164 JASMINTJM NTJDIFLOETJM. 



as a standard, either on its own roots, or grafted on stocks of the common sorts at 

 any desired height. Dwarf specimens suitable for window ornaments may thus 

 be readily obtained; to keep them within compass they will, however, require 

 annual pruning immediately after flowering. It is readily increased, either by 

 cuttings of the ripened shoots planted in a sheltered corner, or at the foot of 

 a wall, or by layers which may be separated the following spring. This 

 species is a native of the northern parts of China, whence it was introduced by 

 Mi-. Fortune in 1845. It appears to bloom there at a later period of the winter 

 than in this country, a fact readily explained by the greater severity of the 

 climate, which retards the development of the flowers. Here it is not 

 unfrequently in blossom as early as December, and often continues in flower 

 to the end of February, or even later; the leaves commencing their growth 

 soon after that period. 



The genus Jasminum now includes a considerable number of species; and 

 perhaps we cannot better conclude this article than by a reference to such of 

 them as have proved sufficiently hardy as to come within the scope of the 

 present work. The best known is the common J. officinale, a shrub too 

 familiar to require any lengthened notice. Its pure white flowers are among 

 the most fragrant of the genus. The variegated varieties, with foliage striped 

 and edged with yellow and white, are much less known, and are very ornamental. 

 The Cytisus-leaved Jasmine, J. fridicam, is scarcely less common, though of 

 inferior value. It will often attain, against a wall, the height of six or eight 

 feet, but, when more exposed, is not unfrequently much dwarfer ; its small 

 yellow flowers are almost scentless, but, from the compactness of its growth, it is 

 useful for covering walls, etc The Italian Jasmine, J humile, is of a dwarfer 

 growth, but less hardy, requiring, in most parts of this country, some protection 

 in winter; like the preceding, it has yellow flowers, which are delicately 

 scented. 



The curled-flowered Jasmine, J. revohdum, from Nepaul, is a far more 

 interesting plant ; its evergreen habit, and the delightful fragrance of its yellow 

 blossoms, together with its perfectly hardy character, render it one of the most 

 desirable of all the out-door species. It will succeed in almost any soil and in any 

 aspect, though its flowers are finest with a warm exposure. It is also one of the 

 fastest growers of the genus ; in moist soils it will not unfrequently produce shoots 

 six feet or more long in a single season. The J. puligerum, from the same country, 

 is an allied species, also of evergreen habit, with rather small fragrant yellow 

 flowers. It is equally hardy, and a desirable plant ; synonymous with J. 

 Wallichianum. Another fine species from Nepaul is the J. heterophyllum, at 

 present but little cultivated. Its foliage is large, glossy, and very handsome ; 

 some of the leaves are simple, others binnate or ternate. The flowers are yellow ; 



