hich is the best of all the Cotoneasters,
and frequently carries its bright-scarlet berries till March; and
_Hippophae rhamnoides_, the Sea Buckthorn, whose orange-coloured fruits
are borne in such profusion and retain their colour till past Christmas
if the frosts are not too severe. The scarlet-fruited _Skimmia japonica_
and its varieties are very ornamental during the winter months, but of
these (as well as the Hippophae) it is necessary to grow male and female
plants together. Groups of variegated evergreens would not only help to
give shelter and warmth, but would also add to the brightness of the
garden. The best of them are the golden and silver variegated
Elaeagnuses, the Hollies of a similar character, and the best of the
Aucubas, of which there are now some very fine forms; the female plants
are also very ornamental as fruit-bearers. _Pinus sylvestris aurea_, a
variety of the Scotch Pine that turns golden in winter but is green at
other seasons, and _Cupressus macrocarpa lutea_ are the two best
Conifers of their class. Many of the variegated Conifers lose most or
all of their colour as autumn and winter approach.

[Illustration: _ULMUS ALATA._]

"With regard to the trees and shrubs that bear flowers between November
and February, the number is not, of course, great; still, they
constitute a group that is larger, perhaps, than is generally supposed.
The following list, which comprises all that I can call to mind, may be
useful even to those who would not intend to bring them together in one
spot. Some country houses are only occupied during the shooting and
hunting seasons, and these winter-flowering plants are of especial value
in such places. The tree or bush Ivies are very beautiful, and may be
had in great variety, such as yellow berried, _palmata aurea_,
_rhomboidea ovata_, and _amurensis_."

_November_

Arbutus hybrida.
,, Unedo and vars.
Daphne Mezereum grandiflora.
Elaeagnus glabra, macrophylla, and pungens (all delightfully fragrant).
Hamamelis virginica.
Jasminum nudiflorum.
Lonicera fragrantissima.
,, Standishii.

_December and January_

Chimonanthus fragrans.
Clematis calycina.
Crataegus monogyna praecox (Glastonbury Thorn).
Erica mediterranea hybrida.
,, carnea.
,, ,, alba.
Garrya elliptica.
Viburnum Tinus.

_February and early March_

Berberis japonica.
,, nepalensis.
Cornus Mas.
Corylopsis spicata.
Daphne blagayana.
,, Laureola and var. purpur