THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



florist has directed the attention and skill which have resulted in the beautiful and 

 brilliant flowers we now possess. 



For three hundred years the anemone has been cultivated in our gardens, and 

 although the old type of florist who grew it is practically extinct, the flower is a 

 greater favourite than ever. Coming from the Levant, it has brought with it the vivid 

 colouring which seems more appropriate to sunnier skies than ours ; and it also com- 

 prises the most delicate shades acceptable to all who can appreciate the quiet beauty of 

 soft colouring. In beds, lines and masses, it is very attractive. 



As has been said, the florist who grew the anemone as a florists' flower, and looked 

 upon any blooms not meeting the requirements of his code of beauty as unworthy of 

 retention, is, for the present, almost extinct. The double flowers which were his 

 pride are less sought after, the present taste being more in favour of single and semi- 

 double blooms ; but a turn in the tide may come and fresh interest be taken in these 

 flowers, which, we cannot but admit, are of great beauty. For many years the best of 

 the double anemones came from Holland and France, but until a comparatively recent 

 period, many superb flowers were raised in England ; and there is no reason why this 

 country should not again take up with success the raising of the rosette-like forms of 

 florists' anemones. 



The properties of a good single anemone are given as follows : — The stem strong, 

 elastic, and erect, not less than 9 inches high ; the flower at least two inches and a half 

 in diameter, consisting of large, substantial, well-rounded petals, at first horizontally 

 extended, and then turning a little upwards, so as to form a broad, shallow cup ; the 

 colour clear and distinct when diversified in the same flower, or brilliant and striking if 

 it is only of one colour. 



A double anemone should have the outer petals quite flat, the second series a little 

 shorter, the third shorter still, and so on until the centre is quite full, when the whole 

 should form a rather flat hemisphere. Every double flower should be of one full colour. 

 According to some florists, the beauty and contrast is considerably increased when both 

 the exterior and interior petals are regularly marked with alternate blue and white or 

 pink and white stripes, which in the broad petals should not extend quite to the 

 margin. 



There are many very beautiful flowers of great value for garden effect and for 

 cutting purposes which do not approach these standards, but are of greater use than if 

 they did so. The " St. Brigid" strain, raised in Ireland, may be cited as one of excep- 



