128 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



irregular form, but mostly ovate, lance- shaped, finely and 

 sharply toothed, and of a dull green colour. In a rich and free 

 loam this kind proves a good grower, and when, in January, it is 

 putting up its flower stalks, the buds being well developed and 

 coloured from the time they appear above the earth, furnished 

 with " floral leaf," in which respect it differs from the common 

 Christmas Rose, it causes a pleased surprise that such a pure 

 and delicate looking blossom can develop and mature in the 

 depth of winter. As a cut flower by many it would be preferred 

 to the better-known JET. niger, not only for its antique tints, but 

 for the fine cup form, which is constant, and the overlapping, 

 incurved edges of the sepals. Altogether, its form is distinct, 

 and when used in small glasses as single specimens, or, at most, 

 accompanied only by a fern frond or a few blades of grass, it is 

 a charming object. 



Cultivation, as for H. Abchasicus. 



Flowering period, January to April. 



Helleborus Bocconi. 



BOCCON'S HELLEBORE ; Nat. Ord. BANUNCULACE^J. 

 THIS, by many, is believed to be a species, but as such is unau- 

 thenticated. It is classed as a variety of H. purpurascens, 

 compared with which, however, there are some well-marked dis- 

 tinctions. It is sometimes called H. multifidus, a name that 

 suits it well, as being descriptive of its irregularly slashed 

 foliage. It has but recently been brought under cultivation, and 

 was found a native of the Apennines of Etruria. It proves 

 perfectly hardy in this climate, and flowers in midwinter unless 

 the season is very severe. As will be inferred from its near 

 relationship to H. purpurascens, like that species it has non- 

 persistent foliage, and the flower stems with their floral leaves 

 appear before the leaves of the root. As a species or variety, 

 whichever it may be, its more marked features are to be seen in 

 the form or cut of the leaves. 



As a garden flower it is not showy, yet it stands out well in a 

 group ; the nodding cup-shaped bloom is a bright green' colour, 

 and, for a time, the outer sides of the sepals only are seen ; but 

 when the flowers are more fully expanded, the numerous and 

 somewhat long stamens (which are a creamy-white) seem to 

 nearly fill the cup ; to my mind, its greatest charm is in the 

 fragrant odour which it yields, resembling that of elder flowers. 

 A single blossom, if plucked dry and when in its prime, scents a 

 small room ; at such a stage, the anthers are loaded with pollen, 

 and the tubular petals are richly charged with nectar. True, 

 these last-named qualities are common to the genus, but when 

 they are coupled with that of a sweet perfume, and produced 

 by an open-air plant in winter, such a plant, be its blossoms 



