HARDY PERENNIAL PLANTS. 169 



of a dwarf shrubby nature with grayish-green leaves and dense heads of 

 deep yellow flowers. A. s. variegatum has the foliage marked with yel- 

 low blotches, which, when the plant is out of bloom, renders it more 

 valuable than the type as an ornamental plant during the Summer. A. 

 ^monenpe is nearly allied to A. saxatile, but is less hardy, and continues 

 longer in bloom. A. rostratum grows about 1^2 feet high and blooms 

 later than any of the above named. The species and forms are not par- 

 ticular as to soil, usually growing very freely wherever planted. They 

 are easily raised from seed, which should be sown in August and the 

 seedlings kept in a light, airy position until large enough to be planted 

 out. 



ANEMONE JAPONICA This species and its varieties are late flowering 

 herbaceous plants, growing from one to two feet high, with large white 

 or pale rose-colored flowers, useful for cutting. The varieties are A. j. 

 alba, A. j. rosea and A. j. Whirlwind. Root propagation is the method 

 employed, and it may be done at almost any season, but preferably in 

 early Spring. Dig up some of the oldest plants, saving even the small 

 roots. Cut both large and small into pieces about 2 inches in length 

 and put in boxes of sandy soil, covering the pieces with an inch of the 

 same material. Keep fairly moist and in a cool frame. When the roots 

 have developed growths from 2 to 3 inches high put in 3-inch pots, 

 plunging these in ashes and keeping them covered for a few days. After 

 the plants make a sufficient quantity of roots they should be put out in 

 their permanent quarters, where preparation should be made for them 

 in advance by having the ground deeply worked and well manured. 

 During Summer, both young and old plants should be heavily mulched 

 if the maximum number of flowers are expected from them. During dry 

 weather the plants, if neglected, are apt to stand still and throw up 

 only a few feeble looking flowers, so it is important that they be kept 

 moderately moist by mulching. Short grass, leaves, or half-rotted 

 stable bedding will answer. In this genus there are about 85 species, 

 several of which have numerous varieties. Most of them are desirable 

 plants, but some are weedy, and increase too rapidly in gardens. 



A. alpina, a European species, grows about 18 inches high, forming 

 large clumps. The flowers are usually solitary, from 2 to 3 inches in 

 diameter, wfcite inside, purplish outside. There is a very fine yellow 

 flowered variety of this named A. a. sulphurea. Both kinds are slow in 

 making flowering plants from seeds. 



Among the slender, tuberous rooted section, A. Appenina and A. 

 nemorosa are early flowering dwarf species well suited for naturalizing 

 among deciduous, low-growing trees and shrubs, as they make most of 

 their growth before the shrubs and trees are in leaf. 



ANTIRRHINUM (Snapdragon) The varieties of A. majus have long 

 been grown as hardy perennials in Europe. In the northern and middle 

 parts the climatic conditions are more favorable for their growth in the 

 late Summer and Autumn months, as they flourish best in a moist, cold 

 atmosphere. In America, especially in the Middle and South Atlantic 

 States, they are best treated as biennials, as the plants which survive 

 the Winter are usually not in as vigorous a condition as could be wished. 



