ANEMONE

Windflower



Our observations on this flower will be limited to the tuberous

varieties; but even with this restriction, the range of form and colour

is exceedingly wide. The Anemone is an accommodating plant, and can be

successfully flowered either in pots or in beds, at the option of the

cultivator.



The most natural place for it is near shady woodland walks, where it can

be seen to the greatest advantage. But it is also a splendid subject for

masses in the mixed border, or in front of shrubberies; and alone in

beds it makes a brilliant and lasting show. For all the purposes of

garden decoration to which the Crocus, Hyacinth, and Tulip are applied,

the Windflower is equally well adapted. We do not advise planting

singly, but the Anemone answers admirably in lines, groups, or beds, and

the colours admit of numberless harmonies and contrasts.



The commoner Anemones need only to be planted about three inches deep,

with the eyes upwards, at any time between September and March, and they

will require little or no attention afterwards. Under trees, instead of

planting in a formal pattern, it is worth while to put them in with some

attempt at natural grouping, and not too close together--say from six

inches to a foot apart. In such positions they may be left undisturbed

for years; and if the soil happens to be a good sandy loam, they will

thrive and increase. In masses or beds within the garden, however, a

richer effect is wanted, and the distance between the roots should not

exceed from four to six inches.



A choice collection of roots is worth more care, and florists are

accustomed to prepare the beds for their reception with fastidious

exactness. The soil, if not considered suitable, is taken out to the

depth of two feet, and is replaced by a rich and specially prepared

compost. Although the individual flowers produced by this method are

generally very fine, and the total effect of the bed is exceedingly

beautiful, yet the truth must be confessed that for ordinary gardening

the system is extravagant and unnecessary. As a hobby, it is, of course,

justifiable enough; but Anemones of high quality can be grown by a much

simpler mode of procedure. One deep digging there certainly should be,

and a layer of manure at the bottom of each trench is sound treatment,

for it supplies the roots with food and a cool subsoil. Poor land should

also be enriched by incorporating a dressing of decayed manure as the

work proceeds. Subsequently one or two light surface forkings will help

to make the bed mellow. A rough plan, showing the name and position of

every root, will be a safer record than labelling in the usual way, and

it also prevents the disfigurement of the bed. There should be a

distance of six inches between the roots; and they may be put in singly

by means of the trowel, or in drills drawn three inches deep. The former

method is generally adopted for groups; but to insure regularity in

flowering the planting must be uniform in depth. For beds, drills are

more reliable, and they are speedily made.



The time of planting determines to a considerable extent the date of

flowering; and, as the roots may be put in during autumn, winter, and

early spring, it is easy to secure a succession of Anemones from January

until May. But this flower is of so much more value early in the year

than at a later period, when many other subjects brighten the garden,

that it is scarcely worth while to plant so late as March.



The Anemone is well worth growing in pots, both for its foliage and

flowers. It does not resent forcing to the same extent as the

Ranunculus; nevertheless, cool treatment is almost essential to do it

full justice. The potting should be done in batches to insure a

succession of flowers, and the first lot may be put in at the end of

August, or beginning of September. They should have the benefit of

really good soil; a mixture of leaf-mould and loam, with the addition of

a little powdered charcoal, will suit them exactly. In preparing the

pots, place a layer of light manure above the crocks, which will assist

the drainage and benefit the plants. Then fill with compost to within

two inches of the top, and lay in the roots; add soil to a level with

the rim, and press lightly down. The strongest roots should, of course,

be selected for potting, and it will need more than a hasty glance to

put them in with the eyes upwards. One or more roots may be planted in

each pot, according to the size of the latter.



The early plantings can be placed in any warm position out of doors,

such as under a south wall; but after the middle of October remove to a

cold pit, or on to the greenhouse stage. Watering is all the attention

they will require, and of this there must be no stint, especially during

the blooming period. A high temperature at any stage is needless, and if

they are just kept out of the reach of frost they will take excellent

care of themselves.



Anemones are adapted for many decorative purposes; they make capital

window plants, and their sharply cut foliage is very ornamental in the

drawing-room or on the dinner-table.