PLANTS WORTH GROWING 117 
they have their stems to give them some semblance 
of normal character. In the case of the Colchicum, 
known as the Autumn-flowering Crocus, there is 
no other sign of life than that of a cluster of clean 
fresh-looking flowers emerging direct from the 
ground during the month of September, the big 
broad leaves not putting forth until some time 
after the flowers have died away. 
There is a striking beauty about these flowers 
that when closed look like little Indian clubs of 
white, lavender, or rosy purple, and when fully 
expanded are shimmering stars with a luminous 
sheen against which rich red-orange anthers show 
up like miniature shafts of flame. To make the 
best of Colchicums they should be planted in small 
isolated clumps in places where no other bright- 
coloured flowers stand at the time, but where the 
dark foliage of evergreen shrubs forms a back- 
ground. A light soil, rich in humus and with 
plenty of sand, suits them, and they should remain 
undisturbed for several years. When transplanting 
is necessary it should be done directly the foliage 
dies down, probably toward the end of July. 
Convallaria majalis. — Many readers may fail to 
recognize the dainty little Lily of the Valley, which 
is every one's favourite, under its strange Botanical 
name, but every one will admit that a bed of Lily 
of the Valley is one thing to have in the garden. 
One often hears complaint that there is a bed of 
leaves in the garden, but never many flowers. 
