90 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



stout stems. They are well termed Torch Lilies, for they are often 

 a foot long, and of a brilliant orange, salmon, or fiery red colour. A 

 strong plant will throw up several, and when the plant is colonised, 

 there may be scores (even hundreds, if it is planted in quantity) of 

 the glowing flambeaux lighting up the garden. Such a picture 

 as they then form is one not easily forgotten. For the matter of 

 that, a single vigorous plant growing in a small bed in solitary 

 state lingers in the memory. It may have as a neighbour a clump 

 of Pampas Grass, the silvery plumes of which will attain to maturity 

 about the same time as the glowing heads of the Torch Lily. 



George Borrow described Spain picturesquely as the "Gonfa- 

 loniera of Rome." The Kniphofia might be called the Gonfaloniera 

 of the flower garden. It must have a place in the herbaceous 

 border, as well as on the lawn, and there it will form glowing 

 rallying points. It must not be crowded up against a mass of 

 Sunflowers, or half hidden in a tangle of Chrysanthemums, where 

 its foliage will be obscured, and its vivid colours more than half 

 killed. It must stand clear out, alert, striking, distinctive. It 

 may be associated with other plants, such as Lilies and Delphiniums, 

 dusky Michaelmas Daisies and stately Hollyhocks, but there must 

 be no overgrowing, no muddle. It must be a case of careful 

 grouping. 



The Torch Lily is an easy plant to grow, provided that the 

 soil is not dry. It loves moisture. Given a variety of soils (with 

 which, however, few flower gardeners are favoured) a strong loam 

 or clay such as would be likely to suit Roses should be chosen. If it 

 is a case of Hobson's choice, and the soil is thin and light, steps 

 should be taken to improve it by deep digging and liberal manuring ; 

 and this work must be done at any favourable opportunity in winter. 

 The plants may be bought and planted in spring. 



Neat flower gardeners dress their borders in autumn, cutting 

 down old stems and removing decayed leaves ; but they will be well 

 advised to abstain from removing the old leaves of the Torch Lilies. 



