MONTBRETIAS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 92, 20 April 1939, Page 25

MONTBRETIAS

The common varieties of these bulbous plfhts are liable to become somewhat of a weed, spreading rapidly by underground stolons. For this reason many gardeners refuse to have anything to do with them. But the modern introductions are in every way superior and are no trouble to keep within bounds, in fact in some cases it would be appreciated if they would multiply more rapidly.

Another complaint against montbretias is that they do not flower freely enough; but in the great majority of cases this is the fault of the grower.

To get realb good results the plants should be lifted every second year, being divided and replanted 6 inches apart. The younger growths should be retained as the old bulbs are useless. Given good average garden soil and kept moist during the growing period they will give good returns.

Of the modern varieties perhaps the best is His Majesty, which produces sprays of blooms of a velvety wallflower brown shading to soft gold in the centre, each individual bloom being up to 3 inches across.

This variety is a good "doer" and multiplies fairly freely.

"Star of the East" is a deep yellow self with star-shaped flowers, very attractive but more difficult to manage and multiplying very slowly.