2o6 ALPINE FLOWERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



but larger than that pretty favourite of late winter, and 

 differs in coming in advance of its leaves, which only 

 begin to grow when the flowering is complete. The 

 disadvantage of this leafiessness at the blooming season 

 can be overcome by planting it in a dwarf carpeter. 

 The flowers not only look better thus than on the bare 

 soil, but are kept cleaner. The Colchicums grow from 

 bulbs, or rather corms, which are poisonous. These 

 should be procured in summer, so that they can be 

 planted early. They should not be left so late as 

 Crocuses and Tulips. They may, however, be raised 

 from seed sown in spring, and in the case of autumnale 

 at all events this is easy to get. If it is desired to 

 increase existing plants the clumps may be lifted and 

 divided as soon as the foHage has decayed. They 

 enjoy a substantial loamy soil. 



By far the best known species of Colchicum is 

 autumnale J which is often called the Autumn Crocus. 

 It is a European plant, and is naturalised in many 

 places. There are a considerable number of varieties 

 of it, some single, others double. Flower-lovers 

 generally prefer some of the best of these to the type. 

 Of the singles there is a white (album), a very dark 

 (atropurpureum) ; a striped (striatum) ; a pale rose 

 {pallidum) ; and a variegated-leaved (Joliis-variegatis). 

 Of doubles there are white (album plenum); purple 

 (purpureum plenum) ; rose (roseum plenum) ; and striped 

 (striatum plenum), 



A pretty species that one rarely sees is Bornmulleriy 

 purple with white zone. It grows about a foot high. 

 Byzantinum is also attractive, but comes close to 



