264 Decorative Plants. I. — The Ar alia. 



a native of Japan, and is probably perfectly hardy. A fine figure of 

 this plant is given in Sieboldt's Flora Japonica, plate 25, to which 

 those interested in a fuller description may refer. 



It is a plant of most luxuriant and graceful growth. In a mass 

 by itself, or as a single plant, very few plants exceed it in beauty. 

 It has, however, the fault of dying away rather early in the autumn, 

 which, in the Southern and Middle States, may prove an objection ; 

 but in New England the frost comes too early, and the first frost kills 

 the plant to the ground. 



As yet this fine species is somewhat rare, but as all the aralias are 

 very easily propagated, there is no reason it should remain so. 



Another species, for which we are indebted to Japan, is A. ja- 

 ponica. A more graceful plant it would be difficult to find. In general 

 nppearance it resembles A. spinosa^ but is a far more beautiful plant. 

 It is an arboi'escent species, attaining eight to fifteen feet in height, 

 and is beautiful in every stage of growth. 



Unfortunately it cannot be considered thoroughly hardy in New 

 England. We have had a plant which has, with slight protection, 

 survived for five years, but three years it has been killed to the ground. 

 This, however, is scarcely an objection, for it always shoots strongly 

 from the root, and with us a shoot has grown nine feet high in a 

 single summer, producing from the ground to the top immense com- 

 pound pinnate leaves, which in graceful beauty surpassed those of 

 any fern. 



This plant has been the admiration of all who have seen it, and a 

 more graceful and beautiful specimen it would be difficult to find. 

 The largest leaves measured from the stem to the end of the leaves 

 four feet, and were two feet across. 



In autumn the foliage turns a golden yellow, and is very showy. 

 The whole plant is covered with sharp prickles, and cannot be handled 

 with impunity. 



This species does best in a light, rich soil, in a rather sheltered but 

 not very dry situation ; but water must not be allowed to stand near 

 the plant in winter. 



Glen Ridge, March, 1870. 



(To be continued.) 



