OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 275 



the plant being a native of Oregon, and is in reference to its 

 rich satiny blossom; that of Bush-lily, which is, perhaps, an 

 even more suitable name, has been recently applied to it, I 

 believe, in this country. It is applicable alike to the rush-like 

 form and habit of foliage, and the lily-like purity and style of 

 flowers. It was sent to this country in 1826, and yet it is rarely 

 met with in English gardens. Some think it scarcely hardy in 

 our climate in certain soils. I happen to have grown it for six 

 years, which period includes the recent severe winters, and it 

 has not only survived but increased in a moderate degree. This 

 took place on rockwork facing south ; in the autumn of 1881 I 

 divided the specimen, and planted a part of it in the coldest 

 part of my garden, which is not without clay, though far from 

 all clay ; that division is now a strong plant, and has made an 

 extra crown; it forms the subject of the present illustration. 

 .Let me state, in passing, that it is naturally a slow grower. 

 'The very severe weather of the week previous to my writing this 

 note, in March, 1883, when 23deg. of frost was registered, which 

 cut down the bloom stems of Hellebores and many other well- 

 known hardy things, did not hurt this subject very much ; I am, 

 therefore, confident of its hardiness from six years of such 

 experience. 



The flowers are lin. to-l^in. long, and about as much across 

 when open, of a fine purple colour, with a shining satiny appear- 

 ance ; the six transparent petal-like divisions are of uneven form, 

 having short bluntish points ; from the openness of the corolla the 

 stamens and style are well exposed, and they are very beautiful. 

 The flowers are produced when the plant is about 6in. or 9in. 

 high, the buds being developed on a rush-like stem, and enfolded 

 in an almost invisible sheath 2in. or Sin. from the apex. 

 Gradually the sheath, from becoming swollen, attracts notice, 

 and during sunshine it will suddenly burst and let fall its 

 precious contents a pair of beautiful flowers which dangle on 

 slender arching pedicels, springing from the sheath-socket. 

 They seem to enjoy their new-born freedom, and flutter in the 

 March wind like tethered butterflies. Their happy day, however, 

 is soon over ; their fugacious petals shrivel in three or four days. 

 The leaves are rush-like, ribbed, and sheathed. 



I have found it to thrive in loam, both light and moderately 

 stiff, also in vegetable soil and sand ; it likes moisture, but not 

 of a stagnant character ; between large stones, at the base of 

 rockwork, suits it in every way ; it may also be grown by the 

 side of the larger kinds of snowdrops for contrast and effect. 

 Impatient of being disturbed, it is not wisdom to lift it for 

 any purpose, provided it is making progress, or until it has 

 formed strong tufts ; when, if it is desirable to increase it, and 

 during early autumn, the long roots should be got well under, 

 and taken out of the ground as entire as possible ; from their 



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