Evening star., 1947-10-12
Early Blooms PutWinter to Rout|
Now Is the Time to Think of Cheer
They Can Afford Next Spring
BY w. H. Younamon

gardeners are quite successful with
it here while others find 1t difficult.
Spirea thunbergi Is an early
bloomer, too early sometimes, for it
starts Towering the first warm days
and" the buds are ruined by late
frosts. The same applies to the
Towering ounce (Cydonia japonica)
The fragrant viburnum (V. carlesI
is another spring bloomer Gin April)
that is delightful for a shady situa-
ton.
Companions Among the Perenniais.
| The early spring Towering bulbs
and shrubs have companions among
the perennials, some of which are
quite snowy and well worth growing.
Many, are found only in rock gar
dens or in the garden of a plant
hobbyist. Even the wild flower
gardener can find friends among the
early spring bloomers. Such flowers
as the violets peak through the
snow-covered soil in a protected
situation. Viola cornuta, the horned
violet and the parent of the peren-
NAL viola, is an early bloomer but
its variety Papilea with lavender
and white flowers is even better
for an early spring display.
The rock garden candytuft Gberis
saxatilis), is snowy early spring
bloomer, one that is well worth
growing in the perennial border that
is exceptionally well drained. On
level poorly drained soils it soon dis
appears. Perhaps the everblooming
candytuft Qberis semperflorens) +,
may survive our winters in pro-
tected situation. If so it would be
the first of the perennials to bloom.
In Germany one may see Bavarian
children flocking into pastures and
meadows in March and early April
to gather the primroses Primula
veris - acaulis), which are the
earliest flowers to open there. In
general we do not have the cool
situations that primroses need in
addition to sufficient moisture and
so it is bit difficult for us to have
them in the average perennial
border. In the shady garden, espe-
cially one facing the east, they are
frequently grown quite successfully
and are well worth having. The
specialist will also grow P. cachmiri-
ana, P. denticulata, P. auricula, p
iaponica, ETC., if he has shade and
moisture for them. Our winters are
mild enough for those snowy early
spring bloomers, but our summers
are too hot and dry for them to
thrive without special care, unless
grown in favorable situations.
Christmas Rose Gives Pleasure.
Several Washington gardeners are
growing the Christmas rose and find
it gives them great deal of
pleasure. 1t commences to flower in
December and January, continuing
until spring. 1t is a snowy plant
which, once established in a favor
able situation, will last for many
years. 1t requires moisture and
shade, and for practical purposes
should be planted where its beauty
can be viewed from a window since
few gardeners will plow through the
snow and mud to view it. The
Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), ,
Is spring bloomer and not so widely
grown as its winter blooming sister.
Both species come in a wide range
of colors.
The Aubretias, Arabs, Moss subu-
lata (moss pink, Marshmarigold,
and host of others flower before
the end of April, earlier in protected
situations. and bring color into the
garden. If one will only try for
early spring color it may be had,
and certainly with all of the array
of bulbs, perennials and shrubs
available it does not take much ef-
fort. Some belong in the shady
garden; others in the sunny border.
All give pleasure even though it
may be too chilly to visit them ex-
cept on warm sunny days, but the
sight of them will be proof enough
that winter is passing rapidly and
spring is not far behind.