Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Part 18

SIEBOLD'S PLANTAIN-LEAVED LILY; _Nat. Ord._ LILIACEae.

This is a grand plant; the lily-like flowers alone are sufficient to commend it, but when we have them springing from such a glorious ma.s.s of luxuriant and beautiful foliage, disposed with a charming neatness rarely equalled, they are additionally effective. The ill.u.s.tration (Fig.

40) gives a fair idea of the form and dimensions of a specimen three years ago cut from the parent plant, when it would not have more than two or three crowns, so it may be described as very vigorous; and, as if its beauties were not sufficiently amplified by flowers and form of foliage, the whole plant is of a rich glaucous hue, rendering it still more conspicuous and distinct. It is herbaceous and perfectly hardy, though it comes from the much warmer climate of j.a.pan, whence are all the species of _Funkia_. It is a comparatively new plant in English gardens, having been introduced into this country only about fifty years; still, it is pretty widely distributed, thanks, doubtless, to its exceptionally fine qualities. I know no plant more capable of improvement as regards size than this; if set in rich deep soil, it will in a few years grow to an enormous specimen. One so treated in my garden is 4ft. to 5ft. in diameter, and about the same height when the flower-stems are fully developed. I should, however, add that this is an unusual size, but it, nevertheless, indicates what may be done by high culture.

The flowers are produced on nude stems, 2ft. or 4ft. high, being arranged in somewhat short and irregular one-sided spikes; they spring singly from the axils of rather long bracts (see Fig. 40) and have long bending pedicels, which cause the flowers to hang bell fashion; their colour is a soft pale lilac, nearly white. Size, 1in. to 2in. long, and bell or trumpet shaped. They are of good substance, and last a long time in fine form. The leaves have radical stalks, nearly 2ft. long in well-grown specimens, gracefully bending and deeply channelled; they are from 8in. to 12in. long, and about half as wide, long heart-shaped, somewhat hooded, waved, distinctly ribbed, and evenly wrinkled; glaucous and leathery. The outer foliage is so disposed that the tips touch the ground; it is abundantly produced, forming ma.s.sive tufts. The long fleshy roots denote its love of a deep soil; a moist but well-drained situation suits it, and manure may be used--both dug in and as a top dressing--with marked advantage. The natural beauty of this subject fits it for any position--the lawn, shrubbery, borders, beds, or rockwork can all be additionally beautified by its n.o.ble form; grown in pots, it becomes an effective plant for the table or conservatory. The flowers in a cut state are quaint and graceful, and the leaves are even more useful; these may be cut with long stalks and stood in vases in twos and threes without any other dressing, or, when desired, a few large flowers may be added for a change, such as a panicle of _Spiraea aruncus_, a large sunflower, or a spike or two of gladioli. Leaves so cut may be used for weeks; after they have become dusty they may be sponged, when they will appear fresh, like new-cut ones.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 40. FUNKIA SIEBOLDII.

(One-eighth natural size.)]

In the propagation of this plant certain rules should be observed, otherwise the stock of young plants will prove stunted and bad in colour. Do not divide any but strong and healthy clumps, taking care not to damage more roots than can be helped; do not divide too severely, but let each part be a strong piece of several crowns, and after this they should be allowed to make three years' growth in a good, rich, deep soil before they are again disturbed, and thereby the stock will not only be of a vigorous character, but always fit for use in the most decorative parts of the garden.

Flowering period, July to September.

Galanthus Elwesii.

ELWES'S GALANTHUS _or_ SNOWDROP; _Nat. Ord._ AMARYLLIDACEae.

This is a splendid species or variety, whichever it may be, said to be the finest of all the Snowdrops; it is a new kind and not yet much known. My impressions of it last spring were not in accordance with such reports, but I ought to add that, though the bulbs were fresh when sent me, they had only been planted less than a year, when they flowered somewhat feebly.

Flowering period, February and March.

