Evening star., 1947-10-12

"In the fall the gardener pre-
pares for spring. in the spring the
gardener prepares for fall" is an
old saying which has much merit.
Now is the time to prepare the beds
and plant the bulbs for early spring
flowers. 1t is the early spring bloom
that means so much to the gar
dener after a long, dreary winter.
One has only to notice how much
interest a bed of snowdrops or a
mat of winter aconite receives
to realize how much cheer these
small flowers give.
There are a number of peren-
malls that keep pace with the early
spring Towering bulbs, but they
should go into the ground in early
September. The spring Towering
bulbs, however, can go into the
ground any time in the fall, up un-
til the ground freezes. Early plant
ing Is preferred, since the smaller
bulbs are planted only a few inches
deep, consequently their root growth
is stopped by an early freeze.
Snowdrop Among Earliest Bulbs.
Among the earliest Towering of
the smaller bulbs the snowdrop
(Galanthus) takes first place. In
many gardens the tiny white flow
ers with their haring petals open
with the first warm spell in jan
uary. Give them a protected sit
uation for earliest bloom, a situa-
ton where they are protected from
cold north winds and where the
winter sun will reach them. Glory
Of the snow (Chionodoxa) is an
other early bloomer, with clusters
Of blue or white flowers on each
tiny stem. They seldom open as
early in the spring as the snow
drops, but they are among the first
to show in early March if not be-
fore.
The warm yellows of winter
aconite (Eranthis) are a joy to
behold in early March. On south
ward-facing slope they make q
pretty sight long before the daffodils
begin to unfold. Their yellow, cup
like flowers, on 4-inch stems, are
surrounded by a green collar of
leaves. The winter aconite, the
Snowdrops and the Chionodoxa will
naturalize in favorable situations.
Crocus hardly belongs in the
group of earliest Towering bulbs,
but so many gardeners depend upon
them for early color they are in
cluded here. Crocus susianus Is
one of the earliest blooming of the
crocus, and its bright yellow flow
ers make delightful showing. Some
of the other species are as early or
earlier than cloth of gold (the
common name of C. susianus)
However, they are not as readily
obtainable. It is the Dutch or
large -fowered varieties that most
gardeners plant, since they make
"a very pleasing display, especially
when planted in masses or in solid
borders.
Shrubs That Brighten Early.
Among the earliest Towering
shrubs we have the jasmine (Jas-
minum nudiforum), whose droop-
ing sprays of tiny yellow flowers
make an attractive showing, espe-
cially over banks and terraces. This
hardy, dependable shrub is we'll
worth growing for Its early spring
showing.
The witch hazel is another early
bloomer, although its flowers, espe-
cially of our native species, are not
too conspicuous. The Asiatic species
Hamamelis mollis) is more desir-
able. However, it is a question
which the home owner must answer
as to whether or not these strong
growing shrubs justify the space.
H. vernalis, the smallest. is a g.
footer. ...., -H
The early Towering Daphne
Daphne mexefeum) Is q relatively
w-growing shrub that is covered
with pink, rose or purple flowers
before the leaves appear. It re-
quires cool, sheltered situation
with abundant mojstllre Some