April 22, 1905 THE GARDENING WORLD. 
Notes on the Illustrations in this Issue. 
The Lady Tulip (Tulipa clusiana). 
Amongst the Tulips of medium size that have long been avail¬ 
able to cultivators is the subject of this note. Those who give 
special atier.tion to species could scarcely omit this one, which 
is widely distinct from most others in cultivation, its nearest 
allv being T. Leichtlinii, which, however, differs considerably 
in cobun When we first noted cultivated specimens of the 
Lady Tulip the blooms were relatively 
small, but infinitely pretty. Under 
better conditions of cultivation the 
flowers are now much larger, but re¬ 
tain their pristine beauty. 
The flowers are funnel-shaped, 
about 2 in. in length, and are narrow, 
while the bloom is closed, but even in 
this state they are extremely hand¬ 
some, owing to the broad bright 
cherry-red band with white edges to 
the back of the outer segments. Under 
the influence of sunshine or a high 
temperature, the flowers open and ex¬ 
hibit a silky snowy-whiteness, making 
a fine contrast to the rich purple 
blotch at. the base of each segment. 
The species is thus easily recognised 
whether closed or fully expanded. 
The centre of the flower is, indeed, a 
picture of beauty in itself, as in addi¬ 
tion to the purple blotch forming a 
zone, the stamens have black filaments 
and violet anthers surrounding the 
green ovary in the centre. 
It is well adapted for cultivation 
either in the ordinary border or on 
the rockwork, and we have little doubt 
that the best flowers can be produced 
in a border subjected to annual dig¬ 
ging, with a light and friable soil. 
We have not suggested manure for 
this species, which we believe it dis¬ 
likes. On the other hand it is well 
adapted for soils of a poor character, 
even if permeated with'the roots of 
plants, but under such conditions the 
cultivator cannot expect to get flowers 
of large size, though the plant con¬ 
tinues to flower year after year, and 
keep healthy. A good plan, however, 
is to lift the bulbs annually for the 
purpose of cultivating the soil, giving 
the bulbs more room, and thus en¬ 
couraging increase. The plants illus¬ 
trated were grown in a pot, and the 
plant answers admirably to this treat¬ 
ment. 
Pearls of Spain (Muscari botryoid.es 
album). 
The ordinary bright blue form of 
this bulb is one of the oldest and best 
known of the Grape Hyacinths in 
cultivation. It still maintains its popularity, notwithstanding 
the great number of species which have been introduced in 
more recent times. There are several.varieties of it, differing 
chiefly in shades of colour, but apart from the normal blue one 
the pure white one is undoubtedly the best for general cultiva¬ 
tion. 
Each bulb produces three or four leaves that stand upright 
tthile the flowers are at their best. The flower stalk varies 
from 6 in. to 9 in. in height, and bears a raceme of oval droop¬ 
ing snow-white flowers. The purity of the latter makes a fine 
contrast to the glaucous green leaves. 
Provided the soil is light and friable no difficulty whatever 
will be experienced with the cultivation of this Grape Hya¬ 
cinth. It is perfectly hardy and has outlived many a winter 
in the northern part of Britain, where the temperature often 
falls below zero. The chief point upon which we should lay 
stress when this plant is cultivated in the open border is that a 
label or stake should mark the site of the bulbs so that when 
the border is being dug the operator may not scatter them 
about inadvertently. On account of its hardiness and the 
The Lady Tulip (Tulipa clusiaxa). 
freedom with which it produces offsets it may be used with 
advantage in wild gardening where the soil is fairly light and 
open, by containing a good proportion of sand in its compo¬ 
sition. The plant would also live in soils of stiffer character, 
but increase would be comparatively slow. 
It may be cultivated with equal success in pots if the bulbs 
are potted up with others in the autumn and kept in cold 
frames until well advanced, when it may be brought into the 
greenhouse or cool conservatory to bloom. No heat is neces¬ 
sary, and would, indeed, be detrimental, by causing the 
foliage and flower stems to become drawn. The mere fact of 
