40 MY SHRUBS 



who wags his foliage merrily, signalling by secret code to his 

 neighbours in the forest. 



Deutzia need not detain us, but if you lack Z). Kalmiceflora, a 

 new hybrid with clusters of pink flowers, obtain it. D. Lennei 

 is also a worthy shrub. The larger species are valuable additions 

 to the shrubbery. 



Disanthus cercedifolia^ said to produce glorious autumn colour, 

 is with me as an infant. This Japanese tree will doubtless pre- 

 serve shrubby dimensions as long as my interest in it survives ; 

 but Distylum racemosum, also from Japan and still uncommon, 

 makes hearty growth and hangs out a strange crimson inflores- 

 cence among its shining leaves. This interesting shrub is an ever- 

 green kinsman of the witch hazels. A west wall in peat appears 

 to suit it admirably. Diosma ericoides, from South Africa, a neat 

 little shrub with white flowers, has been garnered, and a like fate 

 would have overtaken D. vulgaris^ that makes such splendid bushes 

 in the South of France. With adequate protection, however, they 

 might endure. Diospyrus Kaki, the Japanese date plum, whose 

 name in Greek means " celestial food," has blossomed generously, 

 but set no ambrosia for me. It made great growth, flowered 

 abundantly, and promised a crop year after year in a noble spot 

 under a south wall ; but now I have dragged it away to my reserve 

 plantation, and there I care not what happens to it. Perhaps 

 now, slighted and neglected, it will surprise me. Z). lotus should 

 be tried, for that is hardier. But I never see this species in 

 catalogues. 



Dorycnium rectum is a rather good, pea-flowered shrub from 

 South Europe, with downy foliage and pale pink blossoms. It 

 throve with me for two years in a sunny place, then perished for 



