106 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



and showy, well-formed flowers, they may be used with good effect 

 in various ways. The Peruvian Lily is valuable, but far more 

 beautiful on w T arm soils. If on cool soils and in cool districts it 

 fails we must prepare beds for it, but the best way in gardening 

 is always to grow the flowers that thrive without great labour in the 

 soil we have. The Belladonna Lily can be grown in no more effective 

 way than the old one of planting it under south walls. The Cape 

 Lilies have increased of late years from hybrids and otherwise, 

 and are worth attention in deep soil in warm corners near walls 

 that protect them from the north. The African Lily is most important 

 for its unrivalled blue, but, save in the warmest parts of the south, 

 where it may live in the open air protected, it is essential to give 

 it greenhouse or like protection in winter. It is one of the plants 

 for which the expense of tubs or large pots is worth indulging in, and 

 there are new and handsome kinds, which make the culture more 

 interesting. The Wood Lilies are valuable because they give us 

 effects both distinct and beautiful in peat borders or bog gardens. 

 Shade is not essential, though we think the best effects are attained in 

 half-shady spots. 



The Mariposa Lilies are beautiful indeed, some of them almost 

 surpassing any flowers of the old world ; but they come from one 

 of the best climates and warmest soils in the world, and one can 

 hardly hope that they will thrive in our climate without special care. 

 Yet such charming flowers will always have a place in curious gardens, 

 where they will thrive in frames and warm corners. Such plants, 

 however, cannot be depended on for much effect in the open garden, 

 though new kinds are being brought from Western America which 

 may thrive in our climate, and help to show us the beauty of these 

 singularly lovely things. 



ANEMONES AND RANUNCULUS. The Poppy Anemone has been 

 a welcome flower in our gardens for hundreds of years, and it should 

 never be forgotten, save in cold soils where it dwindles. Many now 

 grow it well from seed, but the old way of planting the tubers of 

 favourite kinds and colours should be carried out in the flower garden 

 in Rose beds or in any beds to spare. The Scarlet Anemone and its 

 varieties is also precious ; the Star Anemone, so charming in Italy and 

 Greece in spring, is rarely seen happy in our gardens which are too 

 cold for it, no doubt, so it may well be left out in favour of the hardier 

 sorts. Valuable as the brightest Anemones are, the old Turban and 

 Persian Ranunculus, and other forms were once a great charm of the 

 flower garden, and should not be forgotten in warm soils, where they 

 thrive, but they perish in severe winters, and require some care. 



VARIOUS. The old Dog's-Tooth Violet of the mountains of 

 Europe has been joined in our gardens of recent years by a number of 



