. 



S. SIBIRICA (Siberian S.). A noble 

 spring flower essential in every garden 

 where spring flowers are cared for. It 

 grows freely in ordinary soils, and is 

 hardy. Asia Minor. 



OTHER CULTIVATED KINDS. 

 Amongst Scillas not generally found in 

 gardens, but hardy in dry situations, 

 may be named S. peruviana, a large 

 species, with beautiful broad leaves, 

 Yucca-like and very distinct ; it stands 

 well in sheltered nooks, or even in 

 the open border in southern districts. 

 The numerous fine blue flowers are in 

 a superb umbel-like pyramid, which 

 lengthens during the flowering period. 

 Tufts of the Peruvian Scilla should be 

 taken up every three or four years, 

 when it is at rest. Divide the bulbs 



