HARDY SUMMER- AND AUTUMN-FLO WEEING IJULBS. 



905 



mention two fine Amaryllids, namely, Agapanthus and Crinum. Al- 

 though the family is not quite hardy, the old blue African Lily 

 (Agapanthus umbellatus) may be established out of doors in the warmer 

 parts of England, and in all cases it is a valuable plant to establish in 

 pots, vases, or tubs &c, for decoration in the garden during late summer 

 and autumn. On verandahs, terrace walks, and lawns its grand umbels 

 of blue form one of the most beautiful features of a garden. 



Crinum. — Crinum long (folium (syn. capense) and C. Poivellii are 

 hardy on warm sunny borders, planted with the top of the bulbs six to 

 eight inches below the surface. Both are noble plants, decorative during 

 August and September, longifoUum producing, on stout stems two to three 

 feet high, long funnel-shaped, sweet-scented flowers, either white or pale 

 rose, while Poivellii has very beautiful large rose-coloured flowers and 

 grows about the same height. Powellii album is a magnificent plant 

 with pure white flowers. 



September. 



L ilium. — Coming to September, we have an addition to the Lily 

 family in the form of L. speciosum (syn. lancifolium), one of the most 

 beautiful of our garden Lilies. Having an elegant branching habit and 

 bearing for a long period large handsome flowers, it makes a grand 

 border plant and is of great value for filling large beds or intermingling 

 with shrubs. Being a late bloomer, it is as well to give this Lily a fairly 

 warm, sheltered spot in the garden, so that all its late-formed buds may 

 develop and open. As in the case of L. auratum, it makes stem-roots, so 

 that these should have a little attention. 



Amaryllis. — A handsome bulbous plant flowering in this month is the 

 Amaryllis Belladonna with its umbels of white and rose flowers. It 

 requires, however, to be established at the foot of a south wall before 

 flowering freely. The variety purpurea maxima is a great improvement 

 on the type, bearing more flowers of richer colour and blooming earlier. 



Nerine. — Belonging to the same natural order, we have Nerine, the 

 best known and hardiest being the Guernsey Lily (Nerine samiensis). 

 To succeed with this, it must be given a warm sunny spot such as at the 

 foot of a south wall, where in summer the bulbs can get a good roasting, 

 and during winter a covering must be given to protect the foliage it 

 throws up after flowering. When established, its umbels of brilliant 

 crimson- scarlet flowers are wonderfully effective. Other species of Nerine 

 are very beautiful, but are more suitable for indoor culture. 



Vallota. — Vallota purpurea, the Scarborough Lily, is another grand 

 Amaryllid which, although generally seen only in pots, may nevertheless 

 be established out of doors in mild districts at the foot of a south wall, 

 if protected against frost during winter. 



Crocosmia. — One of the brightest touches of colour in the garden 

 during September is contributed by Crocosmia aurea, with its graceful 

 racemes of showy orange-coloured flowers borne on stems three feet high. 

 It can be recommended for sunny spots in the flower border, where it can 

 remain undisturbed for a year or two, a covering of litter being given 

 during winter The bulbs, if lifted in autumn, should be stored in peat 



