HALF-HARDY BULBS
Ixiolirions--Moræas--Ornithogalums--Oxalises--Phædranassas--Pancratiums
--Tigridias--Zephyranthes--Cooperias
IXIOLIRIONS
Few people seem to grow the Ixiolirions, which are pretty summer
blooming bulbs with umbels of lilac or blue flowers on stems about a
foot high. This is unfortunate, as they are of pleasing appearance,
though it is to be regretted that they are among those troublesome
bulbs which are almost hardy, yet not absolutely to be depended upon in
our climate. If planted in the open, this ought to be done in spring,
and the bulbs lifted in autumn, and stored in dry sand, but it is more
satisfactory to grow them in a frame or cool greenhouse in pots of
loam, leaf-soil, and sand. There are two species--montanum and
kolpakowskianum, the latter having a smaller bulb and shorter segments.
The variety tataricum is considered a separate species by some
botanists.
MORÆAS
Moræas are charming plants resembling the Irises, and are of bright
colours, and generally very fragrant. They should either be grown in a
frame with some winter protection, or in a cool greenhouse or
conservatory planted out in rather sandy soil or in pots. Out of some
sixty species, there are few not worth growing, but corms of only a
limited number are purchasable in the ordinary course, and the best of
these are named as a guide. They are often found about six inches high,
but frequently grow much taller. Edulis has bluish-white flowers;
iridioides, white, spotted yellow; papilionacea, pale-blue, spotted
dark-blue; spathacea (syn. Dietes Huttoni), yellow; and tricuspis,
greyish yellow and brown. Robinsoniana, also called Iris robinsoniana,
needs a greenhouse, and has white flowers and handsome leaves with the
habit of Phormium tenax. The genus now includes the Vieusseuxias and
Dietes, which are sub-genera.
ORNITHOGALUMS
It is singular that the half-hardy Ornithogalums are so little grown,
as they are very easily managed in a frame or unheated greenhouse, and
will even do in a warm border in the south. They like a light soil and
a sunny position, and to be well ripened after flowering. The prettiest
of the half-hardy species are O. aureum, yellow; O. arabicum, white
with almost black centres, a very effective plant; and the pure white
O. revolutum They may be planted about three inches deep.
OXALISES
The tender Oxalises or Wood-Sorrels, are deserving of more attention
from those who have sunny frames or unheated greenhouses, or even a
sunny window, where these flowers can open, for all are sun-lovers.
They like a light, rather sandy soil and may be planted in autumn or
early spring about two inches deep. They are too numerous to detail,
but I may name the following as all worth growing, although the list
might be considerably extended. Arenaria, violet-purple; articulata,
mauve; Barrelieri, yellow; elegans, purple; hirta, red; valdiviensis,
yellow; variabilis, white or red; and versicolor, white and red. Those
named among the hardy bulbs can also be grown under glass.
[Illustration: LILIUM AURATUM]
PHÆDRANASSAS
Although generally grown as greenhouse bulbs, the Phædranassas, or
Queen Lilies, may be grown in mild districts as frame bulbs, by
cultivating them in rather heavy soil, keeping them as dry as possible
in winter, and covering the glass of the frame with some canvas or a
mat. Some succeed with them in the open, but they there need a position
below a south wall and to have some protection in times of severe
frost. They are also suitable plants for the greenhouse, where they can
be grown in pots and rested in winter. They have umbels of pretty,
reflexed flowers, and grow about one and a half feet high. The most
suitable for frame cultivation are chloracea, yellow, and
sweet-scented; schizantha, vermilion, yellow, and green; and
ventricosa, yellow. They may be planted in spring about five inches
deep in a frame, or six inches if in the open.
PANCRATIUMS
Although the two Pancratiums named below are hardy in the milder parts
of these islands, it is more prudent to treat them as plants which need
frame cultivation throughout the greater portion of Britain. A warm,
sunny border under a south wall is the place for them in the open
garden, and in frames it is desirable to give them a similar position.
They should be planted with the neck about a foot deep in the open and
two or three inches less when in a frame. They belong to the Amaryllis
family and have charming white flowers. The hardiest and most easily
grown is P. illyricum, but P. maritimun has finer flowers. They like a
light soil, and plenty of water while in growth.
TIGRIDIAS
Tigridias are among the most brilliant of summer bulbous plants, but
though they have been established in some southern gardens, they are
not generally hardy in Britain. The greater number in cultivation are
varieties of T. Pavonia (syn. grandiflora) and these are very
beautiful, their only fault being the short time the flowers last. The
type has scarlet petals and a yellow, crimson-spotted cup, but there
are a number of varieties ranging from white, through almost rose to
lilac, pale yellow and orange yellow. Immaculata alba, Immaculata
lutea, and the new "Nankin" are among the latest introduced. Van
Houttei (Hydrotænia Van Houttei) has brown and yellow flowers and is
rather more delicate, and should have a frame or greenhouse. Violacea
and Pringlei should have similar treatment. All may be potted and grown
in a greenhouse if desired. Plant in April or May.
ZEPHYRANTHES
Reference has already been made to Z. Candida among hardy bulbs. A few
others may now be mentioned for frame or cold greenhouse cultivation.
These are strangely neglected by amateurs, as their pretty crocus-like
flowers are exquisitely beautiful when open. Generally speaking, I
should recommend their being grown in pots in the greenhouse, where
they can have a sunny position near the glass. The best of those known
for the frame or cold greenhouse are Andersoni, which grows about four
inches high, and has yellow or coppery flowers about May; Atamasco,
white, tinted pink, grows about nine inches high, and blooms about the
same time; carinata, rose, about one foot high, and flowering in May;
gracilifolia, about a foot and a half high and blooming about January;
rosea, six inches high and flowering in May; and versicolor, rose and
white, about six inches high. These Zephyranthes like a turfy loam with
a little sand and well decayed manure or peat. They are propagated by
offsets and should be repotted occasionally. The night-blooming
Cooperias require similar cultivation.