34 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 



weather that usually prevails in its flowering season. The 

 plant is a native of Southern Europe, and needs for its 

 perfect development better conditions than are usually 

 secured for it in English gardens, more especially as it 

 flowers at a time of year when the elements are in a mood 

 to make war upon every green herb, and tear away the one 

 last leaf that still hangs upon the tree. To put this plant 

 in a common border is not quite fair to it. A sheltered 

 nook should be chosen, and a plot of ground prepared by 

 draining it thoroughly, unless it is naturally well drained 

 already, and by deep digging and liberal manuring. It 

 does not need any particular kind of soil, for any fairly 

 good garden loam will suit it perfectly, but the station 

 should be well prepared, and the plants should be put out 

 upon it when their leaves are dying down, and they are 

 going naturally to rest. Sheltered, half-shaded, grassy 

 banks answer admirably for plantations that are to be left 

 to flower naturally, but the plantation in the sheltered 

 nook we are now considering is not to be left to flower 

 naturally. As soon as they begin to push in the late 

 autumn they should all be covered with frames or hand- 

 lights, which must be freely ventilated in mild weather, 

 but during frost must be kept close, both to prevent a 

 check and protect the flowers. By such management early 

 flowers will be secured, and they will be large, thick, and 

 pure. Like those of the white Japan anemone, they may 

 be likened to water-lilies, but they need not be likened to 

 anything it is enough to know that they are Christmas 

 roses. An anonymous poet, weaving the " winter rose " 

 into the garland of his hopes and cares, has indulged in the 

 fancy that the flower is fragrant, but it requires quite a 

 poet's imagination to extract an odour from the flower. 



