CHIONODOXA 
HIS telling sheet of blue is to be found at Kew, where Chionodoxa 
Chionodoxa is largely planted to carpet the ground under as a 
shrubs. The colour is a pure azure. If it is grown in Carpeting 
quantities in this way, the unusual effect it produces is almost start- Pant 
ling, and must be a revelation to many of the use and beauty of this 
small bulb. In the rock garden, also, it may be easily established ; 
there it will seed itself, and the scattered heads of bloom sprinkle the 
banks with blue, when one can hardly believe that the winter is 
over and spring begun. Its Greek name signifies ‘‘ Glory of the 
Snow,” and in its native home on the mountains of Asia Minor 
it probably flowers, as does the Alpine Soldanella, with the 
snow melting around it. Fortunately these conditions are not 
necessary to success, as it flowers generally with us in March. 
The bulbs should be planted in the autumn, and are not 
over particular about soil or position, though they prefer a sandy 
loam and some peat. The first year after planting they are 
nearly always disappointing, and produce only a few flowers, 
but if left undisturbed they increase quickly both by offsets and 
seeds. If a further increase is wanted, the seeds should be sown 
when ripe in drills, but it takes three years to mature the bulbs. 
The two sorts generally grown are C. Lucilig—a clear bright 
colour with a white eye, and sardensis, comparatively a softer 
greyer blue, with larger flowers than the former. 
Very closely allied to these Chionodoxas is a charming 
little plant like a Squill, with the palest of blue flowers, and a 
distinct stripe of clear cobalt up each petal. It is called Pusch- 
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