SCILLA SCUTELLARIA. 



229 



of culture. S. Europe. Fringes of 



shrubberies, mixed borders, and natu- 

 ralization. It will grow in any posi- 

 tion or soil in which the Common 

 Bluebell thrives. Separation of the 

 bulbs as occasion may require. 



Scilla patula (Spreading Bluebell). 

 Nearly allied to our Common Blue- 

 bell; 10 to 15 in. high. Flowers, in 

 early summer; larger and more open 

 than those of the Common Bluebell, 

 blue, pendent, of a cylindrical bell- 

 shape, arranged in an erect loose 

 cluster, scentless. Leaves, numerous, 

 broadly - linear, spreading on the 

 ground. Bulb, elongated-pear-shaped, 

 depressed or oblique, sometimes club- 

 shaped. South of France, Spain, and 

 Portugal. Borders, fringes of shrub- 

 beries, and naturalization when it can 

 be spared for this purpose, in ordinary 

 soil. Division. 



Scilla peruviatia (Pyramidal Squill). 

 -A noble and distinct species, 6 to 16 in. 

 high. Flowers, in summer ; numerous, 

 of a brilliant blue, with white stamens, 

 which form a charming contrast, 

 arranged on long slender stalks in a 

 large, regular, dense, pyramidal 

 cluster, which is elongated during the 

 period of flowering. Leaves, longer 

 than the flower-stem, broadly linear, 

 of a deep, glistening green, finely 

 ciliated at the edges. Bulb, large, 

 elongated- pear-shaped, covered with 

 yellowish-white coats. South of Eu- 

 rope and Barbary. Level but sunny 



and sheltered spots in the lower parts 

 of the rockrgarden, or warm shel- 

 tered borders, and occasionally on the 

 fringes of shrubberies, always in a 

 thoroughly- drained and free soil. The 

 crown of the bulb to be at least five 

 or six inches below the surface. This 

 will guard it against any injury from 

 cold. Of course, when large bulbs are 

 planted in this way, there must be 

 plenty of good soil beneath their base. 



Separation of the bulbs every second 

 or third year. 



Scilla sibirica (SiberianSquill).The 

 brightest and bravest of all known 

 early blue-flowered spring bulbs; 3 

 to 6 in. high. Flowers, early in spring ; 

 of a fine clear porcelain-blue, grace- 

 fully pendent, one to six on each stem, 

 arranged in a loose, irregular cluster. 

 Leaves, broadly linear, acute, slightly 

 hollowed near the point, somewhat 

 shorter than the flower-stem. Bulb, 

 of the size of a chestnut, roundish, 

 with dark -coloured, dry, transparent 

 coats. Southern Russia and the Cau- 

 casus. Tufts in borders, or as 



edgings round choice beds of shrubs, 

 either alone or alternated with other 

 dwarf flowers ; also indispensable for 

 the rock-garden, and a charming sub- 

 ject for naturalization on sloping 

 ground with a dwarf turf. Grows 

 and increases freely in good sandy 

 loam. Separation of the bulbs every 

 second year, soon after the leaves have 

 decayed. 



Scutellaria alpina (Alpine Skullcap}. 

 A neat perennial, with spreading 

 pubescent stems, forming large round 

 tufts I ft. high in the centre. Flowers, 

 in summer; purplish, or with the 

 lower lip white or yellow, in terminal 

 4-angled, oblong heads, short at first, 

 afterwards lengthening; corolla 1 to 

 1^ in. long. Leaves, nearly stalkless 

 or very shortly stalked, ovate, roundish 

 or heart-shaped at the base, notched, 

 green, pubescent or pilose; floral 

 leaves membranous, imbricated. S. 

 lupulina is a variety of this with 

 showy yellow flowers. Europe and 



Asia, on mountains. Borders, 



banks, and naturalization, in sandy 

 soil. Division. 



Scutellaria macrantha (Large-flowered 

 S.) A rather showy perennial, form- 

 ing compact bushy tufts, 8 in. to 1 ft. 

 high. Mowers, in summer ; fine blue, in 



