140 ALPINE FLOWERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



lift the Crocuses when they begin to wither and plant 

 them out in a reserve garden, where they will finish 

 their growth just as well as they would on the rockery. 

 Some Crocus lovers like to grow the best of the species 

 in pots. They look charming in a cool greenhouse. 

 Half-a-dozen may be grown in a six-inch pot. 



The following are a few of the best of the species 

 and varieties, and might form the nucleus of a col- 

 lection : — 



Biflorus : An early spring-bloomer with white 

 flowers in pairs. There are a great many forms, of 

 which Adamij estriatuSy Leichtlinii^ nubigenus, Pesta- 

 lozzii and Weldeni are a few of the most noteworthy. 

 They differ in colour markings. 



ChrysanthuSy orange, blooming in spring, is one of 

 the greatest favourites, owing to its large size and 

 rich colour. It has many forms, including a white 

 (albidus) and a pale yellow (Canary bird). 



Imperati : . a fine species, blooming very early in 

 spring and producing purple flowers. It is a variable 

 plant, like most of the Crocuses, and several of the 

 forms are well worth growing, notably albus and 

 longiflorus. 



Iridiflorus : an autumn bloomer of great beauty, 

 bearing large flowers of a rich blue. It is certainly 

 one of the most beautiful Crocuses that we have. 

 There is a large variety of it called major. The Iris- 

 flowered Crocus is well worthy of pot culture. 



Longiflorus : an autumn bloomer with purphsh 

 lilac, fragrant flowers. It is sometimes grown under 

 the name of odor us. There are several varieties of it. 



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