OZ HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



long; the form of leaf is fan-shaped, having generally seven lobes, 

 each supported by a strong mid-rib ; the lobes are formed by 

 divisions rather more than half the diameter of the leaf ; they 

 are slightly distant, broadly lance-shaped, waved at the edges, 

 toothed near the ends, the teeth being somewhat spiny; the 

 substance is very stout and leather-like to the touch ; the upper 

 surface is a dark shining bronzy-green, beautifully netted or 

 veined ; the under surface is a pale green, and richly ornamented 

 by the risen mid-ribs and nerves of the whole leaf; the leaf- 

 stalks are thick, round, bending downwards, and 6in. to 18in. 

 long, springing from the half woody stem. 



The habit of the shrub is bushy, somewhat spreading, causing 

 the specimens to have a fine effect from their roundness, the 

 leaf arrangement also being perfect. Without doubt this is 

 one of the most distinct and charming evergreens for the orna- 

 mental garden, sub-tropical in appearance, and only inferior to 

 palms as regards size ; it is effective anywhere. It need not be 

 stated that as a vase or table decoration it ranks with the best 

 for effect and service, as it is already well-known as such. In 

 planting this subject outside, young but well-rooted examples 

 should be selected and gradually hardened off. At the latter 

 end of May they should be turned out of the pots into a rich 

 but sandy loam. The position should be sunny, and sheltered 

 from the north. Some have advised that it should be grown 

 under trees, but I have proved that when so treated the less 

 ripened foliage has suffered with frost, whilst the specimens 

 fully exposed to the sun have not suffered in the least; they 

 would droop and shrivel as long as the frost remained, but as 

 soon as the temperature rose they became normal, without a 

 trace of injury. When planted as above, young specimens will 

 soon become so established and inured to open-air conditions, 

 that little concern need be felt as regards winter ; even such as 

 were under trees, where they continued to grow too long, and 

 whose tender tops were cut away by frost, have, the following 

 summer, made a number of fresh growths lower down the stems. 

 I should like to say that on rockwork this shrub has a superb 

 effect, and I imagine the better drained condition of such a 

 structure is greatly in favour of its health and hardiness. The 

 propagation is by means of cuttings ; slips of half -ripened wood, 

 taken during the warmest months, if put in sandy loam in a 

 cucumber frame, will root like willow. As soon as roots have 

 formed, pot them separately and plunge the pots in the same 

 frame for a week or two, then harden off. For the first winter 

 the young stock ought to be kept either in a greenhouse or a 

 cold frame, and by the end of the following May they will be 

 ready to plant out. A well-drained position is important. 



Flowering period, November to March, in favourable or mild 

 seasons. 



