156 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



subject, not only withstanding our most trying seasons without 

 the least injury, but also proving true to the month of December 

 as the period when it begins to produce its numerous golden 

 flowers. It is a climbing deciduous shrub, though it has neither 

 the habit of clinging nor twining. 



The shrub produces bloom when only 18in. high, but it often 

 grows to as many feet, and even taller. The flowers are borne 

 singly at the joints from which the leaves have fallen, and as the 

 latter were opposite, the blossom appears in pairs on the new 

 twigs. In the bud state they are drooping, and are marked with 

 a bright chestnut tint on the sunny side. The calyx is ample, 

 almost leafy, but these parts are hidden when the flower opens 

 and becomes erect. The form of the Jasmine blossom is well 

 known ; in size this one is rather larger than a full-blown violet, 

 and quite as sweetly scented, which is saying very much, but the 

 colour is yellow ; the petals are of good substance and shining ; 

 the flowers last a long time, even during the roughest weather, 

 they open most during sunshine, but do not wait for it, and they 

 remain open until they fade. The leaves, which are produced in 

 early spring, are very small and ternate ; leaflets of unequal size, 

 ovate, downy, and of dark green colour. The wood is very 

 pithy, square, with sharp corners, and having the appearance 

 almost as if winged; the younger branchlets are dark bronze 

 green. The habit of the shrub is rampant, climbing, much 

 branched, and very floriferous. The green leafless sprigs of 

 bloom are very serviceable in a cut state for vase decoration, 

 especially if mixed with dry grasses or well-f oliaged flowers ; the 

 sweet odour, too, reminds one of spring time. Specimens 

 growing against the house or other walls, either nailed or in 

 a trellis, have a happy effect in winter, from the slender 

 whip-like growths hanging down and being well bloomed. 

 From the dark green colour and great number of branchlets, 

 although leafless, a well-grown example has quite the effect of 

 an evergreen. 



It enjoys a sunny position, but I have it doing well in a north- 

 west aspect ; it may be used in bush form in almost any situa- 

 tion. Neither is it particular as to soil, but I should not think 

 of planting a winter-blooming subject in stiff or retentive loam 

 that of a sandy nature is more likely to be productive of 

 flowers. It is easily propagated from cuttings of the young 

 wood; if they are taken in late summer, when the leaves are 

 falling, they will root quickly. Before the strong west winds of 

 autumn occur, it should be pruned, in order to prevent its being 

 torn from the wall; if the prunings are laid in sandy loam, 

 between shrubs, they will be sufficiently rooted for planting 

 out by the following spring. 



Flowering period, December to April. 



