40 THE BOOK OF THE WINTER GARDEN 



is appreciated for its elegance ; the double - flowered, 

 when massed, produces a greater extent of white. 

 Snowdrops are soon injured by being kept dry, and 

 those who can obtain clumps fresh from the ground 

 should do so. They may be lifted at any convenient 

 time, but for grass plantings August and September 

 are the best months. Set the bulbs 6 inches deep, 

 and for thick masses 2 inches apart. 



Giant Snowdrop 



{Galanthus Elwesii) is very effective for its large flowers 

 and broad foliage. Rough weather levels this and other 

 large-flowered snowdrops, and thus the typical G, nivalis, 

 naturalised in various parts of Britain, but not truly a 

 native, is yet unrivalled for large plantings. Probably 

 we may have one day a race of real yellow-flowered 

 snowdrops, which if well constituted would be most use- 

 ful, as these flowers stand the stress of wintry weather 

 better than do golden crocuses or winter aconites. 



Gold Coin 



(Hacquetia Epipactis) (Dondia), — As in the Eranthi, half 

 the attraction of this quaint dwarf plant rests in the 

 flowers and half in the pale-green leaves surrounding 

 them. This Central European plant is, however, not 

 tuberous, but deep-rooting like the Hepatica. Hacquetia 

 is seldom seen in plenty, as it is rather a slow growing 

 subject, but one well worth having, as its brightness 

 is with us for fully six or so weeks, from February 

 onwards. It thrives best in rich moist soils and in half- 

 shaded positions. Increased by division or by seed. 



Christmas Rose 



{Helleborus niger), — This might well have headed the 

 list of winter flowers, for it is in perfection at the time 



