WINTER-FLOWERING PLANTS 77 



Saxifraga. — Saxifrages have been dealt with elsewhere. 

 Several species are sometimes described as winter-flowering, 

 but they more properly belong to spring. One of the earliest 

 is S. burseriana^ of which there are several beautiful hybrids. 

 It sometimes flowers in February, but often not until March. 

 For cultivation, see Saxifraga, p. 43. 



Viburnum. — There are several species which are grown 

 in pots — V. opidus sterile (guelder rose) and V. tijius 

 (laurustinus). The latter especially is an excellent plant for 

 the purpose, for it is evergreen, and if well managed — exposed 

 to sunshine and fresh air in summer in order to ripen its 

 growth — it flowers well in a small state and, if protected from 

 frost, continues doing so throughout the winter, the dense 

 heads of small white flowers and pink buds being very 

 charming. Cuttings of the young shoots, taken off" when they 

 are nearly ripe, can be rooted in sandy soil without much 

 difficulty. The guelder rose, being deciduous and quite 

 hardy, should be rested in winter — kept fairly dry and cool. 

 If it is planted out in the ground, or if the pots are sunk so 

 that the roots are not too much exposed to frost, it may be 

 left there until spring ; but it will flower earlier if it is brought 

 into a greenhouse. Crowded shoots should be thinned, but 

 no shortening should be done. 



Viola odorata (Violet). — When violets are to be grown 

 in pots, either the most vigorous portions of the old crowns, 

 or preferably strong, well-rooted runners, should be potted 

 in April in rich loam, with a sprinkling of sand and at least 

 I in. of broken crocks for drainage. The best position 

 until about the middle of May is a shaded frame. During 

 the summer they should be in the open air, but not where 

 sunshine will reach them. They should be watered and 

 sprayed frequently, and in due course transferred to larger 

 pots. About the end of September they should be moved 

 into the greenhouse or placed in a frame. All runners 

 should be cut off at once, and a little weak manure may be 

 given occasionally, especially after the buds appear. The 

 worst pest is red spider, which is sure to attack the plants 

 if at any time they are allowed to get dry. Hence the 



