IRISH GARDENING. 



Quercus pontica. 



This rare and little known oak is quite distinct 

 froin all other deciduous species in cultivation. 

 A couple of small specimens growing in the oak 

 collection at Kew^ suggest that it is never more 

 than a small spreading tree, or possibly a large 

 shrub. The leaves are large, 6 to 7 or 8 inches 

 long, half as wide, and conspicuously ribbed. 

 In winter the large terminal buds are a distinct 

 character. Q. pontica is a native of Armenia 

 and the Caucasus, and is sometimes known as 

 the Armenian Oak. A. 0. 



AInus cremastogyne. 



This is a distinct Alder from China which 

 promises to prove of value as an ornamental tree 

 in our pleasure grounds. 8pecimens were col- 

 lected by Dr. Henry 

 nearly twenty years 

 ago, but for its intro- 

 duction to our gardens 

 we are indebted to Mr. 

 E. H. Wilson. 



A. cremastogyne has 

 large shining green 

 leaves up to nearly 6 

 inches long and half as 

 wide. It has distinct 

 fruits, which are soli- 

 tary and borne on Idng 

 stalks resembling in 

 this respect an allied 

 species, A. lanata, also 

 from China. 



Valued as waterside, 

 trees both these Alders 



Saxifkaga longifolia 



At Mount Usher. 



of Western China should find a congenial home 

 by the side of lakes and streams in Ireland. 



A. 0. 



Rosa Willmottiae. 



This is a very elegant and dainty wild Rose, 

 introduced by Mr. E. H. Wilson' from China. 

 It is one of the first species to flower, being 

 covered with rosy-red flowers borne on the 

 slender graceful twigs in May. Naturally attain- 

 ing its greatest beauty when in flower, R. 

 Willmottiae is ornamental at all seasons of the 

 year. Growing with age into a tall bush 7 to 8 

 feet or more in height, the leafless twigs are 

 attractively armed with prickles in winter, 

 clothed with elegant foliage in summer, and 

 showy orange-red fruits in autumn. In 

 addition to other uses in the pleasure grounds 

 R. Willmottise is useful as a lawn specimen, 

 and makes a very attractive informal hedge. 



A. O. 



Late Roses, 



In the absence of frost one could cut beautiful 

 blooms daily during the autumn and winter 

 months of 1916. To-day (3rd December) many 

 of the Hybrid Teas are still showy, such as Lady 

 Pirrie, Rayon d"Or, Simplicity, and Marquise 

 de Sinety on two-year plants. And I have just 

 cut a good bunch of Hugh Dicksons off maiden 

 plants ; most of these aie perfect blooms, the 

 colour fully as good as in summer : quite a treat 

 to cut in an open nursery field within a few 

 weeks of Christmas. It is no wonder that Hugh 

 Dickson is a j)opular Rose, but, though 

 thoroughly appreciated as a bedder and for 

 pegging down, and unrivalled as a standard, I 

 do not think it is so well known as a climber for 

 low wall or paling. Yet, perhaps, the finest 



plant of this Rose 

 which I liava seen is 

 treated as a gemi- 

 c 1 i m b o r i n Miss 

 Pentland's garden at 

 Clontarf, and when I 

 saw it the plant was 

 covered with beauti- 

 ful blooms. J.M.W. 



Climbers for 



Walls, &c. 



MUHLENBECK lA 



coMPLEXA, an ever- 

 green from New Zea- 

 land, is very free- 

 growing, with thin 

 Aviry shoots that cling 

 freely to any support 

 The leaves are scattered on these shoots, dark 

 green, small and heart-shaped, rather like the 

 leaf of Maidenhair Fern. This species is hardy 

 in most parts of Ireland, and will do in sun or 

 semi-shade. The flowers are quite small and 

 inconspicuous, and of a waxy green. 



M. varians is also a rapid grower, but is 

 deciduous, and loses its leaves every autumn. 

 In this sjjecies the leaves vary considerably, as 

 the name implies, and on one shoot several 

 different shajjes Avill be found. It is an excellent 

 sj^ecies for any spot where some quick grower 

 is wanted, as it very soon forms a thick mass of 

 light green foliage. 



Polygonum baldschuanicum, a native of 

 Bokhara. This is another very free and quick 

 grower. From July to September the lateral 

 shoots carry a loose cluster of creamy-pink 

 flowers. Planted alone, it is not a suitable plant 

 for a wall, but alloA\ ed to mix with any evergreen, 

 preferably a dark one, ivy or such like, it gets a 

 back ground and the bare stems during the 

 Avinter are hidden. R. M. P. 



