CHAPTER XI 



HARDY BULBS 

 Tulips Zephyranthes 



TULIPS 



IT is a matter for regret that the true beauty of the 

 Tulip has been so long obscured by the manner of its 

 planting in stiff lines or beds, where the flowers stood 

 in almost regimental array, with little but their own 

 foliage to tone down the superfluous brilliancy of the 

 mass of colour. It is emphatically a flower which 

 requires association with other plants to show its true 

 value. Grown in bold clumps in the mixed border, or 

 in irregular groups among the rougher grass, it gives a 

 much better effect. Individually, the Tulips are very 

 beautiful, and their value in pots is of a high degree. 

 Of course those who grow the English florist's Tulip 

 ought to continue to grow them in beds and in lines, 

 so that they can be protected from frost and shaded 

 readily from strong sunshine. For ordinary gardens, 

 however, an informal grouping will be the most satis- 

 factory and pleasing. The species are very varied in 

 their character, and many of the dwarfer are delightful 

 rock-garden plants. A good, loamy soil is suitable for 

 all classes of Tulips, but where it is heavy a little 

 coarse sand may be placed about the bulb. It is well 

 to plant comparatively early, from the beginning of 

 October to the end of November being the most suit- 

 able time. In gardens subject to late frosts, it is better 



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