Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Climbers 33 



Phillyrea Vilmoriniana (decora). A splendid evergreen shrub, closely 

 related to the Ash and Privet, 6-10 ft. high, from Asia Minor, with deep- 

 green leathery Laurel-like leaves 4 to 6 in. long. The small white flowers 

 are sometimes succeeded by reddish-purple Olive-like fruits. The plants 

 flourish in good loamy soil, and are chiefly increased by layering, but 

 grafting on the Privet stock is also practised. Other species are angusti- 

 folia, 6-10 ft., with several forms; latifolia, 20-30 ft., with varieties 

 ilicifolia and rotundifolia; and media, 10-15 ft., with several varieties 

 all natives of South Europe. 



Phlomis fruticosa (JERUSALEM SAGE). A Mediterranean shrub, 2-4 ft. 

 high, with wrinkled leaves, woolly-white beneath, and whorls of showy 

 yellow flowers. Increased by seeds and cuttings. 



Photinia. A genus of Rosaceous shrubs, of which the best-known 

 members are japonica (ERIOBOTRYA), the Japanese Loquat, an ornamental 

 evergreen, 10-20 ft. high, with large oblong deeply veined leaves and 

 racemes of white flowers, succeeded in warm countries by pale orange- 

 red Quince-like fruits. Hardy in the milder parts of the kingdom and 

 very ornamental. Easily raised from imported seeds, by cuttings, layers, 

 and grafting on the Quince. P. serrulata, from China and Japan, has 

 serrated Laurel-like leaves, and flat trusses of small white flowers between 

 April and July. 



Pittosporum. A genus of ornamental evergreen shrubs, quite hardy 

 in the very mildest parts of the kingdom, where they attain a height 

 of 10-20 ft. The best kinds are Buchanani, Tobira, crassifolium, and 

 undulatum. 



Platanus (PLANE). The American Plane (P. occidentalis) is a fine 

 deciduous tree, rarely seen. What is known as the " London Plane " is 

 a form of the Common or Oriental Plane (P. orientalis) called acerifolia, 

 recognized by its divided Maple-like leaves. There are forms, such as 

 cuneata, the leaves of which are distinctly wedge-shaped at the base; 

 laciniata, with deeply divided lobes; and variegata, with leaves blotched 

 and streaked with white and green. The London Plane (acerifolia) is 

 a fine tree for town streets, and is largely grown, often under the name 

 of occidentalis. Usually raised from seeds. 



Populus (POPLAR). Several kinds of Poplar are largely grown, being 

 used as windbreaks, screens, &c. They flourish in almost any soil, but 

 prefer damp situations. The most common kinds in commerce are as 

 follows: P. alba, the Abele or White Poplar, 100 ft., has silvery- white leaves. 

 The variety Bolleana resembles a Lombardy Poplar in habit; and nivea 

 has leaves conspicuously white on the under surface. The Balsam Poplar 

 (P. balsamifera) of North America is a fine tree with yellowish-green 

 young leaves. There are several varieties of it, including the Ontario 

 Poplar (candicans or ontariensis). The Lombardy Poplar (fastigiata 

 or pyramidalis) is well known for its columnar or pyramidal habit. 

 It is really a variety of the quick -growing Black Italian Poplar (P. nigra). 

 The Aspen (P. tremula) is a fine British tree with a graceful drooping 



VOL. IV. 48 



