SCIL'LA BIFO'LIA. 
TWO-LEAVED SCILLA. 
Variety, rubra. 
Class. Order. 
HEXANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
ASPHODELACE®. 
Native of 
Height 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Cultivated 
S. Europe 
6 inches. 
April & May. 
Perennial. 
in 1800. 
No. 723. 
Scilla, from the Greek name of the plant, as no- 
ticed under No. 176. 
This is so distinct and pretty a variety of Scilla 
bifolia, that it should be introduced into every respec- 
table collection. At present it is rarely met with, 
and its increase not being rapid, there is no prob- 
ability of its becoming very common. This variety 
is believed to have originated in the milder parts of 
Europe, which seem to be the chief habitat of this 
unpretending but pretty genus. Gerard notices the 
blue, and the white variety, but the pink was un- 
known to him. In his day, they ranked amongst 
the Hyacinths, and were duly valued for their 
beauty. He says Of these bulbed roots, whose 
fair and beautiful flowers are received for their 
grace and ornament in gardens and garlands, the 
first are the Hyacinths, whereof there is found at 
this day, divers sorts differing very notably in many 
points.” 
This species should be planted in a rich sandy soil, 
near the edge of the border, and may be divided in 
winter or spring. It is also well-suited to pot cul- 
ture, amongst alpine plants. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 2,264. 
