SHRUBS. 439 



of the orange. It is a great favourite of mine. I have also the 

 PJiiladclpJius mexicanus, which has charming single white fleshy 

 flowers. It flowers freely in a pot with me, but I do not as yet know 

 whether it is hardy. If it is, it will be a truly beautiful species for 

 outdoor growth. 



In early spring the bright red blossoms of the Japan Quince 

 (Cydonia japonica, fig. 971) are important. The tree does best when 

 trained against a wall, but we have several bush trees, which give us 

 their flowers in early spring, and are highly effective. 



Another early flowering shrub is the Daphne Mezerium, which 

 flowers before the leaves appear, but it is not an important plant. 



* ^TKT- -**t~ 



FIG. 971. Japan Quince. FIG. 972. Red Flowering Currant. FIG. 973. Berberis dulcis. 



Blossoming later than the last, we have the Red Flowering Currant 

 (Ribes sanguinewn, fig. 972). There are several varieties, which are 

 useful accompaniments of the wall-flowers. It is an American shrub, 

 of easy cultivation and hardy, but last spring it received much damage 

 at my garden from the May and June frosts. 



Still later, the Dentzia gracilis gives us an abundance of white 

 flowers. This shrub, although hardy, is also a valuable plant for green- 

 house decoration, and many plants should be used, so that one after 

 another may adorn the conservatory. 



For the spring the Berberis is useful. The Berberis dulcis (fig. 973) 

 has single yellow flowers, delightfully fragrant, which are followed by 

 black berries reputed to be eatable. 



The Mahonia aquifolium is a plant with large dark leaves and 

 yellow blossom, which should never be absent from any garden. 



