SOME HARD-WOODED PLANTS 85 



of Calceolaria, and it is always noticeable in a greenhouse, as 

 it is by no means well known. 



Hypericum chinense is another twiggy, low-growing shrub 

 which is almost hardy, and will do well either in a pot or, 

 better still perhaps, in a basket, which would suit its some- 

 what trailing habit. The large yellow flowers nearly equal in 

 size those of the well-known St. John's- wort (H. calycinum) 

 of our shrubberies, but are much more elegant from a peculiar 

 Catherine-wheel-like twist of petals and stamens, and it may 

 be reckoned a specially fine species of an interesting genus. 

 The more familiar Polygala dalmaisiana, the purple flowers of 

 which, with quaint little brushes of protruding stamens, is an 

 old favourite, presents no difficulties of culture, needing 

 nothing more than kindly pruning to keep it in shape. 

 Another charming Australian Pea-flower is Swainsonia gale- 

 gifolia alba, now well known and popular ; it has been found 

 to be hardy against a wall in a sheltered Cornish garden. 

 This may be propagated best by cuttings, as the seed which it 

 produces freely is apt to revert to the purple-flowered type. 



All these sub-shrubs are more or less easily grown, and we 

 will now take an example of one that will give more trouble. 

 One of the most gorgeous of Australasian leguminous plants, 

 Clianthus puniceus, is sometimes called the Glory Pea of New 

 Zealand. Those who have seen some ot the cottages near 

 Porlock on the Somersetshire coast, with plants in full flower 

 climbing almost to the eaves, will not be inclined to dispute 

 the title. But it will not grow everywhere out of doors, and 

 in that case must needs be considered a greenhouse shrub. 

 Except for red spider, there is no special difficulty in its 

 culture, but for a long time a finer species still, C. Dampieri, 

 with black blotches on its scarlet flowers which is not, like the 

 other, an evergreen, semi-climbing shrub, but a herbaceous 

 perennial puzzled even experienced growers. The secret, 

 however, has been discovered, and a very fine specimen in a 



