CHAPTER VI 



WINTER-FLOWERING PLANTS 



Flowers in winter are largely a matter of temperature. 

 Very few plants will flower in the open air at that season 

 in England, but many will do so in a greenhouse, and some 

 even in a room which is warmed during the day by means of 

 a fire. To them the rule as regards dryness cannot be 

 applied. As they are making growth — floral growth, if not 

 foliage and stems — they are using water, and water must be 

 supplied to them. But it must be strictly moderate in 

 quantity. It is almost better to wait for a slight flagging of 

 the foliage — though this is not recommended — than to keep 

 the soil saturated. The mortality due directly and indirectly 

 to excessive damp in winter is probably greater than that 

 from all other causes put together. 



A muggy atmosphere is just as bad as saturated soil. 

 If it prevails outside nothing is gained by letting it in, but 

 in bright weather the ventilators should always be open — at 

 any rate in the morning — though not in such a way as to 

 admit a keen east or north wind. Not infrequently green- 

 houses belonging to amateurs are kept closed all the winter. 

 A visitor to a nursery on most days would find not only the 

 ventilators but also the doors open, the plants in consequence 

 being in a far more healthy condition. Their requirements 

 at this season are fresh air, as much light as they can get, a 

 moderate temperature, and just sufficient water to keep them 

 going. The tin of artificial fertiliser should be laid on the 

 shelf until strong growth recommences in spring. 



The majority of bulbous plants are grouped in a chapter 

 by themselves. Some of the shrubs and herbaceous 

 perennials already mentioned flower in winter. Of the 



