i 4 6 FLOWER GARDENING 



tinguishing flower for each month. But this is a 

 very pretty theory that may or may not come out 

 all right in practice; it depends on the winter, 

 and some other things. Snowdrops are rather re- 

 liable "Fair Maids of February," if they are 

 planted where the snow is likely to melt soonest, 

 and there is not only the witch hazel for November 

 but a very tardy, and very tiny, hardy yellow 

 chrysanthemum. December and January are the 

 hardest months. The Christmas rose is only tol- 

 erably dependable; sometimes it comes into bloom 

 in October. More likely to appear in either month 

 is a stray pansy, California violet or "Johnny- 

 jump-up," all of which need no more encourage- 

 ment than a bit of a thaw. 



Plant Christmas roses for December, "Johnny- 

 jump-ups" for January and snowdrops for 

 February, by all means, but for assured seasonal 

 notes use, to again quote Bacon, "such Things, as 

 are Greene all Winter." The red-cedar for its state- 

 liness, would better be the note of the January path. 

 Holly answers very well for December and the rho- 

 dodendron for February. There is a fairly wide 

 choice of both the narrow-leaved and broad-leaved 

 evergreens, and this after rejecting any of doubtful 

 hardiness. 



March has the lovely blue of S cilia sibinca and 

 glory-of-the-snow, as well as the bright yellow of 

 Crocus Vernus to denote it. Usually the later 

 white and purple crocuses can be counted on also. 

 Thenceforward, until November, choice may be- 



