22 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



the drawing can in no way illustrate the hues and shell-like sub- 

 stance of the sepals ; there is also a softness and graceful habit 

 about the foliage, that the name, apiifolia (parsley-leaved), does 

 not much help the reader to realise. It may be parsley-like 

 foliage in the comparative sense and in relation to that of 

 other Anemones, but otherwise it can hardly be said to be like 

 parsley. It is said by some to be only a variety of A. alpina; 

 if so, it is not only a distinct but an unvarying form, so much so 

 that by others it is held to be a species ; the line of difference in 

 many respects seems so far removed, even granting it to be a 

 variety (as in hundreds of similar cases), as to warrant a specific 

 title. It may be more interesting to state that it is a lovely and 

 showy flower, and that the shortest cut to an enjoyment of its 

 beauties is to grow it. 



The flowers are 2in. to 2^in. across when expanded, but usually 

 they are cup-shaped. The six sepals are egg-shaped but pointed, 

 of much substance, and covered with a silky down on the outside, 

 causing them to have changeable hues according to the play of 

 wind and light. The stamens are very numerous, the anthers 

 being closely arranged and of a rich golden colour ; the flower 

 stems grow from 9in. to 18in. high, being terminated by one 

 flower ; it carries a large and handsome involucre of three 

 leaves, a little higher than the middle of the stem, and just 

 overtopping the radical leaves, umbrella fashion ; the leaves of 

 the involucre are like those of the root, but stalkless. The 

 radical leaves are stalked, well thrown out, drooping, and over 

 1ft. long, ternate and villous ; the leaflets are pinnatfiid and 

 deeply toothed. 



This desirable plant is of the easiest culture, thriving in 

 common garden soil, but it prefers that of a rich vegetable 

 character and a situation not over dry. The flowers are per- 

 sistent under any conditions, and they are further preserved 

 when grown under a little shade, but it should only be a little. 



For propagation see A. decapetala. 



Flowering period, May and June. 



There are two other allied kinds which not only much resemble 

 this, but which flower at or near the same time viz., A. alpina 

 and A. decapetala, which see. 



Anemone Sylvestris. 

 SNOWDROP A.; Nat. Ord. RANTING ULACE^E. 

 THIS hardy herbaceous species comes from Germany, but it has 

 been grown nearly 300 years in this country, It is distinct, 

 showy, and beautiful ; it ranks with " old-fashioned " flowers. 

 Of late this Windflower has come into great favour, as if for a 

 time it had been forgotten ; still, it is hard to make out how 

 such a fine border plant could be overlooked. However, it is well 



