THE ROCKERY 88 



bulbs, which should be planted to a depth of three inches. The 

 flowering period is March. 



Frifl Jari^s offer an extended choice for cultivation in the rockery, 

 and they can be had in flower from April to July. The early 

 flowering varieties are F. plurifolia (purple), F. pudica (yellow), 

 and F. Whitallii (brown). The latest to bloom is F. armena, a 

 fine golden yellow which is only six inches tall and blooms in July. 

 September is the best month to plant, but the bulbs may still be 

 got in and planted to adepthpf four inches. 



Muscaris are mostly blue ancf wnTFe, an2 their height ranges 

 from six to nine inches. They thrive hi a sunny position, and in 

 sandy loam. In addition to the blues there are M. botryoides 

 candidum (white and rose), M. moschatum flavum (yellow), and 

 M. plumosum (mauve). 



Scillas flower from February to May, and vary in colour. Thus 

 we have S. bifolia praecox (blue), S. bifolia rosea (rose), S. bifolia 

 alba (white), S. rubra (red), and S. hyacinthoides (lilac). Most 

 scillas will thrive in ordinary garden soil, but it should be made 

 as light as possible by incorporating with it a quantity of road 

 grit or sand. 



The leucojum greatly resembles the snowdrop, though its petals 

 bear green spots at their bases, and are somewhat different in shape 

 from those of the galanthus. L. vemum is an excellent variety, 

 which revels in moisture. Therefore it should have a good depth 

 of soil and be kept well watered. It should be planted three inches 

 deep. 



Puschkinias are pretty little white and blue flowers six inches 

 high. They bloom in April. 



If the rockery faces south, the bulbous iris should on no account 

 fail to find a place in the collection. The best varieties for the 

 purpose are I. reticulata Krelager (purple), I. Sindjarensis (lilac), 

 I. histrioides (blue), and I. dangardrse (yellow). These all suc- 

 ceed best in light sandy soil, with which a small quantity of mortar 

 rubble has been mixed. They resent stagnant moisture, and 

 therefore it is advisable, when planting, to surround each bulb 

 with a little sharp sand. 



