March 1910 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
1 
b WU TAIN, 
‘GROUP O 
‘Description 
NUE 
BULBS. 
gf Eowerse 
BULBS & ALLIED PLANTS. 
Among the beautiful garden ornaments 
“Providence has supplied to us, easily 
obtained and increased, in this climate 
generally hardy, or requiring very little 
cultivation, occupying but little room, at 
their best when other flowers are compara- 
tively scarce, of all forms and colors, and 
many of {exquisite perfume, why is it so 
Universal favorites, it 
cannot be they are not admired—our 
few are grown! 
flower shows prove the contrary—unor can 
it be their price places them beyond the 
But what- 
ever the reason is, the fact remains that, 
reach of only flower lovers. 
excepting a few of the common sorts. bulbs 
This 
ought not to be, for much of the beauty 
and interest of our gardens is derived from 
bulbous plants, and with a small but 
judicious first outlay sufficient may be 
in this state are very little yrown. 
obtained to give our gardens a gorgeous 
appearance for at least six to eight months 
of the yoar. Excepting a few of the choice 
kinds they will grow, flower, and increase 
in ordinary garden soil, and require little, 
or no cultivation, excepting, of course 
such as are required for exhibition or 
special purposes. 
One writer says:—*There is a peculiar 
charm about bulbous plants arising partly 
no doubt, from their peculiar sweetness 
and beauty, but chiefly, perhaps, from the 
mystery of their lives—they bloom, fade 
and retire underground. Like sensible 
visitors, they come when wanted and far 
rarer merit still, go when not wanted ; 
they hide away as soon as their beauty 
fades,and are no more seen tilla new life 
of verdure, beauty, and fragrance bursts 
forth when and where most wanted. The 
temporary rest of the bulb is also most 
favorable to its transportion to a new 
place ; it invites removal, and renders it 
safe and easy’’ 
For many of the best known and most 
popular bulbs‘ such as Hyacinths, Cro- 
cuses, some of the Liliumsand Amaryllids, 
Poconias, Funkias, Snowdrops, Crinums, 
Clivias, Nerines, Tuberoses, Tropzalums, 
and a fow others our climate is cer- 
“tainly trying, but most of them succeed 
in carefully prepared ground, if taken up 
after they have flowered, and the bulbs 
stowed in a cool room, or they do well in 
GERMAN IRIS. 
a shadehouse; but Narcissi, Irises, 
Gladioli, a few of the Amaryllids, some of 
the Liliums, Tulips Ranunculi, Anemones, 
Snowflakes, Babfanas, Ixias, Tritonias, 
Scillas, the Agrapanthus, Alliums, Antho- 
lizas, Lachenalllas, Moreas Orintho- 
gulums, Oxalis. Watsonias, &c., are so 
suitable that they may with safety, or 
“even advantage, be left in the ground for 
years. 
No hard and fast rule applies to how 
deep to plant the bulbs, but the following 
practice is usually adopted :—Scaly and 
solid bulbs should be planted deep say 
from four to six inches, but tunicated or 
coated bulbs may be planted shallow, 
almost on the surface, or half buried. 
— THE IRIS. — 
The Iris (Fleur de Lis of the French).- 
Of unique appearance, almost rivalling the 
Orchids in their gorgeous colors, few 
flowers are more showy or pleasing. Indi- 
genous to various parts of Eupore, Asia, 
and Africa, that family is a large one, the 
most popular species being the English, 
Spanish, and German, although Kzempferi 
(compartively new) is the largest, and pos- 
sibly the most handsome, growing to the 
