336 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



well known by reason of their fancied resemblance to a red-hot 

 poker. In catalogues they are usually classed as Tritomas ; but 

 under whatever name found, they are so decorative that their 

 merits should be known, as frequently they are the brightest 

 flowers in an autumn garden. They are not, however, exclusively 

 autumn plants, for some desirable species (yK. caiilescens and 



K. Rooperi^ about 4ft.) are 



in beauty in early summer. 

 The former may be described 

 as salmon-red, and the latter 

 as bright red at first, 

 ultimately becoming a nice 

 yellow. Nor are their 

 numerous flowers the only 

 conspicuous feature of these 

 two plants : their foliage is 

 very distinct and bold, and 

 reminds one strongly of that 

 of the Yucca. 



Kniphofias may be ac- 

 commodated in shrubberies 

 and wide borders, on lawns, 

 and also in those delight- 

 ful old-fashioned beds of 

 perennials still to be met 



with. The only thing that 

 can be urged against the plants is that they are not as robust as 

 some of the bulbs already enumerated, and that they need to 

 be protected against severe frosts by covering them with some 

 light mulching material towards the end of October. This is 

 particularly necessary in the less favoured parts of England. A 

 rich well-drained soil is what these bulbs delight in, and they 

 should be planted in spring. Their after-treatment consists in 

 the provision of plenty of water during the growing season, and 

 the assistance of a stimulant when the stems are pushing. 

 Propagation is usually effected by division in spring, but some 

 species it is necessary to propagate by suckers which may be 

 induced to push by subjecting the plant to a severe cutting after 

 the flower-spikes have gone over. The beautiful K. caiilescens 

 should be treated in this way. 



In height Kniphofias vary between 3ft. and 5ft. A few of 

 of the most useful kinds, other than those already named, are : 

 K. abides {Tritoma Lvaria), the commonest species, but by no 

 means the least desirable. There are many forms of it, the best 

 being grandis, Fig. 214, (5ft.), nobilis (5ft.), and Saiindersii (5ft.). 

 Distinct and beautiful are K. Burchellii (3ft.) ; K. coralUna superba^ 

 a very brilliant scarlet, and of dwarf habit (2 ft.) ; K. 

 Macowanii, soft pink, and very dwarf (ijft.); K. Nelsoni, scarlet, 



