BULBOUS PLANT 



145 



the stem elongates very rapidly until finally it is surmounted by a 

 crown of flowing bells and a tuft of leaves. They are very interesting 

 as seen in the distance, but even more so when examined carefully 

 close at hand. The bulb seems very susceptible to any sort of injury 

 and should not be kept out of the soil for any length of time. They 

 should be planted about four or five inches deep and on their sides, be- 

 cause they often decay easily. The bulbs should be set on several inches 

 of sand. They enjoy a rather rich soil and when once established grow 

 very easily. If the flower stem is a trifle weak give a little staking of some 

 sort. Single and double, orange, scarlet and yeUow varieties can be had. 



Crown Imperials are often called Skunk Lilies. The reason is 

 easily guessed but the fact is hardly objectionable, if one does not 

 get too close to the plants. 



Qalanthus (Snowdrop). Species: nivalis and Elwesii. Not that the 

 Snowdrop is really pretty, but because it is the first flower of Spring 

 to bloom, we admire the little white inverted beUs as they peep through 

 the snow. We plant it usually in huge clumps, for the individual 

 flowers or plants are too tiny for a show. The clumps increase 

 rapidly. Plant in diff'erent exposures for succession of bloom. 



Galtonia candicans (Summer Hyacinth) . Here is a bold, stately, bulbous 

 plant which is very admirably used in the back line of a border. The 

 tall spikes of inverted white beUs give a very pleasing efi'ect, and seem 

 to contrast most exquisitely with many of the medium taU growing 

 perennials, such as Monarda and Coreopsis, or with annuals such as 

 Bachelor's Buttons and Snapdragons. The bulbs are not strictly hardy 

 and must be dug each Autunm and planted the following Spring. 

 Placing the bulbs about five inches deep serves to give the tall stems 

 the proper support. It is frequently noted that the bulbs are not sure 

 blooming, year after year. After blooming one year they frequently 

 rest a year before blooming again. It is perhaps advisable to buy a 

 new stock each year. 



Glory of the Snow. (See Chionodoxa.) 



Grape Hyacinth. (See Muscari.) 



Hyacinthus orientalis (Hyacinth). For garden culture many persons 

 feel that the Hyacinth is a trifle stiff and formal, but there is a group 

 known as miniatures, which are useful. They are cheaper and graded 

 from the larger size bulbs. The spikes of the miniatures are graceful 

 and produce a very pretty, loosely arranged spike of bloom. They are 

 adapted to informal planting in the border and are useful for cutting. 

 The larger varieties are known as Dutch Hyacinths and are adapted 

 for more regular and formal planting. The Hyacinth appreciates a 

 lighter soil than most bulbs, and it is advised to set the bulbs on a thin 

 layer of sand. They, of all the bulbs, need protection in Winter. 



Indian Quamash. (See Camassia esculenta.) 



Iris xiphioides and xiphium (English and Spanish Iris). Unlike the 

 German and Siberian, this class of Iris is bulbous. The bulbs are 

 cheap, and yet so few of this class of Iris are planted that we wish to 

 commend this excellent group. Plant them in good, friable, weU 

 drained soil the latter part of September. They wiU bloom the next 

 Spring in May. The Spanish Iris wiU start into growth immediately 

 upon being planted. The English wiU wait till Spring before sprouting. 

 The two sorts are easily distinguished. The English have wider petals 



