1 1 8 Subtropical Gardening. 



*Comptonia asplenifolia. — This is a quaint-looking 

 little shrub, fern-like in leaf and neat in habit. The 

 leaves are long, and cut into numerous rounded lobes, 

 somewhat like those of the Ceterach; and the habit 

 of the shrub is spreading and pleasing. It likes peaty 

 soil, and may be increased by layers, suckers, or seeds. 

 It should be used as an isolated specimen on the grass, or 

 associated with such things as the oak-leaved Hydrangea 

 and Aralia japoiiica. A very pretty object in the woods 

 of New Jersey and many other parts of N. America, 

 where it is called the Sweet Fern. It would be pecu- 

 liarly appropriate for similar positions in this country, 

 when we have it plentiful enough to naturalise. 



Cordyline indivisa. — A magnificent New Zealand 

 plant, with a simple stem, from 2 ft. to 5 ft. high, and 

 well distinguished by its excessively thick and leathery 

 leaves, which are from 1 ft. to 5 ft. long, and 4 or 5 

 inches broad, lance-shaped, of a dark shining green colour, 

 the midrib and veins being of a rich deep orange. The 

 flowers are white, and very densely crowded, in a large 

 drooping panicle. This fine greenhouse plant may be 

 placed out of doors in summer, from the end of May 

 till October, with a very good effect; best, perhaps, 

 as an isolated specimen, the pot being sunk in the 

 grass. 



Corypha australis. — A noble Australian palm, 

 over 30 ft. high in its native country, and forming 

 a very effective subject for the subtropical garden 

 in summer, from June till October. The leaves are 

 nearly circular, often more than 5 ft. broad, of a dark 

 green colour, very much plaited, and divided round the 



