CHAPTER XIV 



HALF-HARDY BULBS 



Ixiolirions Moraeas Ornithogalums Oxalises Phajdranassas 



Pancratiums Tigridias Zephyranthes Cooperias 



IXIOLIRIONS 



FEW people seem to grow the Ixiolirions, which are 

 pretty summer blooming bulbs with umbels of lilac or 

 blue flowers on stems about a foot high. This is 

 unfortunate, as they are of pleasing appearance, though 

 it is to be regretted that they are among those trouble- 

 some bulbs which are almost hardy, yet not absolutely 

 to be depended upon in our climate. If planted in the 

 open, this ought to be done in spring, and the bulbs 

 lifted in autumn, and stored in dry sand, but it is more 

 satisfactory to grow them in a frame or cool greenhouse 

 in pots of loam, leaf-soil, and sand. There are two 

 species montanum and kolpakowskianum, the latter 

 having a smaller bulb and shorter segments. The 

 variety tataricum is considered a separate species by 

 some botanists. 



MOR^AS 



Moraeas are charming plants resembling the Irises, 

 and are of bright colours, and generally very fragrant. 

 They should either be grown in a frame with some 

 winter protection, or in a cool greenhouse or conser- 

 vatory planted out in rather sandy soil or in pots. Out 



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