CHIONODOXA 



THIS telling sheet of blue is to be found at Kew, where Chionodoxa 

 Chionodoxa is largely planted to carpet the ground under as a 

 shrubs. The colour is a pure azure. If it is grown in Carpeting 

 quantities in this way, the unusual effect it produces is almost start- pl an t 

 ling, and must be a revelation to many of the use and beauty of this 

 small bulb. In the rock garden, also, it may be easily established ; 

 there it will seed itself, and the scattered heads of bloom sprinkle the 

 banks with blue, when one can hardly believe that the winter is 

 over and spring begun. Its Greek name signifies " Glory of the 

 Snow," and in its native home on the mountains of Asia Minor 

 it probably flowers, as does the Alpine Soldanella, with the 

 snow melting around it. Fortunately these conditions are not 

 necessary to success, as it flowers generally with us in March. 



The bulbs should be planted in the autumn, and are not 

 over particular about soil or position, though they prefer a sandy 

 loam and some peat. The first year after planting they are 

 nearly always disappointing, and produce only a few flowers, 

 but if left undisturbed they increase quickly both by offsets and 

 seeds. If a further increase is wanted, the seeds should be sown 

 when ripe in drills, but it takes three years to mature the bulbs. 

 The two sorts generally grown are C. Lucilia a clear bright 

 colour with a white eye, and sardensis, comparatively a softer 

 greyer blue, with larger flowers than the former. 



Very closely allied to these Chionodoxas is a charming 

 little plant like a Squill, with the palest of blue flowers, and a 

 distinct stripe of clear cobalt up each petal. It is called Pusch- 



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