34 



THE BOOK OF BULBS 



shade, but in others they require sun. The American 

 Erythroniums are very beautiful, but should generally 

 have a sunnier place than the others. They like a rather 

 light soil, but americanum, which has yellow flowers, 

 prefers one of a heavier nature, and, to induce flower- 

 ing, should have its roots in a confined space. Albidum 

 has whitish flowers ; giganteum has from one to six 

 whitish flowers with a yellow base and mottled leaves ; 

 grandiflorum has from three to ten yellow flowers 

 on a stem, and unmottled leaves ; and nuttallianum has 

 a shorter stem with smaller flowers than the last, of 

 which it is a variety. 



Hartwegi, Bolanderi, montanum, citrinum, purpur- 

 ascens, and Howelli have all yellow or whitish flowers. 

 Of these, Hartwegi is the earliest, and Howelli among 

 the most beautiful. 



Revolutum, Johnsoni, and Hendersoni have all ex- 

 quisite rose or purple flowers. Propullans has small 

 rose-coloured blooms. Bolanderi is sometimes sold as 

 Smithii or grandiflorum var. Smithii. Japonicum and 

 sibiricum are fine Asiatic forms of Dens-canis, with 

 handsome purple or rosy purple flowers. 



EUCOMISES 



The curious looking Eucomises are hardier than is 

 generally believed, and may be grown in the border or 

 in front of a greenhouse or stove, with a little covering 

 of litter in winter. Although not showy, they are 

 worth growing for their long spikes of whitish flowers, 

 spotted with rose, and their long mottled foliage. They 

 like a light, but not poor soil. Punctata is probably 

 the hardiest, but regia and bicolor are also hardy if 

 planted about six inches deep. 



