December 31, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
1061 
Some Choice Mariposa Tulips. 
Amongst the larger species of Calocliortus is a group with 
large and showy flowers, and we propose giving a brief review 
of the group illustrated with one of the finest—-namely, C. cla- 
vatus. The stems of'this species are wiry and stout, and reach 
a height of 1 ft. or 2 ft., according to the vigour of the bulbs. 
As these stems are branched, a large number of flowers are 
developed from one bulb in succession. Our illustration shows 
one large flower fully developed, another one-half open and two 
flowers°that are just going over, while to the left are two 
nearly fully developed and singular-looking fruits . 
According to the strength of the bulb each stem bears four 
to ten or more flowers that are openly funnel-shaped and 2 in. 
to 2-j- in. long. The small outer segments are green without 
but yellow within, and are frequently spoken of as sepals, i he 
inner segments constitute the most dominant feature of tire 
flower. They are broadly obovate, narrowed to the 
base, of great texture, and golden-yellow covered with 
stiff pin-headed hairs on the lower half. Although 
these are the general features of the flowers, some slight 
variations are found amongst individual blooms. 
Usually there is a wavy zone of red above the beard of 
white "hairs, and sometimes a three-lobed red blotch 
above the base. All these markings, however, may be 
indistinct or occasionally entirely absent from flowers 
on the same stem. 
There is a pale yellow variety of great size and of 
vigorous constitution. In gardens this has been named 
C°c. Eldorado. A dwarfer variety named C. c. venture 
has rich golden-yellow flowers produced on dwarf 
stems. When in full beauty the ornamental effect of 
this Mariposa Tulip in the sunshine caimot be over¬ 
rated. During the past summer we observed it on 
several occasions in fine condition, and the flowers from 
which our illustration was prepared were supplied us 
by Mr. Amos Perry, Hardy Plant Farm, Winclimore 
Hill, London. 
C. Kennedy! is another of this group having large, 
erect and openly funnel-shaped flowers. r lhe inner seg¬ 
ments are of a. brilliant orange-red or vermilion, fading 
to a creamy-yellow in some varieties with a few hairs 
at the base of the segments. The nectary in this in¬ 
stance is also densely bearded like C. clavatus and 
others of the section. It. has flowers of remarkable 
texture, which is probably due to the exposed positions 
in which they have grown in their native country for a 
long period of time. The stem varies greatly in height, 
4 in. to 12 in., but under cultivation usually much more. 
Flowers are very freely produced, the numbers depend¬ 
ing upon the vigour of the plant. The bulb is of large 
size as in other members of the group. 
C. macrocarpus has also large flowers but of a dark 
lilac or lilac-purple hue, banded with green on the back. 
The nectary, usually a very conspicuous feature in all 
these flowers, forms scarcely any depression in this instance, 
but it is densely bearded, and the surface around it has a tew 
scattered hairs. The species is a very vigorous one growing 
1 \ ft. to 2 ft. ih height and bearing from one to six or more 
flowers in an umbel and produced in succession. The species is 
a native of North-west America, and though the colour is less 
attractive or pleasing than in the previous one, the floweis 
are notable for their great size. 
C. luteus is a native of California and has large flowers, as m 
the previous ones, with very broad inner segments cut short 
at the apex, and of a clear yellow though variable in this 
respect. The nectary is densely bearded, although the rest of 
the surface is nearly smooth and furnished with a zone of 
brown spots. The stem grows 12 in. or 13 in. in height, some¬ 
times more, and bears from one to four or more flowers, accord- 
multiplication of specific forms seems undesirable. The flowers 
of the variety are bright yellow shading to orange, and more 
or less tinted with brownish-red at the base of the segments. 
The lower third of the segment is densely bearded with stiff 
hairs. An Award of Merit was accorded this variety when 
brought before the R.H.S. on July 9th, 1895. 
C. Gunnisonii is another grand species hailing from North¬ 
west America and carries one to four or more flowers on stems 
12 in. to 18 in. high. Only one leaf 6 in. to 10 in. long pro¬ 
ceeds from the bulb, the narrow leaves upon the stem being 
usually considered bracts. The inner segments are obovate, 
11 in. to U in. long, and pale lilac or creamy zoned with dark 
lilac or dark blue on the lower third, this latter portion being 
densely covered with short pale green hairs. The nectaiy is 
also densely bearded. 
Several others are sometimes placed in this group, but the 
distinctions between them and the Butterfly Tulips are not 
Calochortus clavatus. 
always very strongly marked. All of these which we have 
named are strong growers in well-drained friable soil, but in 
summer some attention given as a means of ensuring their 
being thoroughly ripened when the leaves die down will cause 
them to make vigorous growth again next year. The best plan 
is to keep the bulbs in a cool dry place until spring, when they 
should be planted in the open. A warm, well-sheltered and 
sunny aspect should be selected for them to ensure proper 
ripening and resting of the bulbs. Although the soil should 
be well drained, it should at the same time be made rich with 
well-decayed manure and good soil. In the case of C. Ken- 
nedyi a poor soil rather than otherwise should be selected, as 
in its native country it is subjected to great drought after the 
flowering season is over, and the soil is of a sandy character. 
ing to the vigour of the plant. _ . 
The variety C. 1. concolor is sometimes regarded as a distinct 
speciesj but seeing that the flowers are so variable too great a 
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