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.
CHAPTER VI
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