CHAPTER XIV 

 HARDY PERENNIALS FOR SPRING 



THERE are two seasons when a few good herbaceous perennials 

 may be used with advantage for the decoration of the un- 

 heated greenhouse. In the earliest months of the year, while 

 winter still lingers, they are wanted, not only for the sake of 

 variety, but that we may forestall the tardy spring. Again, 

 towards the end of September, when the first frosts may come 

 any day to rob us of our border flowers, it is well to be able 

 to prove that the plant world is not peopled solely with 

 Chrysanthemums. In the one case, they must be gently 

 forwarded by all means at command ; in the other, with some 

 exceptions, they must receive special treatment to retard their 

 flowering. In a greenhouse in which absolutely no means of 

 heating exists, the gentle persuasion of hardy plants to earlier 

 flowering afforded by a glass shelter is of special value. 

 Another phase of the same practice, namely, the protection of 

 plants which flower naturally during winter, has already been 

 considered under the head of the Alpine House ; but a good 

 many perennials of larger growth than most alpines, suitable 

 for an ordinary greenhouse, may be mentioned here. Adonis 

 amurensis, a somewhat recent introduction, is one of these, 

 and differs but little from the better known A. vernalis, though 

 it is scarcely so fine a plant, but its bright yellow flowers are 

 amongst the earliest of the year. 



Christmas Roses (Helleborus niger) can fairly claim a fore- 

 most place in the winter list. These are not always easy to 



