CHRISTMAS AND LENTEN ROSES 83 



while they are not without charm and interest, they lack 

 the beauty of the Christmas and Lenten Roses. These are 

 the real indispensables. Would that I could conclude by 

 saying that they are good plants for the suburban 

 gardener, but the truth is that the average garden near 

 towns, with its poor soil and hot aspect, is not suited to 

 them. Hellebores are plants for shady spots, for ferny 

 glades, for woodlands, for cool banks ; and it is the 

 exception to find such sites in the suburbs. But if 

 they exist, Christmas Roses may be grown. 



