[46 



IRISH GARDENING. 



introduction from China, were reiuarlvable in 

 the wealth of " hips '" borne by each: so 

 numerous were they that the plants could be 

 picked out among other shrubs a long way 

 off. Those of E. setipoda are brighter in 

 colour, but of the same bottle-shape so \\ell 

 known in E. Moyesii. 



Cordyline indivisa is represented at Blount 

 Usher by a remarkably fine specimen, now in 

 fruit. The immense inflorescence arising 

 among the upper leaves at first grew erect, but 

 soon turned downward; and, instead of stand- 

 ing clear of the broad leaves, now hangs down 

 almost parallel with the stem, and completely 

 covered by the foliage. 



Cupressus ^IcNabiana thrives wonderfully in 

 the mild and equable climate of Wicklow, and 

 young specimens are distinctly ornamental, 

 the slender ends of the branches being some- 

 w'hat pendulous. At Mount Usher it is doing 

 well. 



Magnolia salicifolia is represented by several 

 very fine specimens, which in spring give a 

 good account of themselves and in some cases 

 are now bearing fruits. 



Cydonia japonica vur. umbilicata, a fine 

 bush, was bearing numerous large fruits, and 

 was recommended as a beautiful flowering 

 shrub, bearing in s])ring blossoms of a lovely 

 shade of pink. 



Abies concolor var. Walle/Ji flourislies; tlic 

 specimen at Mount Usher being about 15 feet 

 high, well furnished from the base, and beauti- 

 fully coloured, tiic tips of the branches creamy 

 white. 



Tsuga biunoniaiia. l-") feet oi' more high, is 

 attractive in tlie silvery underside of the leaves. 

 The specimen at .Mount Usher pi-omises to be 

 a fine tree in the course of time. Although not 

 too hardy, this Himalayan tree is suitable for 

 the milder parts of Ireland, and is well worth 

 attention. 



Fitzroya jjatagonica grows freely, and seveial 

 good specimens are to be seen. When flourish- 

 ing, this makes a graceful and pretty tree, dark 

 green in general aspect, but lelieved from a 

 heavy or sombre appearance by the gracefully 

 ))endulous habit assumed by the ends of the 

 branches. 



Quercus serrata is growing into a handsome 

 specimen, and is distinct in the narrowly oblong 

 leaves, with sharp bristly teeth along tlie 

 margins. A nati\e of the Himalaya, and also 

 China and Jajmn, this Oak is suitable for 

 gardens where space is limite(l, as it does not 

 usually attain a great size. 



Lindera triloba, a -Japanese shi-ub, is an in- 

 teresting membei- of a genus notable ff)r the 

 aromatic fragrance of tlie various sjx'cies, 

 several of which can be gi-own out of dooi's in 

 this country. 



•Juglans cathayensis, a Chinese Walnut, is 

 not flourishing so well as it might be, but is 

 bearing fruit, from which it is hoiked to raise 

 young trees. The parent is a grafted plant, 

 which accounts, perhaps, for its unsatisfactory 

 condition. When doing well, this species 

 makes handsome leaves, up to 2 feet or more 

 in length. 



Ehus vernicifera, on the other hand, 

 flourishes exceedingly at Blount Usher, a very 

 fine specimen being at least 30 feet high, and 

 with every appearance of continuing to grow in 

 height. In general aspect it resembles a Wal- 

 nut, with long pinnate leaves, a foot or more 

 in length. 



Cornus Xuttallii, one of the American species 

 of the Dogwood family, becoming a tree in 

 time, was noticeable for its fine colouring, the 

 leaves turning yellow and red. 



Other interesting shrubs noted were Schiz- 

 andra rubriflora, clothing the trunk of an old 

 Ash tree; Acacia obtusata, with the habit of 

 A. decurrens; Betvda Wilsoni, a dwarf, said to 

 grow on cliffs in China; Acacia pycnantha, a 

 mass of bvids ready to open in spring; and 

 Vitis sempervirens, bearing numerous clusters 

 of black fruits like tiny "grapes." 



Herbaceous and alpine plants flourish etpuilly 

 well at ]\lount Usher, though time precluded 

 my taking notes of all. 



Lewisia Howellii is re])resented by scores of 

 fine rosettes, growing in a nioiaine and else- 

 where; flowers and seeds aic jjinxlueed in 

 abvmdance. 



]\Iyosotideuin iiobiK' abounds, in large plants 

 and small, ajjparently (piite at home, and a 

 glorious sight in the flowering season. By the 

 sides of the old mill stream ferns abound, and 

 in the shadier recesses of the banks Todeas 

 floui'ish, and 'here, too, the tiny creeping 

 Metrosideros hy])ericifolia seems quite hai)i)y. 

 Morisia liypogaea, rather higher uj), but not 

 exposed to full sun, makes handsome rosettes, 

 and flowei's freelw 



One of the most striking icatures at Mount 

 Usher is a group of Eucalypti, cdiiefly Yi. Muel- 

 leri and E. Tnigera, nuignificent tall trees, their 

 whitish fi'unks visible from a distance, and tlu'ir 

 gi'ey-blue leaves distinct among the green tones 

 of other trees and shrubs. 



B. 



Euonymus alatus. 



Tills is oUr of the best of the Spindle Woods 

 for autunni effect. The lea\cs die off a beauti- 

 ful rosi'-|)ink coloni', and feiiiain effective for a 

 fortnight or so. A nati\f of China and .Japan, 

 it grows into a compact bush some (> or 7 leet 

 high, and as much through. Several other 

 species of the same genus are notable for their 

 ornamental fruits in autumn. 



