The dividing line between the seasons is, of course, quite arbitrary, for Nature progresses evenly, gradually, unceasingly, and not in the jerky way which our clumsy divisions of time imply. Still it is convenient, almost necessary indeed, to adopt some such broad classification of the periods of the year as that into the four seasons which has done duty for so many centuries. One may take the flowering of the snowdrop to indicate the onset of spring, though itself belonging more especially to winter. Yet the Dutch Crocus seems to be the earliest real spring flower, and a brighter little herald of the glories to follow could not be selected. The parents of most of the Dutch Crocuses are two species which grow wild in South-Eastern Europe, C. aureus and C. vernus. The latter is sometimes considered to be a native British plant, but in all instances of its discovery in English hedges or meadows its presence is most likely due to removals of garden soil or garden rubbish.
There are nearly seventy distinct species of Crocus known to botanists, and most of these are well worth growing, though more bloom in the autumn than in the spring. Even in the seventeenth century, Parkinson described as many as thirty-one kinds, but probably some of these were merely garden varieties.
Crocus imperati, found wild near Naples, is one of the earliest species to flower as it is also one of the most beautiful, the inside of the petals being coloured a deep purple, whilst the outside is of a lightish brown, the stigma standing as a brilliant orange lamp in the centre of the flower's cup.
The Crocuses will grow and prosper in almost any good soil, especially if it rest on chalk or other porous subsoil. The commoner kinds may advantageously, especially in soils not too heavy and wet, be left in the ground undisturbed for many years, and there are few floral sights more beautiful than that afforded by a skilful grouping of yellow crocuses naturalised in grass either under deciduous trees or in the open. The very early species should be grown in a warm and sheltered position, where the winds and frosts of January will not be able to destroy their beauty. Almost as valuable as the crocus, and even more easy to grow, are several of the species of scilla, a bulb long cultivated in English gardens. Two of the species, which are especially worth growing on account of their beauty and extreme earliness, are the dark-blue S. bifolia (with its varieties, præcox and taurica) and S. sibirica, with its intense, vivid blue colour, as of some gem resting on the dark green leaves. Later, larger and sturdier, though scarcely so valuable, are the well known light blue Spanish Scilla, S. campanulata, and the numerous varieties of our beautiful wild bluebell, S. nutans. Scillas, like crocuses, should be planted in bold natural groups among other plants, or naturalised in woodland glades or shady lawns and meadows. Somewhat resembling the Scillas, though even more beautiful, are the recently introduced Chionodoxas (C. Luciliae, C. Sardensis, and C. grandiflora), which exhibit every shade of purest blue, mingled in varying proportions with white. In light soils they increase very rapidly both by division of bulbs and by seed.
A stately flower, which formerly held a much more respected place in the garden than it now occupies, is the Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis). In rich, deep, garden soil, or in a rich shrubbery border, it usually thrives; and when well established is an interesting and showy plant, growing upwards of four feet to the top of its flower stalk in April or May. There are varieties displaying various combinations of red, yellow and orange. Parkinson placed it "before all other Lilies," and Chapman referred to it as "Emperor of Flowers." Valuable as it is, one is not disposed to place it on quite such a pinnacle to-day. Most of the other Fritillaries are dwarf bulbous plants, which thrive in rich, light soil, preferably in the partial shade of deciduous trees. The commoner kinds are very suitable for naturalisation in grass or woodland. Most of the Fritillaries produce sombre-coloured, curiously-chequered, snaky-looking, pendulous flowers.
Even in the seventeenth century Parkinson describes twelve varieties, but since his day numerous species have been discovered. Among those best for growing are F. Meleagris and its varieties; F. Moggridgei, an Alpine species, with yellow bells beautifully marked with brown and red on their inner surface; F. aurea, and the brilliant, though somewhat tender, F. recurva. The Fritillary was so called because of its chess-board-like markings, and for the same reason Gerard spoke of it as the Ginnie-hen flower.
The Grape-Hyacinths, or Muscari, do not seem to have developed in popularity, as their beauty in colouring and hardiness would have led one to expect. In rich, deep, sandy soil, in the rock garden or border, these bulbs thrive and multiply. Parkinson enumerated eight varieties, which he called "The Ash-Coloured Musk Grape Flower, the Red Musk Grape Flower, the White Musk Grape Flower, the Dark-blue Grape Flower, the Sky-coloured Grape Flower, the Branched Grape Flower, the White Grape Flower, and the Blush Grape Flower." The varieties which are most worthy of garden cultivation are M. racemosum, with its fruit-scented purple flowers and long drooping leaves; M. botyroides; M. armeniacum, which blooms later than most other kinds; and M. moschatum, with little fragrant yellow bells. The allied Feather Hyacinth, M. comosum monstrosum, is equally well worth growing for the beauty of its feathery lilac blooms.
The Snowflakes, or Leucojums, are again becoming popular and better known. They have not the characteristic grace of the Snowdrop, the stems being sturdier, the arch being quite different in character, and the petals being all of the same length; but they have much beauty of their own and are easy to grow. Most of the Alliums are interesting, and should be planted where there is space at disposal, as also should Tritelia, or Milla uniflora.
But more important than most of these are the various Anemones, both the "fair and frail" wild species which is found in our own woods (A. nemorosa) and the numerous kinds—all beautiful—which have been introduced into our gardens from Southern Europe. The old Poppy Anemone (A. coronaria) is a favourite with everyone, blooming as it often does during all the early months of the year. It is easy to raise from seed sown in light soil in the open during March, April or May. The seedlings should be pricked out in September, and that is also the month for planting the roots, should that method of obtaining plants be adopted. In warm soils A. coronaria lives on from year to year if left undisturbed, but in other soils it is sometimes necessary to raise fresh plants annually. The Scarlet Anemone (A. fulgens) is the most brilliant flower of early spring, whilst A. Apennina, A. blanda (two species with flowers of the loveliest sky-blue), A. sylvestris (the Snowdrop Wind-flower), and A. ranunculoides (a charming yellow-flowering kind), are all beautiful and hardy plants in most garden soils.