3i8 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Bulbocodium vernum (Fig. 1 94) is a gem amongst spring 

 flowers, whether used in the border or on the rockery, appearing 

 as it does, with the earliest of bulbous plants. The flowers 

 are rosy-purple, and resemble somewhat those of Crocuses. The 



leaves are produced with the 

 flowers, and are lance-shaped. 

 Early planting is desirable, 

 and August will be found a 

 good time for either dividing 

 up the bulbs or making new 

 plantations. 



Calochortus (Mariposa Lily; 

 Star Tulip). — These are uncom- 

 monly beautiful bulbous plants, 

 worthy of the widest recognition 

 by the hardy plant lover, so long 

 as he can provide the conditions 

 their culture entails. The flowers 

 are of immense size, exquisitely 

 coloured, blotched, or pencilled, 

 and they are, moreover, to be 

 had over a long season by a judi- 

 cious selection. Few orchids can 

 excel in beauty the members of 

 this little-known genus. At one 

 time these bulbs were regarded 

 as too tender for outside culti- 

 vation, but their exact requirements 

 now being understood, they can be 

 as successfully cultivated as many 

 of the commoner things which are now given a place. For the 

 best results a raised border should be made, the soil being 

 composed mainly of leaf-mould and sand. The site should be 

 a sunny one. Planting should be done in the autumn, and the 

 bulbs lifted as soon as the stems decay, and well ripened each 

 season. They may be propagated by offsets or by seeds. The 

 latter require to be sown in well-drained pans, thinning them out 

 as required, when they may be expected to blossom in about 

 three years. Though some of the kinds will weather the winter 

 without protection, it is best to cover the beds with light litter, 

 removing the same in spring. 



The genus, also includes the Cyclobothras, which differ from 

 the Calochorti in having drooping, closed flowers. The plants 

 vary in height from a few inches to 2ft. or 3ft. The smallest, 

 like C. Benthami, canary yellow; C. albus, white; C. lilaanus, 

 purple ; C. Maweanus, white ; and C. coerukus, pure white, with 

 bluish hairs,- are well suited for the rockery. They are also the 

 earliest to flower. Later come the Mariposa Lilies, which may 



Fig. 194. — Bulbocodium 



VERNUM. 



