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.