Hi FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERfS. 



though for some years it was grown in the greenhouse, 

 as too tender for the open ground. This winter-flowering 

 plant, Jiisminnm nndiflorum — so called because the flowers 

 appear without any accompanying leaves — began to flower 

 at Kew on the 1st of November, 1885, and continued 

 flowering until the end of March, 1886. No one particu- 

 lar tree was in flower during the whole of these five 

 months, but some trees flowered early, some at mid-winter, 

 and some in the dawn of spring, the aspect and degree of 

 shelter being the chief determining causes of the difference. 

 The fact appears worthy of record, because frost and snow 

 were not unknown in the winter when the facts were noted. 

 The yellow jasmine reminds us of the great wealth of 

 our gardens in flowering trees and shrubs. When we say 

 " our gardens," we are not unmindful of the poverty of 

 many gardens, wherein the lilac and the laburnum divide 

 between them all the honours that may be due to flowering 

 trees. We have not a word of disparagement to say of 

 either of these cheerful friends. They are hardy enough 

 to manage their own affairs, and in return for the little 

 space they occupy — occasioning absolutely no trouble at all 

 — they make return in harvests of delightful flowers. But 

 there are other good things at command for the lovers of 

 gardens who will be liberal in planting. As companions 

 to the jasmine we have several species of ornamental 

 currants and gooseberries, such as Ribes aurenm, with 

 yellow flowers ; S. specioswm, with crimson flowers, like 

 miniature fuchsias; and li. niveum, with white flov/ers. 

 At another turn we come upon the weigela or diervilla ; 

 and if only one of this fine group can be accommodated, it 

 should be the old Weigela rosea, which makes a grand 

 bouquet of rosy flowers, sweetly shaded with white and 



