April 15, 1905 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
307 
Notes on the Illustrations in this Issue. 
Hardy Annuals. 
Sternbergia fisclieriana. 
Of the four species of Sternbergia in cultivation that under 
notice is now one of the most frequent in cultivation. E\ i- 
dentlv a large number of bulbs have been recently imported. 
D nr in a' the past winter some recent importations were named 
S. Wheriana hyemalis, to indicate that it flowered in winter 
instead of spring. It, seems to us, however, that the exact 
period of flowering of this bulb is determined very much by 
die prevailing state of the weather in November and December, 
and again in' 7 January, as to when the Rowers will make their 
appearance. When the accompanying photograph was taken 
die bulbs were named S. fisclieriana hyemalis, and were flower¬ 
ing in the Alpine House at Ivew. At the same time, however, 
8 . fisclieriana was flowering at the base of a south aspect wall 
in the open, without any other protection, so that the varietal 
name can scarcely be upheld. 
This species is most closely allied to S. lutea, and the chief 
difference from a garden point of view is that the latter 
.lowers in autumn, whereas S. fisclieriana. may bloom any time 
in the new year. In both cases the leaves accompany the 
flowers as shown in our picture. The flowers 
are more or less funnel-shaped, with a short 
tube, but on a bright day the flowers open so 
widely as to be nearly flat. In this respect 
the blooms seem larger than those of S. lutea, 
which blooms in autumn, when it resembles a 
golden-yellow Crocus. Imported bulbs may 
give rise to slightly varying shades of yellow, 
but they are always in this hue. The species 
under notice conies, from the Caucasus,' and 
though fairly hardy, the flowers may at times 
get damaged like other early flowering plants if 
bad weather occurs after the expansion of the 
blooms. It can he grown in pots or pans, and 
those who choose this method may bring it 
along in a cold frame and afterwards transfer 
the plants to the greenhouse or conservatory 
when in bloom. 
Saxifraga Eiizabethae. 
The above new Saxifrage is described as a 
hybrid between S. Boydii and burseriana, the 
former presumably being the seed parent. 
The miniature awl-shaped leaves are concave 
above, convex on the back, and thinly ciliated 
on the edge. They are of a deep green and 
arranged in small rosette® like those of S. 
burseriana, and those again are arranged in 
dense tufts as may be seen by •our illustration. 
The stems are only lj in. to 2 in. in height, 
red. glandular, hairy, and developed early in 
March. These stems are furnished with a, few 
spathulate leaves that are red at the base, 
green upwards, and ciliated at the edges. The 
flowers are primrose-yellow with yellow fila¬ 
ments, golden anthers, and are about § in. 
across. 
(Continued from page 281.) 
r l lie selection referred to comprises what are most popular 
or mostly cultivated ; hut many interesting and useful sorts are 
overlooked. Cardens of the nobleman down to the cottager 
would he enhanced it variation or anomalism supervened. 
Create a change from your usual practice and introduce a few 
sorts. We hear the oft-repeated phrases that “Our Poppies 
were magnificent,” or “ This certain annual is unbeatable,” 
that the same old kinds are purchased yearly. Phacelia cam- 
patiularia, one of (lie most beautiful blue-flowered annuals; 
Viscaria cardinals ; Nemophila and Gypsophila elegans, are 
all good things. The annual Lupinus and Delphiniums are 
adapted for massing. Nycterina capensis, Mathiola bicornis, 
or night-scented Stock, Platystemon califomicum, Leptosiphon, 
Linum grandiflorum, and Calendula, or Scotch Marigold, mav 
be favourites in some gardens, but many of them are seldom 
seen. 
Half-hardy Annuals. 
In order wei come to> have a chat on what are termed half- 
hardy annuals. Their treatment modifies hut little, with the 
Sterxbergia fischerxaxa : Flowers yellow. 
Like its parents, this must be perfectly hardy, though it is 
too new and too scarce in the .country to speak of any trial in 
the open air. As far as we have seen, it has only got into a 
few collections, of which we know three instances. Our 
photograph was taken in the nursery of Messrs. T. S. Ware, 
Limited, Feltham, Middlesex, during the second week of 
March. It is perfectly distinct from S. Salomoni, which we 
figured on page 291, being of different parentage. The dark 
green foliage and the primrose-yellow flowers of S. Eiizabethae 
will a.t once form distinctions, not only botanically but also 
hom a garden point of view, between it and S. Salomoni, 
which has glaucous leaves and larger white flowers. 
. Readers’ Competition. —Particulars of weekly prizes, see 
centre page. 
exception that artificial heat is essential in their young state 
to- gain good plants for planting in the first week of June. 
Tender annuals were confused with half-hardy, but tender 
annuals are those which require glass protection all through, if 
not a very sheltered aspect outdoors, whereas half-hardy varie¬ 
ties may associate with the hardy types after May month. Use 
boxes, pans, or pots of finely sifted soil, the seed but slightly 
covered. The middle of March is early enough. The warmth 
of a vinery or a hotbed will soon produce seedlings that must 
be attended in no haphazard rule. Water sparingly till the 
tender plants gain strength. Salpiglossis is susceptible to 
damping at this stage. Prick off into boxes or frames. Do 
not allow the plants to get drawn up, and use discretion to 
harden off the annuals to full exposure of sun and air outside 
two weeks previous to their flowering abode. Half-hardy 
