HARDY BULBS
Cyclamens--Dicentras--Dieramas--Eranthis--Eremuruses--Erythroniums
--Eucomises
CYCLAMENS
The hardy Cyclamens or Sowbreads are charming little flowers which grow
well under the shade of trees or in the rock-garden. They like a rich,
but light soil, with a few stones mixed with it, and to be planted an
inch or two beneath the surface. The earliest and one of the best is C.
Coum, which has pretty crimson flowers about January. There are a
pleasing white variety and a few other colours such as rose and lilac.
Libanoticum is later and has large flowers and leaves. Ibericum
succeeds these, and the Atkinsi varieties are very beautiful, in
various shades from white to purple. Cilicicum and alpinum are tiny
little species with red or white flowers and small leaves, and are best
suited for the rock-garden. Europæum, red or lilac, in August, is more
difficult to grow, but likes shade and partial covering with a low
carpeting plant. The best of the late species is neapolitanum, or
hederæfolium, which has prettily marked leaves succeeding the red or
white flowers which come in autumn. These plants can be raised from
seeds sown as soon as ripe, or in spring.
DICENTRAS
A few of the tuberous-rooted Dicentras or Dielytras deserve mention
here. Among them are Cucullaria, white and yellow, and about three
inches high; and spectabilis, a well-known and handsome plant, which
needs shelter from cold spring winds. They like a light, peaty soil and
some shade.
DIERAMAS
The known species of Dierama, known in gardens as Sparaxis, are pendula
and pulcherrimum. Both are graceful hardy flowers with long stems,
arching over and bearing many loosely hanging bells of various shades
of purple, and even white. The one mostly seen in British gardens is
pulcherrimum, which has stems from four to six feet long; pendula being
a little less robust. They are rather difficult to establish, and like
to be planted under stones. Plant in spring about four inches deep.
ERANTHIS, WINTER ACONITE
The Eranthis or Winter Aconite would receive more attention were it not
so cheap, but it should be largely planted in moist and shady places,
which it brightens up early in the season. Either in the border,
rock-garden, or grass, it is very effective when in a mass. It may be
grown from seed. The species generally grown is Eranthis hyemalis, but
recently a species, named E. cilicicus, which blooms later, and has
deeper coloured flowers, with a less ornamental "ruff," has been
introduced. It is scarcely so hardy as E. hyemalis. The Winter Aconite
will grow in almost any soil which does not become too dry. It should
be as short a time out of the soil as possible.
EREMURUSES
The Eremuri are among the noblest of our hardy flowers with tuberous
roots, and are exceedingly ornamental with their magnificent spikes of
flower. They may be planted in autumn or in spring, though the first is
the better time, unless the plants are in pots. There is much
difference of opinion among growers regarding their requirements in the
way of sun or shade. Much depends upon the gardens, and the writer has
seen plants equally good with a north or north-west aspect, and in
other places with a due south exposure. In the latter case, however,
there is more danger from spring frosts. The crown should be about two
inches beneath the surface, and the soil should be light and rich,
although it may have a hard bottom. Protect with dry litter, and keep a
good lookout for slugs when growth begins. Cover if there is danger of
frost in spring, and give plenty of water during the growing period.
[Illustration: EREMURUS ROBUSTUS]
The best blooming species, and among the most beautiful, is E.
himalaicus, with white flowers, and sometimes eight feet high, but
generally less. Robustus, with its variety elwesianus, grow taller, and
have charming flesh-coloured flowers. Olgæ, with whitish flowers, is
very beautiful, and Bungei is among the best of the yellow species,
though caucasicus and spectabilis are also good yellow Eremuri.
ERYTHRONIUMS
The Erythroniums or Dog's Tooth Violets are delightful little spring
flowers, which are becoming increasingly appreciated. All are very
beautiful, their marbled or mottled foliage adding to their other
attractions. Some of the Dutch named sorts, such as Blanca, Von
Humboldt, Rubens, Rouge Trappeuse, &c., are of a large size, and are
very pleasing. The colours of the common Dens-canis vary from white to
rose and purple or violet, and all the plants do well in the border,
but better still in grass. In warm gardens they do best in shade, but
in others they require sun. The American Erythroniums are very
beautiful, but should generally have a sunnier place than the others.
They like a rather light soil, but americanum, which has yellow
flowers, prefers one of a heavier nature, and, to induce flowering,
should have its roots in a confined space. Albidum has whitish flowers;
giganteum has from one to six whitish flowers with a yellow base and
mottled leaves; grandiflorum has from three to ten yellow flowers on a
stem, and unmottled leaves; and nuttallianum has a shorter stem with
smaller flowers than the last, of which it is a variety.
Hartwegi, Bolanderi, montanum, citrinum, purpurascens, and Howelli have
all yellow or whitish flowers. Of these, Hartwegi is the earliest, and
Howelli among the most beautiful.
Revolutum, Johnsoni, and Hendersoni have all exquisite rose or purple
flowers. Propullans has small rose-coloured blooms. Bolanderi is
sometimes sold as Smithii or grandiflorum var. Smithii. Japonicum and
sibiricum are fine Asiatic forms of Dens-canis, with handsome purple or
rosy purple flowers.
EUCOMISES
The curious looking Eucomises are hardier than is generally believed,
and may be grown in the border or in front of a greenhouse or stove,
with a little covering of litter in winter. Although not showy, they
are worth growing for their long spikes of whitish flowers, spotted
with rose, and their long mottled foliage. They like a light, but not
poor soil. Punctata is probably the hardiest, but regia and bicolor are
also hardy if planted about six inches deep.