to make a border interesting during the whole of the winter months,
for not only do they all possess handsome foliage, but their flowers
also are very beautiful and varied in colour. They are easy of
culture, liking a deep, fairly stiff and rich, though well-drained,
soil, and thriving best in dense shade, under trees or on the north
side of a hedge or wall. The Hellebores are impatient of disturbance
and meddlesomeness. The flowers, coming as they do in the rainy
season, should be saved from being soiled with splashes of mud by
having moss placed on the earth beneath them. Of the many species and
varieties, the old Christmas Rose (_H. niger_) is by far the most
valuable. Its large white flowers, appearing at the end of the year,
when most flowers have succumbed to numbing cold or blighting winds,
stir the imagination in the same way as does a beautiful face in the
Bow Street dock or a butterfly in a foundry. The so-called _Helleborus
niger maximus_, or _H. altifolius_, has larger flowers, which,
moreover, appear earlier than those of _H. niger_, but the colour is
not so pure, many of the flowers being tinged with pink. The crimson
_H. abchasicus_, and _H. colchicus_ with flowers of darkest purple, as
well as some of the hybrids derived from them, should be grown in every
garden. The green and inconspicuous flowered varieties, such as _H.
fœtidus_, _H. lividus_, which came from Corsica about the beginning of
the eighteenth century, and _H. viridus_, are well worth growing for
their foliage, and indeed for their flowers also, if there be any shady
moist corner where few plants will thrive.
A plant somewhat related to the Hellebores, though smaller in every
way, is the pretty little Winter Aconite (_Eranthis hyemalis_), which
brightens the ground early in January with its yellow cups resting on
the daintiest of green ruffles. It looks its best when it has become
well established and naturalised in grass, or among trees and shrubs.
Long after the flower has fallen, the beautiful foliage continues to
drape and decorate the earth during the early months of the year. In
warm, sheltered situations, two species of Scilla often produce their
flowers in January:--_Scilla bifolia_, which sends up spikes of dark
blue bells, the spikes being about eight inches in height, and the much
smaller and somewhat later _S. siberica_, with flowers of peculiarly
intense blue. Some of the anemones often begin to flower in winter,
especially the Blue Wind-flower of Greece (_A. blanda_), and in warm
situations the old _A. coronaria_ itself. In any case the foliage of
anemones, and beautiful foliage it is, is one of the ornaments of the
hardy winter garden. Some of the species of crocus, also, belong to
the section of winter bloomers, notably the mauve _C. imperati_, and
the pale lilac _C. pulchellus_. In sheltered shady spots, where it can
enjoy well-drained leafy soil undisturbed, the round-leaved Cyclamen
(_C. coum_) and its white-flowered variety (_C. hyemale_) produce
abundance of welcome little flowers often quite early in January. Those
who fear the assaults of evil spirits should remember a couplet quoted
in Folkard's "Plant Lore, Legends and Lyrics":--
"St John's Wort and fresh Cyclamen she in her chamber kept,
From the power of evil angels to guard him while he slept."
Its potency as a drug was so thoroughly believed that Gerard fenced
round all his cyclamens, and also laid sticks over them crosswise lest
any unfortunate individual might tread on the corms, and so bring about
the direst results.
In wild waste spots, or under trees where few things will thrive,
the fragrant Winter Coltsfoot is well worth growing. It spreads at a
terrible pace, and must therefore not be introduced into the mixed
borders. The common primrose and its garden varieties, as well as many
other species of primula, are of the utmost value in the winter garden,
both for their foliage and for their flowers, which in some cases begin
to appear soon after Christmas. One of the very earliest is the purple
Caucasian Primrose (_P. amœna_), which bears its umbel of flowers often
in the very depth of winter. All the primroses like shelter, partial
shade, deep moderately-rich soil, and "peace and quietness."
But of all the flowers of winter, the most beautiful is the fragrant
_Iris reticulata_. No description can convey a tithe of its effect.
Two grass-green sheaths drape the lower part of the flower-stalk,
the sheath on the convex side becoming at its margin so thin and
transparent as to seem to melt into the stem itself. The flower-stalk
up to this point is of a curious green colour veined with purple,
but gradually, as the flower is reared, the purple increases so as
to colour the whole surface of the stem; and, indeed, at the root of
the petals the stem becomes almost black. Nor is the flower itself
unworthy so dainty a support, for the colouring and form are exquisite.
