BULBOUS PLANTS 



Late April, even, would be a melancholy time in the 

 garden without the bulbous plants. 



A curious dwarf plant that greets the spring is 

 the guinea-hen flower, Fritillaria meleagris. Its large 

 flowers hang on the stems like broad, open bells and 

 are mottled not unlike guinea hens, although their 

 colors are more varied and cheerful. These bulbs are 

 quite hardy in seaside gardens, doing best in rich 

 soil. Customarily they are planted about four inches 

 deep in the ground. 



The most stately of the Fritillarias is the crown 

 imperial, F. imperialis, with its bold handsome look 

 of a tropical plant. The early spring sees these flowers 

 produce most startling effects, since they have the pro- 

 nounced beauty of midsummer rather than the tender 

 grace of the early months. There are now many new 

 varieties of Fritillarias brighter in hue than the old 

 dull red one. Among them vivid crimsons and bright 

 yellows are especially pronounced. 



In English gardens, Fritillarias are used in goodly 

 numbers in the central positions of beds filled with 

 other bulbous plants identified with spring bloom. 

 I have seen them there also planted in dark, cool 

 spots where their flowers showed to great advantage. 

 All of the Fritillarias are exceedingly graceful. It is 

 a matter for regret, however, that they seem to be 

 much less cared for than the majority of bulbous 

 plants. 



Gladioli are bulbous plants none the less important 

 because they wait until late July and August before 

 showing their flowers. They are, however, not alto- 



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