Bulbs, Tuberous Plants and Grasses 263 



Naturalised, scattered colonies of these incomparable flowers 

 beside little lakes, in meadows, along woodland borders, old stone 

 walls and entrance drives would seem to be the ideal way of plant- 

 ing them, but in no situation, perhaps, could they be less than 

 lovely. When left alone they will protect themselves against 

 encroachment, even of quack grass, and steadily increase in quan- 

 tity, sometimes even in quality, of bloom. Do not lift and divide the 

 bulbs until the flowers show by deterioration that they are over- 

 crowded. Planted in a shrubbery border where a flowing ribbon 

 of daffodils at its edge is a cheerful sight indeed on an April morn- 

 ing, the bulbs need a top dressing of fertiliser now and then to 

 replace nourishment stolen by the shrubs. Daffodils enliven the 

 perennial borders, too, where, however, their presence is apt to 

 be forgotten after their leaves die off, and injury may be done 

 the bulbs if a fork be used among the plants. Moreover, they 

 leave bare patches after them. Some gardeners sow sweet alyssum, 

 mignonette or some other low-growing annual over them to carpet 

 their area with flowers during the summer and autumn. A 

 wreath of poet's narcissus around a fountain, where they peeped 

 over the coping as if to see their exquisite reflection in the mirror- 

 like pool, has reconciled the most skeptical unbeliever to their use 

 in a formal garden. Why, our grandmothers' gardens were 

 always filled with them! There were tufts of gay daffodils in the 

 corners of the parterres, and lines of them drawn up, as if in 

 battle array, behind the boxwood breastworks. Since ever they 

 were known they have been beloved. Shakespeare delighted in 

 them. There are rabid collectors in England to-day who give 

 two thousand dollars or more for the exclusive ownership of a 

 new choice variety represented by perhaps a half-dozen bulbs. 

 The hardy narcissus and daffodils will grow wherever grass 