The falls, which are coloured on the outside a dull purple with
centrally some green spotting, turn at about one quarter way from their
extremities suddenly outwards almost at a right angle, thus forming
horizontal landing-places. The inside of the fall is of a rich light
violet colour, running up the centre from the claw's root being a
white patch with yellow and dark purple markings, terminating at the
horizontal blade in glowing orange. The effect is slightly reminiscent
of that produced by a leopard's skin. The standards are bright violet
with relief of yellow pollen just below the centre, above which are
little stigmatic ledges which brush pollen from entering insects. The
flower stalk is definitely arched as though the flower were too heavy
for its strength, but near the flower itself the stalk becomes erect,
thus giving the whole an appearance of health and vigour. The early
Irises are not difficult to grow in moderately light and well drained
soil, but they should usually be afforded a warm and sheltered site.
Other fragrant species which bloom in winter or very early spring are
the soft blue _Iris stylosa_, of which there is an equally beautiful
white variety, and the purple and rose _Iris histrio_, somewhat
resembling _Iris reticulata_ in habit and colouring.
The flowers which usher out the winter and announce the near approach
of the spring, the winter gilliflowers or snowdrops, have long been
among the treasures of English gardens. Naturalised in grassy lawns or
orchards, or grown undisturbed in shrubbery borders, the single and
double common snowdrops (_G. nivalis_) almost invariably thrive and
increase. The common snowdrop is on the whole the most important and
most valuable, but in light warm soil the handsome _Galanthus Elwesi_
should be grown, and in any soil the broad-leaved _G. latifolius_, and
a fragrant hybrid derived from it, _G. Alleni_, with large flowers and
leaves almost like those of the tulip.
Several of the periwinkles, notably the lilac _Vinca acutiloba_,
bear flowers during the months of December and January, and in warm
sheltered spots violets and roses may often be picked in the open air.
Among the shrubs, several of the most beautiful bear their flowers in
the depth of winter. The fragrant yellowish flowers of the Winter Sweet
(_Chimonanthus fragrans_), which is one of the many gracious gifts
of Japan, are among the best of winter blossoms. The Chimonanthus is
worth a place against a warm wall facing south. After flowering, the
young shoots should be pruned back to the old branches. The variety
known as Grandiflora bears somewhat larger flowers. The scarlet flowers
of _Cydonia japonica_ (the Japan Quince), are familiar to everyone
although it is but a nineteenth century introduction into this country.
Other species and varieties of Quince, however, are equally well
worth growing. _C. Mauleii_, with orange-red flowers freely produced
seemingly over the entire plant, _C. nivalis_, with large white
flowers, and _C. cardinalis_ are all good.
When the climate is mild, and the soil not too heavy, the Laurustinus
(_Viburnum tinus_) is of great value in winter and early spring. The
yellow Jasmine and the shrubby Honeysuckles, _Lonicera fragrantissima_
and _L. Standishi_, are easy to grow, and should be seen in every
open-air winter garden, as also should the old Daphne Mezereon, single
and double, the double Furze (_Ulex Europaeus flore pleno_), and the
evergreen _Garrya elliptica_ with its hardier variety _Thuretii_.
The Garrya is hardy enough in many gardens, but in exposed or cold
situations profits by being afforded the shelter of a wall or other
screen. Many other winter flowering shrubs and flowers might be named,
but I must refer readers to the list of winter bloomers which forms an
appendix to my "Chronicle of a Cornish Garden."
Great, however, as is the importance of growing as many as possible
of the plants which bear flowers through the months of winter, the
value of evergreen and evergrey foliage must not be overlooked.
Among the latter may be named Lavender, Rosemary, Pinks, Carnations,
Mulleins, Alyssum, Lavender Cotton, Stachys chrysantha, Achillea
umbellata, Achillea moschata, Silene maritima, Hieraceum villosum,
H. gymnocephalus, Cistus (of sorts), Artemisia lanata, Agrostemma,
Senecio leucophyllus, Teucrum aureum, Cerastium tomentosum, Arabis
variegata, Gypsophilum repens, Festuca glauca, Sedum Turkestanicum,
Olearia insignis, Agrostemma coronaria, Onopordon arabicum. To give
a list of useful evergreen plants would require much more space than
I have to spare, but the following names may possibly be of some
help. Of evergreen trees and shrubs, Yew, Hollies, Box, Tree Ivies,
Pernettyas, Ruscus racemosus, the silver-edged Euonymus radicans
variegatus, Berberis aquifolium, Aucuba Japonica (and other kinds),
Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendrons, Ericas, Sand Myrtles, Dwarf Partridge
Berries, Andromedas, Skimmias, Olearia Haasti and Phillyrea Vilmoriana,
are among the most useful and interesting. The number of valuable
evergreen border plants is almost infinite; the following list includes
some of the best:--
Saxifrages, kinds numerous.
