56 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES. 



J. communis hi bernica. Irish Juniper.— A well- 

 known and widely dispersed variety of strictly columnar habit, 

 the branches and branchlets being rigid, close set, and of decid- 

 edly upright growth. But not only in habit does this variety 

 depart widely from the parent, for the foliage is also strik- 

 ingly distinct, being shorter and of a deeper green, freely in- 

 termixed with silvery glaucous tints. This handsome and 

 distinct form is said to have originated in Ireland, but I have 

 also found it wild at Keston, in Kent, and on some of the 

 commons of Hertfordshire. 



J. communis nana. — A neat little shrub, of spread- 

 ing growth, the leaves being short, and so sharp and needle- 

 like that it is difficult to handle the plant uninjured. The 

 colour of foliage is greyish-green beneath, and more glaucous 

 above. Though rarely rising to a greater height than 8 

 inches from the ground, yet on the Snowdon range of hills I 

 have seen it spreading to 5 feet in width. It transplants 

 freely, and is useful for covering dry gravelly and chalky 

 banks where little else would grow. 



J. communis neaboriensis is a distinct and 

 desirable variety of pyramidal growth, and remarkable for the 

 stiff and very sharp-pointed leaves, which are of a shining 

 glaucous green. It succeeds well under ordinary treatment, 

 and forms a neat and pleasing specimen of upward growth. 



J. communis Obiong^a. — This is a striking and 

 beautiful form when seen in a thriving condition, which, un- 

 fortunately, is not always the case in this country.' In shape 

 it varies considerably, some specimens being decidedly pro- 

 cumbent, while others shoot up narrow and compact. It is, 

 however, always pleasing, from the rich bright green of the 

 foliage and the dainty grace of the slender branchlets. For 

 a cool, porous soil it is a good subject. 



J. communis suecica resembles the Irish juni- 

 per in habit, though the branch tips jut out here and 

 there, giving the specimen an easier and less stiff outline. It 

 is of larger growth, and the foliage lighter, greyish, or silvery- 

 green. 



