HERBACEOUS PLANTS IN THE OPEN 43 



of fine brick dust around the bulbs in planting. The 

 flowers are produced during January, February, etc. 



The curious green and black flowered Iris (Her- 

 modactylus) tuberosa likes a dry soil, and frequently flowers 

 early in the year. 



Algerian Iris 



{Iris unguicularis or /. stylosa) is not bulbous. A south 

 border and plenty of brick rubbish is usually necessary 

 if flowers are to be had. Most people manage to get 

 leaves but no flowers, while in some districts the plants 

 soon die off*. The lilac flowers are fragrant. There 

 are forms with purple flowers, also one with white. 



Snowflake 



{Leucoium vernum) flowers with the snowdrops. The 

 flowers are larger, very fragrant, and the petals are 

 tipped with green in the normal form and with yellow 

 in the variety carpathicum. Both these pretty plants 

 deserve extended favour. 



Dwarf Daffodil 



{Narcissus minor minimus\ — A miniature daffodil, only 

 rising 3 inches or so above the ground, and flowering 

 in February and early March. Often sold untrue. 



N. cyclamineus, N. Bulbocodium, and N. pallidus praecox 

 are early flowering, and clumps should be planted in the 

 sunniest spot to get the earliest results. 



Winter Heliotrope 



{P eta sites fragr an s\ — This is a strong-growing creeping 

 plant, well suited for sunny banks and the milder 

 portions of the garden, where it sends up in January 



