EVERGREENS 61 



ordinary conditions attain a height of five or six feet, 

 but in Cornwall and Devonshire they attain to a much 

 greater height, rising in some cases to twenty feet 

 or more. The arbutus appear to the best advantage 

 in the shrubbery, where so arranged that they are 

 not overgrown by more robust shrubs. A well- 

 drained soil is essential to success in their culture, and, 

 where practicable, a liberal quantity of leaf-mould or 

 other decayed vegetable matter should be added to the 

 soil, previous to planting. 



The most desirable for general cultivation are 

 Arbutus Unedo and its varieties. The species blooms in 

 September, and produces a profusion of pale white 

 flowers succeeded by brilliant red fruits resembling the 

 strawberry. The two varieties that can be specially 

 recommended are, rubra, which has red flowers, and 

 Croomei, a strong grower with pink flowers. A. 

 Andrachne hybrida is worthy of a place in large gardens ; 

 it has narrow leaves and greenish white flowers, the 

 latter being produced in summer; the fruit bright 

 red. 



AUCUBAS. These enjoy a well-deserved popularity, 

 for they will thrive in soils of all descriptions, and in 

 any position, and they are equally at home in town and 

 country gardens. The common variegated form, Aucuba 

 japonica variegata, is the most generally useful ; but the 

 green-leaved A. japonica vera is desirable, the growth 

 being bold and the leaves rich glossy green. The 

 brilliant red berries produced by the female forms so 

 greatly enhance the appearance of bushes of all sizes, 

 that one or two or three plants of the green-leaved male 

 plant should be grown, the number being determined 

 by the area of the garden to provide the pollen necessary 

 for the fertilisation of the flowers, which is effected by 

 insect agency. Aucubas can be readily propagated by 

 cuttings and seeds, the former being taken in August 



