HARDY BULB VARIETIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19892, 10 March 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

HARDY BULB VARIETIES.

JfXIAS AND KINDRED SORTS. i Jjias, babianas, sparaxias and tritonias -re all exceedingly attractive-flowering easily-grown, hardy bulbs. Tliey require to be planted in gronps or cluraps, placing the bulbs at a depth of 2m. < and the same distance apart. The ixia is a slender, graceful plant, comprising many distinctive and attractive varieties. They are all natives of South Africa. Babianas range in colour from blue to jnagneta-crimson and are set oil by dark green, hairy foliage. They flower late and form an important succession. Tritonias are of a compact dwarf habit *>f growth, producing beautiful and richlycoloured blossoms. They are suitable |or planting along the sides of walks. 'Sparaxias are also of dwarf habit, and comprise several beautiful shades. All the above are natives of South Africa. For convenience in cultivating the ground, they are better taken up annually and stored for planting about the present time. BULBOUS ibises. The numerous varieties comprising the Spanish and English section of the iris family are remarkable for their quaintly- . foimed flowers and the many beautiful (colours that are blended in them. They |are very hardy and are easy to cultivate, provided the bulbs are not kept too long out of the ground. Consequently they should be planted this jconth, otherwise they are likely to shrivel. Arranged in clumps or groups in the mixed border, placing the bulbs 3in. apart and 2io. deep, they make an effective display. They should not be taken up more ♦Kan is necessary. Attach a label or stick to each clump to denote its whereabouts. There are several other beautiful species bud varieties of iris belonging to the bulbous section, notably the beautiful flowering tingitana, the Tangerian iris, that re-, quires special treatment in taking up and drying o£E and in late planting to ensure its flowering. All varieties are greatly prized for cut flowers. VARIETIES Off TULIPS. Tulips are among the most beautiful and highly-prized of hardy bulbous plants. Many hundreds of named varieties are catalogued, including early single and klouble flowered. Tulips are extremely hardy and of easy culture. Double and single-flowered mixed together, planting ■the bulbs about sin. apart and. *sin. deep, and placing a little sand around each, produce a gorgeous effect ■with their brilliant and many-coloured flowers. Tho bulbs should be taken iip annually after tho foliage has ripened off. For »ot culture tulips are most effective Place from 3to 5 good sized bulbs ®in a sin. pot in a compost of two parts loam to one of light manure, with some jpand intermixed.