BULBS 37 



often completely miss some exquisite plant, and find it difficult 

 to credit that such a beautiful thing could exist without their 

 becoming aware of it, when at last they make its acquaintance. 

 The Calochortus might easily furnish such an example, for it is 

 not often seen, and yet it is beautiful in the extreme. Perhaps the 

 principal reason why it is not grown in nearly every garden is that 

 it is not quite so hardy and accommodating as our most popular 

 bulbs, such as Daffodils. It cannot be relied upon to thrive in a 

 damp, heavy soil, nor in a cold place. It luxuriates in a warm 

 border under a sunny wall, where the soil is light and sandy. 

 With protection in the form of litter in winter it may live for 

 several years in such a spot. The species albus, speciosus, venustus 

 and pulchellus are all extremely pretty, and the bulbs, which may 

 be bought early in autumn, are not expensive. They are quite 

 suitable for pot culture, and may be treated like Hyacinths. 



Chi&nodoxa (Glory of the Snow). This ranks with the smaller 

 bulbs, such as Scillas and Snowdrops. There are several species 

 and varieties, all blue, blue and white, or white, the best known 

 being Luciliae, Tmolusii, grandiflora, and sardensis. The first 

 of these is the true Glory of the Snow. It has delightful blue 

 flowers with a white centre, grows to about the same height as 

 the Snowdrop, and is in bloom at the same time. It is a hardy, 

 attractive, inexpensive, and accommodating little bulb, and may 

 be represented in gardens where such little gems are loved. 



Christmas Roses will be referred to under Herbaceous Plants, 

 and Colchicum autumnale under Rockery Flowers. Both are sold 

 by bulb-dealers. 



Crinums. Lovely bulbs are the Crinums, and if they were fully 

 hardy, which they are not, it is quite certain that they would be 

 largely grown in gardens. As it is, only those people who can 

 afford to take risks will grow them out of doors. Like the Bella- 

 donna Lily they can only be relied on in warm, sheltered places, 

 and in light, sandy soil. Cold, wet soils and exposed situations 



