14 
NEVILL PRIMROSE FARM 
HELLEBORUS 
(Christmas Rose) —An ancient legend tells that it was the only flower 
which Adam and Eve were permitted to take with them from the Garden of Eden. A 
later story, however, is better known and make the plant a part of the Yiiletide season. 
At the hour when the Christ Child was born in the manger at Bethlehem, the mountain 
folks say, this blossom first sprang up into the light. And ever since that time it has 
been known as the Christmas Rose. 
But the Christmas Rose is not really a rose; for no rose could be happy growing out- 
^ atmosphere. In fact, it is one of the relatives of the Hepaticas and 
t le Marshmai igolds and the Anemones and the Buttercups. Unlike them, however, it 
^ foliage that stays green the year round, and its waxy blossoms actu- 
all> thrive with snow and ice round them. It seems a miracle of the garden 
to whose garden the Christmas Rose was first planted to be a delight 
Cei t^l Vnr gradually from its rocky home in the mountains it was carried into 
l Southei 11 Europe and into English gardens. To most American gardens it 
is still a stranger but it could be grown and enjoyed much more than it is. for it endures 
the winters ot western New York and northern Ohio. 
If the plants are dug in early fall and placed in pots, they will blossom at Christmas 
ime, pioviding Uiey are g.ven plenty of light and water and rich soil. And no blossoms 
make more charming holiday gifts, not only because of their owm beauty but also for 
their association with the Christmases of long ago. 
1 he foregoing is an extract from the December 1929 issue of Better Homes and 
Gardens, article by Hazel Hankinson. r>-Liei nomes ana 
foetidus—A handsome and interesting winter blooming plant very frost resistant ThP tnii 
stem is bushy with dark green narrow leathery palmate leave^topred by f l^rge 
ot light gieen nodding bells wdth purple penciling near edge Good de=‘p soil and nart 
shade. 3 tt. high. Small plants 75c; large blooming plaiUs $2.00 
niger (var. altifolius) (Christmas Rose)—A truly wontlerful plant by far too Ittle known 
and cultivated, from a c iimp of dark green leathery evergreen foliage that strongly re- 
semhles the toliage ot the Peony rises a mass of flower stems 12 to 18 iiiclms high 
Mowers 2 14 to 31/2 inches diameter. A well-established chimp is an indescrihably bean- 
titnl sight. The flowers do not drop their petals, but from the purest white they^gradn- 
! ke TTiUVcaWr Trnlv'it‘‘'irY Ports form, tha petals^,e^onle 
Ike a gieeii caly.x. Tinly it is an astonishing plant. One New Jersey woman told us she 
So^^R^r.ii?i-r'’i4\r’" '«v'to 
”tnhnh.;fl'oi't" r7"arrtl';i\r7“t'rt^tr ' 1 “"7“®! "f 
Hl'r,nTiirie mixed.';r«‘o^ ^ HeUel^::^ 
Somethinfi rare in a dwarf blue plant — I*olyf;ala calc 
area 
