THE NEW SHRUB BEAUTY 279 



where several of the best sorts are named, they make 

 magnificent beds. Like their allies the Rhododendrons, 

 they enjoy a compost of peat and loam. 



The hardy Azaleas might be classed in three sections : 



(1) Azalea mollis varieties. 



(2) Azalea mollis x Azalea pontica hybrids. 



(3) Azalea mollis x Azalea sinensis hybrids. 



The mollis varieties are hardy and good, such sorts as 

 Admirable, Alphonse Lavallee, Ambroise Verschaffelt 

 and M. Arthur de Warelles being very bright. But 

 section 3 gives us the finest hardy forms. Here we find 

 such splendid things as Alma Tadema, Anthony Koster, 

 Glory of Boskoop and Louis Endz, which produce 

 abundance of large and brilliant flowers. 



The Bamboos are divided by botanists into three 

 genera : Arundinaria, Bambusa and Phyllostachys ; but 

 nurserymen do not always follow them. For instance, 

 the popular Bambusa Metake of the trade catalogues 

 becomes in botanical lists Arundinaria Japonica. It is 

 hardy, and makes fine masses of large dark green leaves. 

 Bambusa Fortunei variegata is also an Arundinaria ; 

 it is a dwarf kind with charming green and silver leaves. 

 Other good Bamboos are A. nitida, A. nobilis, A. Simoni, 

 Phyllostachys aurea, P. Henonis and P. viridi-glaucescens. 

 Unfortunately A. nobilis is too tender to be planted in 

 cold, exposed places. A. nitida is very graceful and grows 

 fast. It is hardy. 



The Berberises grow steadily in favour, Darwinii and 

 stenophylla being particularly popular ; both are ever- 

 greens, of graceful growth, carrying attractive foliage, 

 especially Darwinii, and covering themselves with flowers 

 in spring. The former has orange and the latter yellow 

 blossoms. Although closely related they are quite dis- 

 tinct in appearance, and both ought to be planted. 



