FLOWERS OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA. 



101 



common as A. variabilis, much smaller, and with flowers chang- 

 ing from pink to lilac, sometimes pure white. 



A good many wild forms of A. coronaria are natives of 

 Provence, some of which have become extinct in a wild state 

 during the last twenty years. 



Two single varieties are very abundant to this day, viz. the 

 common purple and the single scarlet form. The former is very 

 common, and is gathered from field and vineyard nearly all 

 through the winter. It is brought to market in bunches, w T hich 

 look strangely like bouquets of big Violets. The scarlet variety 

 is not either so frequent or so early as the purple, but it is of a 

 very bright colour. The roots are eagerly sought after for com- 

 mercial purposes. It is a favourite on the Paris market. 



Two very distinct double forms were introduced long ago into 

 gardens, and lately into florists' lists. One of them, known to 

 botanists as Anemone Rissoana, is called in trade "Anemone 

 Rose de Nice " (fig. 13). It is a double flower with narrow-pointed 

 divisions of a salmon colour, more or less greenish in the centre. 

 It commences to bloom very early, and lasts from January to 

 April. It is one of the most exquisite flowers from the Riviera. 



Anemone grassensis, locally termed 11 Capeou de Capelan," 

 presents two distinct varieties, one of a rich crimson colour, the 

 other white mixed with carmine in a greater or less proportion. 

 Both are quite distinct from any other Anemone coronaria by 

 the angular appearance of their exterior divisions, which rather 

 suggest a flower of Nigella than a cup- shaped Anemone. The 

 centre of the flower is filled with short, thickly pressed scales, 

 red, rosy, or flesh-coloured. The " Capelan" Anemones flower 

 only from February to April. They are very fine and effective 

 when well grown, especially the white variety. 



The large improved strains of Anemone coronaria, both 

 single and double, succeed admirably on the Riviera, and are 

 sold on the local markets, and sent to florists in the North in 

 large quantities. All Anemones carry well, revive easily in 

 water, and last for many days. 



Although by no means peculiar to the Riviera, some varieties 

 of Stocks ought to be mentioned here, as they contribute very 

 large quantities of cheap winter flowers to the local and export 

 trade. 



All the varieties of the large-flowered German Stocks, and 



