Daphne. 1 79 



sphere. It is said that there are some forty species and 

 varieties of which note has been taken by botanists and 

 horticulturists. They are all small shrubs, though in some 

 cases in tree form, and present numerous attractions. 

 Some are evergreen and others are deciduous. In culti- 

 vation a few are known only as greenhouse plants, but 

 the great majority are counted hardy and suitable for 

 garden and park planting. 



D. mezereum is one of the very best of early spring 

 bloomers, and merits much more attention than it has yet 

 received from horticulturists and planters in this country. 

 The plant is perfectly hardy, and it is claimed will grow 

 up to the very borders of the Arctic regions. Whether it 

 will endure such an extreme test or not, it is certain that 

 it can be used freely in all portions of the United States 

 short of Alaska, and is also available in the South to the 

 borders of the Gulf. It has been in use in English gardens 

 for more than three hundred years, and has held its own 

 against all newcomers for that long period. It is a low- 

 growing plant, seldom rising more than two feet, but is of 

 a somewhat spreading habit and so covering considerable 

 space. The flowers are pink, very abundant and very 

 fragrant, appearing at the first breath of spring and often 

 before the snow has fully gone. When these are over, 

 the little bush is almost equally attractive from the presence 

 and character of its fruit. In June the branches are 

 crowded with large, bright red berries, affording a marked 

 contrast to the dark green leaves. Coming thus when so 

 few plants are in blossom, and continuing so long in fruit, 

 the wonder is that it is not better known and more largely 



