WINTER IN THE GARDEN 197 



itself extensively by self - sown seedlings, which 

 often attain a height of eight feet or more. 



Cornibs mas., the Cornelian cherry, is a pretty 

 little tree often in bloom by the end of February. 

 Every branchlet and twig is covered with small 

 yellow blossoms, which are produced while the 

 boughs are yet bare of leaves and the tree at a 

 little distance appears like a cloud of pale yellow. 

 The individual flowers are fashioned of thin petals 

 radiating like the spokes of a wheel. It is seen to 

 best advantage when planted in front of some large, 

 dark-leaved evergreen, whose sombre background 

 will render the flowers more conspicuous. The 

 Californian Garrya elliptica is a handsome shrub 

 during the winter months, when covered with a 

 profusion of its long greyish-white catkins, some of 

 which are fully a foot in length. Notwithstanding 

 its habitat, the Garrya has proved hardy in this 

 country, flourishing even as far north as Edinburgh. 



Crocus Imperati is a delightful winter flower, 

 generally expanding its first blossoms before Christ- 

 mas. Its blooms, lilac-purple within and buff 

 streaked with dark purple on the exterior of the 

 petals, are very sweet, and particularly welcome in 

 the depth of winter. There are also white and 

 rose-coloured forms of this flower. Much of our 



