306 
THE GARDEN IN G WORLD 
April 15, 1905. 
have continued for some time if the plants had been kept 
crowded in small pockets on the rock garden or in flower-pots. 
I find, however, large as the flowers are, one stalk or stem will 
carry from three to five of its large light blue flowers with a 
white eye. To do this, however, tire bulbs must be planted in 
light, friable soil with sufficient distance between the bulbs to 
allow the foliage plenty of room. Under such conditions the 
plant grows strong and flowers proportionately. The common 
form has always been known to produce something like half a 
dozen flowers on a stem when planted out, but exceptionally 
strong plants occasionally bear from twelve to fourteen flowers. 
Iris smdjarensis. 
As we get more acquainted with these bulbous Irises, it 
seems that they can be cultivated with success in the open air 
provided they are sheltered from driving showers and gales of 
wind during the period they are in flower. The drainage must 
also be perfect, and the soil of a friable character, while the 
situation is fairly warm, so as to thoroughly ripen off the bulbs 
as the foliage dies down. The stems attain a height of 12 in. 
or slightly more, and bear four to five flowers of handsome 
size. The general colour is a light sky-blue, with rather darker 
veins, so that they are quite as effective as the darker flowered 
species when in bloom, especially if the plant is seen at some 
little distance away. A background of some green-leaved 
shrub would set off this plant admirably, provided care is 
taken not to let the soil get impoverished by the roots of such 
a shrub. The end of March and the beginning of April is the 
usual time for these handsome species when grown in the open. 
Saxifraga porophylla. 
Some years ago the best-known species of Kockfoil with red 
stems, bracts and flowers, if indeed not the only one in gardens, 
was S. media., better known as S. calyciflora. Now we have at 
least two others in this class—namely, S. Grisebachii and the 
subject of this note. The strap-shaped leaves are flat above 
with a cartilaginous margin, and furnished with two lines of 
white spots or specks, from which I presume the species - re¬ 
ceives its name. These leaves form rosettes about ^ in. in 
diameter or less, but those which reach the flowering size 
measure at least 1 in. across. From the centre of these full 
grown rosettes the flower-stems rise up to a height of 2 in. or 
3 in., and are of a beautiful purple-red and densely shaggy with 
red hairs. The stem leaves, the bracts and the flowers are also 
of various shades of red, and when seen rising above the neat 
rosettes of crustaceous leaves these flowers, although small, 
are exceedingly interesting to the lover of alpine plants. 
Erythronium grandiflorum robustum. 
The flowers of this variety are of a bright golden-yellow as 
in the ordinary E. grandiflorum. The stamens, however, have 
white anthers, and the foliage is uniformly green without any 
of those markings or blotches seen in the larger number of the 
American and European species of Dog’s-Tooth Violet. The 
name robustum has been given to a variety which has hitherto 
proved to be of more easy cultivation than the type, and less 
liable to die off under unfavourable circumstances. I think 
better success would he obtained with these fine American 
plants if the bulbs were planted more deeply so that they 
would lie less affected by fluctuations of temperature. They 
belong to' a class of plants that do not seem to like disturbance, 
and if giving satisfaction should be let alone after they are 
established. Deep yellow-flowered species like this are by no 
means common in the genus, and several of the yellow ones 
certainly seem very closely allied, with the exception of E. 
americanum, seldom seen in gardens, but which might more 
often be attempted in suitable situations on the rockery where 
other plants would partly take their place after the foliage dies 
down, so as to avoid the necessity of lifting the bulbs. 
Scilla bifolia rosea. 
Already a number of coloured varieties of this early spring¬ 
flowering Squill have been brought into cultivation, and pleas¬ 
ing effects are produced when grown in association with one 
another either in mixture or in clumps of a colour in proximity 
to one another upon the rockery. I prefer having them 
separate, as one always knows what one is doing when the 
different colours are kept distinct, at least in those clumps 
from which fresh colonies may be made when desired. 
Iris bucharica. 
Of the several forms or species of bulbous Irises allied to I. 
orchioides, this one in my opinion is certainly one of the 
prettiest. The stems rise to a height of 12 in. or 15 in., and 
bear several flowers in the axils of the upper leaves or bracts. 
These flowers are white, with a large, rich golden-yellow 
blotch on the disc, including the keel, which is of remarkable 
depth. The species comes from Eastern Bokhara, where it 
grows at an altitude between 5,000 ft. and 6,000 ft. on the 
mountains. The stem bears two rows of lanceolate, arching, 
bright green leaves, similar to those of orchioides. When the 
plant is full grown the buds swell up, and the top one is the 
first to expand. The others follow in succession, but the lower 
ones are beginning to tell before the uppermost one completely 
fades away. It is a very handsome species, and should be 
planted in sheltered situations if grown out of doors. It is 
also easy of cultivation in pots, in which it may be shifted 
about from frames to cool conservatory while in bloom. 
D. W. 
The Purple Hellebore. 
A few lines concerning this beautiful but little-grown plant 
may not be amiss at present, for it is now the best time to 
sow seed. Hellebores are usually propagated by division of 
the roots in March or April, but those gardeners that are 
willing to exercise a little patience can achieve far better results 
from seeds. 
A north border is the best, the plants preferring shade and 
moisture in summer, and the seed-bed should be of good, deep 
loam. The seed should be sown in February or March, but if 
they cannot be produced then, as soon as ripe. They take 
some time to germinate, and then often come up irregularly. 
If dis posed thinly the seedlings can be left undisturbed, other¬ 
wise they must be pricked off to a similar border until of 
flowering size. Mixed seed gives the most interesting results, 
as the intermediate colours between white and dark pmrple are 
most varied and beautiful. 
The soil in their permanent quarters should be of rather 
heavy loan, well enriched with manure. Old-established 
plants benefit greatly by having some of the surface soil re¬ 
moved annually, and a top-dressing of loam and well-rotted 
manure applied ; by this simple attention old plants increase 
and make magnificent clumps. If his renewal of the surface 
soil be neglected, the plants will deteriorate in a few years 
time. .Supplies of water and liquid manure during the summer 
are veiy helpful, but when a rich dressing has been given, it 
-will suffice to give clear water only. 
The darkest purple varieties of H. orientalis are most 
valuable for decorative purposes, their heavy, almost uncanny 
colouring being unique amongst flowers. The dark foliage, 
and almost black petaloid sepals contrast curiously with the 
circle of greenish nectaries surrounding the numerous yellow 
stamens that form the only bright spot in the flower. A vase 
of this dark kind, intermixed with the common white one, with 
their own foliage, is a most effective and original arrangement. 
F. M. Y. 
A Floral Clock. —Frequent attempts are made by different 
people at the formation of a floral clock. A landscape gardener 
constructed one of certain plants at Tarry town, U.S.A., in 
the grounds of the Rockefeller country place. The face, of the 
clock was represented by the ground being outlined in the 
form of a circle and divided into twelve parts, each being made 
up of some sort of flower which opens or closes at the corre¬ 
sponding hour on the dial of the,clock. A Hawkweed, which 
closes at 2 p.m., represents that time of day. The hands are 
stationary, unfortunately, and therefore unlike the floral clock 
at Edinburgh. These hands are composed of the common Dande¬ 
lion, which is said to open at 5.30 a.m. and to close at 8 p.m. 
Various other flowers are employed, including Chicory, Goat’s 
Beard, Morning Glory, Water Lily, Poppy, Star of Bethlehem, 
Marigold, White Campion, Pimpernel, etc. We are afraid such 
a floral clock-would be of little or no service after sundowm. 
