Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers | Page 8

soil; under such conditions it may exist,
but it will not thrive and scarcely ever flower. When the tuberous roots
have become devoid of foliage they may be lifted, and if they have
grown to a size exceeding 3in. long and 1in. in diameter, they may be

broken in halves with advantage; the sooner they are put back into the
ground the better; slight shade from the mid-day sun and good loam
will be found to suit them best. When the various colours are kept
separate, bold clumps of a score or so of each are very effective; mixed
beds are gay, almost gaudy; but the grouping plan is so much better,
that, during the blooming period, it is worth the trouble to mark the
different colours, with a view to sorting them at the proper time.
[Illustration: FIG. 6. ANEMONE CORONARIA FLORE-PLENO.
(One-third natural size.)]
The nutty roots are often eaten by earth vermin, especially wireworm.
Whenever there is occasion to lift the roots it is a good plan to dress
them, by repeated dips in a mixture of clay and soot, until they are well
coated; they should be allowed to dry for a short time between each dip;
this will not only be found useful in keeping off wireworm and similar
pests, but will otherwise benefit the plants as a manure.
Flowering period, May and June.

Anemone Decapetala.
Nat. Ord. RANUNCULACEÆ.
New, from North America; has a deteriorated resemblance to A. alpina
and A. sulphurea (which see). The foliage is much less; the flower
stems are numerous, close together, stout, and 9in. to 12in. high; they
are also branched, but not spreading. The flowers have seven to ten
sepals, are an inch across, and of a creamy white colour. The heads of
seed are more interesting than their flowers; they form cotton-like
globes, 1½in. diameter, and endure in that state for a fortnight. I was
inclined to discard this species when I first saw its dumpy and
badly-coloured flowers, but the specimen was left in the ground, and
time, which has allowed the plant to become more naturally established,
has also caused it to produce finer bloom, and it is now a pleasing and
distinct species of an interesting character.

The same treatment will answer for this species as for A. sulphurea. All
the Anemones may be propagated by seeds or division of the roots. The
latter method should only be adopted in the case of strong roots, and
their division will be more safely effected in early spring, when they
can start into growth at once.
Flowering period, May to June.

Anemone Fulgens.
SHINING WINDFLOWER; Nat. Ord. RANUNCULACEÆ.
[Illustration: FIG. 7. ANEMONE FULGENS.
(Plant, one-eighth natural size.)]
This is a variety of A. hortensis or A. pavonina, all of which much
resemble each other. This very showy flower is much and deservedly
admired. In sheltered quarters or during mild seasons it will flower at
Christmas and continue to bloom for several months. It will be seen by
the illustration (Fig. 7) to be a plant of neat habit, and for effect and
usefulness it is one of the very best flowers that can be introduced into
the garden, especially the spring garden, as there is scarcely another of
its colour, and certainly not one so floriferous and durable. Though it
has been in English gardens over fifty years, it seems as if only recently
its real worth has been discovered. It is now fast becoming a universal
favourite. The flowers are 2in. across, and of a most brilliant scarlet
colour, produced singly on tall naked stems, nearly a foot high. They
vary in number of sepals, some being semi-double. The foliage is
bright and compact, more freely produced than that of most
Windflowers; it is also richly cut.
It may be grown in pots for conservatory or indoor decoration. It needs
no forcing for such purposes; a cold frame will prove sufficient to bring
out the flowers in winter. Borders or the moist parts of rockwork are
suitable for it; but perhaps it is seen to greatest advantage in irregular
masses in the half shade of trees in front of a shrubbery, and, after all, it

is impossible to plant this flower wrong, as regards effect. To grow it
well, however, it must have a moist situation, and good loam to grow in.
It is easily propagated by division of strong healthy roots in autumn.
Flowering period, January to June, according to position and time of
planting.

Anemone Japonica.
JAPAN WINDFLOWER; Nat. Ord. RANUNCULACEÆ.
This and its varieties are hardy perennials of the most reliable kinds;
the typical form has flowers of a clear rose colour. A. j. vitifolia has
larger flowers of a fine bluish tint, and seems to be the hybrid between
the type