Tulips 



T. oculus solis is rare in English gardens, but grows plenti- 

 fully round Florence, and it was from thence I obtained it. 

 It appears to be impossible to buy the true plant from 

 nurserymen, as T. praecox is so largely grown under the 

 other's name. Praecox is a good thing, but is almost 

 always damaged in our gardens by the frosts that worry 

 its large, early flowers. It is taller than oculus solis, and 

 has lighter red flowers, which are greenish on the outside 

 of the three outer segments and wider than they are long. 

 The true oculus solis is deep crimson, and has long, pointed 

 segments ; the basal eye is composed of a greater pro- 

 portion of black and less of yellow than that of praecox, and 

 it is also wise enough to wait for finer weather to open 

 its flowers in. 



I must not attempt to describe all the species of 

 Tulipa I tuck away in the rock garden and choice corners 

 of sheltered beds, but cannot leave out two which are 

 special favourites. T. Fosteriana is one, and so brilliantly 

 coloured that at times I think it almost too gorgeous. 

 The vivid scarlet, with the pure yellow or black and 

 yellow of the eye, is absolutely dazzling in the sunlight, 

 and the flowers are so very large for their height ; but 

 a long bed of it in Zwanenburg Nursery at Haarlem 

 is one of the most marvellous floral displays I have ever 

 seen. It is none too vigorous here, and has to be care- 

 fully nursed in the peach-house border, where only rare 

 or tender treasures are admitted. I will close the list of 

 species with the latest of all, Tulipa Sprengeri, an elegant 

 and tall species with crimson-scarlet flowers ; but it is 

 always rather sad to see the first one open, for it means 

 the close of the Tulip season, and that a day or two onward 

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