Febraary 27, 1868. ] 



JOtJBNAL OF HORTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GAIiDENKR. 



165 



Unassuming as the Violas are, yet tbcy are worthy of far 

 more oxtonaivo cultivation as border and rock plants than 

 they Renerally receive. Take, for instance, Viola palmata with 

 its beautifully-striped flowers as a rock and border plant in 

 a sheltered Bituation. It is an acquisition to any coUoetion. 

 Erecta, growing IH or 20 inches higli, is another desirable bor- 

 der plant, to Bay nothing of obliqua, pedata, suavis, pinnata, 

 pennsylvanica, ond that gem of Violets, striata. ^ M. H., 

 Acklam Hall, J\Iiddlcsborough-on-Tecs. 



of the most desirable, I shall be guided solely by my own ob- 

 Bervations, and I shall mention none but what I consider good 

 and worthy of every care. Soil and climate exert a great in- 

 fluence on plants, and if I omit Bome Bhrubs, or give a wrong 

 estimate of others, it is through their not succeeding with me, 

 or from my not having had Fufllcient experience of them to 

 warrant an opinion. I should be glad to learn from your readers 

 or correspondents the names cf any really good shrubs in 

 addition to the following. 



ORNAMEXTAL AND FLOWERING SHRUBS. 



[Continued from page 112.) 

 The distance shrubs should be planted apart of course de- 

 pends on their growth ; if of dwarf, spreading habit, they ought 

 to be planted twice their height apart; if neither erect nor 

 diffuse, a distance equal to the height they attain will su£lice ; 

 whilst those of pyramidal or conical habit may be a distance 

 equal to halt their ultimate height apart. 



Evergreens are best planted during mild weather in autumn, 

 and before the ground becomes very wet, and has declined much 

 in temperature ; indeed, the earlier it is done after the growth 

 is complete the better, and I should in all cases prefer Septem- 

 ber for planting to any of the later months of the year, which 

 are not untrequently eoUl, wet, and unfavourable to rooting 

 before severe weather sets in. Early in autumn and spring 

 are the most eligible times for planting evergreen shrubs, and 

 it is not certain which period is the better ; only if planting is 

 performed late in summer, or early in autumn, the necessity 

 for watering is much less than when it is done in spring, a free 

 use of the watering pot being necessary at the latter season. 

 Winter planting is bad, even summer planting is more suc- 

 cessful, there being a less per-centage of failures by the 

 latter than the former mode ; indeed, with careful planting 

 and judicious watering summer planting is safe, but unless the 

 shrubs have been but recently transplanted, and the growth is 

 complete, there is a danger of their partly losing their foliage ; 

 hence planting early in autumn is to be preferred. The greatest 

 drawback to shrubs succeeding, is their losing the shelter they 

 enjoy in nurseries from close planting ; hence when planted 

 late, or in winter, the plants are destroyed if the winter prove 

 at all severe, whereas the same kind succeeds if planted at 

 an earlier season, owing to its becoming hardened by exposure 

 for a time before severe weather sets in. 



Deciduous shrubs may be planted at any time from the fall 

 of the leaf up to the time of their commencing growth ; but 

 the sooner it is done after the leaves commence falling in au- 

 tumn the better is the prospect of a good growth in the following 

 year. 



Previous to planting the ground should be well and deeply 

 trenched. It is the art of securing a good and speedy growth ; 

 besides, the shrubs withstand the drought of summer and the 

 cold of winter much better than in groaud very little prepared 

 for their reception. It may not be desirable to bring up much 

 of a bad subsoil to the surface, but it is well to remove some 

 of it, and to loosen it as much as possible, so that water 

 may enter it freely. Stirred ground is warmer, and though 

 drier absorbs water more freely. In planting, a good-sized 

 hole, large enough to admit the roots, should be made, and 

 some good turfy loam enriched with an equal quantity of de- 

 cayed vegetable matter, as tree leaves, will prove highly bene- 

 ficial, a little being placed around and over the roots. Avoid 

 deep planting ; it only leads to an abundance of suckers, and 

 makes their remnval more difficult, besides retarding the growth 

 of the plants. If the weather is dry, a good watering may be 

 given at the time of planting, and it would materially acce- 

 lerate fresh rooting and after-growth, if a mulching of partially 

 decomposed leaves 2 or 3 inches thick were put round to the 

 extent of the hole made for planting. The plants should be 

 staked immediately after planting, and otherwise made secure 

 against winds. 



(Shrubs that require a particular soil for their successful 

 growth should have that peculiar to them, if not to the extent 

 of the whole of the ground, at least to that of the hole made for 

 planting. It is of little use planting such as bog plants in 

 sandy soils; proper provision should be made for them, other- 

 wise planting is only so much labour and expense thrown 

 away. 



ShrEbs may be classed as — 1st, Evergreen ; 2nd, Deciduous ; 

 and 3rd, Those thriving in peat soil and consisting of ever- 

 .greec end decidooEs epeoies. Za-endeayonring to describe some 



e\t;rgrf.en shrubs. 

