1873.] NOTES ON HAEDY CONIFERS. 9 



and well worthy the attention of collectors of fine shrubs. Of these we 

 note the two following variegations, which, when more plentiful and 

 better known, will doubtless be extensively planted in every collection : 

 Argenteus, a pretty glaucous form, with a large proportion of the 

 branchlets pure white, the variegation constant, and equally beautiful in 

 winter as in summer, while the plant is as hardy as the parent. Aureus, 

 one of the new plants of this year, sent out by Mr Maurice Young of 

 the Godalming Nurseries, is one of the finest golden variegated Conifers 

 in cultivation, the whole plant suflused with a rich golden hue, as 

 bright as that of the Queen Golden Holly. The constancy of its 

 variegation and the hardiness of its constitution remain of course to 

 be tested ; but there is every reason to believe that it possesses these 

 desirable qualities, and that it will prove a valuable acquisition to the 

 already long list of hardy ornamental Conifers. 



J. excelsa {the. lall Juniper). — Indigenous to the islands of the 

 Grecian Archipelago and mountainous districts in several adjoining 

 countries, growing to heights of from 30 to 40 feet. Introduced into 

 Britain about 180G. 



In our shrubberies and pleasure-grounds it is a very neat, some- 

 what slow-growing plant, with a dense conical habit of growth, the 

 foliage very short, thickly set on the branchlets, and of a peculiar and 

 pleasing glaucous-grey colour. It is a most effective lawn specimen- 

 shrub, contrasting well with the more sombre-foliaged Conifers, and 

 well worthy of extensive introduction among choice decorative plants. 



It is found to succeed best where the soil is deep and rich, and 

 requires a well-sheltered situation. 



A superb variety of recent introduction appropriately named 

 stricta, differs from the species in having a narrower conical habit, 

 tapering up to a sharp point, with the branches more compressed, and 

 altogether more rigid and formal in its appearance ; is admirably 

 adapted for small geometric gardens, or for terraces, and lawns of 

 limited extent. It is equally hardy with the species, and well deserves 

 the attention of collectors of really handsome shrubs. 



J. sabina {the Savin Juniper). — This well-known and very ornamental 

 species is found wild on the Alps, Apennines, Pyrenees, and other 

 mountains in Southern Europe, forming a bushy shrub of from 7 to 8 

 feet high, and has been cultivated in British gardens for nearly 300 

 years. 



It is here a low spreading bush, thickly branched, and abundantly 

 clothed with tiny foliage of the darkest sombre green. 



Wanting in that formal symmetry of habit so characteristic of many 

 of its allies, and so desirable for lawn plants, it is nevertheless a very 

 ornamental shrub, well fitted for mixed shrubberies, or for planting on 



