168 CHRISTMAS ROSES [CH. 



Some of the named varieties are very costly, but 

 in colour and general effect there are not many things 

 so easily grown, which quite equal these exceedingly 

 attractive flowers. 



CHAPTER IX 

 CHRISTMAS ROSES 



IF the Rose is the queen of summer flowers, the Christmas 

 Rose reigns supreme in winter. By careful observation 

 and selection, a continuous succession of bloom may be 

 had from October until April, and that in the open border, 

 exposed to storm and rain and frost, when almost no other 

 flower is to be found. 



Amongst the earliest of the Hellebores are giganteus^ 

 maximuSy and major ; these are classed as Niger ; they 

 are of the purest white. Then, later on, between January 

 and the end of March, the Lenten Roses or Hybrids in 

 various shades of red, and crimson succeed. The one 

 I like best is Colchicus, with its dark-veined petals and 

 its graceful leaves. Later, still, other hybrids are in 

 perfection, and are a welcome addition to the spring 

 garden, even though flowers are abundant enough by that 

 time. 



The most fitting position for Hellebores is the highest 

 level of a sloping bank, where there is a depth of 2 or 

 3 feet of good rich loam, well mixed with clean grit from 



