354 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



places they may be allowed to remain for three years, provided 

 there is no sign of deterioration in the bulbs. Propagation 

 is effected by offsets. The smaller-growing kinds are admirable 

 for rockwork. 



Where there are such a number of kinds worthy of considera- 

 tion as is the case with Tulip species, it will only be possible 

 to call attention to the best of the group : T. Batalini^ soft 

 yellow ; T. Cliisiana, white, striped red, and violet base, 

 excellent for a warm part of the rockery ; T. Eichleri^ bright 

 scarlet, bordered with yellow, for sunny spot ; T. Gj^eigi, 



vermilion - red, with 

 dark basal spot, one 

 of the best for a 

 sunny, dry position ; 

 T. Gesnerianci spathu- 

 laia {T. G. vera), rich 

 scarlet, blackish centre ; 

 T. Kolpakozvskiana, a 

 Central Asiatic species 

 of great brilliancy (ver- 

 miUon-red, blotched at 

 base) ; T. Kaufmaji- 

 7tiana, large flowers of 

 a creamy-white, with 

 yellow blotch in centre 

 (Fig. 233); T. retro- 

 flexa, soft yellow ; T. 

 elegants, bright red, with 

 yellow eye ; T. saxa- 

 tilis^ rose-pink, with 

 yellow eye ; T. 0?^J>ha- 

 nidei, orange - yellow, 

 black centre ; T. Leicht- 

 linii, coral-pink outside, 

 and white inside ; T. 

 prcEcox, crimson, black 

 centre ; T. acuminata, 

 yellow, streaked with 

 red, the petals being thread-like (Fig. 234) ; T. macrospeila (Fig. 

 235), shining bright scarlet, with black and yellow centre, fragrant; 

 and T. vitellina, pale yellow, as the specific name denotes. 

 From T. platystigma the Parrot Tulips (Fig. 236), now 

 so highly esteemed, have been evolved. These, however, in poor 

 soils, are apt to revert to their parent. There are also many 

 forms of what are known as May-flowering Tulips, which ought 

 not to escape the attention of growers. One of the best is 

 Picotee, with its white recurved petals, elegantly margined with 

 rose (Fig. 237). 



Fig. 236. — Parrot Tulip. 



