IXIAS, MORPHIXIAS, AND SPARAXIS. 
23 
Iris, Beardless — continued. 
1162 Tectorum syn. tomiolopba, lovely blue crested flowers, beautifully spotted, 1 ^ ft each 
1163 Tridentata, S. and F. rich violet blue, 2 ft ,, 
1164 Tuberosa (Snakeshead), violet and green, if ft „ 
1165 Versicolor, S. red~li.lac, F. rose-purple , 1 ft „ 
1166 ,, major, S. red-lilac, F. rose-purple, ft ,, 
1167 Virglnica, S. lilac, F. rich-purple with white spot, 2 ft ,, 
1168 ,, major, S. pale-lilac, F. red-lilac, with white spot, 2 $ ft ,, 
IXIAS, MORPHIXIAS, SPARAXIS, TRITONIAS, AND BABIANAS. . 
These, when grown under glass, bloom in March and April. When cultivated out-of-doors they yield a 
succession of flowers from May to July. They are allied to each other, and require the same cultural treatment, 
but differ considerably in habit of growth. The Ixia is distinguished by its graceful habit, the Sparaxis by its 
dazzling brilliant flowers, the Tritonia by its soft vivid transparent colours, and the Babiana by its characteristic 
foliage, its flowers ranging in colour from blue to the richest crimson. 
For In-Doors. — P lant from September to December five or six bulbs in a five-inch pot, using a compost 
of turfy loam, leaf soil, and silver sand. Make the soil firm about the bulbs, then place the pots in a cold 
pit or frame, plunging them in ashes, and withhold water till the plants appear, then give sparingly at first. 
The lights should be left off except during wet or frosty weather. Early in February if ihe plants are 
sufficiently advanced remove to the greenhouse, or where there is a very gentle warmth, and place the pots 
on a shelf close to the glass, and attend to the plants with water till in bloom. 
For Out-Doors. — Choose, if possible, a light loamy soil, thoroughly drained, and with a due south aspect ; 
if backed by a wall or greenhouse all the better. Plant the bulbs from September to January, at a depth of 
from three to four inches, and one to three inches apart. As the early plantings make foliage during the autumn, 
it is necessary to give protection during severe frost, and this may be best accomplished by hooping the beds 
over and covering when necessary with mats ; or if Tiffany is used it may be allowed to remain till the danger 
of severe frosts has ceased. The plantings made in December and January require no protection in winter, but 
as they will flower later in the summer than the early plantings, ah aspect should be selected where the sun’s rays 
will be somewhat broken ; attention to this will prolong the blooming period 
Khar* On stiff soil, or soils which lay rather wet in winter, the beds shou 'd be raised , and tie bulbs surrounded 
with sand, taking care that they are planted an inch or two above the level of the path, and where protection rannot 
conveniently be given, planting should not be made till December or January. Some of our late plante 1 bulbs were 
this yeat in flower in August. Our finest effect , however, was from beds which had been two ytars planted, and 
protected simply with straw mats such as the Dutch use for their frames in winter. On one occasion we made up 
a temporary pit against an old shed, placed a foot of good soil in it, and protected during the winter with shutters, 
and we had a wonderful display of flowers. 
IXIAS. 
The colours of these are rich, and strikingly diversified, not only in the different varieties, but in the 
individual flowers. The Ixia is of a slender and graceful growth, with lon« loose spikes of bloom w hich expand 
in the sun, and present a picture of such gorgeous beauty, as may have been dreamt of in the gardens of the 
Hesperides. 
The descriptions refer to the flowers when open: when closed, most of the yellows and the whites have the outside 
of the petals red or purple. Thus, when the suns rays are absent there is one effect, but the brilliancy of the 
display is when the flowers are fully expanded. 
1169 100 in 25 splendid varieties 15 
1160 50 in 25 ditto 8 
1161 25 in 25 ditto 4 
per doz. 
1165 Aurantiaca major , yellow, black centre ... 2 
1166 Bucephalus, magenta-purple, beautiful ... 2 
1167 Cleopatra, white, rose-purple centre 4 
1168 Comet, sulphur-yellow, black centre 5 
1169 Conqueror, yellow, shaded red 3 
1170 Crateroides, beautiful rich cerise 7/6 p. 100 1 
1171 Cyrus, delicate pi imrose, crimson centre ... 3 
1172 Diana, white, rose-purple centre 3 
1173 Duchess of Edinburgh, pure white, striped 
rose 5 
1174 Gem, creamy white, purple centre 3 
1176 Giant, light fawn, changing to purple 3 
1176 Golden Drop, golden yellow, and purple- 
maroon centre 2 
1177 Hector, rose-purple, black centre 4 
1178 Hemisphere, primrose , tinged red 5 
1179 Hypatia, white, tinged lilac, black centre 9 
1180 Imperatrice Eugenie, white, tinged rose- 
1162 12 in 12 splendid varieties 2 
1163 Choice mixed per too, 10/6 ; per doz. 1 
1164 Fine mixed per 100 , 5 /-; ,, 1 
per doz. 
1181 Isabelle, rvhite, tinged rose, black centre... 4 
1182 Lady Slade, rich pink, carmine centre ... 2 
1183 Magniflca, rich deep yellow, black centre... 4 
1184 Magnum bonum, white, blue centre, large 5 
1185 Model, straw colour, purple centre 3 
1186 Morning Star, white, magenta centre 4 
1187 Nora, pure white, rose centre, lovely 2 
1188 Pallas, pale primrose, crimson centre 2 
1189 Pearl, white , black t en/re 7 
1190 Prestio, the largest of the Ixias, pure 
white, crimson-velvet centre 10 
1191 Princess Alexandra, pale lemon passing to 
white, tinged rose-put pie, crimson centre . 4 
1192 Rosea plena ( Wonder), rose-pink 5 
1193 Smiling Mary, magenta, white centre 4 
1194 The Bride, white, blue centre 5 
1196 Virgllius, bright yellow, black centre 4 
1196 Viridlflora. sea green, black centre 3 
1 197 Vulcan, crimson, shaded orange 4 
The flowers of Paniculata are very cha- 
purple, dark critnson centre 5 
MORPHIXIAS. 
These flower somewhat later than the Ixia and are very distinct, 
racterestic. The habit of the plant resembles the Ixia. 
per doz.—#. <£. per doz.—#. 
1198 Paniculata, buff 2 6 I 1200 Paniculata rosea, rosy apricot 2 6 
1199 „ alba, white, black centre 2 6 | 1201 „ mixed 2 6 
SPARAXIS. 
Mr. Saunders, of Guernsey, writing in the Gardeners Chronicle with reference to Sparaxis, remarks that he 
has seen enthusiastic amateurs so full of ecstatic delight at the diversity of colours and the gorgeousness of the 
hues, that he had seen the knee bent and gymnastics performed without feeling at liberty to condemn the per- 
formers. The Sparaxis is totally distinct from the Ixia, being of a compact dwarf growth, and with colours 
intensely rich and varied in combination. For pot culture they are charming. 
1202 100 in ro splendid varieties 12 o | 1205 12 in 12 splendid varieties 2 0 
1203 50 in 10 ditto 6 6 1208 Choice mixed, per too, tor. 6d.... per doz. 1 6 
1204 30 in to ditto 4 6 I 1207 Fine mixed, per 100 , 7 .S. 6d., ,, 10 
12 , King Street, Covent Garden, 1878 . J 