Sedums, do.
Sempervivums, do.
Gentiana acaulis.
Gentiana verna.
Primulas, kinds numerous.
Helleborus, do.
Dwarf phloxes.
Forget-me-nots.
Thymus, of sorts.
Acanthus.
Iris, kinds numerous, especially valuable being I. fœtidissima with
brilliantly red seeds.
Omphalodes, of sorts.
Aubrietia.
Arabis.
Vinca.
Violas and Violets.
Iberis.
Sternbergia.
Megaseas.
Aquilegias.
Asarum, of sorts.
Wallflowers.
Cyclamen, of sorts.
Evergreen ferns should be grown in gardens much more than they usually
are. The following are a few of the hardiest kinds:--
Asplenium angustifolium.
Asplenium ebenum.
Aspidium Floridanum.
Camptosorus rhizophyllus.
Dictogramma Japonica.
Lastrea marginalis.
Lastrea Standishi.
Lastrea aristata.
Lastrea corusca.
Lastrea fragrans.
Lomaria alpina.
Niphobolus lingua.
Polystichum acrostichoides.
Polystichum setosum.
Phygopteris alpestris.
Woodsia alpina.
The British species of Asplenium, Blechnum, Ceterach, Polypodium,
Polystichum and Scolopendrium are often useful and always available.
THE GARDEN IN SPRING
The dividing line between the seasons is, of course, quite arbitrary,
for Nature progresses evenly, gradually, unceasingly, and not in
the jerky way which our clumsy divisions of time imply. Still it
is convenient, almost necessary indeed, to adopt some such broad
classification of the periods of the year as that into the four seasons
which has done duty for so many centuries. One may take the flowering
of the snowdrop to indicate the onset of spring, though itself
belonging more especially to winter. Yet the Dutch Crocus seems to be
the earliest real spring flower, and a brighter little herald of the
glories to follow could not be selected. The parents of most of the
Dutch Crocuses are two species which grow wild in South-Eastern Europe,
_C. aureus_ and _C. vernus_. The latter is sometimes considered to be a
native British plant, but in all instances of its discovery in English
hedges or meadows its presence is most likely due to removals of garden
soil or garden rubbish.
There are nearly seventy distinct species of Crocus known to botanists,
and most of these are well worth growing, though more bloom in the
autumn than in the spring. Even in the seventeenth century, Parkinson
described as many as thirty-one kinds, but probably some of these were
merely garden varieties.
_Crocus imperati_, found wild near Naples, is one of the earliest
species to flower as it is also one of the most beautiful, the inside
of the petals being coloured a deep purple, whilst the outside is of a
lightish brown, the stigma standing as a brilliant orange lamp in the
centre of the flower's cup.
The Crocuses will grow and prosper in almost any good soil, especially
if it rest on chalk or other porous subsoil. The commoner kinds may
advantageously, especially in soils not too heavy and wet, be left in
the ground undisturbed for many years, and there are few floral sights
more beautiful than that afforded by a skilful grouping of yellow
crocuses naturalised in grass either under deciduous trees or in the
open. The very early species should be grown in a warm and sheltered
position, where the winds and frosts of January will not be able to
destroy their beauty. Almost as valuable as the crocus, and even
more easy to grow, are several of the species of scilla, a bulb long
cultivated in English gardens. Two of the species, which are especially
worth growing on account of their beauty and extreme earliness, are the
dark-blue _S. bifolia_ (with its varieties, _præcox_ and _taurica_)
and _S. sibirica_, with its intense, vivid blue colour, as of some gem
resting on the dark green leaves. Later, larger and sturdier, though
scarcely so valuable, are the well known light blue Spanish Scilla,
_S. campanulata_, and the numerous varieties of our beautiful wild
bluebell, _S. nutans_. Scillas, like crocuses, should be planted in
bold natural groups among other plants, or naturalised in woodland
glades or shady lawns and meadows. Somewhat resembling the Scillas,
though even more beautiful, are the recently introduced Chionodoxas
(_C. Luciliae_, _C. Sardensis_, and _C. grandiflora_), which exhibit
every shade of purest blue, mingled in varying proportions with white.
