Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-23
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS.
Natures Own Beautiful Poems
and Their Message to Man.
They Toll of Kind Creators Lovo and
rhoughifulnoss For His Childreu--Nor-
folks Ever increasing Demands md
tho Popular Tavorites That WIN Glad
den Our Homes During the Holidays.

Notable in the features that enter
into the preparations for Christ
mastide. and that will add much to the
JOY of this happy season, are the flow
ers that will be used to decorate the
homes of Norfolk. Every year the
amount OF flowers used increases and
the skill of the florist is taxed to its
uttermost to produce new and charm
ing varieties.
Norfolk has large flower trade, and
this steadily grows as the population
increases and added wealth affords
greater means to crafty improving ar
tistic tastes
The trade here is no longer local
merely for Norfolk's flower stores and
hot houses supply beautiful blooms
that are shipped to all parts of our
environing section. Within the past
FEW years a number of new hot houses
have been erected here, and these fur
nish an abundance of all the choice
varieties of flowers and potteu plants,
and our local floral artists are equal
to the task of meeting the most exact
ing demands fer elaborate floral de-
signs.
THE POPULAR VARIETIES.
The most popular flowers at Christ
mas time are roses. carnations and
violets. After these come the narcissus,
azaleas. cyclamen, &c.
In decorative potted plants of course
the graceful palm easily leads, but
other favorites include ferns, begonias,
rubber plants. hyacinths, narcissus,
&c.
THE ROSES.
The rose. queen of flowers, is being
shown in such varieties as brides
bridesmaid. pearl. 1laiserlne, liberty,
meteor American Beauties and Presi-
dent Carnot
The new rose of the season is the
pink American Beauty. This is the
old favorite, but in new shade of
pink. beautiful and clear in color.
THE CARNATIONS
These beautiful flowers, in pink,
white and yellow, are now seen in
great profusion. The principal varie-
ties are the Scott, MCGOWAN. White
Cloud, Flora Hill. Jubilee, Eldorado
and Chicago. Norfolk has this year
produced q beautiful new carnation.
named the Lucia, in honor of Nor
folk lady. This is n vigorous erect
grower of rich maroon color and will
no doubt become great favorite.
THE VIOLETS.
Violets, always popular. are usually
scarce at Christmas, but n fair supply
is now on nanQ. Inc staple variety,
that sells all the year around. is the
English violet. Other popular kinds
are the California, Marie Louise, Lady
Home Campbell, Thorley and Eau
quier.
SYMBOL OF CHRISTMAS.
OF all decorations, however, the holly
is the long accepted symbol of Christ
mastiGe. This is now in market in
abundance and it's solid, green pointed
leaves are brilliantly set out by the
red berries. This is here in great
bulky branches and floral wreaths and
so low in price that 1t is easily at the
command of the humbest purses.
THE FERNS.
Florists could not. however, do with
out the ferns. These are used In
abundance. both cut as n component
part of floral designs. but also in beau
tifu ferneries that give one thoughts
of woodsy hooks and babbling brooks
in the paints of nature.
Among all the poets perhaps no one
has so sweetly voiced the mission of
the flowers as Wordsworth, when lie
said:
God made the flowers to beautify the
earth
And cheer mans careful mood.
And he is happiest who has power
To gather wisdom from a flower
Anw wake his heart in every hour
To pleasant gratitude.