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Gardening for Amateurs 



Bravoa geminiflora (Scarlet Twin- 

 flower). This is a pretty Mexican plant 

 for a warm border, or sunny nook in the rock 

 garden. The soil should be well drained 

 and consist of light loam and leaf-mould, 

 adding some old decayed manure if available. 

 A little protection from cold and excessive 



One of the Missouri Hyacinths (Brodiaea 

 grandiflora). 



moisture by means of coal ashes or dry 

 litter is desirable in winter. If the tubers 

 arrive during winter, do not plant until the 

 end of February or early March, which also 

 is the best time to lift and remove the offsets 

 if an increased stock is desired. As long as 

 the bulbs grow and flower freely there is 

 no necessity to disturb them. Plant 5 to 6 

 inches apart and 4 inches deep. 



Brodiaea (Californian or Missouri 

 Hyacinth). These pretty bulbous plants, 

 natives chiefly of the northern parts of the 

 Xew World, deserve increased attention. 

 A well-drained sandy loam with which is 

 incorporated some leaf-mould is the best 

 compost. Select a sunny position along the 

 front of a border or in the rock garden for 

 all but two or three of the commoner sorts. 

 The best time to plant is from September 

 to November ; place a little coarse sand 

 round the roots of the choice kinds, covering 

 them with 2 to 3 inches of soil. Increase 

 is by offsets. When thriving and flowering 

 freely Brodiaeas should not be disturbed 

 for a number of years. Except where other- 

 wise stated the flowering season is June and 

 July. In northern gardens the bulbs should 

 be protected with dry litter in winter. The 

 best kinds are B. calif ornica, graceful umbels 

 of heliotrope-coloured flowers, 15 inches ; 

 B. coccinea, blood-red, tipped green, 2 feet ; 

 B. congesta, lilac rosette of flowers, 2 feet f 

 B. grandiflora, purplish-blue, 6 inches ; 

 B. hyacinthina, white shaded lilac with 

 green stripes, 1 feet ; B. (Triteleia) laxa, 

 violet blue, 1 foot ; B. multiflora, starry 

 lilac blooms, 1 feet ; B. peduncularis, shin- 

 ing white. B. uniflora or Triteleia (Milla) 

 uniflora, the Spring Star Flower is the most 

 useful and generally grown sort ; it produces 

 quantities of white flo\vers tinged with 

 mauve during April and May. It is more 

 easily grown and hardier than the other 

 Brodiaeas, and the plants form an excellent 

 edging for a border or a groundwork for 

 beds of deciduous shrubs ; it grows about 

 6 inches high, and the flowers are fragrant. 

 There is also a variety with porcelain-blue 

 flowers named violacea. 



Bulbocodium vernum (Spring Meadow 

 Saffron). This plant has crocus-like rosy- 

 purple flowers which push up in early spring 

 on stems 4 inches or rather more in height. 

 Plant the bulbs from July to September, 

 2 to 3 inches deep and 4 inches apart. 

 It is increased by offsets. Plant in well- 

 drained soil in a sunny spot in the rock 

 garden, along the front of a sunny border, 

 or in grass that is not too strong and thick. 



Galochortus (Mariposa Lily, Star 

 Tulip). The Calochortus is one of the most 

 striking of summer-flowering bulbs ; it needs 



