1873] WINTER BEDDING. ^ 565 



severe frost than " Ardesia crenulata " and other stove berried plants, 

 and having its fragrant flower-spikes at the same time as its berries. 



I wish more amateurs were in the position to consider 18s. per dozen 

 cheap ; but even if the beautiful Retinosporas were down to 4s. per 

 dozen (the orthodox price for either strictly winter or summer bed- 

 ding plants), it remains to be proved that they are thoroughly hardy. 

 In this neighbourhood, although so near the sea [nearness to the sea is a 

 disadvantage to many plants. — Ed.], they are soon spoilt, if not pro- 

 tected; and spruce branches and bits of mat are inadmissible in flower- 

 beds, where the object should be perfection for the particular season 

 they are planned for : therefore, keen advocate though I am for winter- 

 gardens, variety, and experiments, yet still I think it would be rash 

 for the amateur to plunge into dozens of these lovely Conifer?e, which 

 are still expensive, and not proved. 



I believe I am correct in stating that no variety of Box was injured 

 in the severe winter of 1860-61 (the seven sorts here in the winter- 

 beds were quite unhurt that season) : they are the most patient tribe of 

 shrubs, and bear knocking about, owing to their matted compact roots. 

 There is great variety in their growth, erect, round, and weeping, gold 

 and silver variegation, and their small leaves are a great point for win- 

 ter. We all know the efi'ects of sun after severe frost on the young 

 shoots of Portugal and other Laurels even in ordinary winters, and yet 

 these (when small) unpicturesque evergreens are recommended, as like- 

 wise Rhododendrons, for their foliage, and the Box tribe is not named. 



Referring to my memoranda, I find it is very seldom we have the 

 Laurestinus two years in succession fine. We have large bushes, which 

 by February are pretty with their pink buds, and a mass of white later 

 in the spring ; but to trust to young plants flowering in the winter-beds 

 has been always an utter disappointment. I don't think in this country 

 the Laurestinus nor the ISTiger varieties of the Christmas Rose are used 

 enough for entrance-halls, corridors, and cold positions. The slightest 

 protection insures the enjoyment of their flowers, and they both pot 

 up well, and stand very long in the house. 



If room is found in the next number of the ' Gardener ' for these re- 

 marks, I beg to say I make them with no love of carping or fault-find- 

 ing, but from the honest wish that amateurs — who are much given to 

 follow in a line like sheep, and with whom seeing is the rule and real- 

 ly observing the exception — should seize hold of certainties and not 

 risk disappointments. Eew amateurs persist after one season's loss 

 with a plan or plant ; and notwithstanding winter and spring bedding 

 has now got a firm and wholesome hold of the public mind, it is not 

 the many, but the few, who can persevere under failures. 

 Wardie Lodge, November 1873. E. J. HOPB. 



2p 



