GLADIOLUS 



FLAG OBDEB 



GLADIOLUS 949 



then arched on a level with the lower 

 flowers. The latter are borne in August, 

 fiinnel-shaped, pale sulphur-yellow with a 

 large purple blotch on the two lower seg- 

 ments. There are 12-15 flowers on a 

 spike opening from the bottom upwards 

 2-3 at a time. 



Culture and Propagation. — A pecu- 

 liarity of this species is that its rather 

 small corms, about 1 in. across, instead 

 of developing young corms around the 

 old ones, send out runners 2-8 in. long 

 at the end of which the new corms are 

 developed. By this means if left in the 

 ground for two or three years large masses 

 of the plant may be obtained. 



This species fertilised with the pollen 

 of G. gandavensis produced the beautiful 

 Lemoinei hybrids. 



G. Saundersi. — A beautiful species 

 with strongly nerved sword-like leaves 2-3 

 ft. long, and flower stems about the same 

 height, bearing in autumn spikes of 6-12 

 flowers over 3 in. across, and of a beauti- 

 ful crimson or pale scarlet spotted with 

 pink and white, and having conspicuous 

 yellow anthers in the centre. 



Culture do. as above. This species 

 is very shy in producing fertile seeds. 

 The corms should be planted about March 

 and April. 



G. segetum. — A handsome species, 

 native of the Mediterranean region, and 

 growing 1^-3 ft. high. It has narrow 

 sword-shaped leaves about 18 in. long, 

 and produces its pinky-rose or purple-red 

 flowers in June and July, the three lower 

 and smaller segments having a white 

 blotch at the base. 



Culture dc. as above. This species 

 flourishes in any good garden soil, and if 

 grown in bold masses is very attractive 

 when in bloom. It likes warm sunny 

 positions and may be left without lifting 

 for several seasons, in which case a mulch- 

 ing in autumn wUl benefit it. 



G. tristis. — A native of Natal about 1 

 ft. high, the leaves having long cylindri- 

 cal spathes below, and bearing in July 

 fannel-shaped flowers 2-3 in. deep, with a 

 yellow ground colour, the 3 upper seg- 

 ments of the perianth being minutely 

 spotted with reddish-brown on both sur- 

 faces, the 3 lower ones spotted only on the 

 outer half. The plant known as sul- 

 •phureus is a pale yellow self-coloured 

 form of the type with a graceful habit. 



Culture do. as above. This species 



is mentioned chiefly as having been one 

 of the parents of the well-known Oladiohis 

 Colvillei, and its variety. It flourishes 

 in warm positionsin ordinary good garden 

 soil. 



HYBRID GLADIOLUS.— The hy- 

 brid Gladioli, owing to their great beauty, 

 size and range of colour, have completely 

 displaced the natural species except in 

 botanic gardens. In addition to their 

 beautiful blossoms they possess a hardy 

 constitution, and produce an abundance of 

 bloom from spring till the end of autumn. 

 The most showy kinds are those belong- 

 ing to the gandavensis, Lemoinei, nan- 

 ceianus and Childsi groups, each of 

 which will be dealt with separately. 



G. brenchleyensis. — This brilliant 

 scarlet Gladiolus is one of the best known 

 in British gardens. It was raised about 

 the year 1848 at Brenchley by Mr. 

 Hooker, and is practically a form of 

 gamdavensis. It however retains its 

 character so well, and is so unlike the 

 usual gandavensis which have the blood 

 of more than two species in them, that it 

 may well receive separate mention. Its 

 cultural requirements are, however, the 

 same, but as the flower spikes which ap- 

 pear before those of gandavensis are not 

 nearly so heavy and support themselves 

 naturally very well, it is not so essential 

 to detract from their natural grace by the 

 addition of stakes. 



G. Childsi. — The hybrids of this 

 group are among the finest, hardiest, and 

 most free-flowering in cultivation. They 

 were first raised by Herr Max Leichtlin 

 of Baden-Baden, in 1882, who selected 

 the best varieties of ff. gandavensis 

 and crossed them with G. Saundersi. 

 Under the name of turicensis the same 

 hybrid was obtained by Herr Froebel of 

 Zurich, but the latter name has never 

 become estA,blished. In growth the 

 Childsi Gladiolus are very rank and 

 vigorous, having dark green foliage, and 

 often attaining a height of 4-5 ft. with 

 spikes of bloom over 2 ft. in length. 

 They branch freely, each main stem often 

 producing three or four spikes of bloom. 

 This shows a trace of the blood from the 

 ramosus section which seems to be con- 

 tinued in many of the gandavensis 

 hybrids. The individual flowers of the 

 Childsi hybrids are of great substance, 

 and often measure 7-9 inches across. In 

 colom? they are unsurpassed by any other 



