Cyclamens — Dicentras — Dieramas — Eranthis — Eremuruses — Erythroniums — Eucomises

Cyclamens

The hardy Cyclamens or Sowbreads are charming little flowers which grow well under the shade of trees or in the rock-garden. They like a rich, but light soil, with a few stones mixed with it, and to be planted an inch or two beneath the surface. The earliest and one of the best is C. Coum, which has pretty crimson flowers about January. There are a pleasing white variety and a few other colours such as rose and lilac. Libanoticum is later and has large flowers and leaves. Ibericum succeeds these, and the Atkinsi varieties are very beautiful, in various shades from white to purple. Cilicicum and alpinum are tiny little species with red or white flowers and small leaves, and are best suited for the rock-garden. EuropÆum, red or lilac, in August, is more difficult to grow, but likes shade and partial covering with a low carpeting plant. The best of the late species is neapolitanum, or hederÆfolium, which has prettily marked leaves succeeding the red or white flowers which come in autumn. These plants can be raised from seeds sown as soon as ripe, or in spring.

Dicentras

A few of the tuberous-rooted Dicentras or Dielytras deserve mention here. Among them are Cucullaria, white and yellow, and about three inches high; and spectabilis, a well-known and handsome plant, which needs shelter from cold spring winds. They like a light, peaty soil and some shade.

Dieramas

The known species of Dierama, known in gardens as Sparaxis, are pendula and pulcherrimum. Both are graceful hardy flowers with long stems, arching over and bearing many loosely hanging bells of various shades of purple, and even white. The one mostly seen in British gardens is pulcherrimum, which has stems from four to six feet long; pendula being a little less robust. They are rather difficult to establish, and like to be planted under stones. Plant in spring about four inches deep.

Eranthis, Winter Aconite

The Eranthis or Winter Aconite would receive more attention were it not so cheap, but it should be largely planted in moist and shady places, which it brightens up early in the season. Either in the border, rock-garden, or grass, it is very effective when in a mass. It may be grown from seed. The species generally grown is Eranthis hyemalis, but recently a species, named E. cilicicus, which blooms later, and has deeper coloured flowers, with a less ornamental "ruff," has been introduced. It is scarcely so hardy as E. hyemalis. The Winter Aconite will grow in almost any soil which does not become too dry. It should be as short a time out of the soil as possible.

Eremuruses

The Eremuri are among the noblest of our hardy flowers with tuberous roots, and are exceedingly ornamental with their magnificent spikes of flower. They may be planted in autumn or in spring, though the first is the better time, unless the plants are in pots. There is much difference of opinion among growers regarding their requirements in the way of sun or shade. Much depends upon the gardens, and the writer has seen plants equally good with a north or north-west aspect, and in other places with a due south exposure. In the latter case, however, there is more danger from spring frosts. The crown should be about two inches beneath the surface, and the soil should be light and rich, although it may have a hard bottom. Protect with dry litter, and keep a good lookout for slugs when growth begins. Cover if there is danger of frost in spring, and give plenty of water during the growing period.

The best blooming species, and among the most beautiful, is E. himalaicus, with white flowers, and sometimes eight feet high, but generally less. Robustus, with its variety elwesianus, grow taller, and have charming flesh-coloured flowers. OlgÆ, with whitish flowers, is very beautiful, and Bungei is among the best of the yellow species, though caucasicus and spectabilis are also good yellow Eremuri.

Erythroniums

The Erythroniums or Dog's Tooth Violets are delightful little spring flowers, which are becoming increasingly appreciated. All are very beautiful, their marbled or mottled foliage adding to their other attractions. Some of the Dutch named sorts, such as Blanca, Von Humboldt, Rubens, Rouge Trappeuse, &c., are of a large size, and are very pleasing. The colours of the common Dens-canis vary from white to rose and purple or violet, and all the plants do well in the border, but better still in grass. In warm gardens they do best in shade, but in others they require sun. The American Erythroniums are very beautiful, but should generally have a sunnier place than the others. They like a rather light soil, but americanum, which has yellow flowers, prefers one of a heavier nature, and, to induce flowering, should have its roots in a confined space. Albidum has whitish flowers; giganteum has from one to six whitish flowers with a yellow base and mottled leaves; grandiflorum has from three to ten yellow flowers on a stem, and unmottled leaves; and nuttallianum has a shorter stem with smaller flowers than the last, of which it is a variety.

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.