224 



THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 



December, 1905 



The cyclamen llowers last longer than those of 

 any other of the Christmas plants if Kept in a cool 

 room. Can be grown in the window garden all the year 



Crimson Rambler of our summer gardens. 

 It is of dwarf habit, and the flowers are 

 borne in clusters. It is the only rose yet 

 introduced that can honestly be called an 

 ever-blooming rose. Plants grown in pots 

 indoors have actually been in bloom for 

 twelve months. 



Every young growth that the plants make 

 throws a cluster of bloom at the point, 

 and before that has quite faded other 

 shoots develop in the leaf axils, and in 

 turn produce flowers. This is carried on 

 indefinitely. 



Like every other rose, it is likely to be 

 attacked by the red spider, but this can be 

 kept in subjection by occasional syringing. 

 A sunny window, with a winter temperature 



of 55 to 65 degrees, will be found best for its 

 well-being. 



This is the only rose that can be honestly 

 called a "pot rose." Of course other roses 

 can be grown in pots, but they are so unsatis- 

 factory that no one cares to trouble with 

 them. The Baby Rambler seems to do 

 better with pot culture indoors than else- 

 where, and it is practically the only pot rose 

 that can be had in flower for Christmas. 



When warm weather comes again they can 

 be planted outdoors, and indeed are perfectly 

 hardy if allowed to ripen naturally, but if 

 planted outdoors in a green state, in freezing 

 weather, they will be killed. A few plants of 

 this rose make a very pretty bed in the gar- 

 den after they have been used indoors, but 

 if it is desired to have them in flower again 

 for another Christmas a slightly different 

 procedure is necessary. In this case, if one 

 does not want to keep them in the house all 

 summer, plunge them in their pots — that is, 

 put the pot and all in the ground. Treated 

 thus outdoors they require less attention, 

 and they can be readily lifted again before 

 freezing weather. Most roses seem to do 

 best when allowed to freeze and rest for some 

 time, but it does not seem necessary in this 

 case, for the same results can be expected, 

 whether rested or not. As this is a new plant, 

 it is still somewhat expensive. Flowering 

 plants for Christmas will cost from $1 to $2.50 

 each, according to size. 



THE MOST SHOWY CHRISTMAS PLANT 



As flowering plants, the season of useful- 

 ness of the showy Indian azaleas is short, but 

 few things give the same rich effect so long as 

 they last, and if wanted only to brighten the 

 home for the holidays few things will be 

 found to give such good returns. There are 

 only one or two early varieties that can be 

 had in flower by Christmas. These are 



Rhododendrons are not so easily flowered for 

 Christmas as azaleas (see page 209), nor are they so 

 brightly colored. Better Keep them as outdoor plants 

 in shady borders 



Apollo (orange scarlet), Deutsche Perle 

 (white), Simon Mardner (bright rose), and 

 Vervaeneana (white, with salmon and car- 

 mine markings), a most beautiful variety. 



These plants are expensive when bought 

 in a flower store at the holiday time. A plant 

 of azalea in full bloom that will cost $2.50 at 

 Christmas time can be bought a month earlier 

 for half that price, and the careful purchaser 

 will take advantage of this fact. If the right 

 variety be procured, no trouble will be ex- 

 perienced in having it in flower at the right 

 time. The buds for Christmas flowering are 

 ready long before, and can be held in check 

 in the house for say one or two weeks, accord- 

 ing as the plants are kept in a warm or cool 



The dwarf Jerusalem cherry has bright scarlet 

 berries three-quarters of an inch in diameter. The 

 plant will drop both leaves and fruit if the air of the 

 room is not pure 



The Spotted laurel ( Aucuba. Japonlca) with its large, 



deep-red berries is the joy of English and Southern 



gardens. Must be grown indoors in the North for 



winter. Staminate and pistillate plants are separate 



THREE RED-BERRIED PLANTS FOR HOLIDAY CHEER 



The great merit of the spear flower (Ardisia 

 crenulata) is that the berries remain fresh for twelve 

 months. The seeds germinate easily, but the plant 

 grows very slowly. Place outdoors all summer 



