162 ALPINES AND BOG-PLANTS 



invariably dying after the first year. As for Martagon, 

 though, it is so robust a species that it might well be 

 established in our woods — and indeed has so established 

 itself in several counties of England. 



From its very first introduction Lilium auratum, 

 leader of the Archeleirions, struck the British Public 

 between the eyes, and became the type of splendour 

 among Lilies. It is indeed a noble and magnificent plant, 

 though, for my own part, I do not think it surpasses 

 Krameri and Chloraster, sovereigns of the Euleirion 

 group. But, of the tall Lilies, it is the finest garden 

 sort. I have not yet indeed mentioned Krameri and 

 longiflommi for my bank. My reason is that, do what 

 you may with Krameri — provide it with well-rotted 

 manure, and silver sand, and so forth — you will rarely 

 see its huge rosy trumpets more than once, and you may 

 think yourself lucky if you see them at all. Longiflorum, 

 again, Browni, Chloraster, splendid, snowy, creamy trum- 

 pets, are not always to be really trusted as perennials, 

 and I am only admitting to my bank Lilies that with 

 precaution you can make and keep as soundly perennial 

 as any Spiraea. Nepalense and neilgherrense are of more 

 than doubtful hardiness ; the new, beautiful, fine-leaved 

 sutchuenense is not yet proved ; sulphureum and Lowi 

 are of no hardiness at all. Wallichianum and washing- 

 tonianum, stalwart and lovely, are difficult and capricious ; 

 Parryi, the joy of Californian upland bogs, with canary- 

 coloured trumpets, is a perfect fiend, at once a miff and 

 a mimp ; the rare Himalyan polyphyllum, a glorified, 

 pearly Martagon, is now, I think, unprocurable, as well 

 as very difficult ; as for Alexandrae, I have already 

 recorded my opinion of that delicate hybrid. 



So now we return to auratum. This Lily is the type of 

 the copse Lilies, and in auratum we may notice the rule that 

 applies to its whole cousinhood ; all these Lilies love to 



