470 DAPHNE 



comparatively long-stalked clusters, and especially the opposite leaves, make 

 this Daphne very distinct. It is said to require a soil devoid of chalky 

 substances, but its treatment is little understood. 



D. HOUTTEANA, Lindley. PURPLE-LEAVED DAPHNE. 

 (D. Laureola var. purpurea, Hort. ; D. Mezereum atropurpurea, Dippel^) 



There seems to be little doubt that this is a hybrid between D. Mezereum 

 and D. Laureola. It was first described and figured by Louis Van Houtte, in 

 the Flore des Serrcs, t. 592, in 1851, but he did not know its origin or even 

 venture to give it a name. He alludes to it as " D. Mezereum foliis atro- 

 purpureis of several gardens." It has since been mostly called D. Laureola 

 var. purpurea, but is distinct from both species. 



A partially evergreen shrub, 2 to 4 ft. high, with stiff, erect branches. 

 Leaves usually crowded towards the tip of the shoot, and resembling those of 

 D. Laureola in size, shape, and texture, but of a dark purplish tinge. Flowers 

 pale lilac, produced two to five together in short-stalked clusters. At the time 

 of flowering (April) there usually remain a few purple leaves of the preceding 

 summer's growth. It is from the axils of these and the buds beneath them 

 that the flowers are borne.' 



D. JAPONICA, Szebold. 



(D. Mazeli, Carriere ; D. odora var. Mazeli, Hemsley.") 



An evergreen shrub nearly allied to D. odora, and of the same size and 

 aspect. The foliage, too, is similar, and the flowers of the same shape, size, 

 and fragrance, but instead of being borne exclusively in terminal clusters, the 

 flowers are also produced on short-stalked clusters from the leaf-axils along 

 the branches ; they are pink outside, whitish within. This Daphne is 

 somewhat hardier than D. odora, but requires winter protection near London. 

 It commences to bloom in November and lasts through the winter. 



Native of Japan, whence it was introduced about 1866. Now very rare in 

 gardens. It was figured in the Garden for Nov. 16, 1878. 



D. LAUREOLA, Linnaus. SPURGE LAUREL. 



An evergreen shrub of bushy habit, 2 to 4 ft. high, devoid of down in all 

 its parts. Leaves oblanceolate, tapered gradually to the base, more abruptly 

 to the point ; from i^ to 4^ ins. long, \ to i\ ins. wide ; dark lustrous green, 

 and of thick, firm texture." Flowers yellowish green, with no odour, produced 

 during February and March ; they are borne in clusters of three to eight 

 blossoms, each cluster on a common stalk about in. long, springing from 

 the axils of the uppermost leaves of the preceding year's growth. Flowers 

 \ in. long, in. diameter. Fruit ovoid, bluish black when ripe. 



Native of S. and W. Europe, including England. Like D. pontica, it 

 prefers a moist soil and semi-shade, and is useful in association with woodland, 

 chiefly for its shining evergreen foliage, for the flowers have neither fragrance 

 nor bright colour to recommend them. D. pontica differs in having larger, 

 mostly twin flowers produced at the base of the new shoots six or eight weeks 

 later, and thinner leaves 



Var. PHILIPPJ, Grenier. A dwarf, densely bushy shrub with sturdy, short 

 shoots". Leaves closer and more densely arranged on the shoot than in the 

 type ; obovate, f to 2 ins. long, \ to f in. wide, dark glossy green. Flowers 

 smaller than in the type. Native of the Pyrenees. 



