2 THE BOOK OF THE WINTER GARDEN 



warmer countries severely. Yet the very changeableness 

 of weather is sufficient reason alone why more attention 

 should be given to ^* winter effects." Did snow lie 

 thick the winter through, there would be less need for 

 the introduction in plantings of the beautiful and small 

 berried shrubs, and those possessing other attractions in 

 the season of garden rest. 



Many well-known evergreens are not likely to be 

 ousted from their position, for they are quick growers 

 and valuable for affording shelter for plants less hardy. 



A few plants — the majority from sub-alpine regions — 

 flower in the open during the earliest months of the 

 year. Such subjects as Christmas roses, snowdrops, 

 and winter aconites are old favourites. The blue Anemone 

 blanda, the rosy-flowered heath (Erica carnea, etc.), and 

 several species and hybrids of Saxifraga, are beautiful 

 early flowering plants too little known. Some, as the 

 crocuses and irises, are brilliant and varied in their 

 colouring, but require sheltered sites for their January 

 and after blossoms, lest these are torn by winds. 



Not only should these and others be planted outside, 

 but quantities should go into pots for greenhouse flowers. 



As the fascination of gardening lies in its connection 

 with living organisms, it is not difficult to understand 

 why tender winter flowering plants that livefast^ or are 

 capable of being raised from seed or shoot to a flowering 

 state within a single year, should have much attention 

 shown them. The raising of the Socotran race of 

 begonias, of which to-day Gloire de Lorraine is a good 

 type, the improvement of the Chinese primroses, fragrant 

 both in flower and leaf, the enlargement of the Cyclamen 

 persicum, have given, with other improvements, an 

 impetus to small cultures. For these and similar plants 

 may be reared to an equal pitch of perfection by the 

 owner of a few square feet of grass, as by the gardener 

 and staff of lo,ooo feet. And in this respect they 



