126 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



Helleborus Abchasicus. 



ABCH ASIAN HELLEBORE ; Nat. Ord. RANUNCTJLACEJE. 



THIS is a native of the Caucasus, and in this climate, where it 

 has been cultivated about fifteen years, it retains its foliage 

 through the winter in a green state. It is a free grower, and 

 flowers well, having a somewhat slender habit. It is sometimes 

 described as having green flowers, but more often as having 

 purple ones. It may be useful to remember that there are 

 varieties, and it is likely that, even in the so-called green flowers, 

 traces of purple will be seen. Not only is it a fact that this 

 species, like H. purpurascens and H. niger, is far from fixed as 

 regards depth of colour, but it is said to be one of the parent 

 forms of some of the fine hybrids. These considerations may 

 help to reconcile the apparently conflicting descriptions as 

 regards bloom colour. 



The flower stems are 12in. to 18in. high, distantly forked 

 twice, and of a purplish colour. The flowers are produced in 

 threes and fours on each of the branchlets, are inclined to purple, 

 over 2in. across, and nodding ; sepals oval, waved, and set well 

 apart at the outer ends ; petals scale-like, green, and numerous ; 

 anthers a beautiful delicate yellow ; leaves of the flower stems 

 few, small, and of irregular form, notched, finely serrate, and of 

 a purplish-green shade ; in their young state more especially 

 does the purple prevail on the under surface they are, in fact, 

 nearly the colour of the flowers. The radical leaves are many, 

 nearly a foot in diameter, of a dark green colour, and leathery 

 substance; the leaflets are rather distant from each other, 

 forming a noble pedate leaf ; they are somewhat one-sided, 

 slightly waved, sharply and regularly toothed nearly all their 

 length. From this description it will be inferred that this is 

 one of the most distinct species, and such is truly the case. 

 Moreover, it has a bold and rich effect. The older radical 

 foliage, with its long stalks, is for the most part spread on the 

 ground, when the new erect flower stems, furnished with small 

 leaves and nodding buds and blossoms, all of a shining purplish 

 colour, form a peculiar but pleasing contrast, not nearly so 

 marked in any other species with which I am acquainted. There 

 is a variety called 



H. A. purpureus, in allusion to the colour of the flowers being 

 a little more purple. 



This Abchasian species and its varieties are not widely 

 distributed; they are to be obtained, and need no longer be 

 found only in rare collections. It is desirable in every way for 

 the garden, where it forms a most ornamental object during 

 winter. Its flowers last for four or five weeks, and in a cut state 

 they form rich companion bloom to the white Christmas Rose. 



A good fat loam suits them ; the position should be rather 



