CHAPTER III 



CiESALPINIA JAPONICA is one of the fine shrubs with 

 which I have done Httle. It flowers occasionally, but 

 shows no heartiness, and makes but scanty growth. I 

 suspect this piece is of poor constitution, for plants, like animals, 

 vary much in their physique, and there is no obvious reason why my 

 ccesalpinia should not prosper. This chronic invalid must have its 

 troubles ended, and I will try again with a sounder specimen. A 

 wall, full sun, and good loam should meet its requirements, and 

 enable it to produce the handsome yellow flowers with crimson 

 stamens. That grand shrub C Galliesii, from South America, has 

 also failed with me, after several trials. Probably I cannot keep it 

 dry enough in winter. 



Calceolaria integrijolia thrives well beside the sea, and hangs 

 out its golden bunches freely. It is a Chilian, but enjoys full sun, 

 with a wall behind it for choice. C. violacea also loves sunshine, 

 but is not quite so hardy. Its little corollas of pale violet, spotted 

 with a darker tone of the same colouring, are mildly interesting. 



A more important pair are Callistetnon speciosiis and C. saligmiSy 



the scarlet and white bottle-brushes. These fine things, from 



Australia, love a warm corner in peat, and there prosper and make 



good growth from year to year. The winter they much dislike, 



and the younger foliage is often nipped in frosty weather ; but 



they come through bravely enough, and flash out again brilliant 



and cheerful when June returns. 



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