278 HARDY SHRUBS. 



The flowers are purplish-blue or white. The plant blooms in August 

 and September. V. cannabaefolia forms large, wide bushes, but it suffers 

 during very severe weather. Both species are best raised from seeds. 

 There is a hybrid form between the two species, with V. Agnus-castus 

 as the seed parent; it is equally as hardy as that species, and comes 

 true from seed. 



XANTHOCERAS SORBIFOLIA, a native of Northern China, was first 

 grown in Europe about 30 years ago. Tt flowers after reaching a height 

 of about 18 inches. Adult specimens, it is said, reach a height of 20 

 feet. The flowers are arranged singly, on a central stalk, which is sev- 

 eral inches long. The stalk is upright, the bottom flowers opening first. 

 In general appearance the individual flowers have a striking resemblance 

 to those of the Shortia galacifolia. They have thesamecrumpled appear- 

 ance on first opening. The outward parts of the petals are pure white, and 

 nearest the base the color is at first yellowish green, subsequently 

 streaked with brownish-red and eventually changing to a brighter red. 

 The flower stalks are produced on the ends of the previous season's wood; 

 flowers and foliage expand together. In appearance the foliage some- 

 what resembles that of the Mountain Ash. The fruit is quite large, fully 

 the size of a horse chestnut. The seeds are brownish black, three-quar- 

 ters of an inch in diameter. They should be sown soon as ripe and kept 

 cool so as not to force germination until the middle of April. To insure 

 the best results each sped should be sown singly in a 3-inch pot. Tbis 

 does away with the possibility of injuring the tender roots in transfer- 

 ring to larger receptacles or to nursery rows. From some cause many 

 of the seeds produce plants which are entirely white instead of green; 

 ihese die when a few weeks old. 



YUCCA (Adam's Needle) The hardy species of this genus are all 

 ornamental plants thriving in situations fully exposed to the sun. 

 Almost any soil will suit them. Some of the most useful species are Y. 

 ejloriosa (of which there are numerous varieties, one of the best being 

 Y. g. recurvifolia), Y. angustifolia and Y. filamentosa. They are 

 increased by dividing th^ stems and planting in a shaded spot until 

 rooted; also, in some species, by seeds, and from root cuttings. 



