48 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
BULBS FOR THE ROCK GARDEN. 
AA^HILE there are certain devotees who would ban 
bulbous plants from their rock gardens, it can- 
not be denied that the presence of such plants adds 
immensely to the charm of the scene. Without their 
presence some of the most delightful effects would be 
absent, and, with judgment, bulbous plants may be 
planted in considerable numbers in even the smallest 
rock garden, with the happiest results. 
First must coine in point of season and value the 
Snowdrop, and with this gem of the earliest days our 
own growers need fear no rivals. Our common Snow- 
drop, Galanthus nivalis, is one of the best of all ; the 
double variety is also plentiful : G. Elwesi and sev- 
eral others, such as G. Imperati and its variety Atkin- 
soni. 
As for the Narcissus, its name is legion, and it can 
hardly be used amiss. Even the larger varieties may 
be successfully employed, but N. cyclamineus, N. mi- 
nimus, X. nanus, X. minor, N. gracilis, N. bulbocodium. 
and a wealth of others may be planted in clumps. 
When above the level of the eye man}' look very tell- 
ing. Glories of the Snow are gems for the rock gar- 
den, and may be planted in sun or partial shade. It 
is almost needless to detail them, but Chionodo.xa Lu- 
cilije, C. Tmolusi, C. Gigantea, and C. sardensis will all 
add a definite charm to the rock garden. 
Scillas also, and we may plant groups of S. bifolia, 
S. sibirica, S. italica, and a few more early bloomers, 
adding, if we please, some of the taller named vari- 
eties of Scilla festalis, our English bluebell, with va- 
rieties of S. hispanica, the Spanish Squill. All of these 
are lovely on rockwork. Snowflakes, or Leucojimis, 
and L. vernuni, with its varieties carpaticum and \'ag- 
neri, are the best. L. autumnale, a dainty gem, may be 
had also. Fritillarias are also available. Varieties of 
our native F. Meleagris, especially the white one; F. 
citrina, F. pyrenaica, and F. rotundifolia are among 
the number to be obtained. They generally like a 
moist position, and should be planted as soon as pos- 
sible. 
The glowing Crocus and we need not despise the 
Golden Yellow, or the varieties of C. vernus with all 
their wealth of beauty. In clumps these and their al- 
lied species are superb in a sunny place. Of the species 
the following, for Spring, can be procured, and are of 
much charm. C. Sieberi, C. Imperati, C. chrysanthus 
in many varieties, C. biflorus, equally varied, and a 
number more. For autumn it is onlj' necessary to 
mention C. speciosus, C. iridiflorus, C. pulchellus, and 
C. longiflorus as a few of high beauty among the 
plethora of lovely flowers. 
Colchicums are also invaluable for .Autumn^ and the 
best are C. speciosuni rubrum and album, C. gigan- 
teum, C. Bornmuelleri, the double varieties of C. au- 
tumnale, and C. variegatum. Plant in good soil, pref- 
erably heavy and moist, at a depth of four inches. 
Muscaris make pretty groups in the rockery, and none 
are prettier than the old M. botryoides. although it in- 
creases rather too freely for some places. The white 
and flesh colored forms make a nice variety. Plant 
these Grape Hyacinths about two inches deep. Orni- 
thogalums are often too prolific for the rockery, but 
in large places O. nutans is quite good, with its nod- 
ding silver-white flowers on stems about a foot high. 
Tulips mav be employed with profit, but some of 
the dwarfer species, excellent tor the rockery, are not 
easily obtained in this country. Tulipa persica and T. 
australis may be procured. The taller Tulips are alsa 
much better suited for large rockeries than many sup- 
pose, and groups of the self-colored Darwin and other 
varieties may be employed, and in the rock garden 
often prove more permanent without lifting than is 
generally understood. 
Anemones of the coronaria section are also excel- 
lent, and tubers of A. hortensis, A. apennina, A. 
blanda, and A. fulgens can be obtained. Erythroni- 
ums, planted an inch deep, in light soil, in sun, are 
lovely things. Other kinds suited for the rockery are 
such as Oxalises, dwarf Iresis, Brodiasas, and hardy- 
Cyclamens. 
Planting in clumps is the most satisfactory plan for 
soon as the bulbs come to hand. Deep planting is gen- 
erally better than shallow, especially in the rock gar- 
den, where it is expected that they should become 
permanent occupants. As a rule, the small bulbs and 
tubers should be one or two inches deep, but the larger,, 
three and even four inches deep, counting from the 
top of the bulb. 
Planting in clumps is the most satisfactory plan for 
the rock garden. In the form of these clumps some 
consideration should be given to the position and ar- 
rangement of the rock-work, i.e., a stiff' outline of the 
group is out of harmony with its genus. A lovely ef- 
fect is produced in large rock gardens by masses of 
the dwarfer plants, peeping up among some dwarf 
carpet plant, such as a mossy Saxifrage. — Gardeners' 
Magazine (English). 
THE FUNKIA PLANTAIN LILY. 
TN dealing with moist and shady spots, where many 
flowering plants make but sorry specimens, the 
Funkia calls for a word of commendation. It is a 
hardy herbaceous perennial, and is often called the 
Plantain Lily. The flowers appear from July on- 
wards, and are borne in spikes well above the foliage. 
The colors include snowy white and shades of lilac 
and purple, and are very effective. But without its 
flowers the Funkia would still be an accjuisition, for 
its foliage is perhaps more ornamental, whether we 
take the pale or deep glaucous green or the variegated 
species. The leaves are in most cases large and ovate 
in shape. 
Funkia ovata has deep glaucous green foliage, while 
its variety marginata has leaves of bright green, with 
a broad, silvery white margin ; and aureo-variegata 
has gold, green, and silver in its colorings. The flow- 
ers of this species are purple. 
I', sieboldiana has leaves of a bluish-grey, with 
spikes of violet-blue flowers : F. S. major is an even 
finer form, verj- bold and striking ; and F. S. pallida 
is equally good, with paler colored flowers, approach- 
ing the lilac. 
F. subcordata grandiflora, the Corfu Lily, is by 
many regarded as the gem of the collection. The 
leaves are pale, tender glaucous green, and the flow' 
ers snowy white and sweetly fragrant. This is es- 
pecially recommended for pot culture. 
F. fortunei robusta, is another handsome species, 
the leaves glaucous, and the flowers silvery lilac : and 
there are also several others that might be mentioned. 
For outdoor culture it is only necessary to plant 
them in good soil, preferably in a lightly shaded posi- 
tion, where their leaves attain a greater size. They 
are deciduous, that is, the leaves die down in winter. 
— Garden Life (English). 
