List of Ornamental Trees & Shrubs with Descriptions 95 



Spathodca speciosa (African Flame Tree) Grows up to 50-60 

 feet. It is tropical or sub-tropical, and not suitable for Mid- 

 lands and high veld. Bell-shaped, orange flowers. 



Spiraeas Many varieties of shrubby Spiraeas are well worth ex- 

 tensive adoption as garden shrubs. The most commonly 

 grown are S. reevesii (Cape May), with single or double 

 white flowers. 6 feet. S. salicifolia, with drooping, ex- 

 tremely fine and small foliage, and numerous white flowers. 

 4 feet. S. douglasii, with red flower spikes in Summer. 4 

 feet. There are also a few very dwarf types, cushion-like 

 almost, and very free flowering, such as S. callosa, white 

 tinted flesh; S. callosa rubra, bright red; S. fraebellii, vio- 

 lacious pink. All are quite hardy in all districts, and very 

 useful. 



Sterc-ulia* The best known of the Sterculias is the Flame Tree, 

 S. aeerifolium (or Brachychiton acerifolia), which, when in 

 bloom, is a blaze of bright red. Suitable for Coast and 

 warmer middle veld. GO feet. A very handsome species is 

 S. diversifolia, with good, shapely stem and foliage. An ex- 

 cellent street or shade tree. The leaves of this species are 

 very variable in shape, being heart-shaped, entire, or three- 

 lobed. 40 to 60 feet. S. platanifolia, or Chinese Parasol 

 Tree, has plane-like leaves, and is a large and handsome 

 species. 60 feet. 



Streptosolcn jamesonii A small shrub (6 feet), with good pale 

 green foliage and rich masses of orange flowers in Winter 

 and very early Spring. It is delicate and only suitable for 

 outdoor planting on the Coast and in f restless regions in- 

 land. Good for cutting. 



*Symphoricarpus A good many varieties are in cultivation, but 

 the nicest is S. aurea variegata. This grows to 4 feet. 

 Foliage beautifully variegated green and gold. Fern-like. 

 Deciduous. 



Syncarpia lauri folia (Turpentine Tree) A massive evergreen 

 tree, attaining to 200 feet. Of quick growth, and very hand- 

 some. The timber is also valuable. 



*8yringa vulgaris (Common Lilac) The European Lilac requires 

 both a cool and moist situation, and is very seldom seen in 

 bloom in South Africa because such situations are very rare. 

 It may be successful on the Eastern slopes of the Drakens- 

 berg, but cannot be recommended for general culture. Flowers 

 white, pink, purple, &c. 15 feet. 



Tabernacmontana coronaria (East Indian Rose Bay) The 

 double-flowered form is remarkably like a Gardenia, both in 

 foliage and leaf, but is much more tender, and only succeeds 

 outside in practically frostless districts. The waxy white 

 flowers are heavily scented at night. Where the plant is cut 

 down by an unexpected frost it will soon shoot again from 

 the base, and grow rapidly to its original size. Well wqrth 

 growing. 4 feet. 



