276 GARDEN FLOWERS. 



OPHIOPOGON. [Liliaceae.] Hardy and half-hardy peren- 

 nial. .Sandy loam and peat. Division. 



O. Japonicus (Japan) ; half-hardy perennial ; i foot ; flowers 

 pale-purple, in June ; Japan ; 1784. O. spicatus (spiked) ; hardy 

 perennial; i foot ; flowers violet, in October ; Nepaul ; 1821. 



These plants require protection in the Northern States. 



ORIGANUM. Marjoram. [Lamiaceae.] In this genus of 

 hardy aromatic herbs are included two pretty greenhouse 

 dwarf shrubs, which are excellent window plants. They 

 increase by cuttings, and grow in sandy loam. . 



O. Dictamnus (Dittany of Crete) ; half-hardy sub-shrub ; I 

 foot ; flowers purple, in little drooping heads like hops, in July ; 

 Candia ; 1551. O. Sipyleum (Sipylian) ; half-hardy sub-shrub ; 

 1 8 inches ; flowers purple, in hop-like heads, in July ; Levant ; 

 1699. 



ORNITHOGALUM. Star of Bethlehem. [Liliaceee.] An 

 extensive genus of bulbous plants, containing about a score 

 of hardy species, and about twice that number of half-hardy 

 ones. The flowers are star-like, and, in the majority of in- 

 stances, white, often streaked inside or out with green. They 

 grow readily in rich, light, loamy soil ; the hardy ones planted 

 out in the open borders or in beds, and the tender ones pot- 

 ted, and kept in a frame or on a shelf in a cool greenhouse. 

 The taller species, with their long spikes of starry flowers, 

 are very ornamental. They all increase by means of offsets, 

 as is the case with other bulbs. 



O. Arabicum (Arabian) ; half-hardy bulb ; 18 inches ; flowers 

 white, in March; Egypt; 1629. O. aureum (golden); green- 

 house bulb ; i foot ; flowers orange, in June ; Cape ; 1790. O. 

 comosum (tufted) ; hardy bulb ; 6 inches ; flowers white, in Ju- 

 ly ; Austria; 1596. O: corymbosum (corymbose); half-hardy 

 bulb ; i foot ; flowers white, in April ; Peru ; 1823. O. exscap- 

 um (stemless) ; hardy bulb ; 6 inches ; flowers white, in May ; 



