SPARTIUM 



523 



Native of S. Europe; introduced, it is said, in 1548. The name 

 '' Spartium " has been given to many leguminous plants, but is now 

 confined to this species. S: junceum is a useful shrub whose value is 

 enhanced by its coming 

 into bloom in June and 

 lasting until September. 

 In July, when it is at 

 its best, it is very showy. 

 It is admirable for planting 

 on hot dry banks, especi- 

 ally if it be associated 

 with a dwarfer shrub (like 

 double - flowered gorse), 

 which will hide its gaunt 

 and naked base. But in 

 the ordinary reaches of 

 the garden also it makes 

 very effective groups, and 

 gives masses of welcome 

 colour when shrubs gener- 

 ally have gone out of 

 flower. It must be raised 

 from seeds (which ripen 

 in abundance), and kept 

 in pots until planted out 

 in permanence, for it dis- 

 likes disturbance at the 

 root. Sometimes it is 

 grown as a formal bush, 

 being clipped over with 

 shears in early spring be- 

 fore growth starts ; shoots 

 then spring out all over 

 the bush, which blossom 

 in their due season a few 

 months later. 



The shrub has some 

 economic value in the 

 south of Europe, yielding 

 a fibre which is obtained 

 from the branchlets by 

 maceration, and is worked 

 up into thread, cordage, 

 and a coarse fabric. 



Var. FLORE PLENO. 



A double-flowered form propagated by grafting on young seedlings of 

 the type. It was introduced by Peter Collinson from Nuremberg in 

 1 746. He says : " It cost me a golden ducat ; came from thence down 

 the Rhine, and was brought by the first ship to London in good order. 



SPARTIDM JTTNCKUM. 



