THE .SOCIETY'S GAKDEN AT VVISLEV. 



75 



different months. In January we have Snowdrops, Aconites, Christmas 

 Roses, Primroses, and similar flowers in great quantities. In February 

 we have all the flowers mentioned in January with the addition of the 

 Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa), early Crocus, Scilla sibirica, and many 

 forms of Cyclamen Atkins ii. All these are excellent at Wisley, and are 

 planted on mounds or similar positions where they are never disturbed 

 and have perfect drainage — a point of much importance. About March 

 the Cyclamen count and Cyclamen vernum are lovely — the best plants 

 growing by the sides of rustic stone steps — and with these and big plants 

 of Primroses these steps are charming all through March and part of 

 April. Other plants or bulbs in flower during March are the early- 

 flowering Narcissi ; one specially worthy of mention is N. cyclamineus, 

 grown under the shade of deciduous trees where the leaves are allowed 

 to lie and rot. The flowers are not only numerous but of great size, 

 proving that this variety likes shade and leaf-mould. A few early Tulips, 

 Helleborus orientalis or Lenten Rose, Anemone fulgens, and that charming 

 shrub Pieris japonica ; on one of the ponds the beautiful Aponogeton 

 distachyon fills the place with its delicious Hawthorn scent ; but with 

 the advent of April and May no writer or speaker could do justice to the 

 display of all kinds of flowers usually found in gardens. Water-lilies of 

 many shades begin flowering freely ; trees and shrubs are clothed with 

 foliage and flowers, and bold masses of Narcissi, one variety only in a mass ; 

 Anemones in great variety, especially nemorosa Bob'insoniana ; large 

 clumps of Primroses and Polyanthus, aud in the ditches and moist places 

 Primula japonica in rude health, with flowers ranging from pure white to 

 deepest purple ; Tulips in many colours, Erythroniums, or Dog's-tooth 

 Violets in many varieties blooming profusely under trees ; also Oxalis in 

 many colours, and the American Wood-lily, of which the best is Trillium 

 grandijlorum ; and for growing under trees it is questionable whether this 

 plant has any equal. 



Towards the end of the month of May and through most of June the 

 Azaleas and Rhododendrons are a blaze of colour, and well worth going 

 a long distance to see. Nearly all the varieties are choice ones, selected 

 by the late Mr. Wilson, and planted carefully with a view to colour effect. 

 Amongst the Azaleas are planted Lilium auratum, lancifolium, par- 

 dalinum, &c, some of which flower at the end of June, but the Lily 

 that produces the finest display in June is gigantewn, which grows eight 

 to ten feet high under deciduous trees, but only three to four feet high 

 in the sun. L. Szovitzianum is splendid either under trees or out in 

 the open, and continues in flower through nearly the whole month. 

 L. rubellum and L. Hansonii are two of the most charming varieties 

 that flower freely in the shade, and are greatly admired by visitors in 

 June. The remarkably fine Wisley collections of Paeonies and Irises are 

 also at their best during the month. This year, unfortunately, the 

 former were seriously injured by the late frost, but, having made excellent 

 growth, they should be a feature of the Garden next June. 



From about the last week in June and through the major portion 

 of July, the Iris Kmnpferi are a wonderful sight by the lake-sides. 

 They are allowed to grow naturally with long grass amongst them, 

 and though some of the flowers are somewhat small, they seem perfectly 



