180 HARDY SHRUBS. 



desirable evergreen species, of larger growth than the preceding ; but may easily be 

 kept dwarfer, by ' stopping ' the shoots while young. 



Daphne. — Pew of the evergreen species of this genus produce showy flowers, 

 but their delicious fragrance make them desirable additions to the shrubbery. One 

 of the oldest and best known, is D. pontica, a very neat species, from three to five 

 feet high, with broad foliage terminating the stems. It will succeed in the shade, 

 or beneath trees. The little D. cneorum, a trailing species, with pink flowers, is a 

 general favorite. It does best in peat, and in a cool situation. The D. japonica, a 

 recent introduction, is a beautiful species, which we would specially commend to all 

 lovers of hardy evergreens. Its foliage is handsomely variegated, and its flowers 

 very fragrant. It requires only ordinary soil, and is a fast grower in almost any 

 situation. Another very desirable species is the D. hylrida, with purplish flowers, 

 and large glossy leaves ; it is the D. dauphinii of some writers. 



Escallonia macrantha. — This beautiful shrub has already been noticed in these 

 pages (see p. 49), and the strong recommendation there given has been fully justified 

 by subsequent experience. It is, in short, so highly ornamental, that it must be 

 regarded as indispensable ; and its price is now so low, that none need deny them- 

 selves the gratification of possessing it. It is easily increased by cuttings, and 

 succeeds in almost any soil. In those parts of England in which the winters are 

 very severe, it will, perhaps, be advisable to plant it either at the foot of a wall, or 

 else surround it with other evergreens, which will afford it some shelter. 



Garrya. — The G. elliptica has already received an illustration in these pages ; our 

 figure, however, gives but a very imperfect idea of the beauty of the long catkins, 

 which impart so much interest to this plant. It deserves to be in every shrubbery, 

 and may be had at a very reasonable cost. See the notice on page 86. 



Laurus nobilis. (Sweet Bay). — It is to be regretted that this interesting plant, the 

 Laurel of the Eoman Poets, is liable to suffer in exposed situations in severe 

 winters. With a view to guard against the effects of frosts, it should be planted 

 in a sheltered part of the shrubbery, or a warm corner, and will then receive but 

 little harm. In winters of more than ordinary severity, it well deserves a covering ; 

 for when seriously injured, it recovers with difficulty, and its symmetry is not 

 unfrequently much impaired. There are several varieties of the common Bay, of 

 which the best is that termed latifolia. All do best in a light friable loam. A new 

 species, the L. reyalis, has been recently introduced from California, which is perfectly 

 hardy ; but it will not, we fear, be common for some years. 



Leycesteria formosa. — This plant is by no means so common as it deserves to be, 

 although quite hardy in the midland and southern counties, and, probably, even in 

 the north, in all but the severest winters. We have never known it to be seriously 

 injured by frost in our own neighbourhood ; and even if it were killed to the 

 ground, it would shoot again. The flowers are not very conspicuous, but the habit 