All the Snowdrops may be propagated by seed or division of crowded clumps--after all the tops have died off is the proper time; the longer the delay, the worse for next season's bloom, as new root action sets in about that period.

Galanthus Imperati.

IMPERIAL SNOWDROP; _Nat. Ord._ AMARYLLIDACEae.

I have only recently flowered this kind. It is said by Mr. W. Robinson to be double the size of _G. nivalis_, which estimate is probably correct, judging from the blooms which I have obtained. With me the bulbs seem either not to have a happy home, or they may have suffered from the vicissitudes of transport from the genial climate of Italy. The publisher of this book informs me that he flowered _G. imperati_ the first year in the open borders, from some bulbs procured from Messrs.

Collins Bros., and that the blossoms were highly scented, as of elder flowers.

Flowering period, February and March.

Galanthus Nivalis.

COMMON SNOWDROP, EARLY BULBOUS VIOLET, _and_ FAIR MAIDS OF FEBRUARY; _Nat. Ord._ AMARYLLIDACEae.

One of the most charming members of the British flora; a native of our fields and orchards, so beautiful as to be beyond description, and, fortunately, so common as to need none (see Fig. 41). It belongs to a n.o.ble order of bulbous plants, the genera of which are numerous, as are the species too, in perhaps an increased proportion. Comparatively few are hardy in our climate, and very few indeed are natives of this country, so that in this respect the Snowdrop, if not a rare flower, is a rare representative in our flora of the order _Amaryllidaceae_.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 41. GALANTHUS NIVALIS.

(One-half natural size.)]

It may be useful to give a few of the better-known genera to which _Galanthus_ is so nearly related: _Amaryllis_, _Nerine_, _Crinum_, _Vallota_, _Pancratium_, _Alstroemeria_, and _Narcissus_. The last-named genus is more nearly allied than any of the other genera mentioned; not only does it resemble the Galanthus in style, early period of bloom, and habit of becoming double, but also for the general hardiness of its species, a feature not usual in their order.

The literal meaning of the generic name is "Milk Flower." The t.i.tle with such a pleasing reference was given by Linnaeus. The specific name--meaning white--may, for two reasons, seem unnecessary; first, because milk is white, and again, because no other than white-flowered species are known. All the three common names are happy ones: "Snowdrop"

and "Fair Maids of February" are appropriate both to the season and a pretty flower; "Bulbous Violet" pleasantly alludes to its sweetness; all are poetical, as if this lovely flower had the same effect on the different minds of those (including Linnaeus) who first gave them. A dropped name for the Snowdrop was that of "Gilloflower"; Theophrastus, the father of natural history, gave it the name of "Violet" (_Viola alba_ or _V. bulbosa_)--that would be 2100 years ago! The bulbs should be planted by thousands; they will grow anywhere and in any kind of soil; the demand for their blossom is ever increasing, and Snowdrops, as everybody knows, are always in place, on the gra.s.s, border, or window sill, or for table; they may be used as emblems of either grief or joy; they are sweetly pure and attractive, without showiness.

Flowering period, February to April.

Galanthus Plicatus.

FOLDED GALANTHUS; _Nat. Ord_. AMARYLLIDACAae.

A species from the Crimea; compared with our native kind, it is larger in the gra.s.s, having also other, but very slight, points of difference.

The main one is implied by its name, "plicatus," or folded; its leaves are furrowed, which causes it to have a folded appearance.

Culture and flowering period, the same as for the other species.

Galanthus Redoutei.

REDOUTE'S GALANTHUS; _Nat. Ord._ AMARYLLIDACEae.

This is by far the most distinct form, having broad gra.s.s-green foliage.

It is somewhat late in flowering (during March and April), and not so free as others.

Galax Aphylla.

_Syn._ BLANDFORDIA CORDATA; HEART-LEAVED GALAX; _Nat.

Ord._ PYROLACEae.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 42. GALAX APHYLLA.

(One-sixth natural size; 1, natural size.)]