140 HARDY ORNAMENTAL 



P. LAUNESIANA (syn Cerasus Launesiana). Japan, 

 1870. This is a valuable addition to the already long 

 list of ornamental flowering Cherries. It flowers in the 

 early spring, when the tree is literally enshrouded in 

 rose-coloured flowers, and which produce a very striking 

 effect. The tree is quite hardy, flowers well even in a 

 young state, and will grow in any soil that suits our 

 common wild species. 



P. LAUEOCEEASUS (syn Cerasus Laurocerasus). Common, 

 or Cherry Laurel. Levant, 1629. Although a well-known 

 garden and park shrub, of which a description is un- 

 necessary, the common or Cherry Laurel, when in full 

 flower, must be ranked amongst our more ornamental 

 shrubs. There are several varieties all worthy of culture 

 for the sake of their evergreen leaves and showy flower 

 spikes. P. Laurocerasus rotundifolia has leaves that 

 are broader in proportion to their length than those of 

 the common speeies ; P. Laurocerasus caucasica is of 

 sturdy growth, with deep-green leaves, and a compact 

 habit of growth; P. Laurocerasus colchica is the freest- 

 flowering Laurel in cultivation, with horizontally arranged 

 branches and pale-green leaves ; P. Laurocerasus latifolia, 

 a rather tender shrub, with bold handsome foliage; and 

 P. Laurocerasus parvifolia, of low growth, but never very 

 satisfactory in appearance. Three other less common 

 forms might also be mentioned : P. Laurocerasus angusti- 

 folia, with narrow leaves ; P. Laurocerasus camellisefolia, 

 with thick leathery foliage ; and P. Laurocerasus inter- 

 media, halfway between P. Laurocerasus angustifolia and 

 the common Laurel. 



P. LUSITANICA (syn Cerasus lusitanica). Portugal Laurel. 

 Portugal, 1648. A well-known shrub or small-growing 

 tree, and one of the most valuable of all our hardy ever- 

 greens. It is of neat and compact growth, with a good 

 supply of bright-green shining foliage, and bears long 

 spikes of pleasing creamy-white perfumed flowers. P. 



