Hamamelis japonica, which blooms out of doors in mid- 
winter, is certainly a novelty. It is the Japanese cousin of our 
own native Witchhazel, but far handsomer than this and an 
exceptionally good subject to plant in a city yard. The 
severest cold weather does not injure it, and it can stand city 
conditions with perfect fortitude. It has two forms, one of 
which blooms a few days before the other; both are handsome 
and certain to attract much attention in the middle of Febru- 
ary, when they may be expected to 
flower in the latitude of New England. 
The blossoms are larger and darker 
in color than any other Hamamelis. 
There is another species, H. mollis, 
which comes from China, which also 
blooms in February, having bright 
yellow flowers of unusual size that 
remain in good condition for several 
weeks. This species is equally at 
home in a city yard. One other, 
H. vernalis, which should not be 
overlooked is a native of this country. 
This flowers in late December or early 
January. It is comparatively new in 
cultivation, having been discovered in 
southern Missouri. 
Agathaea coelestis (the Blue Mar- 
guerite) is by no means a new plant. 
It has long been bedded out in 
quantity in the south of England, 
though so little known here. The 
flowers are small compared with 
those of the white and yellow Mar- 
guerites, but are abundantly pro- 
duced in winter and spring in quite 
small pots in any greenhouse where a minimum of about 
40 degrees is maintained. Good blue-flowering plants are not 
abundant and for that reason it seems strange that so admirable 
a little plant as this is so seldom met with. It is easily prop- 
agated from cuttings and there is no difficulty at all in its cul- 
ture. Some day it is hoped there may be a blue Marguerite of 
equal size with the yellow ones — and here would seem to be a 
grand chance for some hybridization! 
Callicarpa is an irristible plant, for nothing else that grows 
has fruit resembling its small violet berries. By the same 
token no plant which can be chosen will prove more ornamen- 
tal in a garden planned for fall color effects. As with many 
plants, there are allied species in this country and on the 
other side of the world. The native plant is Callicarpa ameri- 
cana, often known more commonly as the French Mulberry 
although this name is of course a misnomer — for the plant 
is not a Mulberry and did not come from France! In some 
parts of the south they call it the Possum-berry. Unfortu- 
nately, it is not hardy in the northern states, but in southern 
Georgia and northern Florida it grows in great abundance, 
especially in rich, moist ground where it oftentimes may be 
seen bordering the roadsides. To a lesser extent it is found 
as far north as Virginia, and as far west as Arkansas. Perhaps 
it is not so highly treasured in its native home as it would be in 
the North if it could be grown there. Fortunately the Japa- 
nesespecies is much hardier and will thrive in Northern sections, 
if planted in somewhat sheltered locations or given a little 
winter protection. It grows luxuriantly in the Arnold Arbore- 
tum, near Boston, and greatly delights visitors with its fine 
show of delicately colored berries. In some ways it resembles 
Buddleia variabilis, because even when killed to the ground 
young shoots spring up rapidly and 
bear flowers and fruit the same 
season. Its flowers are pink but 
are not conspicuous, and it is only 
for its fall fruit that the plant is 
worth growing. It is reasonable to 
believe that if the Callicarpas could 
be cultivated extensively enough the 
berries would be in great demand 
by florists in the fall. They should 
sell quite as well as the Black 
Alder (Ilex verticillata) immense 
quantities of which are now marketed. 
Moreover, it is possible to grow the 
Callicarpas in the greenhouse, if 
they are ' given an abundance of 
light and air. They are readily pro- 
pagated by greenwood cuttings, made 
either in the spring or in the summer 
under glass. Hardwood cuttings may 
also be made, and plants may be 
started from seeds; so apparently 
there is no reason why Callicarpa 
japonica should not become a very 
useful plant in the North, and 
perhaps more widely appreciated 
than the native Callicarpa americana 
is now, or ever has been, in the South. 
Saxifraga longifolia, the Pyrenean Saxifrage, which simu- 
lates a silver “sunburst” and is justly called the “queen of the 
Silver Saxifrages,” is the best of this class of Saxifrages, which 
are distinguished by encrustations of lime on their leaves. 
They all draw particular attention to their beauty of form and 
coloring during fall and winter. This particular one needs to 
be planted in a rock cleft so that water will not lodge in the 
rosettes, using well drained soil containing broken limestone or 
old mortar rubble for its roots. When the background is of 
dark colored rocks the effect is striking. Others easily grown 
belonging to this group are the many varieties of S. Aizoon; and 
S. Cotyledon which, in addition to its handsome foliage, pro- 
duces in early spring wonderful panicles of white flowers. 
Autumn-blooming Crocus are delightful planted in amongst 
carpeting plants such as dwarf Thymes and Cerastiums. 
These latter serve a double purpose when bulbs are asso- 
ciated with them; they prevent heavy rains from splashing 
the soil to disfigure delicate blooms, and they cover the ground 
when the bulbs have had their little day. Crocus zonatus is a 
species with pale lilac flowers from the mountains of Cilicia, 
Try planting it with Cerastium tomentosum. 
Callicarpa japonica flourishes in Northern gardens, fur- 
nishing a delightful bit of color amid the winter grays 
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