In light soils they increase very rapidly both by division of bulbs and
by seed.
A stately flower, which formerly held a much more respected place in
the garden than it now occupies, is the Crown Imperial (_Fritillaria
imperialis_). In rich, deep, garden soil, or in a rich shrubbery
border, it usually thrives; and when well established is an interesting
and showy plant, growing upwards of four feet to the top of its
flower stalk in April or May. There are varieties displaying various
combinations of red, yellow and orange. Parkinson placed it "before
all other Lilies," and Chapman referred to it as "Emperor of Flowers."
Valuable as it is, one is not disposed to place it on quite such a
pinnacle to-day. Most of the other Fritillaries are dwarf bulbous
plants, which thrive in rich, light soil, preferably in the partial
shade of deciduous trees. The commoner kinds are very suitable for
naturalisation in grass or woodland. Most of the Fritillaries produce
sombre-coloured, curiously-chequered, snaky-looking, pendulous flowers.
Even in the seventeenth century Parkinson describes twelve varieties,
but since his day numerous species have been discovered. Among those
best for growing are _F. Meleagris_ and its varieties; _F. Moggridgei_,
an Alpine species, with yellow bells beautifully marked with brown
and red on their inner surface; _F. aurea_, and the brilliant, though
somewhat tender, _F. recurva_. The Fritillary was so called because of
its chess-board-like markings, and for the same reason Gerard spoke of
it as the Ginnie-hen flower.
The Grape-Hyacinths, or Muscari, do not seem to have developed in
popularity, as their beauty in colouring and hardiness would have led
one to expect. In rich, deep, sandy soil, in the rock garden or border,
these bulbs thrive and multiply. Parkinson enumerated eight varieties,
which he called "The Ash-Coloured Musk Grape Flower, the Red Musk Grape
Flower, the White Musk Grape Flower, the Dark-blue Grape Flower, the
Sky-coloured Grape Flower, the Branched Grape Flower, the White Grape
Flower, and the Blush Grape Flower." The varieties which are most
worthy of garden cultivation are _M. racemosum_, with its fruit-scented
purple flowers and long drooping leaves; _M. botyroides_; _M.
armeniacum_, which blooms later than most other kinds; and _M.
moschatum_, with little fragrant yellow bells. The allied Feather
Hyacinth, _M. comosum monstrosum_, is equally well worth growing for
the beauty of its feathery lilac blooms.
The Snowflakes, or Leucojums, are again becoming popular and better
known. They have not the characteristic grace of the Snowdrop, the
stems being sturdier, the arch being quite different in character, and
the petals being all of the same length; but they have much beauty of
their own and are easy to grow. Most of the Alliums are interesting,
and should be planted where there is space at disposal, as also should
_Tritelia_, or _Milla uniflora_.
But more important than most of these are the various Anemones, both
the "fair and frail" wild species which is found in our own woods
(_A. nemorosa_) and the numerous kinds--all beautiful--which have
been introduced into our gardens from Southern Europe. The old Poppy
Anemone (_A. coronaria_) is a favourite with everyone, blooming as
it often does during all the early months of the year. It is easy to
raise from seed sown in light soil in the open during March, April or
May. The seedlings should be pricked out in September, and that is
also the month for planting the roots, should that method of obtaining
plants be adopted. In warm soils _A. coronaria_ lives on from year to
year if left undisturbed, but in other soils it is sometimes necessary
to raise fresh plants annually. The Scarlet Anemone (_A. fulgens_)
is the most brilliant flower of early spring, whilst _A. Apennina_,
_A. blanda_ (two species with flowers of the loveliest sky-blue), _A.
sylvestris_ (the Snowdrop Wind-flower), and _A. ranunculoides_ (a
charming yellow-flowering kind), are all beautiful and hardy plants in
most garden soils.
