SPARAXIS

See instructions under Ixia at page 338.





TIGRIDIA, or FERRARIA



The short-lived blossoms of the Tiger Flower are most gorgeously

painted, and differ from everything else of the great family of Irids to

which they belong. Much finer flowers are produced in the border than

when grown in pots, and they present great variety, scarcely any two

amongst hundreds showing flowers exactly alike. The usual time of

planting outdoors is March or April, at a depth of three or four inches,

and the flowers appear in June. Sandy loam and peaty soils are

especially suitable. Although Tigridias are not quite hardy they will on

a dry border pass the winter securely beneath a protection of litter.

But where the soil is damp it is safer to lift them in October and store

in the same manner as Gladioli. A bed of Tigridias makes an agreeable

ornament in front of the window of a breakfast-room, as the flowers are

in a brilliant state in the early hours of the day.