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PBAGTIGAL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS lapbyeousia 



plant is much better known in gardens 

 xmder the name of Sparaxis, but as it 

 differs in many respects from those plants 

 it is now separated from that genus. It 

 flourishes in dryish sandy loam in warm 

 sheltered positions, and can be consid- 

 ered hardy only in the most favourable 

 parts of the kingdom. When grown in 

 bold masses in the border or in a thin 

 shrubbery, it is not only beautiful but 

 very graceful as it sways gently in the 

 breeze. The general culture and treat- 

 ment are the same as recommended below 

 for the Ixias. The plants may be 

 increased by offsets from the old bulbs 

 when the leaves have withered. D. 

 "pendula, which produces lilac blossoms 

 with deeper veins in June and July, may 

 be treated in the same way. 



IXIA. — A genus of beautiful S. African 

 perennials with smooth or fibrous tunicated 

 bulbs or corms and erect strongly veined 

 sword-shaped leaves. Flowers in simple 

 or branched spikes, with a funnel or salver- 

 shaped perianth having a short slender or 

 longish tube, and almost equal, more or 

 less spreading, often nearly rotate lobes. 

 Filaments short, free or united at the 

 base. 



Culture and Propagation. — Most of 

 the Ixias havea pecuhar elegance of growth 

 and flower, but unfortunately are some- 

 what too tender for outdoor cultivation in 

 most parts of the British Islands. In the 

 south of England and Ireland they succeed 

 very well, and in less favoured parts with 

 a little attention and protection. They 

 produce masses of attractive flowers which 

 are very useful for cutting, and will retain 

 their freshness for a considerable time m 

 water. The buds in this state will also 

 expand very well. 



For outdoor cultivation the corms may 

 be planted between November and January 

 about 3 in. deep, on raised beds of hght 

 loamy well-drained soil. At planting time 

 a handful of coarse sand may be placed 

 over and around each bulb. Tie position 

 chosen should be a warm sunny one 

 protected as far as possible from the cold 

 east and northerly winds. A covering of 

 straw or litter, fern &c. during the winter 

 is advisable as a protection against frost, 

 but it should be removed as early as 

 possible about March, when the leaves 

 are developing. Stiff heavy wet soils are 

 fatal to Ixias, hence the necessity of light 

 free and well-drained soils. 



There are several varieties now in 

 cultivation, and they are aU very similar 

 in habit and fohage, reaching a height of 

 1-2 ft. Among the best natural species 

 (many of which were formerly called 

 Morphixia) may be mentioned capillaris, 

 flesh colour or lilac ; hyhrida, white ; 

 maculata, orange, spotted at the base ; 

 odorata, yellow, sweet-scented ; patens, 

 pink ; speciosa or crateroides, deep red ; 

 and viridiflora, a remarkable species with 

 masses of beautiful soft sea-green flowers 

 with a brilliant shining black blotch at the 

 base or rather in the centre. 



From these have been derived some 

 beautiful garden forms to which various 

 fancy names have been given by the 

 growers. 



LAPEYROUSIA. — A genus with 

 about 20 species of perennials with 

 fibrous - coated corms or bulbs, from 

 which spring a few sword-like plaited 

 leaves. Flowers with a funnel- or nearly 

 salver-shaped perianth having spreading 

 and almost equal lobes. Stamens 

 attached to the throat. Ovary S-ceUed, 

 becoming a roundish or ovoid capsule 

 when ripe. 



L. cruenta (Anomaiheca cruenta). — 

 An attractive South African species 6-12 

 in. high, with rather large roundish 

 corms or bulbs, and sword-shaped linear 

 leaves. The flowers, which are of a 

 beautiful deep crimson with a deeper 

 coloured blotch on the base of each of the 

 3 larger and lower segments, appear in 

 summer and autumn in loose clusters at 

 the ends of the slender stems, and are 

 very effective when the plants are grown 

 in bold masses. 



Culture and Propagation. — This 

 plant may be grown in the same way as 

 the Ixias referred to above, but it has a 

 somewhat hardier constitution. It likes 

 warm sunny positions and sandy loam 

 and leaf soil. The corms should be 

 planted about 6 in. deep as a protection 

 against frost, and they should be pro- 

 tected from cold and heavy winter rains, 

 which are injurious. Propagation is 

 most easily effected by separating the off- 

 sets after the flowers and leaves have 

 withered ; seeds may also be sown in pots 

 in cold frames when ripe, and the follow- 

 ing year four or five young bulbs may 

 be grown on in each pot until they make 

 a good clump for planting in the open 

 border. 



