ANEMONE. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



ANEMONE. 



437 



from the same species, but are more 

 vigorous and have larger flowers than 

 the older Dutch kinds. Of the Caen 

 Anemones there are both single and 

 double kinds, and the Chrysanthemum- 

 flowered is another fine double race, whilst 

 one may also note the deep scarlet double 

 form Chapeau de Cardinal, and the 

 double Nice Anemones. The fine variety 

 of the Poppy Anemones leads to mixed 

 collections being grown. While it is well 

 to plant mixtures now and then, it is 

 better to select and keep true some of the 

 finer forms in any desired colour. A fine 

 scarlet, purple, or violet should be grown 

 by itself and for itself, as in that way the 

 Poppy Anemone will be a greater aid 

 to the garden artist. All kinds thrive in 

 light garden soils of fair quality, and in 

 many districts there is no trouble in their 

 culture ; in others this plant never does 

 well and is often killed in winter. By 

 resorting to spring planting we avoid this 

 last. The plan is not worth following out, 

 especially as we have so many really hardy 

 species introduced of recent years. The 

 St. Bridgid Anemones, like those of Caen 

 and Nice, are simply selections from the 

 Poppy Anemone, depending for their 

 value on care in selection, and also on 

 good culture in the warm limestone soil 

 the plants enjoy so well. 



The following method will enable any 

 one to raise Anemones from seed in a moist 

 loam. To save time, I sow as soon as the 

 seed is ripe, selecting it from the brightest 

 flowers only. Separatethe seed thoroughly. 

 Spread a newspaper on the table, pour 

 over it a quart of sand, dry ashes, or fine 

 earth, and sprinkle the seed over this, 

 rubbing it together till its separation 

 is complete. The seed bed need not be 

 larger than 3 ft. by 9 ft., and choose the 

 sunniest part of the garden. Make the 

 surface fine, tread it down, and give it a 

 good watering. Wait until it is dry 

 enough to scratch with a fine rake ; then 

 sow broadcast, covering the seed with a 

 very thin coat of fine earth, about the 

 thickness of a shilling ; beat flat with 

 a spade, and give a light sprinkling of 

 water. Never let a ray of sunshine reach 

 the bed ; cover it with newspapers, spread- 

 ing a few Pea sticks or something to 

 retain the covering in its place. Keep 

 the surface of the bed moist. In about 

 twenty days the young plants will begin to 

 appear, and when all seem up, remove the 

 covering ; they will need no further care 

 except watering. If the bed once gets 

 thoroughly dry, the plants are apt, after 

 forming small bulbs about the size of 

 Peas, to stop growing, the foliage to die, 



and the bulbs to lie dormant for months. 

 If kept, however, well watered through 

 the summer, they will go on growing 

 through the winter, and begin to blossom 

 the following spring. The seedlings may 

 be left to blossom where they are sown, 

 or be transplanted in September or 

 October. J. 



What are termed French Anemones 

 are thought an improvement on the Dutch, 

 with large flowers of brilliant and varied 

 colour; the plants vigorous, the climate 

 of Normandy in some parts suiting the 

 plant ; but in our country, away from the 

 sea, the Poppy Anemone may perish in 

 cold weather. 



Poppy Anemones, double and single, 

 are useful for edgings and for borders 

 either singly or in tufts. They are culti- 

 vated alone in beds or in clumps in 

 borders, and answer well for planting 

 under standard Rose Trees or other light 

 and thinly planted shrubs. Cut the 

 flowers when just open. 



A. fulgens ( The Scarlet Wind/lower). 

 A native of the south of France, over a 

 limited area, for the most part in vineyards. 

 It withstands severe frosts in the open 

 border, but stagnant moisture injures it. 

 In good well-drained soils it will thrive, 

 but is best in a rich manured loam in a 

 northern aspect and in a shaded situation. 

 Division is the surest way of increasing it, 

 as it is liable to sport if raised from seeds. 

 Roots may be transplanted almost all the 

 year round, though the resting time ex- 

 tends only from June to August, and to 

 insure early and good flowers plant the 

 roots as early as possible in the autumn. 

 A large bed of well-grown plants in bloom 

 is a brilliant sight. The flowers last in- 

 doors for a week or more if cut when 

 just coming into bloom and kept in water 

 in a moderately warm room. H. V. 



The Greek form of A. fulgens is larger, 

 and very intense in colour. A fine strain 

 was raised by the late Rev. J. G. Nelson, 

 and called by him A. fulgens major. The 

 Peacock Anemone (A. Pavonina) is a 

 double form of this. 



A. Hepatica (Common Hepatica]. A 

 beautiful early hardy flower. In sheltered 

 spots on porous soil the foliage will re- 

 main through the winter. The Hepatica 

 is a deep rooter hence it thrives so well 

 upon made banks, and it will do as well 

 as Primroses or Violets in any good gar- 

 den soil. Where let alone, and not often 

 pulled to pieces, it makes strong tufts. 

 Clumps of the rich-coloured blues and 

 reds when a mass of bloom in March are 

 very beautiful. The best-known kinds are 

 the double red and single blue, both 



