Magnolia below Magnolia stellata. Its large full-blue heads open in 

 Stellata March and last through April. Unfortunately hundreds of 

 and Grape ^ u ^ s are needed to make any effect, or one would gladly have 

 Hvacinths ^ ar S e stretches of them, beginning with the lovely sky-blue 

 azureum in February, and continuing with the common 

 botryoldes^ in white as well as blue, and the larger conicum. 

 There are still better sorts, but they are also dearer. Heavenly 

 Blue is a good colour, and only advances to six shillings a 

 hundred, but the Greek Grape Hyacinth, Heldreichn a large 

 pale blue and szovitsianum an exquisite pale shade show- 

 ing a distinct white toothed edge are six shillings a dozen, 

 and in most gardens can only be treated as treasures for the 

 rock-garden. All the kinds look particularly well with 

 Daffodils, and the paler the shade of the Daffodil the better 

 will be the effect. 



But other effects besides the blue of Grape Hyacinth should 

 be tried with the striking Magnolia bushes which are such a 

 feature in the early part of the year. Among bulbs there 

 is a large choice all the early Daffodils and Tulips are 

 out, so that a carpet of any colour can be chosen. The 

 blue of Anemone apenntna would look well beneath them, 

 with the early Pheasant Eye ornatus planted among it; or 

 the exquisite Anemone Pulsatilla^ with its silver-haired, mauve 

 flowers, and golden centre open to the sun, could not find a 

 better home, as it grows well near bushes, and through it 

 could be planted white Fritillaries ; or a pink carpet could 

 be made of Dog's-tooth Violets or of the little evergreen 

 Daphne Cneorum^ and its sweet-scented, rose-coloured flowers. 

 This is well worth a place to itself, on the sunny side of the 

 Magnolia, with a few stones over which to trail. D. Blag ay ana 

 112 



