WINTER AND EARLY SPRING FLOWERS. 



given in other chapters, of annuals, bulbs, roses, shrubs, florists' flowers, foliage plants, 

 and grasses should be freely consulted, aud an ample addition of plants from the 

 best in the respective classes made in planting the 

 borders. Among herbaceous plants included in the 

 lists of florists' flowers, delphiniums, phloxes, both 

 early and late, and pyrethrums should, in particular, 

 be largely included in the borders or beds. To be 

 made as attractive as possible the border of hardy 

 flowers should not be restricted to herbaceous plants 

 in the scientific meaning of the word " herbaceous " 

 (see page 13), but should include the best plants of 

 all classes which can be grown in our climate 

 in the open air, even if only during a portion 

 of the year. 



For convenience, the selections have been 

 divided into flowers suitable for various seasons, 

 and it must be remembered that many of the plants 

 remain in bloom for a prolonged period, and thus, 

 many are in flower in the succeeding season to 

 that for which they are given. The flowering time 

 is also dependent upon climate, soil, and exposure, 

 in addition to the mildness or severity of the season. 

 The heights given are average ones, and the flowers 

 will be found to vary according to the soil and the 

 weather. 



WINTER AND EARLY SPRING FLOWERS. 

 December to March. 



Even in these dull months the garden may 

 give a great deal of pleasure by a free use of ever- 

 green shrubs and bulbous plants. Snowdrops, in- 

 cluding G-alanthus Elwesi, the double and single varieties of the ordinary Or. nivalis, and 

 several of the rarer species and varieties are of very great value. There are also large 



k k 2 



Fig. 122. Iris reticulata. 



