ON HARDY BULBS. AND TUBERS. 



3 Z 9 



plant is not often met with, though why it is difficult to understand, 

 seeing how effective it is in the mixed border, and how readily 

 it grows. The fragrant flowers are pure white and bell-shaped, 

 and are produced on stems 4ft. or 5ft. high. The bulbs 

 should be planted in autumn, at which season, too, the plants 

 may be increased by offsets. They are impatient of frequent 

 disturbance. 



Gladiolus (Corn Flag). — Reference has already been made 

 under " Florists' Flowers " to the chief sections . of this popular 

 genus. There remains, therefore, but the species to be dealt 

 with here. None of these are very popular, and are seldom met 

 with outside large collections. They are not subjects for the 

 average gardener to take in hand, as the culture of the majority 

 entails considerable trouble and not a little skill to grow them 

 in the outdoor garden, though they make pretty pot-plants. 

 There are a few kinds which stand out prominently, and which 

 may well be taken in hand by the hardy plant lover : 

 G. Saundersi, rich scarlet, blotched white ; G. psittacinus, greenish, 

 with purple streaks ; G. Colvillei, bright red, and the white form, 

 alba; and G. purpureo-auratus, deep yellow, with purple blotch, 

 are of them. All 

 require a sunny 

 aspect and shelter 

 from cutting winds, 

 as the growth is 

 made early. They 

 are, moreover, best 

 accommodated on 

 a raised bed or 

 border, and covered 

 with light litter, 

 like heather, until 

 spring, except G. 

 Saundersi and G. 

 purpureo - auratus. 

 The kinds enumer- 

 ated should be 

 planted in Novem- 

 ber or December, 

 and lifted annually 

 except in very 

 favoured spots and 

 soils. The species 



excepted should be inserted in spring; 4m. to 6in. will be a good 

 depth to plant the corms. See also "Florists' Flowers," Chapter III. 



Helleborus (Christmas Rose ; Lenten Rose). — A time- 

 honoured inhabitant of our gardens is If. niger and its varieties 



Fig. 207. — Helleborus niger altifolius. 



