THE WHITE ROCKERY 109 



brodicea. It is hardy with me in a snug spot on the 

 white rockery ; but there will be no crape worn when 

 it falls out, for the space can be put to better purpose. 

 Chionodoxa is a little treasure that needs no more than 

 affectionate mention. I hear the variety Tmolusi is 

 quite the most perfect thing in snow-glories that has 

 yet appeared. Chlidanthus fragrans defies me. It 

 sends up strong foliage, but has never flowered. It 

 is, I understand, really a little yellow pancratium, and 

 ought to do perfectly well. Coburgia has treated 

 me in exactly the same manner ; but this is a green- 

 house plant and should not have been thrust into 

 the air. I am a very poor hand at the Amaryllidaceae. 

 Commelina is another thing that expects to be dug 

 up and stored away in winter. Last year I let mine 

 go on expecting. Commelina caelestis is certainly a 

 heavenly blue when you catch the flowers well out 

 before midday, but quickly after noon the display is 

 at an end, and nothing but a score of clammy blue 

 beads remain to tell of the vanished beauty. White 

 commelinas are also good. The plant is worth grow- 

 ing, but not worth fussing about. Cypella Herberti is 

 a noble irid, and everybody should try it. I find it 

 perfectly hardy ; though in winter, out of mere affec- 

 tion, the plants have a little mound of fine soil three 

 inches high raised about them. The vigour and 

 abundance of their flowers is amazing. From June 

 onward until late September they open an unceasing 

 supply of rich, tawny-orange blossoms, in shape like 

 a small tigridia. There is a touch of purple in their 

 hearts, streaked on the outer petals and spattered on 



