146 FLOWER GARDENING 
tinguishing flower for each month. But this is a 
very pretty theory that may or may not come out 
all right in practice; it depends on the winter, 
and some other things. Snowdrops are rather re- 
liable “Fair Maids of February,” if they are 
planted where the snow is likely to melt soonest, 
and there is not only the witch hazel for November 
but a very tardy, and very tiny, hardy yellow 
chrysanthemum. December and January are the 
hardest months. The Christmas rose is only tol- 
erably dependable; sometimes it comes into bloom 
in October. More likely to appear in either month 
is a stray pansy, California violet or ‘“Johnny- 
jump-up,” all of which need no more encourage- 
ment than a bit of a thaw. 
Plant Christmas roses for December, ‘“‘Johnny- 
jump-ups” for January and snowdrops for 
February, by all means, but for assured seasonal 
notes use, to again quote Bacon, “such Things, as 
are Greene all Winter.” The red-cedar for its state- 
liness, would better be the note of the January path. 
Holly answers very well for December and the rho- 
dodendron for February. There is a fairly wide 
choice of both the narrow-leaved and broad-leaved 
evergreens, and this after rejecting any of doubtful 
hardiness, 
March has the lovely blue of Scilla sibirica and 
glory-of-the-snow, as well as the bright yellow of 
Crocus Vernus to denote it. Usually the later 
white and purple crocuses can be counted on also. 
Thenceforward, until November, choice may be- 
