10 MAY 1946, Page 14

In My Garden

In considering the value of plants and shrubs, the length of the flower- ing period is often of forgotten importance. In our -order of merit 1 think Laurustinus would come first ; it has flowered continuously from December to May. How early most of the Viburnums form their flowers, especially perhaps Rhitidophyllum, though its actual flowering time is short! Iris Stylosa gave me plentiful flowers from early January to mid-April, though most Irises have a short flowering period. Those humble plants, Lungwort and Yellow Alyssum, could not be dispensed with, chiefly because they come early and last Lite. Berried bushes, of course, are often lovelier after flowering than before.

W. BEACH THOMAS.