BELLADONXA LILIES. 



57 



Modern florists' varieties are now offered in distinct shades 

 of colour, especially selected for bedding purposes ; these are supplied 

 as tubers or as seed, at the will of the customer. They are selected 

 for their compact habit and erect flower stems, and they are 

 extremely useful in the flower garden in wet summers, as they 

 delight in cool, moist conditions that are fatal to a fine show of 

 Zonal Geraniums. 



Chapter XVI — BellaUonna fiilies. 



It is gravely urged by those who either do not attempt its 

 cultivation or have failed with it, that the beautiful Belladonna 

 Lily has one serious failing, inasmuch as it does not produce its 

 flowers and leaves simultaneously. If, for the sake of argument, 

 we admit this is a failing, then the opposition must grant that, 

 after all, it is only a small one. But the true plant lover will 

 never allow his enthusiasm to be damped by such a criticism. A. 

 native of the Cape of Good Hope, Amaryllis Belladonna is not 

 perfectly hardy in the sense that the Daffodils are hardy. 

 Throughout the southern counties and in most of the sheltered 

 districts of the kingdom it may, however, be successfully grown 

 out of doors provided a few points are carefully followed. A 

 narrow border, such as is frequently to be found on the south side 

 of the dwelling or plant house, will be an ideal site if it is open 

 to the sun and sheltered from strong winds. 



Should the soil be poor, as it often is in a position of this 

 kind, then it must receive the addition of decayed cow manure, 

 while if heavy it must be lightened with leaf mould and coarse 

 sand. In either case deep digging is essential a short time 

 previous to planting the bulbs. The best time to 23lant is early 

 autumn, just after the flowers have faded. Six inches is a suitable 

 depth, and a similar distance should separate the bulbs. Winter 

 protection must be provided, and it may consist either of strawy 

 litter, partially decayed leaves, or dry Bracken, but it must be- 

 removed as soon as the new foliage pushes forth in the spring. 

 Planted in a border of the kind indicated, the Belladonna Lily is 

 too often allowed to suffer from lack of moisture while in full 

 growth, and the natural sequence is a poor crop of flowers at the 

 end of the summer. Liquid manure applied in late spring and 

 early summer will materially assist established bulbs. 



The Belladonna Lily has bright rose coloured flowers ; blanda 

 and pallida are pale varieties, and Kewensis and major are larger 

 and more richly coloured forms. 



