OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 189 



Orchis Foliosa. 



LEAFY ORCHIS; Nat. Ord. ORCHID ACE^E. 



THIS terrestrial Orchid is not generally known to be hardy, 

 but that such is the fact is beyond doubt. It is not only hardy, 

 though it conies from Madeira, but it thrives better in this 

 climate when exposed to all the drawbacks belonging to the open 

 garden, or hardy treatment, than when kept under glass. It 

 only seems to require two things a deep rich soil and leaving 

 alone being very impatient of disturbance at its roots. Many 

 of the hardy Orchids, though interesting, are not showy enough 

 as flowers for beds or borders. This, however, is an exception, and 

 is not only, in common with other Orchids, an interesting species, 

 but a handsome and durable flower. 



It blooms at different heights, from 9in. to 2ft. ; the spike, 

 as implied by the name, is leafy up to and among the flowered 

 portion, which is from Sin. to 9in. long ; the flowers are a cheerful 

 purple colour, each fin. in diameter ; the sepals are erect, cupped, 

 and paler in colour than the other parts of the flower; petals 

 small ; lip large, three lobed, the middle one somewhat pointed ; 

 leaves oblong and smooth, lessening and becoming more subulate 

 near the top of the stem. When well grown, this plant has a 

 noble appearance, and when closely viewed is seen to be a flower 

 of a high order, as, in fact, all the Orchids are. 



Fortunately, it is not so particular either as regards soil or 

 atmosphere as most of its relations, and it may frequently be met 

 with in cottage gardens in splendid form. Good sandy loam, in 

 a moist situation, suits it well, and I have seen it with fine spikes 

 of bloom both in partial shade and fully exposed. Its position 

 should be correctly noted, otherwise, when the tops have died 

 down, the roots may suffer damage ; they should be well guarded 

 against disturbance. When increase is desirable the roots may 

 be divided, but if they can be left alone it will be much to the 

 advantage of the specimens. 



Flowering period, June and July. 



Orchis Fusca, 



BROWN ORCHIS; Nat. Ord. ORCHIDACE^:. 

 A RARE and noble British species, terrestrial, and having a 

 tuberous root of moderate size; the specific name does not 

 always apply, as this species varies considerably in the colour 

 of its flowers certainly all are not brown. According to Gray, 

 the flowers are " large, greenish-brown, brownish-purple, or pale 

 ash grey;" the specimen from which our illustration (Fig. 69) 

 was drawn may be said to be " brownish-purple," from its great 

 number of brown spots ; it is also slightly tinged with green. 

 According to Linnaeus, it is synonymous with 0. Militaris, the 



