List of Ornamental Trees & Shrubs with Descriptions 91 



Platanus occidcntalis (Plane Tree) A very handsome and fine 

 shade tree where it succeeds, but perhaps best confined to the 

 Natal Midlands and mist belt, with a Southern slope or good 

 deep alluvial soil. Of good symmetrical shape when well 

 grown. The foliage is bright green and very ornamental. 50 

 feet. P. orientalis is suitable for like situations. Good 

 avenue trees. 



*Plumbago capensis A useful, rough, drooping shrub, bearing 

 numerous spikes of pale blue flowers continuously. There is 

 a white form, just as free-flowering and useful. Indigenous 

 to South Africa. 4 feet. 



Plumeria (The Indian " Frangipanni " ) A grand plant, but deli- 

 cate and only suitable for the Coast and very warm Mid- 

 lands. Although there are numerous varieties, only two have 

 been introduced to South Africa. The leaves are large, richly 

 veined and handsome. The flowers are terminal cymes, or 

 corymbs, firm and waxy, and useful in floral work. Very 

 sweetly scented. P. occulata (P. bicolor) is white, with a 

 yellow throat or eye. P. violacea is a rich apricot-rose 

 scarcely a violet. 6 feet. 



Poinviana The best known of the Poinoianas is the Flamboyant 

 (P. regia), a brilliant sight in the Eastern Coast towns when 

 in bloom. The flowers are rich scarlet, in large panicles well 

 above the fern-like foliage. A good shade tree. 20 feet. 

 P. aurea is a much smaller tree, also with fern-like foliage, 

 and rich yellow flower panicles. P. pulcherima (P. gillesii) 

 is similar to the last, but the flowers are a gorgeous scarlet 

 and gold. 10 feet. All are delicate and very sensitive to 

 frost. 



Poinscttia pulcherima This is grown on the Coast belt and in 

 the warmer Midlands and low veld for the sake of its scarlet 

 bracts, which have a most brilliant effect in Autumn and 

 early Winter. Tender. 8 feet. There is a form with a 

 double " flower," perhaps better than the type. A yellow form 

 sometimes seen is scarcely worth garden room. 



^Pomegranate (Punica granatum) The double-flowered scarlet 

 type is the best of the Pomegranates, the flowers being more 

 brilliant than the type, and larger. One should not forget, 

 however, the striking effect of the highly-coloured pendulous 

 ripe fruits of the type. 15 feet. Hardy. There is a variety 

 with double yellow flowers. 



*Popl(irx Both the tall and stately Lombardy Poplar and the 

 Black Italian are sometimes grown in groups, with good 

 effect, to break up the sometimes monotonous level of other 

 plantings. They are quite adaptable to many conditions, but 

 are most at home near water. The Black poplar (P. nigra) 

 's of very quick growth, but does not live long. 50-GO feet. 



P. macrophylla is a very handsome and more spreading 

 tree, with exceptionally large leaves. P. monolifera, already 

 recommended for utility, is also handsome. All Poplars much 

 prefer proximity to water. 



