32 PAP AVERAGES. 



N. odorata {Sweet White Water-Lily). — A North American 

 species, of which I have no experience in the north, but which 

 succeeds well along with other hardy Water-Lilies in southern 

 counties. The leaves are round, deeply heart-shaped, with 

 open spreading lobes. Flowers in July and August. 



PAPAVERACE^. 



This order does not include many plants of much ornamental 

 value. It is far more famous for its medicinal qualities than 

 for floricultural importance, yet it includes not a few plants re- 

 markable for producing large strikingly-showy flowers, some 

 indeed imposingly brilliant, and handsomely-formed or inter- 

 esting leaves. The flowers, however, in most cases, are of a 

 somewhat fleeting character, but it should be stated that many 

 of the best produce a very prolonged succession of bloom, 

 which handsomely compensates for the brief duration of indi- 

 vidual flowers. The larger number of the species are either 

 annual or biennial plants, and do not therefore invite our atten- 

 tion at present \ but some of the perennials are so distinctive 

 and handsome in character, that, notwithstanding the short 

 duration of the flowers, no really good collection of hardy per- 

 ennial plants can be considered complete without a few of them 

 in its ranks, and only a few of the best are here selected. As 

 a rule, all the Papaveraceae luxuriate best in light rich gritty 

 loam ; but the soil should be Vv^ell drained, whatever its texture 

 or components may be. Propagation is eftected by division in 

 spring, or by seeds. The latter method, in the majority of cases, 

 is the best, because, owing to the thick fleshy root-stock which 

 most of the larger-growing Poppyworts form, division is not 

 always a safe or successful process. Sow the seeds in March, 

 in small pots, in a cold frame or in slight heat. Only two or 

 three seeds may be sown in each pot. It is characteristic of 

 the order generally that the plants at first make only a tap- 

 root, which, when broken — and it is not easily avoided in 

 the process of pricking off, should it be necessary to resort 

 to it — does not readily emit fibres or repair itself; it is better, 

 therefore, to sow very thinly in small pots, and afterwards to 

 thin away the weaker plants, leaving only one or two of the 

 strongest to occupy the pot, and be potted on if necessary, 

 before finally turning it out into the place it is to occupy in 

 the open ground. 



