EVERGREEN SHRUBS* 27 



CHAPTEE V. 



ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS AND CLIMBERS. 



SHRUBS which are ornamental in their growth, or in 

 their flowers, are very abundant. 



The Arbutus, or "Winter Strawberry, is a hardy ever- 

 green, the bright-coloured strawberry-like fruit of whicli 

 is gay and pretty in winter. It thrives in common 

 garden soil ; it is propagated by budding or in-arching, 

 and may also be grown from seed. In favourable situa- 

 tions it grows to the size of a tree. 



The "Winter Cherry is also a useful plant, of dwarf 

 shrubby growth, the showy flowers of which are suc- 

 ceeded by bright red berries, no less ornamental in 

 winter. The bladdery calyx does well in making 

 skeleton leaves, among which from its peculiar shape it 

 forms a pretty variety. 



The Myrtle is a universal favourite, from the beauty 

 of its foliage and flowers, and also from their delicate 

 delicious fragrance. In Dorsetshire and the western 

 counties, Ireland, the Channel Islands, and all mild 

 localities, myrtles will do out of doors all the year ; but 

 in less favoured spots they have to be housed during 

 winter. The rich beauty of their glossy foliage is very 

 charming ; a tall well-grown tree is splendid. Cuttings 

 will strike readily. They may be kept in a bottle of 

 water until the roots grow, and then be planted, or 

 struck in sandy soil, under a bell glass. 



The Laurustinus is a beautiful evergreen bush, which 

 flowers abundantly throughout the winter under 

 favourable circumstances. It grows readily, by layers, 

 and November is the best time for removing it. The 

 Guelder Eose, or Snowball-tree, is a deciduous shrub of 

 the same family, which is beautiful in the spring, with 

 its great balls of snowy white flowers, and which will do 



