This is a very proper period to plant the beautiful and early flowering
_Pyrus japónica_, now called _Cydónia japónica_. The blossoms are of a
rich scarlet colour. It is the earliest flowering shrub of the garden,
and deciduous, though said by some to be "an evergreen." The plant is
bushy, and well adapted for single plants in grass plats, or forming
low ornamental hedges. There is likewise _C. j. álba_, a fine white
variety of the same habit, and both are of the hardiest nature--also for
the various species of _Anemònes_ and all the herbaceous _Pæonias_.
Of the latter there are above nineteen species and twenty-two varieties,
a few of which are particularly esteemed, and exceedingly handsome. _P.
èdulis whitlíji_ is a splendid large double _P èdulis_ white; _P. Hùmei_
is a beautiful large double dark blush; _P. èdulis fràgrans_ is a fine
large double scarlet, rose-scented variety. These three plants ought to
be in every garden. The flowers are full in the centre, and frequently
above six inches in diameter; _P. álba chinènsis_ is said to be the
largest and finest of the herbaceous sorts; colour pure white, with pink
at the bottom of the petals--it is a scarce variety; _P. paradóxa
fimbàtria_, fringed double red, and esteemed; _P. officinális rúbra_ is
the common double red. There are several other very fine single species
and varieties, the flowers of which are principally red or blush, but
none so magnificent as the above mentioned. This is perhaps a more
favourable period to plant _Dodecátheon_ than March; for its character
see that month of this department. _Asclèpias tuberòsa_ should now be
planted.
_Double Primroses_, _Polyanthus_, _Daisies_, &c. Any of these that were
planted in shaded situations in spring, and have been preserved through
the summer, should have for their farther protection a bed well
sheltered from the north west, in which they should be planted four
inches apart. Give them a few sprinklings of water in the morning, and
have a temporary frame of rough boards put together to place over them
during the severity of winter. The frame may be covered with the same in
place of glass, which must be kept over them while they are in a frozen
state.
Any other plants that are in the ground, which are intended to be
protected with frames through the winter, ought to be immediately lifted
and potted; and treated as directed for all new potted plants.