CHRISTMAS AND LENTEN ROSES 81 



Sticklers would contend that a Hellebore which flowered 

 in November could not be a Christmas Rose, but there 

 are no sticklers in gardening. 



Planting. The time to plant Christmas Roses is un- 

 doubtedly September. During that pleasant month they 

 begin to make roots, and it is desirable to shift them 

 when the process is starting. To move them afterwards 

 means the destruction of new roots, which is a slap in 

 the face for Nature that she is quite likely to return with 

 interest. 



The character of the soil is not of great importance 

 as long as it is drained. Heavy soil and light will alike 

 grow the plants well. But there should be no damp, no 

 stodginess. Light soil may be improved by digging in 

 a dressing of well-decayed manure, and the ground 

 should be moved to a depth of at least a foot prefer- 

 ably eighteen inches. 



Some growers, unable to find the ideal sheltered spot 

 for their Christmas Roses, yet very desirous of having 

 early flowers, place the plants in groups and put frames 

 around and over them. Or they cover small clumps 

 with separate handlights. The French gardener's frames 

 and cloches would serve this purpose admirably. But 

 it is not every amateur who has frames and handlights 

 to spare. At a pinch artificial shelter could be provided, 

 in the form of a few armfuls of fern fronds thrown 

 among the plants. These also form a soil-covering 

 which prevents particles of grit being splashed up by 

 rain on to the flowers. Should the flowers be caught 

 by frost, it is a good plan to sprinkle them with cold 

 water before the sun rises. 



The Christmas Roses begin to grow (in the ordinary 

 sense) in spring, for it is then that the new leaves 

 appear. When they are furnished with fresh foliage 



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