74 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



light loam. It should be allowed to increase until it forms good- 

 sized tufts, which it soon does. To propagate it, it is only 

 necessary to divide the tubers any time from July to October. 

 Flowering period, February to May. 



Crocus Medius. 



Nat. Ord. IRIDACEJS. 



THIS is a charming kind, seldom seen and, perhaps, little known - T 

 the name would imply that it is a variety having equal traits 

 of two other forms. It blooms in January and the flowers appear 

 without any foliage. So well is the Crocus known, it will only be 

 needful to state the more striking features of the one under 

 notice. 



The flowers are produced on tubes Sin. to 5in. long, and 

 stoutly formed ; the colour is a shaded lilac-purple, striped with 

 darker lines ; the petals or divisions of the perianth are l^in. 

 long and ^in. broad, shining or satiny, and become well expanded 

 during the short moments of winter sunshine ; the stamens are 

 half the length of perianth, of a fine deep orange colour, and 

 covered with a thick coat of pollen all their visible length. In 

 rich contrast with these is the style, with its tuft of filaments of 

 a bright orange scarlet colour. From this description it will be 

 seen that the flower is a rather small Crocus, but from the soft 

 tints of the perianth, and more pronounced and bright colours 

 of the seed organs, it is one of much beauty. These features, 

 added to the facts of the bloom appearing in winter and having 

 the scent of wild roses, are sure to render it a favourite kind 

 wherever grown. The leaves are short and narrow, almost grassy. 



It enjoys a light but rich loam and sunny aspect, and increases 

 itself freely by offsets of the matured conns, clumps of which 

 may be divided after the foliage has withered. 

 1, January. 



Cyananthus Lobatus. 



Nat. Ord. POLEMONACE^E. 



A SMALL plant with a large flower, a veritable gem ; no collection 

 of choice alpines can be complete without this species. A native 

 of Chinese Tartary, brought to this country in 1844, where it 

 proves perfectly hardy in the most exposed parts of the open 

 garden; it is herbaceous and perennial; its large and brilliant 

 flowers are very beautiful, but all its other parts are small, as 

 may be seen in the illustration (Fig. 31). It is seldom met 

 with except in collections of rare plants, but there is no reason 

 why it should not be more commonly grown, as its requirements 

 are now well understood. It is not a showy subject, but, when 

 examined, it proves of exquisite beauty. 



