68 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 345 



Var. DENSA is perhaps the most dwarf of all the varieties of the Japanese 

 Yew. This slow-growing form lacks the weedy appearance of the Canadian 

 Yew or of Taxus baccata var. repandens. If unpruned, it will in time develop 

 into a small, compact plant somewhat resembling the spreading form of the 

 type in habit. Suitable for use as a specimen on limited locations or for a low, 

 trimmed hedge. 



Var. "INTERMEDIA", though lacking in technical recognition, is a dis- 

 tinct form with rich, dark foliage which very probably has acquired its garden 

 name because it falls about half way between T. cuspidata and T. cuspidata var. 

 nana in texture and rate of growth. Like the type, it has been propagated 

 by the trade from both terminal shoots and side branches and thus may be 

 had in plants of both upright and spreading habit. The fact that a formal 

 description of this variety has never been published is giving rise to much 

 confusion in that the upright form of this particular clon is carelessly listed as 

 T. cuspidata var. intermedia columnaris, T. cuspidata var. intermedia capitata, 

 and under numerous other equally inept names. 



Var. NANA (T. brevifolia of the trade), Dwarf Japanese Yew, is dense 

 and upright while young, and at maturity displays a dark, interesting foliage 

 mass much broader than its usual height of four to six feet. In nursery sizes 

 it may be considered as standing in growth rate and habit between T. cuspidata 

 var. intermedia and T. cuspidata var. densa. Because of relatively slow 

 growth, low stature, and glossier foliage, it is more desirable than spreading 

 plants of the type for permanent use on limited areas. 



Var. "PARSONSII", a garden variety not recognized by botanists, is a 

 particularly dark, long-leaved strain of the type, which in southwestern New 

 England has long been grown as an upright plant from terminal cuttings. 

 Though possibly not as hardy as some other forms, its almost black foliage 

 color — particularly fine in winter — makes it desirable. It is sometimes 

 offered in the trade as T. cuspidata var. columnaris, T. cuspidata var. intermedia 

 columnaris, and under other names. Along with it are grown strains of 

 similar narrow upright habit but of a much lighter foliage color. 



Var. THAYER ae is of rather recent introduction. The type seedling of this 

 plant, because of the somewhat decumbent habit of its several main branches, 

 tends to spread out into a broad mass much greater in horizontal diameter 

 than in height. 



X TAXUS MEDIA 



In this group fall a number of hybrid forms having technical characters 

 which make them intermediate between Taxus cuspidata and Taxus baccata. 

 Of the numerous forms of this sort being offered, the following may be men- 

 tioned. Var. HATFIELDII in its typical form builds up a dense conical bush 

 with upright branches. Var. "HEDGEFORM" has a growth rate of some 

 four times that of var. Hatfieldii but does not become weedy. Rather, when 

 not crowded, its many vertical stems build up a plant having equal diameters 

 at top and bottom. Var. HICKSII, if allowed to grow naturally, will thrust 

 out its many branches to form a bare-based, vase-shaped, open plant. It can, 

 however, when grown to a single leader and heavily sheared, be made into a 

 very formal column, and also makes excellent material for forming clipped 

 hedges. Var. kelseyi, about which little is known in New England, is being 

 touted because of its profuse fruiting properties. 



TEUCRIUM CHAMAEDRYS ChAMAEDRYS GERMANDER 



An evergreen subshrub with persistent, toothed leaves and stems which 

 reach out and up to form a compact plant some twelve inches high. Much 



