MY SHRUBS 21 



Bowkeria gerardiana deserves greater praise and attention. 

 From South Africa it comes with snow-white flowers, shaped Hke 

 a calceolaria, that sparkle forth in July. This rare and beautiful 

 shrub is recommended to all who dwell in the south and can give 

 it wall space. Indeed, Mr. Wyndham Fitzherbert, who probably 

 possesses the finest specimen in England, will show it to you seven 

 feet high upon a southern slope far from all shelter. But he is a 

 magician, and we common men can only admire without seeking 

 to emulate his feats of horticulture. Brachyglottis repanda attained 

 to magnificent dimensions with him, too, as I remember ; but this 

 attractive New Zealander will probably puzzle you to satisfy. 



Brachysema acuminatum is a very beautiful but tender shrub 

 for a snug wall. The flowers are rich scarlet, like a small clianthus ; 

 the foliage is bright silver. This New Hollander must be treated 

 with great respect out-of-doors, but it is well worthy of a cold 

 house — in peat or sand with perfect drainage. 



Of Boronia, named by Dr. Sibthorpe, after his faithful servant, 

 Francis Boroni, who perished at Athens, that fragrant and delicious 

 treasure, B. megastigma, thrives in some Devon gardens. But 

 only lucky people, with whom Providence is on the best of terms, 

 can show it really prosperous to you out of doors. I have tried 

 and failed, yet I shall give Providence another chance to oflPer a 

 helping hand in this matter. I hope good Boroni had a spike 

 of the shrub in his hand when he lost his life, and I should 

 like to think that it scented many a holy place of old, when the 

 Golden Age offered flowers to its goddesses. As B. megastigma 

 comes from South-Western Australia, however, this dream seems 

 vain. But when did it settle at Athens ? 



Bouvardia triphylla, with most brilliant scarlet corymbs, a 



