BULBOUS FLOWERS 89 



stigmata. The Meadow Saffron (C. sativus) spreads freely in warm 

 gardens and its pale lilac flowers are very pretty. C. iridiflorus, C. 

 nudiflorus, and 0. longiflorus are handsome autumn flowers. Put Crocus 

 bulbs about two and a half inches deep. 



Daffodils. See Narcissus. 



Fritillaria (Fritillaries). Of these plants F. imperialis (the Crown 

 Imperial) is the most striking. It is a stately, spring-blooming plant, 

 growing to a height of four feet, and bearing heads of drooping flowers, 

 clear yellow and orange-red in colour. F. Meleagris (Snake's-head), with 

 its purple diapered flowers and its white variety, are charming when 

 naturalised in moist places in the grass. It is amongst the Fritillaries 

 that we find so many of the varying tints of green and others of a bluish 

 glaucous tone, from which they merge to purple and plum. The flowers 

 are usually of quiet beauty. Many of the species are quite easily man- 

 aged, not only in the border or in the rock-garden, but equally so in 

 tufty ground or in pasture. F. pallidi flora is very distinct, and certainly 

 one of the best. The flowers are of a pale yellow tone, and beautifully 

 chequered, whilst the foliage is glaucous in colour. The species comes 

 from Siberia, and is therefore quite hardy. Another species also in 

 flower at this time and a good companion is F. pyrenaica, a rather dark 

 plum-coloured flower, heavily netted with dark brown, very hardy, and 

 quite easily grown in sandy soil. Others worthy of note are the scarlet 



F. recurva, F. citrina, F. alpina, and the beautiful F. WTiittalli. In the 

 general culture of Fritillaries remember to plant in autumn, and a com- 

 paratively dry soil is beneficial. The Snake's-head, however, prefers 

 moisture. Seed sown as soon as ripe in pans of sandy soil will not 

 result in flowering plants under five years. Small bulbous offsets are 

 produced, which should be planted in a reserve bed of porous soil, 

 and soon make good specimens. Plant from four inches to six inches 

 deep. 



GalanthllS (Snowdrop). The Snowdrop, though grown in every 

 condition of soil and site, flourishes best in a moist and shady situation. 



G. plicatus and G. Elwesi are two fine forms. There are many other 

 Snowdrops, but these are quite sufficient for a small garden. The ordi- 

 nary Snowdrop is pretty too, and all are pleasing in pots. Plant one 

 inch deep. 



Galtonia (Hyacinthus) candicans. This is a tall, bulbous flower, 

 with a stem quite three feet high. Unlike so many other bulbs from 

 South Africa it needs no special care, such as drying off and replant- 

 ing, but makes itself quite at home in our gardens, preferring rich and 

 stiff soils. It is a plant so distinct as well as important that it deserves 

 to be placed with special care. Of all positions the best would be as an 

 isolated group, only associated with some rather important foliage of a 

 different character, such as that of the larger form of Megasea (Saxifraga) 

 cordifolia, and so placed that it would be against a background of quiet 

 and yet dark rich greenery, such as that of the clipped yew hedge, 

 where its ivory-white bells, suggesting large Snowdrops, and glaucous 

 leaves would have their fullest value. Propagate by offsets or by seed. 

 Four years elapse before the seedlings bloom. Sow the seed as soon as 



