Laurustinus and the Viburnums 



foliage of dark-green, ovate, leathery leaves gives it a 

 certain dignity and attractiveness. In the shining-leaved 

 Laurustinus, V. Tinus lucidum, the leaves are remark- 

 ably large and glossy, the flower-clusters, too, being 

 very fine and gleaming, especially in April. Another 

 variety known as Viburnum Tinus Frcebeli has rather 

 paler foliage. 



Soil and Cultivation. The Laurustinus is of an 

 accommodating nature. It will thrive on almost any soil, 

 though if it has any preference it is for a red sandstone. 

 It is quite happy in a town garden, and does not shirk 

 the seaside if it be a little sheltered from the winds ; 

 it has a definite aversion to bitter north and easterly 

 breezes. But it is very fairly hardy the lucidum variety 

 is more tender and will weather through all the severest 

 winters. If by chance it gets frosted, it is said to have 

 a particularly unpleasing and searching smell. In a few 

 specially favoured situations it will run to the dimensions 

 of a small tree. It is propagated by taking half-ripened 

 shoots and placing them in sand to strike. 



THE VIBURNUMS 



The Guelder Rose, Viburnum opulus, in its wild 

 form seems singularly overlooked as a desirable shrub 

 for gardens. " A prophet hath no honour in his own 

 country," and so probably this lack of appreciation is largely 



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