100 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



besides, the latter is composed of unfamiliar genera, so it is more 

 likely that the reader will not care about any reference to them ; 

 it may concern him more to know that the above somewhat 

 long name belongs to a very dwarf hardy evergreen shrub, having 

 a neat habit and very beautiful foliage. This variety is one of 

 many forms which come under the name E. japonicus, none 

 of which, however, have long been cultivated in this country, 

 the date of the introduction of the type being 1804. The genus 

 is remarkable for the number of its species having ornamental 

 foliage, and not less so, perhaps, for the insignificance of their 

 flowers. The species under notice (E. japonicus} in cultivation 

 has proved sportive, which habit has been taken advantage of, 

 whence the numerous forms, including the one I have selected 

 for these remarks. Some of the Spindle Trees do not flower in 

 this climate, and others, which do, produce no seed ; these facts 

 are in connection with the more finely leaf -marked sorts, and it 

 may be inferred that such unfruitfulness arises from their 

 hybrid nature or abnormal tendency, as seen in " sports." 



The typical form is a tree growing 20ft. high, producing 

 small white flowers, but of the variegated kind under notice 

 established specimens have ever failed to show the least sign 

 of flowering, though, otherwise well developed and of good 

 habit. The leaves are nearly oval, |in. to l|in. long, sometimes 

 oblong, sharply serrulated, of stout leathery substance, smooth, 

 and much variegated in colour. The markings are mostly on 

 and near the edges, and take the form of lines and marblings. 

 The tints are a mixture of white, yellow, and pink, inclining to 

 purple; these are variously disposed on a dark green ground. 

 The arrangement of the leaves is crowded and panicled on the 

 recent shoots, which are twice and thrice branched ; from the 

 shortness and twisted shape of the leaf stalks, the branchlets 

 have a compressed appearance. The old stems are round, wiry, 

 9in. to 18in. long, prostrate, and emit roots like the ivy when 

 they come in contact with suitable surfaces, whence the name 

 " radicans." The habit of the shrub, from its dense and flat- 

 tened foliage, fine colour, and persistent nature, together with 

 its dwarfness and rooting faculty, all go to render it one of the 

 finest rock shrubs for winter effect. The wetness of our climate 

 only seems to make it all the brighter, and it is also without 

 that undesirable habit of rooting and spreading immoderately. 



It enjoys a sunny situation and enriched sandy loam. Where 

 such conditions exist it may be planted with good effect as a 

 permanent edging to walks or beds ; as such it may be clipped 

 once or twice a year, but I may add that it is worth the extra 

 time required for pruning with a knife, as then the leaves are 

 not cut in two and the outline is left less formal. By such treat- 

 ment the foliage is kept thick to the base of the shrub. The 

 summer prunings may be pricked into sandy loam in a shady 



