HARDY BULBS 41 



tection in the way of a mulch of dry litter in autumn, and 

 removing it in spring. We have, however, a few species 

 which are quite hardy, although some are the better of 

 a little protection for the first winter. The hardiest 

 of these is Gladiolus byzantinus, a species with small, 

 rosy-purple flowers, but the following others may also 

 be grown as ordinary border flowers : communis, segetum, 

 serotinus, illyricus, and neglectus. Then the varieties 

 of the early-flowering Gladioli named in catalogues may 

 be accounted almost hardy on light dry soils, especially 

 if protected for a winter after being planted. Such 

 forms as Colvillei, The Bride, and almost all the other 

 early bloomers are amenable to this treatment. Plant 

 them about six inches deep in a sunny position. 



HEMEROCALLISES 



The Day Lilies are very ornamental plants, although 

 their usefulness in the garden is reduced by the individual 

 blooms only lasting for the one day. The number avail- 

 able for gardens has been increased by varieties raised 

 by hybridisation and cross-breeding, and some of these 

 are of much value. Auriantiaca major, a fine plant 

 introduced within the last few years, is shy in flowering 

 and wants a good soil and a warm, sunny position. It 

 has rich orange flowers. The others grow in a sunny 

 position in ordinary soil. Dumortieri, orange, brown 

 outside, grows about one foot high ; flava has pretty 

 yellow blooms, on stems about two feet high, in June ; 

 fulva is taller, and has more coppery flowers. There 

 are double-flowered and variegated-leaved varieties of 

 fulva, the form fl.-pl. variegata being very fine. Mid- 

 dendorfii has orange flowers, and is about one foot high ; 

 Thunbergi resembles flava, but blooms a month later. 

 Minor, or graminea, is of dwarf habit, and has yellow 

 flowers. Hybrid, or seedling forms of merit are Apricot, 

 Pr Regel, Flamid, Frances, luteola, and Sovereign, 



