DECIDUOUS FLOWERING SHRUBS n 



and flowering profusely, but as in the case of the 

 majority of shrubs they are the most satisfactory when 

 planted in soil that is moderately rich and well drained. 

 They may be propagated by means of layers and 

 suckers which should be taken off when nicely rooted 

 late in the autumn ; and also by means of cuttings of 

 well-ripened shoots, which should be taken in October 

 and rooted under hand-glasses in the open. The follow- 

 ing autumn they will be rooted sufficiently to be planted 

 in nursery lines to strengthen previous to their being put 

 in their permanent quarters. 



The best of the deciduous Berberis are : B. canadensis 

 or Canadian Barberry, an elegant shrub attaining a height 

 of about four feet and having a profusion of drooping 

 racemes of yellow flowers during the spring months ; 

 B. chinensis or Chinese Barberry, a distinct species grow- 

 ing to a height of from four to six feet and flowering in 

 May, the flowers bright yellow and borne in pendent 

 racemes ; and B. Thunbergior Thunberg's Barberry, a very 

 handsome Japanese species of dwarf spreading growth, 

 and not less remarkable for the splendid colouring of its 

 leaves and fruits in autumn than for the effectiveness of 

 its flowers in spring. The growths are slender, grace- 

 fully arching, and in April they bear along the greater 

 part of their length pendent yellow and red flowers, 

 which are followed by fruits that in the autumn become 

 of a bright scarlet colour. In the autumn the leaves 

 change to bronze, crimson and red, and when the plants 

 are of considerable size they produce a very rich effect. 

 This species should have a place in the front row of the 

 shrubbery border and on the margin of beds and groups 

 of shrubs. B. vulgaris or Common Barberry is a robust 

 growing shrub attaining, under favourable conditions, a 

 height of eight or ten feet. It blooms freely during the 

 spring months, the flowers being yellow and produced 

 in short racemes. These are succeeded by clusters of 



