HARDY BULBS
Fritillarias--Funkias--Galanthuses--Galtonias--Gladioli--Hemerocallises
FRITILLARIAS
Although many of the Fritillarias are more distinguished for their
singularity than for the brilliance of their colouring, there are few
more interesting garden plants. The native species, F. meleagris, is
varied in colour and in depth of markings, and the Dutch have raised
some pretty named varieties. The white form, F. m. alba, is very
beautiful. The varieties of the broad-leaved form of Meleagris are but
little grown in Great Britain. There are now many pretty species which
are quite as easy to grow, but which do not need such a damp position
as suits F. meleagris best, although it grows in dry soil as well.
Recurva has beautiful scarlet and yellow flowers, but is difficult to
establish. Aurea, with yellow flowers and of dwarf habit, is more
easily grown, and is the brightest of the yellow Snake's Head Lilies.
Pallidiflora, with pale yellow flowers, is distinct; and the pretty
armena gives several varieties with flowers varying from greenish to
bright yellow and red. Walujewi is very fine; and Moggridgei is well
worth trying also. Acmopetala is a fine, tall species; and such species
as Burnati, citrina, lanceolata, lusitanica, lutea, oranensis, pudica,
pyrenaica, ruthenica, and Thunbergii are all of interest to those who
care for such flowers.
The Crown Imperial, F. imperialis, is so well known that its noble
appearance and its value for the garden need no praise. There are
several varieties, which range in colour from pale yellow to deep red.
In addition, we have a form, called "Crown upon Crown," which has two
tiers of flowers; one with a fasciated stem; and two with variegated
leaves, one having white and the other yellow margins, and bands on the
leaves. These make fine plants. The smaller Fritillarias should be
planted about two inches, and the Crown Imperials about four inches
deep. The latter like a good rich soil, and all should be as short a
time out of the ground as possible. All can be grown in pots.
FUNKIAS
Funkias, or Plantain Lilies, are among the most ornamental of our
hardy flowers, and look exceedingly ornamental in borders or by the
margin of water, where their fine leaves are in keeping with their
surroundings. They all like some shade, but to induce F. subcordata
(syn. grandiflora) to flower well it should have a warm, sunny place.
They are best planted in spring. F. lancifolia has pretty leaves and
purple flowers. There are several varieties, such as undulata, alba,
variegata, and albo-marginata. Ovata has handsome large leaves and
purple flowers, and the variety aurea-variegata is particularly fine.
Sieboldiana has ornamental foliage and pale lilac flowers. It and the
variety marmorata, with marbled foliage, are fine for groups. Fortunei
and its variety variegata are both splendid plants, and glauca is
another good species.
GALANTHUSES
The Galanthus, or Snowdrop, is one of our chastest and most beautiful
flowers, and its pure blossoms are universally appreciated. It is more
varied in character and in its time of blooming than many are aware of.
The earliest Snowdrops come into bloom in autumn or early winter, and
lovers of the flower who wish to grow these interesting varieties,
which are forms of G. nivalis, the common Snowdrop, will find that G.
corcyrensis and G. octobrensis are those most easily procured. They
require a rather light and sandy soil. In their general appearance they
closely resemble the common form of G. nivalis, but are generally
recognisable by the light colour of the line which runs up the centre
of the leaf. Others blooming about the same season are G. Rachelæ and
G. Elsæ. These flowers show a tendency to draw nearer to the spring
Snowdrops as they become established. There are too many varieties of
the common Snowdrop in existence to detail, but one may name Melvillei,
a splendid flower of great beauty; poculiformis, which has the inner
and outer segments of almost equal length; Scharloki, which has
separated spathes and a green spot at the base of each outer segment;
and æstivalis and Gusmusi, two late forms, as representative, if we
exclude a number of named varieties which have been raised by Mr James
Allen and others. The so-called "Yellow Snowdrops" have yellow instead
of green markings and ovaries. The best are G. lutescens and G.
flavescens.
The Italian sub-species Imperati gives us some handsome flowers, larger
than those of our native Snowdrop; the finest is the variety Atkinsi, a
noble Galanthus. The sub-species caucasicus is principally noteworthy
as giving us the form virescens, which has its flowers all flushed with
green outside.
One of the finest Snowdrops is G. Elwesii, from Asia Minor, of which
there are many local and seedling forms. That sold as ochrospeilus, and
the large variety named Whittalli, are equal to any other of the wild
forms. G. Elwesii is not long-lived in many gardens. It seems to prefer
a rather moist, peaty soil.
G. latifolius is a very distinct Snowdrop with broad, bright green
leaves. Unfortunately, it is rather too delicate for our climate, and
the newer G. Ikariæ is preferable. It has handsome bright green leaves,
with arching habit, and pretty flowers.
G. plicatus, the Crimean Snowdrop, is troublesome because of the
unaccountable way in which it often disappears. It is, however, so fine
and distinct, with its revolute leaves, that it should be tried.
Hybrids between it and G. Elwesii are often hardier than either of the
parents. G. byzantinus may be a hybrid of this parentage.
It is needless to refer to the cultivation of the Snowdrop further than
to say that it seems to do best planted in the grass, and that it is
much finer in a rather moist, peaty soil. When grown in pots it should
not have much heat.
GALTONIAS
Galtonia, or Hyacinthus, candicans is the best of the three species
which constitute the genus. It is a noble plant, whose white, drooping
bells look remarkably handsome, especially when associated with such
plants as the scarlet Gladiolus brenchleyensis. It should be planted in
spring, about six inches deep. Although hardy in most gardens, in some
it must be lifted and stored in winter, or well protected with dry
ashes or litter.
GLADIOLI
While the magnificent hybrid Gladioli are not hardy in the greater
number of gardens, and are therefore referred to along with half-hardy
bulbs, it will be found desirable to attempt their cultivation in warm
localities as hardy flowers, planting deeply and giving them a little
protection in the way of a mulch of dry litter in autumn, and removing
it in spring. We have, however, a few species which are quite hardy,
although some are the better of a little protection for the first
winter. The hardiest of these is Gladiolus byzantinus, a species with
small, rosy-purple flowers, but the following others may also be grown
as ordinary border flowers: communis, segetum, serotinus, illyricus,
and neglectus. Then the varieties of the early-flowering Gladioli named
in catalogues may be accounted almost hardy on light dry soils,
especially if protected for a winter after being planted. Such forms as
Colvillei, The Bride, and almost all the other early bloomers are
amenable to this treatment. Plant them about six inches deep in a sunny
position.
[Illustration: GLADIOLUS "THE BRIDE"]
HEMEROCALLISES
The Day Lilies are very ornamental plants, although their usefulness in
the garden is reduced by the individual blooms only lasting for the one
day. The number available for gardens has been increased by varieties
raised by hybridisation and cross-breeding, and some of these are of
much value. Auriantiaca major, a fine plant introduced within the last
few years, is shy in flowering and wants a good soil and a warm, sunny
position. It has rich orange flowers. The others grow in a sunny
position in ordinary soil. Dumortieri, orange, brown outside, grows
about one foot high; flava has pretty yellow blooms, on stems about two
feet high, in June; fulva is taller, and has more coppery flowers.
There are double-flowered and variegated-leaved varieties of fulva, the
form fl.-pl. variegata being very fine. Middendorfii has orange
flowers, and is about one foot high; Thunbergi resembles flava, but
blooms a month later. Minor, or graminea, is of dwarf habit, and has
yellow flowers. Hybrid, or seedling forms of merit are Apricot, Dr
Regel, Flamid, Frances, luteola, and Sovereign.