912 



PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS lycoeis- 



requires an abvinclance of water, and a 

 mulching of well-rotted manure on the 

 surface wiU be beneficial during very hot 

 seasons. In winter it is safer to protect 

 the plants with litter or matting from the 

 frost. It may be increased by means of 

 division or seeds in the same way as 

 described under C. longifolium above. 



AMARYLLIS (Belladonna Lily).— 

 This genus is restricted to the one species 

 described below, although the name 

 Amaryllis is loosely used in gardens for 

 plants which in reahty belong to the 

 genus Hippeastrum described at p. 910. 



A. Belladonna (A. pudica; A. 

 rosea; Coburgia Belladonna). — The fact 

 that Linnaeus applied the name 'Bella- 

 donna' to this species is in itself evi- 

 dence that he considered it a very 

 beautiful plant. It is a native of Cape 

 Colony, and not of the West Indies as 

 stated in some works, and was introduced 

 to cultivation as long ago as the year 

 1712. In spring the ovoid bulbs, which are 

 3-4 in. tlirough, produce 7-9 strap-shaped 

 distichous duU green leaves 12-18 

 in. long and about 1 in. broad. Prom 

 6 to 12 funnel-shaped flowers, consist- 

 ing of 6 nearly equal oblong acute comii- 

 vent segments, are borne on the top of a 

 solid scape 12-18 in. high, about August 

 and September. They are horizontal and 

 slightly drooping, and of a beautiful soft 

 rose, emitting a sweet fragrance. 



There are several forms of the Bella- 

 donna LUy, including blanda {Coburgia 

 blanda), which has longer and broader 

 leaves 2-3 ft. long, and larger and paler 

 coloured flowers; and pallida which 

 differs from the type only in having paler 

 coloured flowers. Other forms have been 

 caHed rosea 2Jerfecta, speciosa purpurea, 

 and spectabilis bicolor or mutabilis in 

 gardens. 



There is one variety, however, which 

 is far superior to them aU, including the 

 type. It originated in the Royal Gardens, 

 Kew, and is known simply as the Kew 

 variety of the Belladonna Lily. It is 

 much more vigorous and free-flowering 

 than the type, fi'om which it differs chiefly 

 in having a stouter scape twice as long, 

 and bearing about 4 times as many flowers, 

 which are of a rich rosy-crimson colour. 

 It is said to be the result of ci-ossing the 

 ordinary A. Belhidoviia with Brims- 

 nigia JosepJiiiice, and this may soon be 

 satisfactorily proved as authenticated 



hybrids between these two species already 

 exist. Any way, whatever its origin may 

 be, there is no doubt as to its value as a 

 most beautiful bulbous plant for the 

 flower garden. 



Cii Iture and Propagation. — - The 

 Belladonna Lily and its varieties flourish 

 in warm sunny spots sheltered from bleak 

 cold winds. The bulbs should be planted 

 about 9 inches deep in a rich compost of 

 mellow loam, leaf mould and sand. Good 

 drainage is essential and may be secured 

 by placmg a thickish layer of brickbats, 

 clinkers &e. about 3 ft. below the surface 

 of the border. If the bulbs are planted 

 in autumn, it will be wise to cover them, 

 with a layer or heap of leaves, litter &c. 

 as a protection against frost and also tO' 

 throw off heavy rains which are of more 

 harm than use to the bulbs in a dormant 

 state. Once planted in a suitable position' 

 the bulbs need not be disturbed for four 

 or five years. When transplanting be- 

 comes necessary, it is best done after- 

 the withering of the foliage. The bulbs 

 are lifted and aU offsets separated and 

 replanted, allowing a distance of about 

 1 ft. between them. During the hot 

 summer months the plants should receive 

 copious waterings, and a mulching of weU- 

 rotted manure will also be beneficial, 

 especially when the plants are growing 

 freely. 



LYCORIS. — A genus containing 5 

 species of perennial plants with short- 

 necked tunicated bulbs and linear or- 

 strap-shaped leaves, not usually developed, 

 at the same time as the flowers, many of 

 which are borne on a solid scape. Peri- 

 anth funnel-shaped, rather irregular, with 

 a short cylindrical tube, dilated at the 

 apex, sometimes scaly at the throat ; seg- 

 ments oblanceolate, nearly equal. Sta- 

 mens and style long, filiform, declinate. 



L. squamigera. — A striking Japanese 

 species with large roundish bulbs, each 

 bearing 5-6 narrow strap-shaped leaves 

 about 1 ft. or more long. About July and 

 August 8-10 large, sweet-scented, rosy- 

 lilac flowers are borne on a stout scape 

 2-3 ft. long, after the leaves have 

 withered and completely vanished. As 

 many as 5 scapes each with a large truss 

 of flowers are often produced from one 

 healthy bulb, and when the plants are 

 grown in bold masses they look very 

 effective, and are likely to be mistaken 

 for the closely related Belladonna Lily. 



