WATSONIA MERIANA (99) WATSONIA ALBA (100) WATSONIA ANGUSTA (101) MONTBRETIA CROCOSMIÆFLORA (102)
[Polyanthus] or Tazetta Narcissus.—Passing from the Daffodils with solitary flowers on a stalk, we come to a small group in which several blossoms adorn the top of the stem. The most important of these is perhaps the Polyanthus or Bunch Narcissus (N. Tazetta) which was well-known to the old Greek and Roman poets, although in a wild state it is met with eastwards across Europe and Asia, to China and Japan. The typical N. Tazetta has 4 to 8 flowers on top of the stem, the spreading segments being pure white and the cup-shaped corona lemon-yellow. There are many varieties, and although the individual blossoms are not very large, they are sometimes produced in much larger numbers than the type. The best-known varieties are the Scilly White, Grand Soleil d'or, Grand Monarque (Plate 6, figs. 24 and 25), and the Paper White—all largely grown in the open air in the Scilly Isles—but rather too tender for out-door cultivation in less favoured parts of the kingdom.
Of late years, a Chinese form (really only N. Tazetta) called the "[Sacred Lily]" or "[Joss Flower]," has attracted attention, and has been recommended for growing in ornamental bowls, &c., in drawing-rooms, in a compost (if it can be called such) of pebbles and clean water. The common mistake made in growing the Joss Lily in this way is that the plants do not get sufficient light in ordinary rooms, and consequently both leaves and stems are too weak to stand erect.
Other Daffodils with several flowers on a stalk are the Sweet-Scented Jonquil ([N. Jonquilla]), easily recognised by its roundish leaves and rich yellow flowers with a cup-shaped corona. There are several varieties including a double one known as "Queen Anne's Jonquil." The Rush-leaved Jonquil (N. juncifolius) with roundish rush-like leaves is closely related, its bright yellow blossoms being distinguished from those of the Jonquil by being fewer and having broader ovate segments.
N. triandrus, popularly called "[Ganymede's Cup,]" is a charming little species with 1 to 6 pure-white flowers in which the segments are bent back from the cup-shaped corona. There are several varieties, including a lovely white one (albus) called "[Angel's Tears,]" shown on [Plate 5], fig. 20. Concolor, pale yellow; calathinus, white or sulphur-yellow; pallidulus, primrose-yellow; while pulchellus has primrose-yellow segments and a white corona.
The bulbs of N. triandrus and its varieties being rather small—half to three-quarters of an inch in diameter—the spots where they are planted should be marked, otherwise they are apt to get lost or destroyed. Until the stock is large they are probably safer grown in pots in cold frames.
As new varieties and hybrids are being added each year, the reader who wishes to grow novelties is advised to consult the bulb catalogues of such firms as Messrs. Barr & Sons, Covent Garden; Messrs. Ware, Feltham; Mr. Hartland, of Cork; Mr. Perry, Winchmore Hill, &c.
[NOTHOSCORDUM] fragrans.—A sturdy North American plant, 1 to 2 feet high, with roundish oblong bulbs, having thick fleshy roots. It is closely related to the Alliums, as may be seen by its umbels of white starry flowers, the segments of which are keeled with lilac on the outside.
This species grows in ordinary good garden soil of a gritty nature, and is easily increased by offsets.
[ORNITHOGALUM] (Star of Bethlehem).—Although a large genus, only a few species are considered worth growing, except in botanical collections. The best known representative of the group is probably the Common Star of Bethlehem (O. umbellatum), which is now naturalised in copses and meadows in some parts of England, and may be utilised in the same way in large gardens with an abundance of grass-land. The clusters of pure-white starry blossoms appear in May and June, on stalks about 1 foot high, and are keeled with green behind. Very similar in appearance are the flowers of O. arabicum, which, however, appear in June and July, and are much larger, sometimes 2 inches across, with golden anthers, and a shining black ovary in the centre, as shown in [Plate 29], fig. 107. Unfortunately, this species is rather tender in the colder parts of the kingdom, and should be protected in winter. As an alternative the plants may be grown in pots in cold greenhouses, or in glasses of water in the same way as Hyacinths (see [p. 84].) O. nutans, the drooping white flowers of which are also shown on [Plate 29], fig. 108, is almost as hardy as O. umbellatum, and may be naturalised in the same way. O. arcuatum has pure white erect flowers in May and June on stalks 2 feet or more high. O. pyramidale, the white flowers of which have a green stripe behind, and are borne on stalks 1-1/2 to 2 feet high in June and July, is another species worth growing in masses in the shrubberies, or in the grass (see [Plate 19], fig. 74); and O. pyrenaicum, with pale yellow-green flowers may be given similar treatment.