6 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
January 1, 1908 
Roses 3 All the leading varieties, half-standards, 1s. each 
>> & Unit Trees 3 Orange, Lemon, Peach, Apple, Pear, Plum, etc 
HARDY SHRUBS, Trees, Climbers, etc. 
BULBS, Hyacinth, Daffodil, Anemone, Tuberose, 
Gladiolus. 
-—_ p => EC xD Ss 3 Vegetable and Flower. . Agricultural, Horticultural Sundries in great variet.y 
E. & W. HACKETT, 
Seedsmen, Nurserymen, &c., 
73 Rundle Street, Adelaide, | 
Telephone 850 
The Flower Garden. 
The Amaryllis. 
[By J. Cron1n.] 
' Amaryllis is a genus of deciduous bul- 
bous plants found native in South Africa, 
consisting of asingle species, A. belladonna, 
of which there are several varieties. The 
genus at one time included plants now 
known under the names of Vallota, Sprek- 
elia, Zephyranthes, and Hippeastrum, the 
last mentioned being still included in 
Amaryllis in many gardens and trade 
collections, Amaryllis belladonna—the 
belladonna lily and its yarieties—pro- 
duces its blooms without foliage during 
summer and autumn, the leaves develod- 
ing after the flowers die. The growth of 
foliage continues throughout winter and 
spring, the foliage dying and the bulbs 
AMARYLLIS FORMOSISSIMA. 
resting during the greater part of sumuzer. 
Hippeastrums are natives of Braril and 
other parts of tropical South America 
and the islands adjacent, and vary greatly 
from Amaryllis in the production of their 
flowers, and the flowers also, which de- 
velop with the foliage during spring and 
summer, the bulb resting during winter. 
Hippeastrums have been greatly improved 
by horticulturists, various species being 
hybridized with success. The hybrids are 
far superior to the original types in size 
of flowers, range of colour, and form 
Sprekelia is also a native of tropical 
South America, The only species culti- 
vated in our gardens is 8. formosissima 
which bears singular but beautiful flowers 
of a bright crimson colour. Vallota pur- 
purea, a native of South Africa, flowers 
during autumn and is one of the most 
beantiful of bulbous plants, the blooms 
being large, cup-shaped, and of a brilliant 
shade of colour. Zephyranthes are small, 
bulbous plants producing white and pink 
flowers. The whole of these are hardy 
plants in the greater part of this State, 
and may be grown snccessfully in most 
of our gardens. ‘ 
CULTURE. 
Amaryllis belladonna is probably the 
hardiest bulbous plant cultivated. lt 
requires an open position and good 
daainage and under such conditiohs it 
will thrive in most soils with a minimum 
of attention. Itis a splendid subject for 
large dry borders, producing its delicate 
pink flowers, which are borne in umbells 
on long stiff stems, freely for several years 
without special assistance, Bulbs should 
be planted during summer at a depth of 
about six inches below the surface in un- 
manured soil. They are most effective 
when planted in patches containing many 
bulbs, which should not be disturbed for 
several years except for the purposes of 
increase which is effected by offsets from 
the large bulbs. The bulbs should be 
planted sufficiently apart to provide for 
increase. about six inches being enough. 
There are several fine forms of the bella- 
donna lily including A. blanda and Bap- 
tisti, white ; magnifica, major, rubra, 
multiflora, and purpurea, of various 
shades of rose and purple. These are 
scarce and fairly expensive, and usually 
receive much more care and attention 
than the ordinary type, though requiring 
practically the same treatment. 
Hippeastrums are magnificent plants 
for the borders, requiring a sunny posi- 
tion and well-drained soil of rather light 
texture. Unless the soil is very poor no 
manure is needed, and even in poor sandy 
soils an admixture of clay or strong loam 
is preferable. If manure is addea to the 
soil it should be thoroughly decayed cow 
manure, and should not come into contact 
ae 
BEGONIA GRANDIFLORA ERECTA CRISTATAs 
1s.46d, pkt, 
