328 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Funkias make capital pot-plants, especially F. subcordata grandi- 

 flora, with its pure white sweetly-scented flowers. 



Galanthus (Snowdrop). — Another genus of bulbous plants 

 requiring no recommendation. The Snowdrop has graced our 

 gardens from time immemorial, and though an interchange of 

 commerce is continually presenting us with new forms, all are 

 welcome, even if they do oust from favour some of the species 

 and varieties which were known to an older generation. Snow 

 drops are so generally associated with spring, that it may not be 

 out of place to refer to the fact that there are autumn kinds. 

 Most of the Snowdrops will succeed practically anywhere, 

 though a rich, somewhat gritty loam is the best all round.' In 

 such a variety of ways may the neat little blossoms be utilised 

 for the decoration of gardens, that it is difficult to call to mind 

 any other bulbous subject of similar size that is so widely appre- 

 ciated. Associated with Scillas and Chionodoxas in the open 

 border, or with the Iris gems like reticulata and many another 

 upon the rockery, they perhaps stand out to the greatest advan- 

 tage ; utilised, however, on grassy banks, under the shade of 



trees, they appeal strongest to the 

 true lover of nature. Snowdrops 

 grow best where disturbed least. 

 They should be. planted in Septem- 

 ber, but should it be necessary 

 from any cause to shift them, this 

 may be done after the leaves have 

 died down, or after flowering, and 

 while the. foliage is still green. 

 Indeed, as the bulbs are small, the 

 latter plan is preferable for the 

 amateur to adopt. 



Of the kinds best known to cul- 

 tivation there are the various forms 

 of G. nivalis, G. Imperati, G. 

 plicatus, G. Elwesii, and the jfiew 

 G. Ikarice, which has been grown 

 so successfully at Kew and else- 

 where. The Snowdrop is also 

 very pretty when grown as a pot 

 plant for the window, or for the 

 cool conservatory. It will not 

 stand much forcing. Those who 

 wish to experiment may grow the 

 Snowdrop from seed ; but for the 

 general gardener the method cannot be advocated, and he should 

 increase his stock by means of offsets. 



Galtonia candicans {Hyacinthus candicans) (Fig. 206) is a most 

 decorative subject if a warm border can be found for it. The 



Fig. 206. — Galtonia candicans. 



