LILY DAFFODIL; a genus of the monogynous order, belonging to the hexandria class of plants.
Species. 1. The lutea, or autumnal narcissus. This is usually sold by gardeners, along with colchicums, for autumnal ornaments to gardens. For this purpose it is very proper, as it will keep flowering from the beginning of September to the middle of November, provided the frost is not so severe as to destroy the flowers. Although there is but one flower in each cover, yet there is a succession of flowers from the same root, especially when they are suffered to remain three or four years unremoved. The flowers seldom rise above three or four inches high. They are shaped somewhat like the flowers of the yellow crocus; the green leaves come up at the same time, like the saffron; and, after the flowers are past, the leaves increase all the winter. The roots are bulbous, and shaped like those of the narcissus; so are proper ornaments for such borders as are planted with cyclamens, saffron, autumnal crocus, colchicums, and such low autumnal flowers. 2. The alta- Amaryllis masco, or atamasco lily, is a native of Virginia and Carolina, where it grows plentifully in the fields and woods, making a very beautiful appearance when in flower. The flowers of this sort are produced single; and, at their first appearance, have a fine carnation colour on the outside; but this fades away to a pale, or almost white colour, before they decay. The flowers of this sort are almost as large as those of the small orange-lily, but do not grow above six or eight inches high. They appear the latter end of May, or beginning of June, or sometimes it flowers in August in this country.
3. The formosissima, or jacobea lily, produces its flowers two or three times in a year, without being regular to any season. The flowers are of a deep red, the under petals very large, and the whole flower stands nodding on one side of the stalk, making a beautiful appearance. The stems of these flowers are produced from the sides of the bulbs; so that when the flowers produced on one side are decayed, another stalk arises from the other side of the bulb; but there is no more than one flower produced on the same stalk. When the roots are in vigour, flowers will be produced from March to the beginning of September.
4. The farnienis, or Guernsey lily, is supposed to have come originally from Japan, but has been many years cultivated in the gardens of Guernsey and Jersey; in both which places they seem to thrive as well as if it was their native country, and from these islands their roots are sent annually to the curious in most parts of Europe. The flowers of this species are admired for the richness of their colour, which is commonly red, though they have no scent. They appear towards the end of September; and, if properly managed, will continue a month in beauty. The roots of these plants do not flower again the succeeding year, as is the case with many other bulbs; but if their bulbs contain two buds in their centre, which is often the case, they frequently flower twice in three years; after which the same individual root does not flower again in several years, but only the offsets from it.
5. The regina, or belladonna lily, is a native of Portugal, where it was formerly cultivated in great plenty; but of late it has been supplanted by the jacobea lily, so that the roots which have been brought from that country for some time past, for the belladonna, have generally proved the jacobea lily. This kind, if properly managed, will sometimes put out two or three stems, growing near three feet high, and produce many flowers in each umbel, which make a fine appearance during the month of October.
6. The belladonna, or Mexican lily, seldom rises more than one foot high; each stem supporting two, three, or four flowers, but rarely more than that number. The flowers are of a bright copper colour, inclining to red; the spathe or sheath, which covers the buds before they open, divides into two parts to the bottom, standing on each side the umbel of the flowers, joined to the small footstalks.
7. The longiflora, with many flowers in one cover, produces, in each umbel, a great number of flowers, which appear in December; on which account they are the more valuable, there being few flowers at that season. They are of a deep purple colour; but the stalk, which supports them, seldom rises to more than three or four inches high.
The roots of this species are large, and the leaves long and narrow.
8. The zeylanica, or Ceylon lily, is a native of the West Indies, and usually flowers in June. Sometimes the same root will flower again in autumn, but the flowers are of no long duration.
9. The ciliaris, or African scarlet lily, seldom flowers in Britain. The leaves are long and narrow, not unlike the snowdrop. The roots are small; the petals of the flower turn back, like those of the Guernsey lily; but are of a lighter colour, inclining to scarlet.
10. The vernalis, or spring yellow lily narcissus, grows naturally in Spain and Portugal, where it flowers early in January. In this country it flowers in April and the beginning of May; but the flowers are of no long duration. It was formerly kept in several curious gardens; but as it flowers at a season when there are so many finer kinds in beauty, it was neglected, so that it is at present almost lost in Britain.
11. The orientalis, or lily daffodil, with leaves shaped like a tongue. This is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. The bulbs of the root are large and almost round; the leaves long, broad, and rounded at their extremities; these spread two ways on the surface of the ground, and do not come up till after the flower-stem appears, which is generally in November. After the flowers are past, the leaves increase till spring, and in May they begin to decay; so that from the middle of June to October, the roots are entirely destitute of leaves.
12. The capensis, with three leaves in one cover. This is also a native of Africa. The stems rise near two feet high, and have commonly three flowers inclosed in each sheath or cover. The flowers appear in February and March. They are as large as those of the belladonna lily, and of the same form, but of a deeper red colour. The leaves are long and narrow; have a hollow furrow on their upper side, where there is a pale stripe running the length of the leaves; and are very like those of the American pancratium. These leaves decay in summer, about the same time as those of the former, and appear again at the same season.
Culture. The first sort is very hardy, and will thrive in almost any soil or situation; but will succeed best in a fresh light dry soil, and not too near the dripping of trees, or too near walls. It increases very fast by offsets, by which all the other species are also to be propagated. These roots may be transplanted any time from May to the end of July; after which it will be too late to remove them.—The second kind is likewise hardy enough to thrive in the open air in Britain, provided the roots are planted in a warm situation, and in a dry soil.—The jacobea ought to be kept in a moderate stove all winter; in which case it will send forth plenty of offsets, that will produce vigorous plants.—The roots of the Guernsey lily are generally brought over in June and July; but the sooner they are taken out of the ground after the leaves decay, the better; for, although the roots which are taken up when their flower-stems begin to appear, will flower; yet their flowers will not be so large, nor will their roots be near so good after, as those which were removed before they sent forth fresh fibres.
When these roots come over, they should be planted in pots filled with fresh, light, sandy earth, mixed with a little very rotten dung, and placed in a warm situation, observing now and then to refresh the earth with water; but by no means let them have too much wet, which would rot their roots, especially before they come up. About the middle of September, such of the roots as are strong enough to flower, will begin to show the bud of their flower-stem; therefore these pots ought to be removed into a situation where they may have the benefit of the sun, and be sheltered from strong winds; but by no means place them too near a wall, nor under glases, as this would draw them up weak, and render them less beautiful. At this season they should be gently refreshed with water, if the weather be warm and dry; but if wet, they should be screened from it.
When the flowers begin to open, the pots should be removed under shelter, to prevent the flowers from being injured by too much wet: but they must not be kept too close, nor placed in a situation too warm, as this would occasion their colour to be less lively, and hasten their decay.—After the flowers are decayed, the green leaves will begin to shoot forth in length; and, if sheltered from severe cold, will continue growing all winter: but they must have as much free air as possible in mild weather, and are to be covered only in great rains or frosts. For this purpose, a common hot-bed frame is the most proper shelter for them; the glases of which may be taken off every day in dry open weather, which will encourage the leaves to grow strong and broad. The roots should be transplanted every fourth or fifth year, toward the end of June, or beginning of July; the offsets also should be taken off, and planted in pots, where in three years time they will produce flowers.
The other species of the amaryllis may easily be raised by taking care to shelter them in a stove from the winter's cold.