22 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-BOOTED PLANTS. 



SPEEKELIA. 

 Jacobean Lily. 



S. formosissima (Amaryllis formosissima). — 

 There is but one species of this genus under cultivation 

 to any extent. This is an old garden favorite, whose 

 brilliant crimson flowers are seemingly, in the sun, dusted 

 with gold, making them attractive objects. The flowers 

 are produced before the leaves. The bulbs should be 

 planted as soon as the ground is in condition to work, 

 and the flowers will appear early in June. Give them 

 ordinary garden culture, take up and store in the same 

 manner as Gladiolus, in a dry, dark room, where there 

 is no frost. This species is a native of Mexico. The 

 variety, S. f. longipetala, with lighter colored flowers, is 

 by no means as showy. See engraving on Page 11. 



S. Cybister, said to be a remarkable species, was 

 introduced from Bolivia in 1840, but is now lost. 



STEKNBERGIA. 



Amaryllis lutea (Mount Etna Lily.) — A small 



genus of half-hardy ornamental bulbs, producing their 

 flowers in autumn before the leaves. They grow readily 

 in the border, but should have the protection of a frame, 

 in order that they can develop their foliage after flower- 

 ing, which they cannot do, north of Virginia, out of doors. 

 The really distinct species are : 



S. colchiciflora (Colchicum-flowered). — Flowers 

 yellowish-white ; blooming in autumn. 



S. lutea. — This is a charming plant, flowers a clear 

 bright yellow, like very large Crocuses ; several appear 

 from the same bulb about the first of October. If both 

 were protected against frost, they would make their leaf 

 growth in the spring. Both species are worth growing, 

 even if the bulbs had to be renewed annually. 



