Evening star., 1941-10-04

hyemalis is the best known. while
E. siberica, a dwarfed flower, has
the better color.
Trout lilies and dog tooth violets
are common names for the cry
throniums. lovely, snowy native.
The eastern species do not flower
as we'll as the western species, nor
is there as great a range in the
colors. Give them a moist. woodsy
soil and they will make a fine addi-
ton to the shady Wild-fioWer gar
den. A combination of ferns, Vir-
ginia bluebells CMertensia virgin
ica) and trout lilies is very effective
Buy the western species for best
results-E. Californicum, E. hem
dersoni, E hartWegi and E. revolu-
tum johnSoni.
Some gardeners delight in the
queerly marked flowers of the
guinea hen flower-Fritillaria me-
leagris They are hardy and when
happily situated will last for many
years. They are not profuSe bloom
erS, and those that do come are a
bit late Clate April. but some Of
the less common species are attrac-
tive and well worth growing F.
meleagriS alba, a pure white FORM
is good, and reports indicate that
some of the newer varieties are
excellent, although I have not seen
them in local gardens. Plant in
light shade or, better still. where
they receive the morning sun.
The crown imperial - Fritillaria
imperaliS-often eXciteS the imagi-
nation of amateur gardeners. And
why not? The tall stem tipped with
clusters of brilliant flowers does
sound attractive. Unfortunately it
seems to be a bit finicky and will
not grow unless happily situated.
There are, some colonies that are
Towering freely after several years,
while others report not one flower
from a bulb However, if you try
them in the shrub border and plant
the large bulbs on their sides in a
deep. rich soil you may be well re-
paid for your effort.
The snowdrops are well known to
local gardeners, who usually plant
them with the glory Of the snow
in a protected situation. where they
may enjoy their early bloom. They
do we'll almost anywhere, although
in a cool, moist situation they pro-
duce the finer flowers. Galanthus
nivalis and G. elwesii are the most
commonly planted species. and
there are several varieties for the
ck-garden fan.
The bulbous iris are gaining In
popularity, as the flowers are quite
snowy and relatively inexpensive
Plant them in full sun in groups
or in the cutting garden. Late
planting is recommended for the
Dutch and English iris, since they
tend to start into growth in the
fall, and freeze injury to the foliage
may reduce their vitality. The
English iris may be better adapted
to local soils than the Dutch. al
though the latter are more widely
planted. Suggested varieties OF
NDutch iris are yellow queen, pogon-
GEEK, ana Its IeIlCuldld 10 d NCiS
early Towering dwarf species thai
needs a very dry situation during
the summer. Perhaps the safest
way is to dig them after the foliage
dies down, replanting in the fall
This is the best treatment fol
all of the dubious iris. They like
and do well in sandy soil. Plan
the English iris on the heavier soils
There are other dubious iris thai
are often recommended. and the
experimentally inclined may fine
some very worth while.
Summer snowflake is delightful
tall-growing flower that is well suit
ed to the shady border. Leucojun
aestivum is the best known. bu
there are others that might be in
teresting if available. The pendu'
liant bells with green dots at th'
tip of each petal make them dis
tinctive.
Muscari or grape hyacinth, a
they are commonly called, alway
interest visitors, who speak OF then
as though they were something nev
and difficult. They are Of the easi
est culture and naturalize well o