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The Poppy Anemone
Anemone coronaria.
THE familiar name of this fine border flower is admirably descriptive, especially for the large crimson and scarlet varieties with black centres that very closely resemble poppies, but show themselves six weeks or more in advance of any true poppy either in field or garden. And the flower is not far removed from the poppy in its essential characters, although in the books the dillenias, the magnolias, the berberries, and the water-lilies come between them. In his "Vegetable Kingdom," Dr. Lindley, speaking of the order of poppies, says: --"The greatest affinities are with the crowfoots, from which it is sometimes extremely difficult to know this order without ascertaining that the juice is milky and narcotic." All the crowfoots, comprising the ranunculus, anemone, clematis, hellebore, and aconite, have watery and acrid juices, while the poppies are characterised by milky and narcotic juices. Garden anemones may be readily separated into two classes. In one class we have the poppy anemones (A. coronaria), natives of the mysterious country called the Levant, as also of many regions that fringe the Mediterranean on its very irregular northern boundaries. In the other class we have the star anemones (A. hortensis), in which occurs that splendour of the spring garden, Anemone fulgens, a very fiery star, and one that never fails to surprise us when we see its first flowers in the forward spring. These are garden anemones par excellence, and one cannot have too many of them if life is to be made endurable in these hyperborean regions. As for other anemones, their name is not legion; but there are many that may properly demand a place in the rockery, and, while the opportunity occurs, it may be proper to offer the reader a list of the "indispensables." Anemone Alpina comes near to A. coronaria; the flowers are white and sulphur-yellow, growth vigorous. Anemone angulosa is our sweet old friend the blue hepatica; plant it anywhere on rockery or border, and take care not to disturb it for at least ten years. Anemone apennina, a lovely starry blue flower that appears at the same time as the early daffodils. Anemone hepatica, the common hepatica, with flowers of many colours; it requires a deep, strong, loamy soil, and to be left alone, for it moved often there will soon come a time when there remains nothing to move. Anemone Japonica, of which there are two varieties, the red and the white, both grand border plants for autumn flowering. Anemone nemorosa is our own wild wood anemone, one of the loveliest flowers in the whole world. The double variety makes an exquisitely beautiful rock plant. Have as many more as you like, but you must have the foregoing, because they are distinct and good; but the word "good" is very poor in this connection. The anemone now before us is a "florist's flower," consequently you may, if you choose, form a collection to name; and time was when the named sorts realized prices running into gold, and at least two figures. But times are changed, and it is no longer necessary to have a deep purse to enjoy fine flowers. The poppy or garland anemone appears to have been introduced in 1596, just in time to be included and faithfully figured in Johnson's Gerarde and other of the grand old books on floriculture. Parkinson enumerates sixty sorts of anemones, but these include plants that are far removed from A. coronaria. Mr. Carey Tysoe, of Wallingford, published some twenty-five years ago a treatise on this flower, with a list of the best varieties; and this must be regarded as the latest authentic work on the subject from the florists' point of view. The poppy anemone varies in colour immensely, but its structural characters are constant. Experience has taught the writer exactly why the named varieties are not much cared for, and it is that seedlings can be easily raised, and will give abundant variety and fine quality, provided only that the seed is taken from first-class flowers. Now here comes in the argument for the florists' named sorts, however costly. In the subject now under consideration the cost is of no consequence, because named anemones are extremely cheap. But as florists' flowers are now much decried by people who know nothing about them, we feel bound to say that they serve the purpose of thorough-bred horses in stud stables, and of Duchess Shorthorns, and pedigree Jerseys, and Jonas Webb's fleecy lords of the flock. To the amateur who would raise a nice lot of poppy anemones our advice is, begin with a collection of named varieties, save seed from these, and then go on gradually improving your specimens. This anemone requires a rich, deep, well-drained, loamy soil. When raised from seed, sow in large pans or boxes in February, using rich, light soil, and place the seed-pans on a gentle hotbed. As the season advances give them more and more air, and let them finish their growth in full exposure. In September plant the roots in beds of light, rich loam in an open place, and wait for the result. It will gladden you in any case--it may even surprise you. When the leaves die, lift the roots, store them in paper bags or in boxes with dry sand, and every year plant in September, and every year raise a fresh batch of seedlings.
