Of the rose varieties, the “Opal” and the “Rose” are undoubtedly the finest. The former is the more beautiful in colour, but the blossoms are rather thin and straggling.
The old _Rubrum_ is the best of the red varieties. It is the most prolific of all the varieties.
The deepest coloured of all is a Japanese variety, _Melpomone_. This is a very fine big flower. Its colour is blood-crimson, spotted and bordered with white. The exterior of the blossoms is pale pink. _Rubro-Cruentum_ and _Purpureum_ are other fine purple varieties. They differ very slightly from _Melpomone_.
Some forms of _L. Speciosum_ in which the stem splits into two or three parts are called monstrous or corymbiform varieties. There are white, red, and purple monstrous forms. They are inferior to the ordinary varieties.
But little need be said of the cultivation of _L. Speciosum_. Where _L. Auratum_ will grow, _L. Speciosum_ will grow; and it will grow in most places where _L. Auratum_ will not grow. It likes a peaty soil with plenty of sand. Water must be given freely during growth.
_L. Speciosum_ makes an excellent pot plant, and is grown by many people in their conservatories. In fact, it shares the honour with _Lilium Harrisii_ of being the only lily commonly grown under glass. As a cut flower it is very useful.
Just a word about cutting lilies. Never cut the stem down near the ground. Always leave about twenty leaves, else the bulb may suffer.
If you are going to bring lilies up to town from the country, cut the buds off just before they open. These stand less risk of damage in moving, and they will open perfectly if placed in water.
Cut lilies are thirsty plants and need a lot of water. They last from one to two weeks if plentifully watered, but die almost immediately when water is withheld. We have before warned you against spoiling your lilies by removing the anthers.
A lovely little lily is _Lilium Krameri_. The delicate pink of its blossoms, its slender growth, its early flowering, and its fragrance render it worthy of a place in every garden.
Like most of the lilies we have described, _L. Krameri_ hails from Japan. In most particulars it resembles a little _L. Auratum_, but its flowers are totally different from any other species. They are about four inches across, of a waxy white to deep blush pink colour. The anthers are brown.