LAY-OUT OF STATELY GARDENS 307 



mouse and flower-picking sparrow do not interfere 

 with nature. Crocuses may be propagated from seed 

 sown as soon as ripe in light, sandy soil in pans, of 

 pots. They reach their flowering stage in three 

 years." 



CROW-FLOWERS. Some authorities, as we 

 have seen, identify crow-flowers as the buttercup; 

 others, as S cilia nutans. The buttercup is easy to 

 raise in almost any soil. As it should be represented, 

 it is well to put it in the rock-garden. See Harebell. 



CROWN-IMPERIAL. This plant, which the 

 people of Shakespeare's time valued so highly, is 

 rare in our gardens. The popularity of the flower 

 decreased because of its unpleasant odor; but no 

 Shakespeare garden can be without at least one rep- 

 resentative because of Perdita's words. The Crown- 

 Imperial is a very showy plant and makes a splendid 

 effect if planted in groups. It also looks well among 

 shrubs and in a border. The blossoms appear in 

 March, April, and May, and are very handsome as 

 to shape and color. The bell-shaped flowers, 

 orange-red or reddish-orange, droop gracefully be- 

 neath an upright crown of leaves. When the foliage 

 turns brown, the plant can be cut down. Propagate 

 by offsets in deep, rich, well-drained soil, and divide 

 every two or three years. 



