ring the wiry flower stalks
in fours, threes, and twos, of various lengths and a ruddy colour. The
panicles are lax and bending; the flowers, too, are pendent; calyx,
five-parted and sharply toothed; stamens, four, and long as petals;
anthers, large and cream coloured, style long and protruding. The leaves
are radical, and have long, hairy, bending stalks; the main ribs are
also hairy; beneath, they are of a deep green colour, bald, shining,
veined and wrinkled; their form is somewhat heart-shaped, sometimes
oval, lobed, but not deeply, and unevenly notched; they grow in dense
masses to the height of 6in.

[Illustration: FIG. 71. OURISIA COCCINEA.

(Plant, one-fourth natural size; 1, blossom, one-half natural size.)]

It is said to like a peaty soil, in which I have never tried it. In the
management of this plant I have found position to be the main
desideratum; the soil may be almost anything if it is kept moist and
sweet by good drainage, but _Ourisia coccinea_ will not endure exposure
to hot sunshine; even if the soil is moist it will suffer. I have large
patches of it, 3ft. in diameter, growing in a mixture of clay and ashes,
formed into a bank 18in. high, sloping north and screened by a hedge
nearly 6ft. high from the mid-day sun, and shaded by overhanging trees;
and I may also add that during the three years my specimens have
occupied this shady, moist, but well drained position they have grown
and flowered freely, always best in the deepest shade. As before hinted,
there is a sort of special treatment required by this plant, but it is,
after all, very simple. It is a slow surface creeper, should be planted
freely in frequented parts of the garden, if the needful conditions
exist, and no more beautiful surfacing can be recommended; grown in such
quantities it will be available for cutting purposes. As a cut flower it
is remarkably distinct and fine; it so outshines most other flowers that
it must either have well selected company or be used with only a few
ferns or grasses.

It is readily increased by division of the creeping roots, which is best
done in early spring. If such divisions are made in the autumn,
according to my experience, the roots rot; they should therefore be
taken off either in summer, when there is still time for the young stock
to make roots, or be left in the parent clump until spring, when they
will start into growth at once.

Flowering period, May to September.

Papaver Oriental