SHRUBS WITH ORNAMENTAL BERRIES. 



though it is classed, by botanists of the Linnaean school, with the perfect flower- 

 ing i)lants, it is, in reality, polygamous, as much so as the Ash, to which it is very 

 closely allied, and on which it may readily be grafted. The barren plants attain 

 the largest size, and make the most beautiful objects when in bloom; but all who 

 wish to enjoy the singular beauty of the large clusters of grape-like fruit, should be 

 careful to propagate either by layers or by grafting from the best bearing varie- 

 ties; for, although there is a tendency in all polygamous plants to change their 

 sexual characters according to circumstances, yet there is, at the same time, a strong 

 disposition in all plants to retain any peculiarity of character that may have marked 

 the individual it was propagated from. The White Fringe thrives well in any 

 rich garden soil, and, if rather moist than otherwise, grows with greater advan- 

 tage. The seeds are best sown as soon as ripe ; if it is not possible to do so, 

 they should be put in a box of sandy soil, and set out to freeze through" the win- 

 ter, and sown in the spring. It is nearly impossible to get these seeds to grow 

 after once getting dry, unless they are subjected to the action of frost. 



11. Colutea arborescens. Bladder Senna. — This is a very handsome shrub, and 

 though a native of Southern Europe, is perfectly hardy in this country. It grows 

 about five or six feet high, and is chiefly desirable for its pretty orange-colored, 

 pea-shaped blossoms, which are produced throughout the summer. These are 

 succeeded by very curious, bladdery fruit, which, if they may not be called hand- 

 some, are, at least, highly interesting. The plant will do well in any soil or situa- 

 tion, but is seen in perfection only in dry, rich soils, and well exposed to the sun. 

 It is propagated from seeds sown in fall or spring, which grow very readily. 



12. Cornus. The Dogwood. — Though one kind {C jiorida) is esteemed for 

 its handsome floral leaves, and one or two others for peculiarities in the color of 

 their wood or foliage, the whole genus may be said to derive their chief value in 

 the decoration for lawns and pleasure grounds, from their beautiful fruit. Two 

 well-known kinds have white fruit — Cornus alba, a dwarf shrub, with large clus- 

 ters, and G. pamculata, with smaller ones. The last grows about five feet high, 

 and does well only in very rich soil, and a situation fully exposed. C. altemifolia 

 is a large shrub, with purple berries ; C stricta and C. suesica, pale blue ; C. 



Jiorida, bright red. But the handsomest of all, I think, is C. mns, or mnscula, as 

 it is sometimes called. When full-grown and full-fruited, I doubt whether there 

 is any plant superior to it in beauty. Its common name is Cornelian Cherry, and 

 its fine large fruit, of a transparent coral, is well described by its name. It is a 

 shrub of the largest size, and, to be grown in perfection, should have a dry, rich 

 garden soil, and a full exposure. The best way of raising all the species, is from 

 seed sown as soon as ripe, or treated as recommended for Chionanthns. They can be 

 raised from cuttings by experienced hands, but they do not root as readily as many 

 other things. They succeed well by layers. 



13. Cotoneaster. — A genus of, for the most part, evergreen shrubs, all of which 

 have very handsome scarlet-red or brown fruit. The best known is C. microphylla, 

 which, though, I believe, perfectly hardy in most of our northern States, when 

 growing in a north aspect, are liable to be destroyed by exposure to the winter's 

 sun. It is said that, in some countries, in its abhorrence of sun-light, it always 

 attempts to grow to the north, but I am not able to say whether it retains that 

 disposition here. It is fond of a dry, stony soil ; is propagated the most readily 

 by layers. Some other species are becoming better known (as C. marginata, C. 

 dentata, &c.) ; not very marked in their differences from the first, but may be, 

 perhaps, better adapted to our climate on trial. [These beautiful ])lants we have 

 found difficult to preserve for many years in succession, though they thrive for one 

 or two. The microphylla is often represented in the best engravings as coveriu"- 



