324 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part II. 



SCILLA AM.CENK.— Pleasing Squill. 



A DISTINCT, earljr-spring-flowering kind, opening soon after i". 

 sibirica, and readily known from any of its relatives by the large 

 yellowish ovary showing conspicuously in the centre of the dark 

 indigo-blue flowers. It is, though sufficiently attractive to merit 

 a place in borders and collections of hardy bulbs, less orna- 

 mental than any other kind here mentioned, the flowers being 

 arranged in a somewhat sparse and rigid manner, and having 

 none of the grace characteristic of .S". catnpanulata, or of the va- 

 rieties of S. nutans, or the dwarfness and brilliancy of S. sibirica. 

 The leaves, usually about half an inch across, attain a height of 

 about one foot, and are very easily injured by cold or wind, so 

 that a sheltered position is that best suited to its wants. It is 

 not exactly suited for choice rockwork, though well worthy of a 

 place in borders, and of being naturalised on sunny banks in 

 semi-wild spots. A native of the Tyrol ; increased from seeds 

 or by separation of the bulbs. 



SOILLA -BTEOlSUi..— Early Squill 



Although not nearly so well known or popular as .S". sibirica, this 

 is quite as worthy of cultivation, producing in the very dawn of 

 spring, indeed often in winter, rich masses of dark blue flowers, 

 four to six on a spike, anfl forming very handsome tufts of vege- 

 tation from six to ten inches high, according to the richness and 

 lightness of the soil, and the warmth and shelter of the aspect. 

 It thrives well in almost any position, in ordinary garden soil, 

 the hghter the better. Although it blooms earlier than S. sibi- 

 rica, it does not withstand cold wintry and spring rains and 

 storms nearly so well as that species, and therefore it would be 

 well to place some tufts of it in warm sunny spots, either on 

 rockwork or sheltered borders. A native of Southern and Cen- 

 tral. Europe. As shown by Dr. Masters, in the 'Gardener's 

 Chronicle,' this species varies very much, and in consequence 

 has gone under many names. The varieties are of more impor- 

 tance than is usually the case, and the following are those enu- 

 merated by Dr. Masters as most distinct, and therefore most 

 worthy of cultivation : — 5. bifolia alba, S. bifolia Candida, S. bi- 

 folia carnea, S. bifolia compacta, S. bifolia maxima, S. bifolia 

 metallica, S. bifolia rosea, S. bifolia pallida, and S. bifolia prce- 



