ADONIS 



BUTTEBGVP OBDEB 



ADONIS 145 



oharaoterised by alternate leaves divided 

 into numerous narrow segments, and 

 solitary terminal flowers with 5-8 coloured 

 deciduous sepals, 5-16 conspicuous petals 

 often spotted at the base, and numerous 

 carpels. 



Culture and Propagation. — All the 

 plants grow freely in ordinary garden 

 soil, but prefer a rich, light sandy loam. 

 They are excellent border and rookery 

 plants, but to be seen at their best 

 should be planted in good patches. They 

 flower very freely for the most part, 

 and, if anything, prefer slightly shaded 

 situations to those fully exposed to the 

 scorching rays of the sun. The annual 

 kinds are very useful, and although occa- 

 sionally a little weedy in habit they may 

 be kept in bounds by a few short sticks 

 and string. 



The annual species must of course be 

 raised from seed sown in the spring or 

 autumn each year, either in the open 

 border or in cold frames ; the perennials 

 may also be raised from seed in the same 

 way, or by division of the roots in autumn 

 or early spring. 



A. sestivalis {Pheasant's Eye). — A S. 

 European annual about 1 ft. high, with 

 an almost simple lengthened stem. The 

 deep crimson flowers having flat oblong 

 obtuse petals appear in June. 



Culture <tc. as above. 



A. amurensis. — This species is of 

 recent introduction from N. China, and 

 is somewhat like A. vernalis, but has 

 denser foliage. The flowers are bright 

 shining yellow, about 1^ in. across, and 

 usually appear in January and February 

 before any of the other species. 



Culture dc. as above. 



A. autumnalis {Bed Morocco). — A 

 native annual about 1 ft. high, with much- 

 branched, very leafy stems and deep 

 green leaves, very much divided into 

 linear segments. From May to September 

 the terminal solitary globose flowers 

 appear, the sepals being greenish, and the 

 broad concave petals scarlet, with a dark 

 spot at the base. 



This is an excellent border or rock 

 plant. The fleshy flower stems, when 

 cut, will last a long time in water or moist 

 earth or moss, and the flowers will retain 

 their beauty and freshness. 



Culture (£c. as above. 



A. distoTta.{A.a^ennwia). — This pretty 

 perennial is a native of the Alps and is 



intermediate between A. pyrenadca and 

 A. vernalis. It grows 9-12 in. high, and 

 produces its large bright yellow flowers 

 just as those of A. vernaUa are nearly 

 finished. 



Culture dc. as above. It is an excellent 

 plant for massing in moist and partially 

 shaded places in the rockery. 



A. pyrenaica {Pyrenean Pheasant's 

 Eye). — A Pyrenean perennial, with much - 

 branched stems about 1 ft. high. The 

 lower leaves are on long stalks with trifid 

 petioles and many-parted segments, the 

 upper ones stalkless, much cut, with linear 

 entire divisions. The yellow flowers with 

 8-10 obtuse petals are almost sessile, and 

 appear about July. 



Culture dc. as above. It is difficult 

 to establish in some gardens, and when 

 first planted should be guarded from slugs. 

 Once well established it is safer not to 

 disturb this species. The soil may be re- 

 plenished annually with a good mulching 

 of well-rotted manure or leaf mould. 



A. vernalis {Ox- Eye). — A beautiful 

 European perennial about 1-2 ft. high 

 with green feathery Fennel-like foliage. 

 From March to May the bright yellow 

 Anemone-like flowers, each with 10-12 

 oblong somewhat incurved petals, are 

 borne at the tips of the branches. The 

 sepals are purplish-green and about half 

 as long as the petals, and the flowers are 

 often S-Sf in. across when fully open. 



The variety sibirica has somewhat 

 larger flowers than the type. 



Culture and Propagation. — This is a 

 graceful plant for the rockery and should 

 be left alone for years in a rich moist 

 sandy loam. It should be in a position 

 more or less sheltered from rough winds, 

 otherwise it is apt to become somewhat 

 dishevelled in appearance. * 



It is often best raised from seeds sown 

 as soon as ripe in sheltered spots in the 

 border. The seeds, as a rule, do not 

 sprout until the following spring. When 

 large enough to be easily handled, they 

 may be pricked out into a patch of rich 

 soil, and in autumn — about the end of 

 September — they will be fit for trans- 

 planting to their permanent quarters in 

 the rockery or flower border. Plants from 

 seeds, however, do not usually flower well 

 until about three or four years old. 

 Where large clumps are established there- 

 fore, and require removal, they may be 

 divided to secure bloom more quickly. 



