OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 13 



be established, it must prove one of the most useful flowers, and 

 to possess such charming winter blossom is worth much effort in 

 affording it suitable conditions. The soil should be rich, light, 

 and well drained, as sandy loam, and if mixed with plenty of 

 leaf soil all the better. The position should be sheltered, other- 

 wise this native of warm countries will have its early leaves and 

 flowers damaged by the wintry blast, and the evil does not stop 

 there, for the check at such a period interferes with the root 

 development, and repetitions of such damage drive the plants 

 into a state of " dwindling," and I may add, this is the condition 

 in which this plant may frequently be seen. Many of the 

 Anemones may be planted without much care, other than that of 

 giving them a little shade from sunshine. The present subject, 

 however, being so early, is not likely to obtain too much bright 

 weather, but rather the reverse. If, then, it is planted in warm 

 quarters, it may be expected to yield its desirable flowers in 

 average quantity compared with other Windflowers, and in such 

 proportion will its roots increase. The latter may be divided 

 (providing they are of good size and healthy) when the leaves 

 have died oft 



Flowering period, February and March. 



Anemone Coronaria. 



POPPY-LIKE WINDFLOWER; Nat. Ord. E/ANUNCTJLACE^. 



HARDY and turberous. The illustration (Fig. 6) is of the double 

 form, in which it may frequently be seen; also in many colours, 

 as blue, purple, white, scarlet, and striped; the same colours may 

 be found in the single and semi-double forms. There are many 

 shades or half colours, which are anything but pleasing, and where 

 such have established themselves, either as seedlings or otherwise, 

 they should be weeded out, as there are numerous distinct hues, 

 which may just as easily be cultivated. The great variety in 

 colour and form of this Anemone is perhaps its most peculiar 

 characteristic ; for nearly 300 years it has had a place in English 

 gardens, and came originally from the Levant. Its habit is 

 neat ; seldom does it reach a foot in height, the flowers being 

 produced terminally; they are poppy-like, and 2in. to 3in. 

 across, having six sepals. The leaves are ternate, segments 

 numerous ; each leaf springs from the tuber, with the exception 

 of those of the involucre. 



In planting this species, it should be kept in mind that it 

 neither likes too much sunshine nor a light soil ; under such con- 

 ditions it may exist, but it will not thrive and scarcely ever 

 flower. When the tuberous roots have become devoid of foliage 

 they may be lifted, and if they have grown to a size exceeding 

 3in. long and lin. in diameter, they may be broken in halves with 

 advantage ; the sooner they are put back into the ground the 



