Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Part 3

Anemone Blanda.

FAIR WINDFLOWER, _or_ BLUE GRECIAN ANEMONE; _Nat.

Ord._ RANUNCULACEae.

This is a lovely winter flower, of great value in our gardens, from its showiness. It is a recent introduction from the warmer climes of the South of Europe and Asia Minor; and though it is not so vigorous under cultivation in our climate as most Windflowers, it proves perfectly hardy. A little extra care should be taken in planting it as regards soil and position, in order to grow it well. It belongs to that section of its numerous genus having an involucrum of stalked leaflets.

The flowers are produced on stalks, 4in. to 6in. high; they are nearly 2in. across, of a fine deep blue colour; the sepals are numerous and narrow, in the way of _A. stellata_, or star anemone. The leaves are triternate, divisions deeply cut and acute; the leaves of the involucrum are stalked, trifid, and deeply cut. The whole plant much resembles _A.

Apennina_. Where it can be established, it must prove one of the most useful flowers, and to possess such charming winter blossom is worth much effort in affording it suitable conditions. The soil should be rich, light, and well drained, as sandy loam, and if mixed with plenty of leaf soil all the better. The position should be sheltered, otherwise this native of warm countries will have its early leaves and flowers damaged by the wintry blast, and the evil does not stop there, for the check at such a period interferes with the root development, and repet.i.tions of such damage drive the plants into a state of "dwindling,"

and I may add, this is the condition in which this plant may frequently be seen. Many of the Anemones may be planted without much care, other than that of giving them a little shade from suns.h.i.+ne. The present subject, however, being so early, is not likely to obtain too much bright weather, but rather the reverse. If, then, it is planted in warm quarters, it may be expected to yield its desirable flowers in average quant.i.ty compared with other Windflowers, and in such proportion will its roots increase. The latter may be divided (providing they are of good size and healthy) when the leaves have died off.

Flowering period, February and March.

Anemone Coronaria.

POPPY-LIKE WINDFLOWER; _Nat. Ord._ RANUNCULACEae.

Hardy and tuberous. The ill.u.s.tration (Fig. 6) is of the double form, in which it may frequently be seen; also in many colours, as blue, purple, white, scarlet, and striped; the same colours may be found in the single and semi-double forms. There are many shades or half colours, which are anything but pleasing, and where such have established themselves, either as seedlings or otherwise, they should be weeded out, as there are numerous distinct hues, which may just as easily be cultivated. The great variety in colour and form of this Anemone is perhaps its most peculiar characteristic; for nearly 300 years it has had a place in English gardens, and came originally from the Levant. Its habit is neat; seldom does it reach a foot in height, the flowers being produced terminally; they are poppy-like, and 2in. to 3in. across, having six sepals. The leaves are ternate, segments numerous; each leaf springs from the tuber, with the exception of those of the involucre.

In planting this species, it should be kept in mind that it neither likes too much suns.h.i.+ne nor a light 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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._ RANUNCULACEae.

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, 1in. 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.

s.h.i.+NING WINDFLOWER; _Nat. Ord._ RANUNCULACEae.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 ill.u.s.tration (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 ma.s.ses 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 j.a.ponica.

j.a.pAN WINDFLOWER; _Nat. Ord._ RANUNCULACEae.

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 and the most popular variety, viz., _A. j.

alba_--Honorine Jobert--(see Fig. 8). So much has this grown in favour that it has nearly monopolised the name of the species, of which it is but a variety; hence the necessity of pointing out the distinctions.

Frequently the beautiful white kind is sought for by the typical name only, so that if a plant were supplied accordingly there would be disappointment at seeing a somewhat coa.r.s.e specimen, with small rosy flowers, instead of a bold and beautiful plant with a base of large vine-shaped foliage and strong stems, numerously furnished with large white flowers, quite 2in. across, and centered by a dense arrangement of lemon-coloured stamens, somewhat like a large single white rose. This more desirable white variety sometimes grows 3ft. high, and is eminently a plant for the border in front of shrubs, though it is very effective in any position. I grow it in the border, on rockwork, and in a half shady place, and it seems at home in all. It will continue in bloom until stopped by frosts. The flowers are among the most useful in a cut state, especially when mingled with the now fas.h.i.+onable and handsome leaves of heucheras and tiarellas; they form a chaste embellishment for the table or fruit dishes.

The plant is sometimes much eaten by caterpillars; for this the remedy is soapy water syringed on the under side of the leaves. Earwigs also attack the flowers; they should be trapped by a similar plan to that usually adopted for dahlias.

To those wis.h.i.+ng to grow this choice Anemone, let me say, begin with the young underground runners; plant them in the autumn anywhere you like, but see that the soil is deep, and if it is not rich, make it so with well-decayed leaves or manure, and you will have your reward.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 8. ANEMONE j.a.pONICA ALBA (A. HONORINE JOBERT).

(About one-twelfth natural size.)]

Flowering period, August to November.

Anemone Nemorosa Flore-pleno.

DOUBLE WOOD ANEMONE, _or_ WINDFLOWER; _Nat. Ord._ RANUNCULACEae.