104 BULBS AND tuberous-rooted plants. 



Europe ; of this there are three varieties, white, rose 

 and purple, all of the same general habit. They are 

 dwarf, rarely exceeding two feet in height. These are 

 incorrectly classed among our hardy bulbs. Occasionally 

 they will withstand the rigors of our winters, if in a 

 sheltered situation. In such cases, if protected by a 

 light mulching of leaves, they will flower very freely in 

 June, a season when choice flowers are in great demand. 

 The bulbs — corms, more correctly speaking — should be 

 planted in autumn, and need not be disturbed or re- 

 planted for a number of years. A few clumps of each color 

 in the herbaceous border produce a most pleasing effect. 



G. byzantinus. — A native of Turkey. The most 

 hardy of any of the species, and particularly desirable 

 for the border, as it is free-flowering. When once 

 planted, it may remain undisturbed, like the Narcissus, 

 for many years, as it produces so few offsets that it 

 requires a long time to become troublesome from crowd- 

 ing. This and the foregoing species dislike shade, and 

 require an airy as well as a sunny situation, for a perfect 

 development of flowers. It grows about two feet high, 

 and the spike is well filled with purplish-red flowers. 



G. ramosus (Branching). — Unquestionably the 

 finest species of the genus. In the size and beauty of 

 its flowers it yields the palm to none, and on account of 

 its peculiarly branching habit, it may be considered the 

 most ornamental. In favorable situations the flower- 

 stems will grow five feet high, and produce a succession 

 of flowers from June until August. The flowers are 

 very large, well opened, and of good shape. The type 

 has flowers of a rosy-blush color, with heavy carmine 

 stains on the three lower divisions. There are several 

 distinct varieties, from which the Dutch florists have 

 produced, by cross-fertilization, a large number of named 

 sorts, all of the same general character as the species. 

 The leaves are broad and heavy, giving the plants a truly 



