HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



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habits of the species are as varied as their 

 colors; some delicate and light, others strong 

 and robust, with constitutions adapted to any 

 climate excepting the most frigid. From these 

 species some of the most remarkable hybrids 

 have been produced. In no branch of floricul- 

 ture has the skill, the zeal, and the perseverance 

 of the hybridizer been so liberally rewarded. 

 A class with almost unlimited numbers of varie- 

 ties has been produced, that, for the size of 

 flower, beauty in form, size and strength of 

 plant, together with the enormous length of 

 flower spike, are entirely unknown to the spe- 

 cies. So popular have these hybrids become 

 that the species are only to be found in botani- 

 cal collections. As the parentage of the most of 

 our garden varieties is so little known, we give 

 our readers a brief history of the species, whose 

 characteristics are strongly marked in the hy- 

 brids. G. alatus, the Winged Gladiolus, was in- 

 troduced by Mr. Thunberg in 1795. It is a very 

 singular species, the three upper segments of the 

 flower being of a bright orange scarlet, softening 

 almost to white in the center, and very strongly 

 veined, while the three lower ones are yellow- 

 ish tipped with orange scarlet. It has a pleas- 

 ing fragrance, resembling that of the Sweet 

 Brier. The bulbs are not larger than small 

 peas, and should be grown in light sandy loam, 

 well enriched with thoroughly rotted manure. 

 All the Cape species will thrive under the same 

 treatment, so that cultural instructions for the 

 others will be unnecessary. They should be 

 planted as soon as the ground is in good condi- 

 tion in spring, grown with ordinary care during 

 summer, given perfect rest in winter, and be 

 kept perfectly dry. All the Cape bulbs are more 

 injured by excessive moisture during the dor- 

 mant season than even by frost, provided they 

 are quite dry when the frost sets in. The reason 

 for this is, that the bulbs, in their native country, 

 are only accustomed to moisture in their grow- 

 ing season; and thus, when the ground around 

 them becomes saturated by autumn rains, they 

 are stimulated into premature activity, as they 

 seem to suppose their growing season has ar- 

 rived. This unnatural growth has caused the 

 loss of many valuable collections of what is or 

 was supposed to be hardy bulbs. This class, if 

 protected from moisture by a frame, or sufficient 

 mulching, would stand the severity of our win- 

 ters without that protection. The only safe 

 plan is to take them up as soon as they show 

 signs of ripeness, and keep in a dry, warm 

 room. Propagated by offsets. G. Algoensis, the 

 Algoa Bay Gladiolus, and the former species, 

 are allied to the viper species; they have the 

 same general appearance as to form and color. 

 This species is a native of Algoa Bay, on the East 

 coast of South Africa, a much warmer climate 

 than at the Cape, yet the bulbs are much more 

 hardy. It was introduced in 1824. G. albidus, 

 the White Gladiolus, is a species properly en- 

 titled to its distinctive name, as its flowers are 

 pure white, except very light stains on the backs 

 of the petals, before they expand. The spikes 

 usually furnish three small, but well-opened 

 flowers, of more substance than the average spe- 

 cies. It was introduced in 1794, but has been 

 entirely lost sight of until within the last three 

 years, within which time we have seen it grown 

 as a "novelty" in this country, under a 

 " variety " name. G. atif/ustus, the Narrow- 

 leaved Gladiolus, is a delicate growing species 

 of but little merit. The flowers are small, and 



GLA 



produced on one side of the stem only ; the gen- 

 eral color of the flower is dingy white, with the 

 lower petals stainci with a heart-shaped mark 

 of red. It is one of the first species introduced 

 into Europe. It was cultivated by Miller in 

 1757. G. aphyllu?, the Leafless Gladiolus, is a cu- 

 rious species, at first sight more resembling the 

 Linaria than the Gladiolus . It requires to be 

 grown in the green-house, its time of flowering 

 being in January or February. The bulb sends 

 up a single stem about a foot high, with six or 

 eight flowers, but without a single leaf, except 

 what appears to be the rudiments of one near 

 the base of the stem. The flowers are without 

 fragrance, but are rather pretty, the upper 

 petals being slightly tinted with pink, the lower 

 ones being of darker pink or rose color, shaded 

 with yellow. G. blandns, the Fair Gladiolus, is a 

 very handsome species, growing about two feet 

 high, spike strong, producing from eight to ten 

 flowers, which are ranked alternately on each 

 side; color white, the three lower petals each 

 stained with two email oval spots of red. It 

 flowers in June, and was introduced in 1774. 

 G. brevifolius, the Short-leaved Gladiolus, is only 

 suitable for green-house culture, as it comes into 

 flower in January. The flowers, though small, 

 are very pretty, from their rosy tint and delicate 

 pencilings, but the flower spike grows nearly 

 two feet long, and is very slender, giving it a 

 naked appearance. It should be grown among 

 plants with large leaves, of lower growth, so that 

 its flowers would show just above them, on a 

 level with the eye. G. Byzanlinus, the Turkish 

 Gladiolus, is a perfectly hardy species, and 

 when once planted it may be left in the ground 

 for years without taking up. As it produces 

 but few oflfeets, it requires a long time to become 

 troublesome by crowding. It grows about two 

 feet high, and the spike is well filled with pur- 

 plish-red flowers. The bulbs may be planted 

 either in spring or fall, the latter being prefer- 

 able. They must not be planted in the shade, 

 or near trees, full sunshine and free air being 

 necessary for the development of the flowers. 

 This species is desirable in a collection, as it 

 comes into flower in June, and will last until 

 the earlier of the hybrids begin to show their 

 flowers. It is a native of Turkey. Parkinson 

 speaks of it in 1629 as a well-known flower of 

 that period. G. campanulatus, the Bell-shaped 

 Gladiolus, is a very handsome species, but sin- 

 gularjy ill-named, as its flowers are less bell- 

 shaped than most of the other species. It is of 

 a dwarf habit; flowers lilac, with a red stain on 

 each lower petal. Introduced in 1794. G. cardi- 

 naiis, the Scarlet or Superb Gladiolus, is the 

 most showy of the species. In favorable situa- 

 tions it will grow four feet high. The stem 

 branches out at the top into five or six branches, 

 each bearing six or eight flowers. They are 

 borne on one side only, and are a bright scar- 

 let, with a white, diamond-shaped spot on each 

 petal. The bulbs of this species should be 

 planted as early in spring as possible. Intro- 

 duced in 1789. G. carnetis, the Flesh-colored 

 Gladiolus, is a very handsome species, growing 

 from two to three feet high, with broad, sword- 

 shaped leaves, with a narrow white margin. 

 The flowers are very large, with a long t\ib, and 

 rather narrow-pointed petals, the lower three 

 having a brilliant carmine diamond-shaped spot 

 in the center of each ; they are nearly equally dis- 

 posed on both sides of the stem. The large size 

 and beautiful color of the flowers, together with 



