Part II. CROCUS. 179 



it a suitable position on sunny parts of the roclcwork, on which, 

 or on sunny borders, it may be associated with the Meadow 

 Saffron or other autumn Crocuses. 



CEOOTJS SIEBERI.— i'zVfe^^J C. 



A SMALL species, from the mountains of Greece, which has 

 only been introduced within the past few years, as if to remind 

 us that, though in its native country little now remains of the 

 race of heroes that once populated it but " the rifled urn, the 

 violated mound," nature there is fresh and fair as when the 

 " isles that crown the ^Egean deep " saw their happiest and most 

 glorious days. 



" Eternal summer gilds them yet, 

 But all except their sun is set ! " 



We have Crocuses that flower in spring, and Crocuses that flower 

 in autumn ; but this hardy mountaineer flowers in winter and 

 earliest spring, anticipating all the others. Very dwarf, with 

 pale violet flowers ; is not at all difficult to cultivate, and should 

 be placed on some little sunny ledge on rockwork, or other spot 

 where it may be safe from being overrun or forgotten. 



CROCUS SPECIOSUS.— ^'.^oze/j Autumn C. 



This is the finest of the autumn-flowering Crocuses, and comes 

 into beautiful bloom when the wet gusts begin to play with the 

 fallen leaves, at the end of September or beginning of October ; 

 the flowers bluish violet, striped internally with deep purple lines, 

 smooth at the throat, the divisions most deeply veined near their 

 base ; the stigmas, of a fine orange colour, cut so as to appear as 

 if fringed ; the leaves appearing about the same time as the 

 flowers, but not attaining their full development till the following 

 spring. It is particularly suitable for forming edgings and tufts 

 near beds or groups of autumn flowers, and also for rockwork or 

 borders. It is not particular as to soils ; but, being scarce, it 

 would be much better to encourage it in good light loam or 

 peaty soil, in which it thrives to perfection. As the leaves grow 

 vigorously in summer, unaccompanied by flowers, it may be 

 necessary to caution workmen against the barbarous practice of 

 cutting them off, as is frequently done with the common kinds. 

 It seeds freely in this country, and may be readily increased in 



N 2 



