20 MY SHRUBS 



also a handsome foliage plant ; while other fine shrubs, among more 

 recent novelties, are B. sanguinea^ from Mongolia, and the Hima- 

 layan, B, insignis. B. gracilis, of Mexico, though tender, is worth 

 a trial, and B. trifoliata, mentioned above, is also a Mexican and 

 not quite hardy. One must name with great praise also B. Fre- 

 montiy with glaucous foliage, and that bright little July flowering 

 shrub, WilsorCs berberis, from China, with yellow flowers and bright 

 red berries. 



Betula nana, the dwarf birch, stands but three feet high, and 

 makes a delightful addition to my forest of little conifers. There 

 is a pendulous variety of this mite that one would welcome. Big^ 

 nonia grandiflora is disappointing, for, while my specimen prospers 

 exceedingly, and increases from year to year, its heavy flower- 

 spikes are produced so late that the night temperatures begin to 

 fall and the hours of sunshine shorten before it blows. Once, 

 some years ago, the shrub did itself justice, and then it was a great 

 spectacle ; but since that occasion only an occasional blossom 

 has opened its splendid orange-yellow cup. Vitex agnus castus, 

 the chaste tree, does the same. It prepares fine points of inflores- 

 cence during September, and never opens them. The plants dwell 

 side by side under a south wall, and no more can be done for them 

 here. The Bignonia is worthy of a cold house ; the Vitex is not. 



Biglovia, sacred to Doctor Jacob Bigelow, author of *' Florula 

 Bostoniensis," is a hardy little shrub from California, which hangs 

 out modest yellow panicles in summer and likes half shade ; while 

 Billardiera scandens, from New South Wales, is about the only 

 native fruit of Australia — a little pretty berry, which follows a 

 drooping flower. It is a climber for a cold house, and no addition 

 to dessert even at its best. 



