1 6 RANUNCULACE^. 



September or October. Native of Tartary. Height from 2 to 

 3 feet. 



D. sinense flore-pleno is like the species in all respects 

 save the double flowers. 



D. Wheeleri. — This is one of the most striking and effective 

 in the group. It grows about 4 feet high, producing immense 

 racemes of bright-blue flowers. Flowers in June, July, and 

 August. 



Eranthis hyemalis, syn. Helleborus hyemalis. — This, the 

 well-known and admired Winter Aconite, needs no description. 

 It is one of the earHest and hardiest of spring flowers, throwing 

 up its pretty yellow blossoms often under the melting snow, 

 and continuing five or six weeks in flower, appearing first usu- 

 ally in February, but earlier or later accordingly as the weather 

 is mild or rigorous. It is indispensable in the spring flower- 

 garden as an edging, or in masses associated with other colours, 

 and may be introduced anywhere it is thought proper. It 

 flourishes almost as well in dense shade as in open exposure, 

 and in any kind of soil. Few plants may be naturalised with 

 less trouble and expense. It is invaluable for town and sub- 

 urban gardens, caring less for dust and smoke than most plants. 

 Its tuberous roots multiply rapidly, and furnish ample means 

 for annual increase. It is the only species known in cultiva- 

 tion. Native of Italy. 



Helleborus. — The well-known Christmas Rose is a familiar 

 type of this group. It is not numerous in species, and few 

 have any striking pretensions to floral efiect; but most of them^ 

 bloom at a season when flowers are so rare that even common- 

 place things become valuable. The structure of the flowers, 

 too, is pecuHar and interesting ; and this, to those who look 

 deeper than the surface characteristics of colour and foma, is 

 no slight recommendation. They grow freely in any ordinary 

 soil, provided the situation be moderately moist and shady. 

 Their natural preference for shady places renders them very 

 fit subjects for the purpose of naturalisation in open woods, 

 in glades, and among shrubs. In such positions they usually 

 come earlier into flower than when planted in more exposed 

 places ; but by planting in different aspects a more prolonged 

 succession of flower may be kept up. Propagate by division 

 in autumn, or immediately after the flowering season is over. 

 They should not be often disturbed. 



H. atrorubens (yDark-pw-pk Helkbo^r). — This species grows 

 from I foot to 18 inches high, with strong, somewhat angular 

 stems, clothed with tough, leathery, pale-green, lobed and 

 stalked leaves, the lower ones on long stalks, and much larger 



