BEAUTIFUL WINTER PLANTS 53 



as it has flowered, the young shoots should be pruned 

 back to the old branches. The Yellow Jasmine is also 

 valuable as a wall shrub. 



In March all the strongest shoots that have last 

 flowered should be tied in, and the others should be cut 

 out. The Jasmine flowers are also very fragrant. 



Another group of winter flowering shrubs is that of 

 Wych-hazels. These bear their scented flowers from 

 December onwards : the finest species is Hamamelis 

 Japonica arborea. It bears beautiful flowers, with 

 bright yellow petals and red centres, early in January. 

 The flowers remaining in perfection for many weeks, 

 often the entire plant is studded with these flowers. 



The Cornelian Cherry, or Cornus mas, bears thousands 

 of small yellow flowers in January or February. 



The scarlet flowers of the Japanese Quince, Pyrus 

 Japonica, appear in January, and the orange red flowers 

 of Cydonia mauleii and the large white flowers of 

 Cydonia nivalis also appear at the beginning of the 

 year. 



At any rate in the South of England the Laurustinus 

 is of great value in winter, but as it will not stand hard 

 frost it is not much good trying to grow it in northern 

 or exposed situations. 



The shrubby Honeysuckles, Lonicera fragrantissima 

 and Lonicera standishi, are easy to grow, as also are the 

 Mezerion, the double Furze, and the evergreen Garrya 

 eliptica. 



Several of the Heaths again flower in winter. Of 

 these Erica cornea, with compact low cushions of green 

 leaves and pale red flowers, and its white variety, are 

 the best. 



Flowers, however, are not the only beautiful part of 

 a plant. Many trees and shrubs are well worth growing 

 for the berries which cover them in the winter-time. 

 The Firethorn, Cratagus pyracantha, which bears 



