Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Climbers 



Fig. il5.Berberis aristata. (J.) 



fifty different varieties, one of which (atropurpurea) has rich purple-red 

 leaves. When in fruit in autumn all varieties of B. vulgaris are hand- 

 some, especially one called asperma, 

 which has drooping clusters of scarlet 

 oblong berries. Special varieties are 

 usually raised from layers. B. aristata 

 (fig. 415), from North India, resembles 

 the common species, but has large blue- 

 green berries. 



Betula (BiRCH). There are many 

 species of Birch, but perhaps none to 

 equal in beauty and value the common 

 silver or white -barked Birch of the 

 British Islands (B. alba), which attains 

 a height of 50-80 ft. in favoured locali- 

 ties. Young plants from l|-7 ft. high 

 are sold in thousands every year either 

 for home or foreign plantations. There 

 are several varieties, including albo-pur- 

 purea, the leaves of which are rich purple 

 above, white beneath; laciniata, leaves 

 deeply cut; pendula Youngi, the Weep- 

 ing Birch; variegata, leaves blotched with white, and others. The North 

 American Paper Birch (B. papyracea) grows 60-70 ft. high, and also has 

 a white bark. 



Buddleia. Ornamental shrubs, of which the best known are: the 

 Chilian Orange Ball Tree (B. globosa), 10-20 ft. high, with long lance- 

 shaped leaves, and ball -like heads of brilliant orange -yellow flowers. 

 B. variabilis, from Tibet, grows 6-8 ft. high, has long tapering racemes 

 of lilac or rose-purple flowers from June to September. The variety 

 Veitchiana is somewhat deeper tinted in colour. Both these species are 

 quite hardy in most parts, and may be raised from seeds or cuttings. 

 B. Colvillei is only hardy in the very mildest parts of the kingdom, 

 although it comes from 9000 to 12,000 ft. up the Himalayas. It has 

 beautiful bell -shaped rosy flowers, and is probably best as a pot plant 

 grown in a greenhouse. Other species rarely seen are crispa, japonica, 

 and Lindleyana. 



Buxus (Box). The Common British Box (B. sempervirens) is the 

 best for commercial purposes. It is extensively grown for hedges, coverts, 

 &c., and, owing to the fact that it stands clipping well, is now grown in 

 a variety of fantastic shapes for topiary work in large pots, tubs, or 

 boxes (see Vol. I, p. 13). There are many varieties, that known as 

 su/ruticosa being largely used for edging purposes. Others, like angusti- 

 folia, myrtifolia, rosmarinifolia, latifolia, have peculiarities of foliage 

 indicated by the names. There is a pretty golden -leaved form called 

 aurea, a silvery one, argentea, one called marginata edged with yellow 



