HARDY HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS. 



359 



Eucomis. — Striking plants for warm sunny positions, 

 preferably at the foot of a heated wall, as for the Bella- 

 donna Lily. They have large bulbs, from which spring 



Fig. 436.— Fritillaria aurea. 



annually rosettes of large strap-shaped (generally mottled) 

 leaves, and in late summer tall stout spikes of greenish 

 flowers. Propagated by division. 



E. guttata. Greenish-white and purple, 3 feet. South Africa. 

 E. punctata. Greenish-white and purple, 3 feet. South Africa. 



E. regia. White, 1| foot. South Africa. 



Ferula (Fennel). — Noble plants of striking habit. 

 Their large feathery leaves appear in early spring, and 

 are most elegant. The branched flower -spike appears 

 later, growing to a height of 10 feet or more, and although 

 not strictly beautiful, is of telling appearance. They 

 should be planted in good deep soil, in a sunny position. 

 Easily raised from seeds. 



F. communis. Yellow, 6 feet. Mediterranean region. 



F. tingitana. Yellowish-white, 8 feet. North Africa, &c. 



Francoa (Maiden's Wreath). — A rather tender plant, 

 related to the Saxifragas. The pretty flowers are borne 

 in spikes 18 inches to 2 feet in height. Warm sheltered 

 positions on the rockery are best for them, and they 

 prefer sandy loam. 



F. appendiculata. Whitish, 1\ feet. Chili. 

 F. ramosa. Snowy -white, 2J feet. Chili. 



Fritillaria. — Liliaceous plants, many of which are 

 more interesting botanically than useful for horticultural 

 purposes. The well-known Crown Imperial, F. imperialis, 

 is a tall plant, suitable for the mixed border, shrubbery, 

 or wild garden. The bulbs should be planted 4 inches 

 deep, and a top-dressing of manure after growth com- 

 mences is very beneficial to established plants. The smaller 

 kinds, such as F. aurea, F. citrina, and a few others, are 

 useful for the rockery ; they can also be grown in pots 



for the cool house. They should be re -potted about e very- 

 three years, and the offsets can then be removed and 

 planted in boxes or pans. By this method flowering 

 plants may be obtained much quicker than from seeds. 



F. aurea (fig. 436). Yellow, G to 12 inches. Asia Minor. 



F. citrina. Greenish-yellow, 15 inches. Asia Minor. 



F. imperialis. Yellow and orange, 3 to 4 feet. Orient. 



F. Meleagris. White to purple, 1£ foot. Europe (Britain). 



F.pudica. Small, yellow, 6 inches. North-west America. 



F. recurva. Scarlet and yellow, \ to 2 feet. California. 



F. tulipifolia. Chocolate and gold, 9 inches. Kurdistan. &c. 



Funkia (Plantain -Lily). — Beautiful flowering and 

 foliage plants of the Lily order, useful for grouping or 

 edging purposes, and also in the mixed border. The 

 leaves are mostly cordate or broadly ovate, with well- 

 marked veins. Flowers handsome, usually shades of 

 lilac or white, produced in summer on elegant scapes. 

 There are also variegated-leaved forms, which are dis- 

 tinct and useful. They require a rich, deep soil, and 

 will do well in open situations. F. grandifiora is hardy 

 only in the south and west. It prefers a light sandy 

 soil and plenty of sunshine. Increased by division in 

 early spring. 



F. grandifiora (subcordata). l£ foot. Japan. 

 F. lancifolia. Pale-blue to white, 1 foot. Japan. 

 F. ovata. Purple, 1J foot. Japan. 

 F. Sieboldi. Lilac and white, ]£ foot. Japan. 



Gail lard ia. — Showy Composites, very useful for the 

 border, where they are beautiful from June to October. 

 There are many named garden sorts, raised chiefly from 

 G. aristata, 2 feet in height, with flower-heads 2 inches 

 in diameter of a brownish-orange colour. They thrive 

 in ordinary soil. (See special article.) 



Galanthus (Snowdrop). — Eight species of Galanthus 

 are recognized, as well as many forms of only slight 

 variations. G. Olgce-Regince often flowers in September, 

 although, except for this quality, it ma}' well be kept out 

 of the garden ; and there are several others which flower 



Fig. 437.— Galauthus cilicicus. 



late in the year. It is in early spring, however, that 

 Snowdrops are most appreciated, especially where planted 

 extensively. In grass, in the rockery, beneath deciduous 



