MAHONIA PAULO WNIA. 251 



Hemlock, would remedy this defect, by forming a dark-green 

 background, on which the beautiful masses of Magnolia flow- 

 ers would appear to great advanta'ge. 



MAHONIA. 



Makonia aquifolium. Ilex-leaved Mahonia. This is an 

 elegant evergreen shrub, three or four feet high, with clusters 

 of yellow flowers, in May or June, succeeded by bunches of 

 blue berries. The leaves are compound, with somewhat 

 prickly points, very glossy green, inclining to purplish-brown, 

 and, in those that are young, various shades of crimson and 

 purple, giving the plant a very rich appearance. The foliage 

 remains in perfection during the winter, where screened from 

 the sun by trees, or covered with snow or straw. In autumn 

 the foliage is very gay, as on the same plant there will be 

 bright-green, purple, brown and crimson leaves. 



PAULOWNIA. 



Paulownia imperialis. This is a magnificent tree, of recent 

 introduction. To all appearances it will not grow to a very 

 large size in our climate. As it is perfectly hardy it will be a 

 rich addition to our collection for the shrubbery or lawn. We 

 have not yet seen the flowers. We planted a number of trees 

 three years since, which endured the two last winters to per- 

 fection. These trees were not pruned, but the branches were 

 permitted to strike out near the ground for the purpose of lay- 

 ering. As they now appear, they would be ornamental in the 

 shrubbery, even without bloom, on account of their showy 

 foliage. Mr. Downing has given us a description of this tree, 

 in the Horticulturist, and we will give his full and interesting 

 description of it as we find it in vol. i., page 16 : 



