THE HOME FLORIST. 



ANEMONE (Hardy Tuber). 



Although generally known as a hardy tuberous plant, the Anemone Hortensis is not suffi- 

 ciently so to render it safe to plant them out in the open ground in the fall along with Hyacinths 

 and the other hardy bulbs. By keeping them out of the ground and at the earliest opportunity 

 in the spring planting them in a bed prepared the fall previous, and that has been kept 

 covered, they will succeed very well, and will flower from April until July. The flowers are 

 produced on erect stems, six to nine inches in height, in both double and single varieties ; they 

 are of the most brilliant colors with beautiful marks and stripes. Plant the tubers, which have 

 a curious appearance, resembling ginger roots, about six inches apart and three inches deep. 

 After they have produced their flowers for the season, and the leaves turn yellow, the roots may 

 be taken up, dried in the shade and put away for planting again. 



ANEMONE JAPONICA (Hardy Perennial). This is a very desirable hardy plant, introduced 

 from Japan. There are several varieties A. Rubra, with red flowers, and A. Alba white, being 

 the most commonly cultivated. The flowers of these are almost two inches in diameter, and are 

 produced in great profusion for a long time the latter part of summer and in autumn ; the plants 

 attain a height of two feet. There are different varieties of wild or wood Anemones found grow- 

 ing in various portions of the United States and Europe, which are very attractive among other 

 early wild flowers. 



ANIMATED OATS (Hardy Annual). 



Among those vegetable growths which partake of a curious character, the seed of this plant 

 is prominent and interesting. Of itself it has a strong resemblance to an insect with long cricket- 

 like legs, and being bearded and covered with spurs, all pointing in one direction, it will throw 

 itself ahead with a darting, springing motion sufficiently life-like in appearance to be deceptive 

 if laid upon a paper which is being agitated ; or if the seeds are moistened, so sensitive are 

 their strong beards to alternations of dryness and moisture, that they will twist and keep the 

 seed in motion, resembling an insect crawling on the ground. Sow in the open ground. 



ANTIRRHINUM SNAP-DRAGON (Hardy -Herbaceous Perennial). 



I class the Antirrhinum among hardy perennials because it is of perennial habit, and will 

 survive our winters with protection, although it is not to be entirely relied upon in this respect, 

 as some seasons it will die out. It is, however, grown so readily from seed, sown either in the 

 latter part of summer or early in the spring, in the frame or hot-bed or in the open ground, that 

 there is no necessity of keeping up the old plants. Flowers freely the first season from the seed, and 

 better the second, if the flowers are removed as fast as they appear the first season. The flowers 

 are bright and attractive, appearing for a long time and until cold weather ; also easily propaga- 

 ted by cuttings, and stock plants can be kept over in a cold-pit until February or March, and 

 then started into growth to form shoots for this purpose. Among the Antirrhinums are the tall 

 (two feet high), dwarf (one foot high) and Tom Thumb (six inches high) sections, the following 

 being some of the most distinct varieties : 



A. Album, pure white, both tall and dwarf. A. Brilliant, crimson and white, both tall and 

 dwarf. A. Ddila, carmine, white thi-oat. A. Firefly, orange scarlet, white throat, both tall 

 and dwarf. A. Papillon, scarlet, white and yellow, both tall and dwarf. A. Purpureum, deep 

 bright purple ; dwarf. A. Striatum, beautifully striped ; tall, dwarf and Tom Thumb. 



AQUILEGIA COLUMBINE (Hardy Herbaceous Perennial). 



A family of plants that flower the first part of the season, some varieties of which are well 

 known, the old garden Honeysuckle being one of these. They may be propagated by dividing 

 the roots, or some of the varieties by seed. 



A. Ccerulea, a beautiful variety recently introduced from the Rocky mountains, and which is 

 entitled to be generally cultivated. In England I see it is declared to be " not only the Queen 

 of Columbines, but even the most beautiful of all hardy herbaceous plants." The color is a 

 delicate blue, with distinct white center, and the remarkably long spurs give the flower an 

 appearance both singular and striking. 



ASTER (Hardy Annual). 



The Aster is one of the grandest families of seed-grown plants that can be cultivated. There 

 are tall growing varieties two to three feet in height, and from these, different varieties range 

 variously in height, all the way down to the very dwarf, not more than eight inches high, and 

 which spreads out so as to present the appearance of a bouquet of flowers set in the ground. 

 The flowers are of the most attractive, as well as delicate, colors, including pure white, and 

 present quite a variety of forms, many of them being very large and double to the center. The 

 seed may be started early in the hot-bed, cold-frame, or seed-bed, as the young plants transplant 

 readily, or it may be sown in the open ground directly where they are to flower. Transplant the 

 large varieties to about ten inches apart, and the dwarf from that down to six. The tall varie- 

 ties should be supported by stakes in summer to prevent the rain from bending or breaking 

 them down. 



A. Bouquet, JVhvesf Dwarf, a very fine acquisition, each plant looks like a bouquet of 

 flowers ; eight inches. A. Bouquet, Divarf Pyramidal, ten inches high, and an early and abun- 

 dant bloomer. A. Chrysanthemum-flowered, Dwarf Double, a splendid variety of dwarf com- 



