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CHRONOLOGICAL GUIDE TO THE ROCK GARDEN OF 
THE BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 
January 
In 1930, there was something of interest in bloom in the Rock 
Garden during every month of the year. 
In January the pale lilac blossoms of the Palestinian Iris Var- 
fam displayed themselves during the first two weeks. A. cold 
spell necessitated covering until February 20th when flowers again 
were produced, continuing until about the middle of March. 
January usually sees some open flowers on Erica carnea, the Alpine 
Heath. 
February 
During the latter part of February some of the mountain cro- 
cuses begin to bloom—notably Crocus Korolkowi and C. vitellinus. 
Snowdrops also may be expected to exhibit their pale drooping 
blooms along with the cheerful yellow of those of Eranthis hye- 
malis, the Winter Aconite. The kind that we grow in the rock 
garden is . hyemalis var. Tubergeni, which has much larger 
flowers than those of the type. 
March 
In March the bulbous plants are augmented by Narcissus cy- 
clamineus, very distinctive with its completely reflexed perianth ; 
Scilla sibirica, the Siberian Squill; Hyacinthus asureus (very sim- 
ilar to the Grape Hyacinth, M/uscari) ; several species of Iris, and 
quite a few crocuses. 
These bulbous irises coming, as they do, at a time when outdoor 
flowers are scarce, are altogether charming. We grow several 
species in the Rock Garden including /. Histrio, histrioides, Var- 
tant, reticulata, and reticulata var. Krelagei. I. reticulata is, to 
my mind, the best of the easily grown, spring flowering, bulbous 
irises. Its flowers of rich blue-purple and gold have a delightful 
violet fragrance. 
