FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 125 



Paliurus (Rhamnaceae), 



PALIURUS ACULEATUS (syn P. australis). Christ's Thorn, 

 or Garden Thorn. Mediterranean region, 1596. A 

 densely-branched, spiny shrub, with small leaves and not 

 very showy, yellowish-green flowers. It grows and flowers 

 freely enough in light, peaty earth, but is !not very hardy, 

 the tips of the branches being usually killed back should 

 the winter be at all severe. 



Parrotia (Hamamelideae)* 



PARROTIA PERSICA. Persia, 1848. Well known for the 

 lovely autumnal tints displayed by the foliage when dying 

 off. But for the flowers, too, it is well worthy of culture, 

 the crimson-tipped stamens of the male flowers being 

 singularly beautiful and uncommon. In February it 

 is no unusual sight to see on well-established plants 

 whole branches that are profusely furnished with these 

 showy flowers. For planting in a warm corner of a 

 rather dry border it seems to be well suited ; but it is 

 perfectly hardy and free of growth when soil and site are 

 agreeable. It is as yet rare in cultivation, but is sure, 

 when better known and more widely disseminated, to 

 become a general favourite with lovers of hardy shrubs. 





 Passiflora (Passifloreae), 



PASSIPLORA C^RULEA. Passion Flower. Brazil and 

 Peru, 1699. Though not perfectly hardy, yet this hand- 

 some climbing plant, if cut down to the ground, usually 

 shoots up freely again in the spring. The flowers, which 

 are produced very freely, but particularly in maritime 

 districts, vary from white to blue, and the prettily-fringed 

 corona and centre of the flower render the whole peculiarly 

 interesting and beautiful. P. cserulea Constance Elliott 