[Illustration: COLUMBINES]
Anemones are not bulbous plants, but their tubers are usually listed
in the florists' catalogues with bulbs, and in many ways this is a
convenient arrangement; but of all bulbous plants those which have most
attracted the attention of florists and hybridists are undoubtedly the
Tulip and the Daffodil. The Daffodil has won the heart of the poet as
well as of the florist, and English verse is full of references to the
"darling Daffodils" (as Marvell called them) and "faire Narcissus."
Keats named these graceful flowers as an example of those things of
beauty which are joys for ever, and Shelley, whose garden of the
Sensitive Plant contained many beautiful flowers, referred to the
Narcissus as "the fairest among them all."
Perdita's description of Daffodils,
"That came before the swallow dares, and take
The winds of March with beauty,"
is familiar to all who read their Shakespeare. The daffodil is indeed
an old-fashioned flower, for dry specimens of Narcissus Tazetta have
been found in Egyptian mummy cases dating back nearly four thousand
years. Mr Burbidge thinks that many species of Narcissus were
introduced into England by the Phœnicians when they came to Cornwall
for tin, "and, as Cornwall has a climate and soil eminently suited to
daffodils, these have been there perpetuated." Daffodils will grow in
almost any garden soil, but in many gardens, especially in very rich
soils or in soils which are badly drained, they tend to disappear in
the course of one or two seasons. A little shade from the heat of
the sun is desirable, as also is a little shelter from cold winds.
Stiff loam of moderate richness is suitable for most varieties of
daffodil, and the bulbs should be planted by the end of August. After
being planted they should in suitable soils be left undisturbed for
from two to six years; and when lifted they should be placed to ripen
in a shady place, and replanted in the course of a month. The bulbs
should be planted from four to six inches apart, and from four to
six inches deep, according to the size of the bulb and the lightness
of the soil. Where all the varieties are beautiful it seems hopeless
to select. To a beginner, perhaps, the following list may be of some
help:--Poeticus-ornatus, Obvallaris, Emperor, Leedsii Minnie-Hulme,
Empress, Golden Spur and Grandee; to which should be added the sweet
Campernelle Jonquil.
For naturalising in grass, the poet's and star narcissi, as well as
some of the trumpet daffodils, are particularly suited.
In the whole history of the craft, few things have occurred so
calculated to throw ridicule on gardening and gardeners as the
celebrated outbreak of Tulipomania in the seventeenth century, though
at times the contemporary Daffodilmania threatens to rival it. The
Tulip was introduced into England towards the end of the sixteenth
century, and but half a century later Parkinson describes a hundred
and forty varieties. Apart from the various species which the florist
has not as yet seriously taken in hand, the bulk of the tulips
commonly grown in gardens are of two great classes, the short stalked
April-flowering tulips which are descended from _T. suavolens_, and
the taller May flowering descendants of _T. Gesneriana_ which are
known as "Florist's Tulips." These garden varieties are of every shade
of colour and do well in any rich well-drained garden soil. It is
advisable to lift them every year, or in light soils every three years,
as otherwise they tend to become crowded and poor. The bulbs should be
planted in October, about four inches deep and four inches apart, and,
like all other bulbs, if grown for decorative effect, should have the
earth between them carpeted with some dwarf surface-rooting plants as
elsewhere suggested. Far better for ordinary garden decoration than any
of the florists' striped or feathered varieties is the parent of the
race, the brilliant red or crimson Gesner's tulip. Its effectiveness
is much increased by the great dark brown blotch at the bottom of its
cup, and this is even more marked in the variety _spathulata_. Many
of the self-coloured Darwin tulips are also delightful and vigorous
growers. The early dwarf species, _T. Greigi_, with its brilliant red
flowers and quaintly marked leaves, is well worth cultivating either
in small groups or bold masses, as also is the native species, _T.
Sylvestris_, with pale yellow flowers of great beauty. Among other
species and varieties specially worthy of a place in the garden
are _T. Elegans_, _T. retroflexa_, _T. australis_, the dwarf _T.
kolpakowskyana_, _T. viridiflora_, _T. clusiana_ (introduced early in
the seventeenth century), _T. vitellina_, and the kinds known as Golden
Eagle, Picotee, and Bouton d'Or. To modify the observation of a writer
of the seventeenth century, "The tulip is a queenly flower, and asketh
a rich soil and the hand of a lover." And indeed given these conditions
tulips may be easily and successfully grown.