28 THE BOOK OF BULBS 



showy, but is a shy bloomer in most gardens. Its forms, 

 cartwrightianus, elwesianus, and Pallasii are better 

 flowerers. Scharojani should have a frame. White 

 varieties of some of these Croci are highly prized. 



The winter-flowering Croci are also very beautiful, 

 and with the protection of a little glass over them in bad 

 weather will give much pleasure, especially in December 

 or January, when other out-door flowers are scarce. 

 Chrysanthus, which varies much in colour ; Imperati, a 

 valuable species ; the charming Sieberi, dalmaticus, 

 etruscus, Gaillardotti, the yellow Korolkowii, nevadensis, 

 the orange suterianus, and the pretty suaveolens, might 

 be included and protected by glass covers from the 

 storms. 



Following these come the spring Croci : aureus, said 

 to be the parent of the Dutch yellow, giving us shades 

 of some variety; while biflorus yields some very beautiful 

 forms, such as argenteus, estriatus, Pestalozzce, pusillus, 

 and Weldeni. Then, apart from the Dutch varieties, 

 vernus gives a number of forms, George Maw, Leedsi, 

 leucorhynchus, leucostigma, and Petro Polowsky being 

 among the most distinct of these. Alatavicus, ancryensis, 

 banaticus, Balansae, corsicus, Fleischeri, gargaricus, 

 Malyi, Olivieri, reticulatus, stellaris, susianus, the varied 

 versicolor, and the charming tommasinianus will give 

 many exquisite pictures. These will give little trouble 

 if planted, in early autumn, about three inches deep in 

 rather light, peaty soil. Growing Crocuses from seed is 

 very interesting work, and may be productive of ex- 

 cellent results. Crocuses in pots should be planted close 

 together, and the pots plunged outside until growth 

 begins. 



