WINTER IN THE GARDEN 189 



fiiUy open they resemble twisted strips of gold leaf 

 about three-quarters of an inch in length, each 

 flower being composed of four petals, which contrast 

 eifectively with the crimson sepals. A good-sized 

 specimen, with every shoot crowded with blossom, 

 seen against a dark evergreen background, such as 

 yew, affords a striking picture towards the end of 

 January. The flowers will endure ten degrees of 

 frost without injury. In its native land it is said to 

 attain a height of twenty feet. All who appreciate 

 sweet-scented flowers should grow the Chinese 

 bush honeysuckle {Lonicerafragrantissima), which 

 in mid-January is covered with small, drooping, 

 ivory-white blossoms that emit a delightful odour. 

 As a bush it will grow in the open to a height of 

 from six to eight feet, and higher if trained against 

 a wall. Its blossoms are of great substance and 

 are little harmed by bad weather. The flowering 

 shoots when cut are very acceptable in the house. 

 It is classed as an evergreen, but often loses its 

 leaves during the winter. Closely allied to this 

 species is L. Standishi, also a Chinese plant, but of 

 the two L. Jragrantissima is to be preferred. The 

 Algerian Iris (/. stylosa or unguicularis), is one of 

 the loveliest of winter-flowering plants, its scented 

 lavender blossoms being as beautiful as any orchid. 



