ON HARDY BULBS AND TUBERS. 



339 



positions. The shrubs give just the sHght protection they require, 

 and if mulched in dry seasons with manure, this is all the 

 attention they need. Towards the end of autumn light litter 

 may be placed over the tenderer kinds in the open border, 

 for it is not every amateur who has garden enough to devote 

 to a shrubbery, and the Lily should be always represented. 



By botanists the genus is sub-divided into several groups, that 

 known as Martagon containing some of the hardiest species and 

 varieties for the borders ; these vary alike as to height and 

 colour. L. canadense is one of the peat-loving species, thriving 

 well where it can be afforded some slight shade, as amongst 

 Rhododendrons. When planting it will be found a good plan to 

 cover the bulbs with sharp sand. The flowers are usually orange 

 or red, elegantly spotted with brown. 

 L. Martagon is the distinct Turk's 

 Cap, the white variety being most 

 esteemed ; 3ft. to 4ft. L. Szovitsiannm 

 {inonadelphum) is another distinct 

 species, bearing yellow flowers, dotted 

 with brown, but showing plenty of 

 variation. A deep and somewhat 

 sandy loam is the soil for it ; but the 

 cultivator must not be disappointed 

 if it does not flower for a year or 

 two. With this species in particular 

 home-grown bulbs are a decided 

 advantage ; 3ft. to 4ft. L. Humboldtii 

 is a truly handsome Lily, with deep 

 orange purple-spotted flowers, gracefully 

 drooping ; 4ft. to 6ft. L. auratiun is 

 one of the most popular of Lilies, and 

 justly so ; its size, the variety in which 

 it is found, and its handsome flowers, 

 make it one of the most attractive 

 flowers of the late summer garden. It is another of those species 

 which thrive in a peat soil, sheltered by shrubs. If planted 

 6in. deep, it will need nothing more than a mulching in 

 winter, and will continue to flower for years ; 2ft. to 4ft. Next 

 to L. auratum in popularity is the Madonna Lily (Z. candidum^ 

 Fig. 215), which is grown by everybody, and whose fragrance is 

 wafted from cottage-garden or from mansion pleasure-ground ; 3ft. 

 Other desirable border kinds are : L. croceum^ a robust species, with 

 showy orange flowers; 4ft. to 6ft. L. Browfti, with trumpet-shaped 

 flow^ers, pure white inside, reddish-brown outside ; 3ft. L. bulbiferu7n^ 

 crimson, very distinct, with the bulbils borne in the axils of the 

 leaves. L. Thunbergianiun (Z. elegans, Fig. 216), a very variable 

 species alike as to height and colour, orange-red prevailing ; these 

 Lihes are most useful for the shrubbery border; ift. to 4ft. 



z 2 



Fig. 216. — LiLiuM 



ELEGANS. 



