ON HARDY BULBS AND TUBERS. 



347 



are several other species, but those named include all that are 

 best in the genus. With the exception of P. oppositifolium 

 (which is best given a place in a rockery), all may be success.- 

 fuUy grown in shady places, if the soil is fairly good. They 

 should be propagated by division in autumn or spring, or by 

 seeds (which, as noted, are freely produced), sown when ripe. 

 Polygonatums are largely used as pot plants for forcing, 

 jP. variegatum being very effective. 



PuscHKiNiA {Adanisia ; Striped Squill). — A much-confused 

 genus of liliaceous plants approaching the Scillas. The species 

 is valuable on account of its early flowering, and constitutes " 

 one of the brightest gems in the spring bulb garden. 

 Given a sunny position, a light, rich soil, and a covering of 

 .strawy manure in winter, these charming 

 bulbs will be at their best in April. 

 For rockwork it is also equally as well 

 adapted as for the choicer parts of 

 the mixed border. P. scilloides is 

 4in. high, and bears light blue flowers 

 striped with a darker colour; while 

 the form compact a (Fig. 227) has its 

 flowers more thickly produced. P, 

 libanotica^ of many catalogues, is but 

 a synonym of P. scilloides. These 

 bulbs should be planted in autumn, 

 and should be propagated by seed 

 in September, as after four or five 

 years the bulbs usually die, after the 

 manner of Scilla sibirica. ■ 



Ranunculus (Crowfoot). — Elsewhere 

 the Ranunculus has been dealt with as 

 a florists' flower. All that need be 

 added here are the few species and 

 varieties which are suited to the mixed 



border or the rock garden. Few of them require any special 

 treatment, so long as a rich, porous, fairly-moist soil is 

 provided, allocating them a shady, rather than a sunny 

 position. Well deserving a place in any garden is R. amplexi- 

 mulis, which, though but ift. high, bears large white flowers in 

 May that are highly prized for cutting. The leaves, too, are 

 pretty with their glaucous hue. R. aconitifolius fiorepleiio (Fair 

 Maids of France) is pretty, its snow-white flowers being produced 

 very abundantly. R. gramineus is a magnificent species for 

 either border or rockwork, its shining yellow flowers and silvery- 

 grey foliage forming a beautiful combination. R. acris floix-pleiio 

 {Bachelors' Buttons) is but a double form of one of our 

 meadow Buttercups, but it is bright and distinct enough to 



