HARDY BULBS 27 



form C. a. imperialis is very fine and C. a. maculata is also 

 worth growing. They all make good pot plants for a 

 cool house. 



The hybrid Montbretias are now so well known as to 

 need no commendation, and the constant production of 

 new varieties renders it inexpedient to give a list of 

 varieties. While they are perfectly hardy in some 

 gardens, in others they must be protected in a similar 

 manner to the Crocosmias. It is also desirable to lift 

 them and replant a few inches apart when they show 

 signs of flowering unsatisfactorily. Otherwise they may 

 be treated like the Crocosmias. They like a sunny, but 

 not too dry, place in the garden. 



CROCUSES 



Crocuses are such brilliant and beautiful flowers that 

 one need not occupy space with their praises. Their 

 use in beds, borders, pots, or in grass is necessary if we 

 are to enjoy our gardens to the full. While the popular 

 Dutch varieties, whose names will be found in any bulb 

 catalogue, will retain their place in the garden, they will 

 be largely supplemented by the different species by 

 whose aid the interest in these flowers will be much 

 increased. By their help we can not only extend the 

 Crocus season, so as to have flowers in autumn and 

 winter as well as in spring, but they will also give us 

 new colours and markings of much beauty. The autumn 

 Crocuses are of much value. The earliest is C. valiicola, 

 with creamy flowers, but it is not very hardy and wants 

 a frame. Speciosus and its larger form Aitchisoni are of 

 great service with their blue-purple blooms. Zonatus, 

 pulchellus, iridiflorus, and iridiflorus major are all good, 

 as also are laevigatus, cancellatus, with its variety asturicus, 

 hadriaticus, medius, nudiflorus, ochroleucus, Salzmanni, 

 and Tournefortii. Sativus, the old Saffron Crocus, is 



