142 PICTORIAL PBAGTIGAL BULB GROWING. 



Chapter £ii — Cropeolums, 



Those great garden favourites the " NasturtVums " have, by reason 

 of their easy culture, variety of colouring, and widespread 

 popularity, pushed the' majority of perennial Tropeolums out of 

 gardens. Several of the finest of these perennials have tuberous 

 or thickened rootstocks, and therefore they are here brought 

 under the broad category of "bulbs." Propagation is generally 

 effected by division of the roots or by seeds sown in gentle heat 

 in the spring; several may also be increased by cuttings. Taken 

 as a class they favour a light sandy loam, but speciosum enjoys 

 moister conditions of soil and atmosphere than the others, and as 

 a consequence it grows with greater luxuriance and blooms with 

 a greater freedom in Scotland than in any other part of the 

 kingdom. It will succeed in the South, but as a rule it needs a 

 lot of coaxing, as does many another beauty. Sometimes the 

 grower tires of coaxing before the Flame Flower makes up its 

 mind to " be good then follows a season of comparative neglect, 

 and it may happen that, like a fickle w^oman, the plant sets out 

 to wdn back the affection it once scorned. When this occurs the 

 best thing to do is to do nothing, and if this lovely native of 

 Chili takes possession of^ a favourite tree or shrub and throws 

 over it a mantle of delicate greenery studded with jewels of 

 scarlet, then accept the gift of the gods with thankfulness. 



On the other hand we have polyphyllum, also a Chilian plant, 

 but with totally different tastes from speciosum. It loves the 

 sunniest place in the garden, and if this also be the driest place 

 so much the better, provided there is a fair depth of soil. The 

 prostrate habit of this species makes it suitable for a rock garden 

 or for the adornment of a sunny bank. 



Two of the selected species can only be regarded as half 

 hardy — these are tricolorum and tuberosum, and in dealing with 

 them it is a good plan to lift and store the roots away from 

 frost each winter. Both these, as well as Jarrattii and 

 pentaphyllum, pay for greenhouse culture. Rich sandy soil and 

 large well-drained pots will meet their needs, but they must be 

 provided with wires or a balloon trellis to climb upon. A bright 

 position, a good supply of water while in full growth, and an 

 absence of water during the resting season are points to be 

 observed by the grower of tuberous-rooted greenhouse Tropeolums. 

 Selection of Tropeolums, 



Jarrattii, orange scarlet speciosum, vermilion, 

 and yellowish brown. tricolorum, scarlet, yellow 



pcntapiiyllum, greenish and black. 



purple and scarlet. tuberosum, red and yellow. 



polyphyllum,bright golden 

 yellow. 



