ON HARDY BULBS AND TUBERS. 



335 



strongly violet-scented purple-blue flowers; I. Bakeriana ; and I. 

 Histrioides. These like sandy soil, and are best "when grown in 

 frames or in pots in a cold greenhouse. They flower in early 

 spring. For sheltered spots, again, there are such lovely kinds as 

 / alata and I. a. alba, as well as I. persica. 



In using Irises for table decoration they should be cut in the 

 bud state — just as the flowers are bursting; they develop far 

 better in water than on the plants. 



As many amateurs like to try their hand at! seed-raising, it 

 may be as well to state that some Irises seed more or less 

 freely — I. germanica, I. aurea, J. sibirica, 

 I. Monnieri, and many others. The seed 

 should be sown in a cold frame when ripe, 

 and the seedlings potted off into' "sixties," - 

 from which they may be transferred to 

 the open ground the following spring. 



Ixia. — Though not usually considered 

 hardy, these bulbs may at any rate be 

 cultivated in a light, well-drained soil in 

 the south and west. They are best 

 planted in December and January, in- 

 serting the bulbs 4m. deep in raised 

 sunny beds sheltered from winds. The 

 bulbs should be surrounded with plenty 

 of sharp sand, and the beds be covered 

 with light litter. They may be expected 

 to blossom in summer, and when ripe 

 should again be lifted and stored until 

 planting time. There is an excellent colour 

 range. Propagated by offsets. I. viridiflora 

 (Fig. 212) is a most uncommon plant, being 

 green, spotted near the centre. For list of 

 varieties, see "Appendix." 



Ixiolirion.— Like the Ixias, these bulbs 

 are not quite hardy enough to endure the 

 rigours of our climate, and it is only in 

 favourable soils and sites that their culture 

 should be attempted. I. Pallasi (Z tatari- 

 cum var.) is the kind usually cultivated, 

 and. when it can be induced to flower, 

 its large Lily-like blossoms (Fig., 213) and 

 neat foliage well repay any trouble that may 

 be incurred in protecting it early in the 

 season. A well-drained south border, and a light loam, will be 

 essential to success. The bulbs should be planted in autumn. 



T -M NIP B°fu A ( Tritom <>) (Flame Flower, Red-Hot Poker, Torch 

 wiy>— Bulbous plants of the showiest description, and Exceedingly 



Fig. 212. — Ixia 

 viridiflora. 



