PLANTING FOR WINTER COLOUR 145 



diagonally, with a very gentle gradient. In the cooler, 

 lower portion there would be Rhododendrons and 

 Kalmias, with lesser growths of Skimmia and Gaul- 

 theria. Close to the path, on the less sunny side, 

 would be Lent Hellebores and the delightful winter 

 greenery of Epimedium. Then in full sun Andromeda 

 japonica, and on the shadier side Andromeda floribunda. 

 Both of these hard and rather brittle-wooded shrubs 

 belong to the group properly named Pieris, and form 

 dense bushes four or more feet high. At their foot 

 would be the lower-growing Andromedas of the Leu- 

 cothoe section, with lissome branches of a more willow- 

 like character. These make a handsome ground- 

 carpeting from one to three feet high, beautiful at all 

 seasons — the leaves in winter tinted or marbled with 

 red. Portions of the cooler side would also have 

 fringes of Hartstongue and Polypody, both winter 

 ferns. Then, as the path rose into more direct sun- 

 light, there would be Cistuses — in all mild winter 

 days giving off their strong, cordial scent — and the 

 dwarf Rhododendrons. Behind the Cistuses would 

 be White Broom, finely green-stemmed in winter. 

 There would even be shrubs in flower ; the thick-set 

 yellowish bloom of Witch Hazel {Hamamelis) and the 

 bright yellow of Jasminum nudiflorum. Then groups 

 of Junipers, and all the ground carpeted with Heath, 

 and so to the upper Fir-wood. Then, after the com- 

 forting greenery of the lower region, the lovely colour 

 of distant winter landscape would be intensely enjoy- 

 able ; for the greys and purples of the leafless wood- 

 land of middle distance have a beauty that no summer 



