348 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



merit a place in gardens. Ji. monspeliacus is a Buttercup from 

 the Mediterranean, with very large flowers ; being only ift. 

 high, it is best planted on the rockery. R. Lyalli, though 

 generally grown as a cool greenhouse plant, may ■ be suc- 

 cessfully treated out of doors if afforded a sheltered position. 

 Its flowers are white, of good substance, and with pretty stamens, 

 and might very well be assigned a position on a rockery, where 

 the conditions suitable to most of the Ranunculuses obtain. 

 The planting should be done in late autumn, and if the follow- 

 ing spring should be at all dry, the quarters should be given 

 a good soaking. These species should not be disturbed. 



Schizosytlis coccinea (Crimson Flag; Kaffir Lily) is a lovely 

 iridaceous subject with bright crimson Gladiolus-like spikes of 

 flower. It is one of those subjects which require to be taken 

 great care of when grown outside, and to receive plenty of 

 attention in the matter of watering. Tight soils will not grow 

 this autumn-flowering gem ; but a west border and a fairly 

 deep, rich soil will suit it admirably, if a slight protection is 

 given it in winter. In height it grows from 2ft. to 3ft., and 



the spikes are much valued 

 for cutting. The plants- 

 should be inserted in early 

 spring, grown on through 

 summer, and towards autumn 

 potted up for greenhouse 

 decoration during winter. . Or 

 again, a frame might be 

 placed over the plants, in 

 October, when flowers would 

 be obtainable the following 

 month. For pot work this 

 plant is one of the best 

 that can be named for the 

 season, of November. Pro- 

 pagated by division in April. 



Scilla (Squill).— For beds 

 or borders the Scillas are 

 amongst the hardiest and 

 brightest of spring-flowering 

 subjects. Indeed it would 

 be difficult to point to 

 a brighter flower than S. 

 sibirica, which flourishes so 

 luxuriantly in a warm, sandy soil. It is a gem whose 

 beauty should not be hidden. There are many other species- 

 valuable in their way. £. bifolia, in one of its numerous- 

 varieties (S. b. taurica to wit), should always be represented.. 



Fig. 228. — Scilla HISPANICA. 



