64 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



but blackened foliage, which is very persistent, and which, a 

 little later, acts as sheaths for the long-tubed flowers. Unless 

 the weather be very unfavourable, these flowers last a long time 

 fully two weeks. The double variety, which is somewhat 

 scarce, is even more lasting, and I may add, it is a form and colour 

 so softly and richly shaded that it is nothing short of exquisite ; 

 but the single variety, now more especially under notice, is also 

 capable of agreeably surprising its friends when used in certain 

 ways, for instance, as follows : A tray of the bright green and 

 nearly transparent selaginella, so common in all greenhouses, 

 should form the ground for twos or threes of these simple but 

 elegant Saffron flowers ; no other should be placed near their 

 simplicity forms their charm. It will be seen that the robust 

 but soft-coloured flower of the meadows harmonises finely with 

 the more delicately grown moss. In other ways this fine 

 autumnal flower may be used with pleasing effect in a cut state, 

 and it blends well with the more choice exotics. This is more 

 than can be said of many hardy flowers, and it is fortunate that 

 during dull weather, when we are driven from our gardens, there 

 are still some flowers which may be hastily gathered and so 

 arranged indoors as to give us all the pleasure which only such 

 flowers can yield at such a season. 



I find this subject to do well in any situation, but I think the 

 blooms are a richer colour if grown under partial shade. The 

 bulbs should not be disturbed if abundance of flowers are 

 wanted ; but if it is found desirable to propagate them, the bulbs 

 may be lifted every two or three years, when the tops have 

 withered, and when there will probably be found a goodly crop 

 of young tubers. 



Flowering period, September and October. 



Colchicum Variegatum. 



Nat. Ord. MELANTHACE^. 



THIS comes from Greece, nevertheless it is perfectly hardy ; it 

 is not only peculiarly pretty when closely examined, but a truly 

 handsome flower, either as cut bloom or seen in groups in a 

 growing state. Compared with C. autumnaie, it is shorter in the 

 tube, or more dwarf ; still, it is a larger flower, and its rosy 

 purple petals, or divisions of the corolla, are more spear-shaped, 

 and each from 2in. to Sin. long ; they have a stout and almost 

 white mid-rib, the other parts of the segments being distinctly 

 and beautifully chequered with white and rosy purple; the 

 tube is stout, and of transparent whiteness ; the foliage less 

 than that of the British species, and more wavy. The habit 

 of the flowers is erect, and during sunshine they become flatly 

 expanded, when they will be 4in. to 5in. across, being 3in. to 4in. 

 high. It is a very durable flower, lasting at least a fortnight, 



