86 



THE FLOWER GROWERS GUIDE. 



flowers are of the same character, the potentilla being, indeed, known in some places as 

 the "Barren Strawberry." The hybrid potentillas like a sunny position in good, rich 

 soil, well manured, and with a sufficient supply of water. They grow from 2 to 3 feet 

 high when tied up, and bear their pretty flowers very profusely. They are quite hardy 

 and are increased by division of the roots in spring when beginning growth, or in autumn 

 after flowering. They may also be increased by means of seeds sown as recommended 

 for Hardy Plants on page 241, Vol. I. 



The following selection is composed of good varieties : — 



Selection of Double Potentilla.s. 



Alfred Salter, scarlet and orange. 

 Arc-en-Ciel, chrome yellow. 

 Californie, golden yellow. 

 Carnival, golden yellow. 



Eldorado, purple and yellow. 

 Hamlet, dark crimson. 

 Jupiter, crimson. 

 Le Vesuve, red, flushed yellow. 



Single Varieties. 



j M. Daudin, dark vermilion. 



Wm. Eollisson, mahogany and 

 I orange. 



aurantiaca superba, vermilion and orange. Magnet, velvety crimson, 



atro-sanguinea, dark crimson. splendidissima, vermilion-scarlet. 



Golden Cup, bright yollow. splendens, orange, striped scarlet. 



THE POLYANTHUS AND PEIMEOSE. 

 The primrose and polyanthus are among the most prized of our early flowers. Their 

 neat habit and beautiful bright-coloured blooms make them appreciated by nearly every 

 one. While they have been long cherished by lovers of flowers, it was what is known 

 as the Gold-laced Polyanthus which practically engrossed the skill of the older florists. 

 The Auricula, another member of the family of Primu/acew, was the object of much 

 of their care. 



Beautiful and attractive as is the gold-laced polyanthus (and there are few who can 

 deny its beauty), it has greatly gone out of cultivation, the number who grow named 

 varieties being extremely small. This, however, has not led to a similar falling off in 

 the popularity of primroses or other polyanthuses, which, on the contrary, are in 

 increasing request. Their cultivation in pots is little followed, but in beds, in borders, 

 or on rockeries they are very largely grown. For any of these purposes the primrose is 

 well adapted, while the self-coloured and fancy polyanthuses with their fine trusses of 

 flowers are attractive with their bright and effective colouring. (See page 188, Vol. I.) 



The flowers of the primrose are produced singly on stalks proceeding from the crown 

 of the plant. Those of the polyanthus, which is understood to be the result of a cross 



