THE MOST USEFUL ANNUALS ii 



flowers will do much to lengthen the life and usefulness of 

 the plants. Leave seeding to the seedsman, it is his business, 

 and he will probably do the work far better than you. If 

 you are a raiser or are working for the improvement of any 

 section of Annuals, the case is different, because the assump- 

 tion is that you possess the knowledge generally believed to 

 be the exclusive possession of specialists. 



CHAPTER III 



THE MOST USEFUL ANNUALS 



ADONIS 



" Adonis Flower " or *' Pheasant' s Eye " 



So popular are the beautiful Spring-flowering perennials, 

 Adorns vernalis and the newer A. amurensis, that the annual 

 species of this little family of the Buttercup tribe {Ranun- 

 culacece) are apt to be overlooked. But they are very pretty, 

 perfectly hardy, and quite easily raised from a March sowing 

 in the open ground. Their height varies from i foot to 

 i8 inches, according to soil and position. Both the fol- 

 lowing species are suitable alike for the front of the mixed 

 border and for the Rock Garden. 



A. CBstivalis is from Southern Europe and has crimson- 

 scarlet flowers, while A. autuvinalis has blood-red blooms 

 with a dark centre. Both plants commence to flower in June, 

 earlier if sown in the Autumn, and each produces elegant 

 foliage as well as bright and attractive flowers. A. autuvinalis 

 is a native plant, and one familiar in some districts as Corn 

 Adonis, Pheasant's Eye, or Red Chamomile. 



