HARDY BULBS AND TUBERS. 
251 
of Mexico. This grows 12 to i8in. high, and bears bright 
scarlet, tubular, drooping blossoms in pairs on slender erect 
stems between May and August. The leaves are narrow and 
sword-like. This interesting plant requires to be grown in a 
sunny border or rockery in sandy loam well enriched with 
leaf-mould. Plant the corms 6in. apart and 4m. deep in 
September or October. During the winter cover the surface 
with dry litter to afford protection from frost. Increased by 
seeds sown in sandy soil in a cold frame in spring; also by 
offsets in October. 
Brevoortia. (Crimson Satinflower). — B. coccinea or Ida- 
Mai is a Californian bulbous plant, and a member of the Lily 
family (Liliaceae). The flowers, which are tubular and of a 
deep crimson with green tips, are borne on slender stems 
2 to 3ft. high in June and July. Few plants produce a prettier 
effect when grown in a mass in a sunny border or rockery. 
The flowers, moreover, are most useful for cutting. The 
corms should be planted 6in. apart and 3m. deep in sandy 
loam early in October. It is not advisable to disturb them 
too frequently — say, once in four or five years. The wiry 
flower stems need a little support. Propagate by offsets in 
October. 
Brodissa. (Californian Hyacinth). — Very beautiful hardy 
bulbous plants, belonging to the Lily family (Liliaceae), and 
natives of California and N. America. There are a large 
number of species, the best being B. congesta, purplish-blue ; 
B. grandiflora, purplish-blue; B. Howelli, white and blue; 
B. Howelli lilacina, lilac; B. laxa, violet; B. peduncularis, 
porcelain white ; and B. Leitchlinii, white, a native of Chili. 
These vary from 6 to i8in. in height and flower in sum- 
mer. The Spring Star Flower (Triteleia uniflora) is now 
known as B. uniflora, but as it is better known under the 
former name we have dealt with it under Tritelia, which see. 
They require to be grown in sandy loam in a sunny border or 
on a rockery, to be planted 3m. deep and 4 to 6in. apart in 
October or November, and not to be disturbed often than 
once in three or four years. In winter protect with dry litter. 
Scarcely hardy enough to grow in the open in the north. 
Increased by offsets in October. 
Bulbocodium (Spring Meadow Saffron). — This is a 
crocus-like bulbous plant, a native of the European Alps, and 
a member of the Lily order (Liliaceae). It grows 4 to 6in. 
high, and bears violet or- rosy-purple flowers from January 
onwards. The corms are black. The only species worthy of 
note here is B. vernum, described above. This should be 
grown in sandy loam on a sunny rockery or on the margin 
