Chapter VIII 



OUTSIDE WINDOW BOXES 

 IN WINTER 



A Difficult Question 



THE question is frequently asked, "What plants 

 or shrubs are suitable for outside. window boxes, 

 or piazza boxes, or to stand in cold vestibules in the 

 Winter time? " This is a difficult question to answer 

 in an encouraging way, especially if it refers to a 

 climate as harsh as that of New England. It is safe 

 to say that no plant has yet been discovered that will 

 pass through the rigor of a, New England Winter and 

 be of much value at the end of the season. 



Winter Disturbances 



The best that may be hoped of any evergreen 

 shrub exposed all Winter in a tub or box is, th^tit 

 will remain unchanged in appearance until January 

 or February. Just as soon as the sun begins to gain 

 in warmth and the days lengthen out, conditions are 

 set up that will quickly destroy the hardiest plant. 

 Up to this time it has been, as it were, in cold storage, 

 no change has taken place, every function has been 

 dormant. Now that the first warm day begins to 

 set the sap in circulation and demands are made on 

 the roots to respond, these latter are still frozen in a 

 solid block of loam and will be for weeks to come. 



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