76 MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



Montbretias require the same general treatment as 

 gladiolas, and may be used to border beds of these 

 flowers with excellent effect. They are very desirable 

 for cut flowers, opening freely in water, and are ex- 

 ceedingly graceful and dainty. They do not possess 

 the range of color of the gladiolas, being found only 

 in scarlet and orange shades, but they have a place 

 of their own in the summer flower garden, which 

 could not well be supplied by any other plant. They 

 are stored during winter the same as gladiolas, lifting 

 the tubers when the foliage turns brown, and drying 

 for a few days in a warm, sunny place ; then remov- 

 ing most of the stalk and storing the bulbs in paper 

 sacks and hanging them from the ceiling of a frost- 

 proof cellar or garret. 



Tuberoses are more sensitive to cold and dampness 

 than most other summer blooming bulbs, and must 

 be started in heat and not planted out until all danger 

 of frost is past. In preparing the bulbs for potting 

 in spring, the thick growth below tLe bulb should 

 all be removed, and all off-shoots. Plant the bulbs 

 singly in four-inch pots, setting them with the tip 

 just above the surface of the soil, or plant them in 

 rows in the hot-bed, and this is preferable, as an even 

 temperature is assured with less trouble than in the 

 house. Plant out when the soil and nights are warm. 

 The double pearl tuberose will grow so tall a flower 

 spike that staking will be necessary, and for this the 



