GARDENING

The old leaves of the Lenten Rose often persist while the Flowers are opening, but the plants seem to come to no harm if you cut these off before the flowers open, The leaves begin to look rather tattered by that time. This is not a problem with the Christmas rose.
ALYSSUM
Our next plant is Alyssum Saxatile, which flowers in late spring (APRIL) Strictly Speaking it is not herbaceous at all, but a small shrub, which carries its Grey leaves throughout the winter and makes the border interesting during the dreary season. In the spring it covers itself with Golden, Sweet-smelling flowers. It likes full sun and has no objection to rather poor soil.
After about four years it gets somewhat leggy, but it is very easily propagated by cuttings or by seed. Senecio Cineraria
The grey- leaved Cineraria, (which you might otherwise know as Cineraria Maritima) is a good example of the sort of Summer (July) and keep them in pots under cover during the Winter, incase Disaster Strikes. In any case the plants become rather gaunt, after a few years and are best replaced. (HOSTA) Another plant with unusual Foliage but also with quite attractive lily-like flowers is the plantain lily, a species of hosta sometimes known as (funkia). This vanishes Completely during the winter and the new shoots can often be wrecked by slugs, so it is as well to mark their positions and put down bait in late spring,( April) when young leaves are emerging. The leaves vary in size and in colour and some are variegated with ivory but they are all handsome plants, which get more effective as they get larger. There is really no need to split up their clumps at anytime, as they can go on getting larger and larger without any ill effects. In summer (June -July) they send up spikes of lily- like flowers, usually about 5cm(2in) long, trumpet- shaped and white or mauve in colour. These plants thrive in dense or partial shade. Dianthus (pinks). These plants also have pretty grey leaves, but they are grown mainly for the sake of their small, fragrant, carnation- like flowers. They prefer a limey soil that will grow rhododendrons, you will probably have to add some lime before you plant your Dianthus. These again are ever green and look interesting during the winter, but they very soon become gaunt and need frequent replacing. This is done by means of cuttings, usually known as Pipings, which are ready in late summer or early autumn (July and August) Dianthus are not particularly showy flowers, but their heady scent makes them worth all the trouble. They look attractive massed together or along the front of a border. The flowers are usually white, pink or crimson and popular varieties are (MRS Simkins) Red clove and the Newer Imperial Pink.