70 BOOK OF THE COTTAGE GARDEN 



(Daphne), sweetest of winter blooming shrubs, has 

 long been a favourite. The pink and white forms are 

 preferable to the common Mezereon, which has pur- 

 plish flowers. Another fragrant shrub, flowering in 

 the dull days of December and January, is the Winter 

 Sweet (Chimonanthus fragrans), which should be given 

 a place beside a wall facing west or south. The bare 

 shoots, covered with small creamy-brown flowers, are 

 invaluable tor cutting ; if placed in a vase they soon fill 

 a room with their exquisite perfume. Then there are 

 the Jasmines, never more happy than beside the cottage 

 wall. The yellow-flowered nudiflorum is the brightest 

 note of colour in the winter garden ; whilst there are 

 few sweeter things anywhere than the starry white 

 blossoms of officinale. Another beautiful family is the 

 Lonicera (Honeysuckles), comprising both buslies and 

 woody climbers. The common Honeysuckle, precious 

 wilding of the country lanes, is worthy indeed of a place 

 in the garden. There are few sights more lovely than 

 that of this graceful plant garlanding a porch or trellis, 

 and it deserves better treatment than is usually afforded. 

 The Winter Honeysuckle (L. fragrantissima) is a hardy 

 shrub, its creamy flowers opening in the early days of 

 the year. In a sunny, sheltered position its sweetness 

 fills the air with an almost exotic fragrance. Less well 

 known than the foregoing, but delicately perfumed, is 

 the Allspice (Calycanthus), a North American shrub 

 bearing reddish flowers. It does best in damp, shady 

 places, and those who can spare a corner will do well to 

 include it. 



Here, then, are the names of but a few of the many 

 flowering shrubs which may be planted in the Cottage 

 Garden. The number might easily be extended, but we 

 must leave room for bulbs and herbaceous plants, not to 

 mention the roses, without which no garden would be 

 complete. Speaking generally, flowering shrubs are 



