80 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



birds are so fond of them that they are rarely allowed to become 

 ripe, at least, such is the case near towns. The seeds of this and 

 allied species are used in the South of Europe as a yellow dye for 

 wool. From its importance, the shrub has been long and widely 

 known, and both its botanical and common names are numerous ; 

 for these, however, the reader may not care. It is seldom called 

 by any other than its specific name, Mezereon, which Gerarde 

 describes as English-Dutch. 



Its flowers, which are purple, come on the otherwise naked 

 stems of last season's growth, lateral fashion, in threes mostly, 

 and sometimes the blossomed stems will be over a foot in length ; 

 the flowers are ^in. long, sessile and funnel-shaped; the limb 

 four-cut ; sweet smelling and very durable. The berries are the 

 size of a small pea, bright green at first, then turning to red, and 

 ultimately to a nearly black colour. The leaves lance-shaped, 

 smooth, and deciduous appear after the flowers. The habit is 

 branched and erect, forming neat bushes. In a wild state it 

 flowers in March and April, but under cultivation it is much 

 earlier. 



In the garden it may be planted under other trees, where it 

 proves one of a scarce class of shade-loving flowering shrubs ; it 

 also does well in open quarters. In gardens, where its fruit is 

 unmolested, it is, perhaps, more attractive than when in blossom, 

 as then the foliage adds to its beauty. The flowers in a cut state 

 are serviceable, pretty, and desirable from their sweetness ; long 

 sprigs mixed with lavender or rosemary form a winter bouquet 

 not to be despised ; or, it may be placed in a vase, with a few small- 

 leaved ivy trails and a spray of evergreen bamboo (Metake). 

 Gerarde's description of this shrub will, doubtless, be read with 

 interest : " The braunches be tough, limber, and easie to bend, 

 very soft to be cut ; whereon do grow long leaves like those of 

 priuet, but thicker and fatter. The flowers come foorth before 

 the leaves, oftentimes in the moneth of Januarie, clustering 

 togither about the stalks at certain distances, of a whitish colour 

 tending to purple, and of a most fragrant and pleasant sweet 

 smell. After come the smal berries of an exceeding hot and 

 burning taste, inflaming the mouth and throte of those that do 

 taste thereof, with danger of choking." 



Flowering period, February to April. 



There is a variety called D. M. album; the only difference 

 from the typical form is implied by the name, the flowers being 

 white. It also is in bloom at the same time as the species. 



D. M. autumnale is another variety, which, however, blooms in 

 the autumn ; the flowers are red ; it is a native of Europe. 



These shrubs enjoy a light but moist soil of a vegetable nature, 

 but they also thrive in a sandy loam. They may be increased by 

 seed, or, more quickly, by grafting on stocks of spurge laurel ; 

 cuttings may be rooted, but are uncertain. 



