218 



The Weekly Florists^ Review* 



IT' 



JCNB 14, 1906. 



uniform growth and the length of time 

 the variety lasts in good condition. 

 Gardeners ' ~ ~ 



Magazine. 



WATSONIA ARDERNEI. 



Of the watsonia, Peter Henderson, in 

 his ' ' Hand Book of Plants, ' ' says : "A 

 genus of half hardy bulbs from the 



accompanying illustrations taken from 

 photographs will better show the flowers 

 cut for work and will also show the habit 

 of growth and freedom of bloom in the 

 field or garden. 



The variety known as Ardernei is of 

 more recent introduction and differs 

 from the above in that the tube is less 

 curved and the segments somewhat 



Watsonia Iridifolia CyBrieni. 



Cape of Good Hoi)e, formerly classed 

 ■with the gladiolus, to which genus they 

 are closely allied and to which they bear 

 a close resemblance. They require the 

 protection of a frame during the win- 

 ter months, or they may be successfully 

 grown in the greenhouse, where their 

 long spikes of brilliant flowers make a 

 magnificent appearance. ' ' 



This family seems to be neglected in 

 this country and very few florists of the 

 present generation are acquainted with 

 them, although fresh interest was 

 aroused through the discovery and in- 

 troduction of a pure white variety. This 

 was sent out from South Africa about 

 a dozen years ago, under the name of 

 Watsonia iridifolia O'Brieni. This 

 splendid Variety has flowers up to three 

 and one-half inches in diameter, and re- 

 minding us very much of a eucharis in 

 its purity. The funnel-shaped tube is 

 slightly curved, which gives to this family 

 the popular name of bugle lily, and is 

 about two inches long. The segments, 

 usually six, are an inch or more in 

 length and almost three-fourths of an 

 inch in width. In California the flower 

 stems grow from four to six feet in 

 height and branch freely. The main 

 stem, with its several branches, when 

 grown from strong bulbs, will produce 

 close to 200 flowers, and will remain in 

 bloom from six to eight weeks. The 



shorter, and more rounding at the point. 

 Like O 'Brieni it is of the purest white, 



and both keep well after being cut. In 

 California these varieties have been 

 grown ever since their introduction, the 

 original stock having come from Natal, 

 South Africa, and for some years holders 

 of the original stock refused to dispose 

 of any, believing it would have a great 

 future as a cut flower. 



In California it usually begins to 

 grow naturally in September and is usu- 

 ally in bloom late in March, continuing 

 through April and May. A few winters 

 ago it stood 8 degrees of frost without 

 injury, showing it to be more hardy 

 than gladioli growing beside it. It can 

 be had in bloom without forcing under 

 glass in the late winter months. 



The individual flowers can be used, or 

 the entire branch can be cut; hence it 

 will readily be seen how profitable it 

 will be for winter blooming. It makes 

 up beautifully in all floral work, as it 

 is not large enough to appear "coarse, 

 and I have no doubt but that eventually 

 it will be as largely grown as the Ber- 

 muda lily. I believe it can be grown 

 under the same conditions as Gladiolus 

 Colvillei alba and if not forced the bulbs 

 can be cared for and used for years. ' 



There is also a great future for these 

 watsonias for summer blooming. As 1 

 have said, they start to grow, in Cali- 

 fornia, in September. From what I have 

 read concerning the genus I have no 

 doubt that in the east the bulbs can be 

 kept dormant until spring and will then 

 bloom during the summer. In fact, as 

 an experiment, I kept some dormant 

 until April, when they were planted and 

 bloomed in August. For outdoor plant- 

 ing in the south or on the Pacific coast 

 they will become very popular and will 

 make grand displays for two months. 

 For this purpose some varieties with 

 colored flowers will be in demand. 

 Watsonia Augusta is grown for decora- 

 tive purposes. This splendid sort has 

 brilliant scarlet flowers and blooms free- 

 ly all summer and is one of the hand- 

 somest of all those with colored flowers. 



D. E. Woods. 



Parkersburg, W. Va. — C. P. Dudley 

 is planning to erect a new store build- 

 inf; on Juliana street. 



Watsonia Iridifolia O'Brieni in Cali/orm'a. 