 AcccBA JAPO'SIOA. — Lcaves large, of a pale green, mottled and 



blott'lied with yellow. Growth sprcadini^, foliage dense and compact. 

 One of the best cvergi'eun shrubs, thriving well under deciduoue trees; 

 indeed, for planting under these it has no eijuul. I have planted it 

 where Yews, Hollies, and Laurels would not grow, and have found it 

 succeed. I have also planted many hundreds and never lost one 

 during the summer from drought, which is one of the chief causes of 

 the want of success which attends the planting of shrubs in plan- 

 tations of large, full-grown, deciduous trees, the roots of the latter 

 making the soil almost liko dust during dry periods. The Aucuba is 

 also invaluable as enduring the smoky atmosphere of towns, of which 

 I have no inconsiderable experience, and has no rival in that respect 

 except the Rhododendron, which succeeds better than any other shrub 

 in a smoky atmosphere. 



The Aucuba generally attains a height of from 4 to G feet, but may 

 be seen of much Larger proportions when growing under favourable 

 circumstances. It does best in sh^dtcred situations, but is very hardy, 

 though it does not endure a very bleak position. It is increased by 

 cuttings, which strike if put in during August or September in sandy 

 soil in a warm situation ; but does best when inserted in a cold frame 

 at the end of August, or earl}' in September, and kept close for a fort- 

 night or so, afterwards giving air and di'awingoff the lights in showery 

 weather. They are rather slow in rooting, especially in the open 

 ground, and their growth is slow for the first two or three years. 

 Layering is also a successful mode of propagation. It may be prac- 

 tised early in autumn, which is to be preferred, or in spring. These 

 remarks apply to the old female Aucuba, now A. japonica maculata, to 

 distinguish it from recent introductions, two of the most important of 

 which are — Aiicnha japonica vrra fa^nuna (Female Green-leaved 

 Aucuba). Leaves gi'een, contrasting well with the red berries which this 

 plant produces in great profusion, on which account it is very desirable 

 both for the garden and for cool greenhouse or conservatory de-'ora- 

 tion ; and Aucuba Japonica iiiascida (Male Aucuba), not particularly 

 ornamental, but indispensable for the fertiUty of the female plants. 



These may both be raised from the seed of berry-bearing plants, 

 sown when ripe in pans or pots well drained, and filled with good light 

 soil. Place them in gentle heat, pot the young plants when large 

 enough, grow them in an airy greenhouse, and harden them off in a 

 cold frame previous to planting out. Both kinds may also he increased 

 by cuttings and layers in the same way as the old Aucuba. 



Arbctcs usedo. — Leaves oblong, green, and shining; flowers white, 

 drooping, and sweet-scented, produced in winter, succeeded by red 

 berries having a resemblance to Str.awberries, heuce its name of the 

 Strawberry Tree. The varieties known as rubra and Croomii, have 

 reddish flowers. It is propagated by cuttings inserted in sandy soil in 

 a cold frame at the end of summer, or when the wood is ripe or 

 hardened ; by layering in autumn or spring ; and by seeds sown in heat, 

 the seedlings being grown in a frame and hardened well off. It 

 requu-es a sheltered situation, and in cold localities a south or west 

 wall. Height, 10 to 15 feet. 



Arbctcs andrachxe. — Flowers white, in March and April. Leaves 

 shining, oblong. The tree attains from 10 to lu feet in height, and 

 has a smooth, reddish bark, which peels off annually. Seeds, layers, 

 and grafting. A. uuedo making a good stock. Needs protection when 

 young, and in cold situations a wall. 



Aralia StEBOLDi. — Leaves large. Fig-like, glossy, green, clothing 

 the plant to the ground. 



ARTEin5L\ abrotaxcm. — Leaves small and finely divided. This is 

 the Southernwood, cultivated on account of the fragrance of its foliage. 

 Height ?j feet. Slips or cuttings in spring in a shady border, or shade 

 for a few days from bright sun. Thrives best in a sandy soil. Not 

 particularly ornamental. 



BEXTHAiTLi FEAGiFERA. — Its flowers are its great attraction ; they 

 arc large, yellow, produced in June, and succeeded by red fruit re- 

 sembling a Strawberry. 10 feet. Requires a south or south-west wall. 

 Seeds sown in heat, and cuttings of the half -ripened wood inserted in 

 sandy soil on a hotbed. 



Berberis aquifolicm. — Leaves pinnated, shining, bright green ; 

 flowers yellow, abundantly produced in .April, succeeded by a pro- 

 fusion of bright purple berries that have a fine bloom. It will grow 

 in partial shade, but not well in vei*y shady positions. Very desirable. 

 Seeds, layers, and suckers. 



Berberis arist-ita. — Leaves oblong, shining ; flowers yellow, suc- 

 ceeded by red berries. A very desirable species of rapid growth. 6 to 

 10 feet. Seels and layers. 



Berberis Darwinu. — Leaves small, shining, dark green ; flowers 

 yellow, in Mai'ch and April, abundantly produced. Whether in or 

 out of flower vei-y beautiful, having a profusion of shining bluish 

 purple berries, much relished by birds. Thrives well in partial shade. 



