312 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



in the spring of the following year. Many plants are catalogued 

 as Amaryllis, but these, as a rule, belong to different genera, 

 requiring glasshouse treatment — Hippeastrums, Sprekelias, &c. A 

 position where these bulbs will get plenty of sunshine is one of 

 the requirements in connection with their culture which must be 

 fulfilled ; others are a sandy soil, in which there is plenty of 

 loam, and deep planting. Far too many amateurs plant the 

 bulbs too shallow, with the result that they succumb to frost. 

 A south border under a wall,' or even under the shelter of a glass 

 structure, where sun can reach, will suit them well, providing the 



bulbs are inserted 6in. 

 to 9in. deep. The drainage 

 material must be ample, 

 and 3in. or 4m. ' of broken ' 

 bricks at the bottom of 

 the quarters prepared for 

 the reception of the plants 

 will be calculated to keep 

 the bulbs from rotting, 

 as they ought not to be 

 disturbed very frequently 

 — once in four years will 

 be often enough. Sep- 

 tember is the best month to 

 plant, and a mulching of leaf- 

 mould will afterwards be found 

 beneficial. As an additional 

 precautionary measure, light 

 litter may be strewn over the 

 bulbs in winter. Liquid manure 

 in summer will be helpful, as 

 also will plenty of water in a 

 dry season. These Lilies may 

 also be grown in pots. Height 

 about 2ft. The typical A. 

 Belladonna is a delicate pink, 

 and there are other coloured 

 varieties, though none that 

 surpass it for utility; it is, 

 moreover, delicately fragrant, thereby adding another charm. 

 A. B. kewensis (Fig. 187) is superior in size and colour to the 

 type. 



Anemone (Windflower). — Few genera will compare with this 

 for chaste beauty, variety of colour, or earliness of flowers. 

 Indeed, to it belong some of the choicest gems for' border, 

 rockery, or naturalising, putting forth as they do their elegant 

 blossoms at a time when the garden is singularly bare of floral 

 subjects. One is often puzzled to know what to plant under 



-Amaryllis Bella- 



Fig. 187. 



donna kewensis. 



