G. plicatus, the Crimean Snowdrop, is troublesome because of the unaccountable way in which it often disappears. It is, however, so fine and distinct, with its revolute leaves, that it should be tried. Hybrids between it and G. Elwesii are often hardier than either of the parents. G. byzantinus may be a hybrid of this parentage.
It is needless to refer to the cultivation of the Snowdrop further than to say that it seems to do best planted in the grass, and that it is much finer in a rather moist, peaty soil. When grown in pots it should not have much heat.
Galtonia, or Hyacinthus, candicans is the best of the three species which constitute the genus. It is a noble plant, whose white, drooping bells look remarkably handsome, especially when associated with such plants as the scarlet Gladiolus brenchleyensis. It should be planted in spring, about six inches deep. Although hardy in most gardens, in some it must be lifted and stored in winter, or well protected with dry ashes or litter.
While the magnificent hybrid Gladioli are not hardy in the greater number of gardens, and are therefore referred to along with half-hardy bulbs, it will be found desirable to attempt their cultivation in warm localities as hardy flowers, planting deeply and giving them a little protection in the way of a mulch of dry litter in autumn, and removing it in spring. We have, however, a few species which are quite hardy, although some are the better of a little protection for the first winter. The hardiest of these is Gladiolus byzantinus, a species with small, rosy-purple flowers, but the following others may also be grown as ordinary border flowers: communis, segetum, serotinus, illyricus, and neglectus. Then the varieties of the early-flowering Gladioli named in catalogues may be accounted almost hardy on light dry soils, especially if protected for a winter after being planted. Such forms as Colvillei, The Bride, and almost all the other early bloomers are amenable to this treatment. Plant them about six inches deep in a sunny position.
The Day Lilies are very ornamental plants, although their usefulness in the garden is reduced by the individual blooms only lasting for the one day. The number available for gardens has been increased by varieties raised by hybridisation and cross-breeding, and some of these are of much value. Auriantiaca major, a fine plant introduced within the last few years, is shy in flowering and wants a good soil and a warm, sunny position. It has rich orange flowers. The others grow in a sunny position in ordinary soil. Dumortieri, orange, brown outside, grows about one foot high; flava has pretty yellow blooms, on stems about two feet high, in June; fulva is taller, and has more coppery flowers. There are double-flowered and variegated-leaved varieties of fulva, the form fl.-pl. variegata being very fine. Middendorfii has orange flowers, and is about one foot high; Thunbergi resembles flava, but blooms a month later. Minor, or graminea, is of dwarf habit, and has yellow flowers. Hybrid, or seedling forms of merit are Apricot, Dr Regel, Flamid, Frances, luteola, and Sovereign.