THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



749 



to moderately stiff clay. There are several 

 varieties of the tree, that known as the 

 Colorado variety being considered the hardiest. 

 The glaucous form is an extremely handsome 

 tree, more rapid in growth than any other 

 silvery conifer. Varieties of this tree, taxifolia^ 

 Standishi, pendii/a, &c., are not remarkable, 

 of far greater importance being the natural 

 variety from the Rocky Mountains. 



P. Menziesi {Menzies Spruce). — In places 

 where this Spruce thrives it is a very beau- 

 tiful tree because of the bluish silvery-grey tone 

 of its needle-like leaves. In a damp climate 

 where the soil is deep and moist it grows into 

 a handsome tree, but in dry soils it soon 

 becomes in a wretched condition. This Cali- 

 fornian Spruce is also known as P. sitchensis. 



P. MORINDA. — No other Spruce has such 

 gracefully drooping branches as this Hima- 

 layan tree, which is also known well by its 

 other name P. Sniithiana. It is worthy of a 

 place among the finest ornamental trees, but 

 must have a deep moist soil more heavy than 

 light, and the position not too sheltered. Under 



Picea Morinda. 



these conditions it flourishes in the bleakest 

 parts of the eastern counties, where some of 

 the finest examples of it exist. 



P. ORiENTALis. — This Caucasian Spruce 

 has somewhat the appearance of the Norway 

 Spruce, but it is a smaller growing tree with 



much shorter leaves and branches, and is more 

 suitable as a garden tree, as it is of denser 

 growth and retains its lower branches. It is of 

 a deep glossy green, and on this account, and 

 its dwarfed growth, is especially suitable for 

 grouping with the larger conifers. It is very 

 hardy, and thrives best in moist soils. 



P. POLITA {Tiger- tail Spruce).— TVx?, is 

 one of our newer Japanese trees, but judging 

 by the largest trees in various parts of the 

 country, it is a Spruce that will make itself 

 a future in these islands. It is of handsome 

 rigidly pyramidal outline, and with leaves the 

 stiffest and sharpest-pointed of all, which 

 renders it cattle proof. It stands exposure 

 well, and is a tree for high windy places. 



P. PUNGENS. — An American Spruce most 

 valuable for this country, hardy, standing ex- 

 posure in high places better than any other. 

 It is generally known in gardens by the 

 variety ^/az/ca. It is largely raised from seed 

 in order to select from the seedlings silvery 

 plants. This Spruce is confused with another 

 Californian Spruce called P. Engelmaitni, P. 

 conimuiata or P. Parryana, but which is quite 

 inferior as an ornamental tree to P. pungens. 



P. Omorica (Setvian Spruce). — A recent 

 introduction, which promises to be a good ad- 

 dition to the Spruces notable for ornamental 

 planting. It has somewhat the appearance of 

 P. orientalis in its growth, and very dark green 

 foliage, but the leaves are larger, flat and de- 

 cidedly silvery beneath. 



PIERIS. — Evergreen shrubs of Japan, 

 China, and America. Their effect is pre- 

 cious among Magnolias, Rhododendrons, 

 and the choicer evergreen shrulas, and the 

 same soil usually suits them. They may 

 also be grouped as bold rock-garden 

 shrubs in moist peaty or leafy soils, thriv- 

 ing all the better for partial shade at 

 mid-day. The following are the best 

 kinds : — 



P. floribunda. — A close-growing evergreen 

 shrub from N. America, with narrow oblong 

 leaves and white urn-shape flowers in dense 

 one-sided racemes, formed in the autumn and 

 opening in spring. They will do so much 

 earlier, however, and come much whiter too, if 

 put in gentle heat under glass, or even cut and 

 placed in water in a warm room. The plant 

 is hardy in most soils, but thrives best in those 

 of a sandy and leafy nature, if not dry. It 

 never grows high, and may be grouped with 

 the choicer evergreen shrubs. 



P. j aponica. — A beautiful evergreen shrub with 

 long drooping clusters of white flowers, giving 

 almost a lace-like effect to freely flowered plants. 

 It is hardy, and grows much larger thany?^;-?'- 

 buiida, but is slow and poor on cold or loamy 

 soils, and only luxuriant in peaty or leafy beds 

 that are well drained and free from lime. It 

 will grow in shade and in full sun, but a moist 

 half-shaded place is what it likes best. The 

 flowers open from January to March, according 

 to season, and last a long time, whether cut 

 or in the open air. There are some dwarf 



