324 Garden Topics. 



Wet-pin ff Trees, 



Among horticultural topics and facts about ornamental planting, no single subject 

 is studied with such interest now-a-days, as that of Weepmg Trees. Nurserymen 

 are on the qui vive, to find something new, which will prove a great acquisition. All 

 the really good varieties are kept in their Catalogues, and this department of ruraj 

 taste is better cultivated than formerly. This topic is an old one among English 

 gardeners ; and yet, it is still discussed, never dropt out of sight. In a recent num- 

 ber of The Gardener'' s Chronicle, a correspondent takes up the principal varieties and 

 gives some judicious hints as to which are the most desirable : 



" Every one is familiar with the Weeping Willow, and appreciates the charming 

 contrast its lithe, pendulous branches make, with those of the pyramidal shaped 

 trees, as well as the efi'ect produced by its light colored foliage, when associated 

 with leaves of a darker hue ; a purple beech, for instance. But many people seem 

 to think there is nothing beyond a Weeping Willow, and a Weeping Ash ; and many 

 a gardener thinks the catalogue complete for all practical purposes if he makefe up 

 the trio with the pendulous Scavipston Elm, a truly noble elm ; which is deserving 

 a place as a lawn tree, or wherever an isolated drooping tree, of bold, elegant form, 

 is required. 



The common Weeping Willow, S. elegans (better known by its old name Baby- 

 lonica), however, is not the only Weeping Willow worth growing. The new -S. Sala- 

 monii, though less pendulous, is equally fine, and is a rapid grower. Of smaller kinds, 

 that make fine ornamented plants when worked or grafted as standards, are the 

 Kilmarnock Willow, S. Capraea pendula, with broadish leaves, whitish beneath. 

 S. rosmarinefolia, with long linear leaves ; S. purpurea pendula, with similar, but 

 shorter leaves ; and S. Wolseyaua, lately referred to in our columns. 



Weeping Poplars are also particularly elegant. The pendulous variety of Aspen 

 worked as a standard, is a plant no one should be without. 



Youngs Weepijig Birch (Betula), is a tree which no planter, having once seen, 

 would willingly dispense with, any more than he would with similar forms of Beech. 

 Two or three varieties of Oak, with pendulous branches, are cultivated ; such as Q. 

 Robua pendula, Q. Americana pendula, Q. rubra pendula. All probably seedling 

 varieties ; but not to be placed, in our opinion, in the front rank, so far as beauty is 

 concerned. 



The WeepiJig Filbert, Corylus avellana pendula, is one of the boldest of pendulous 

 shrubs ; making, when in vigorous growth, very long flexile shoots, and large bold 

 leaves. This, too, is a bush that will grow almost anywhere. 



Pyrus Salicifolia pendula is a valuable tree, from combining the pendulous habit 

 with lanceolate leaves of a silvery-white hue. This is a tree which is perfectly hardy, 

 and will thrive even in towns. Though excelled in beauty by some, it is hardly to 

 be surpassed for general usefulness. 



Cerasus depressa pendula, grafted as a standard, might well be mistaken for a AYil- 

 low, in the absence of flowers. These latter are produced before the leaves appear 

 in spring. Cerasus mystifolia variegata pend^da has a similar habit. 



The Weeping Bigarreau cherry is also an intefesting tree, as is its neighbor, the 

 Weeping Mourjtain Ash, 



