GOOD TREES AND SHRUBS 207 



headway in dry, hungry soil, and in spring, when displaying its clusters 

 of deep red flowers, it is one of the most striking of American Maples. 

 A. pennsylvanicum (the Snake-barked Maple), also known in gardens as 

 A. striatum, flourishes in dry soil and is quite distinct, as its bark is 

 freely striped with white. It is not often more than twenty-five feet in 

 height, and its heart-shaped leaves are very beautiful. For general 

 effect A. pictum rubrum, sometimes labelled A. colchicum rubrum, should 

 be remembered. It is of free growth, and its bright green leaves change 

 to shades of purple and crimson in autumn a tree to plant for its 

 autumn colouring. 



All the varieties of A. pseudo-platanus (Common Sycamore) are 

 worthy of mention, but only a few can be mentioned. The variety 

 named Leopoldi is fairly well known, and its silver variegated leaves 

 and red petioles are showy. Although of vigorous growth it can be 

 kept within bounds by a free use of the knife, the growth resulting 

 from such treatment being strong and the leaves highly coloured. 

 Another variety (atropurpureum) is suitable for pleasure grounds. Its 

 branches are stout, and the leaves dark purple. The variety named 

 elegantissimum variegatum is a choice tree of vigorous growth. The 

 large cream-coloured leaves are suffused with delicate pink and rose. 

 A. Negundo is a first-rate tree, but its silver-leaved form is showier 

 and quite as hardy and free in growth. It is an excellent tree 

 for small gardens, and unlike many variegated trees does not burn in 

 hot suns, and succeeds famously in dry soil, but it must not be 

 used recklessly. Its colouring is very decided, and when the tree is 

 planted very freely the effect is "spotty." A. N. calif ornica aurea 

 makes an excellent companion to it, being perfectly hardy, vigorous, and 

 the bright golden leaves remain true to colour throughout the summer. 

 A. N. elegans is another showy variety, but unfortunately planted spar- 

 ingly. It is perhaps of rather freer growth than the one just referred 

 to. The strong growths are of a conspicuous glaucous hue, and the 

 leaves tender green, margined and striped with yellow and cream white. 

 A. platanoides Schwedleri is a splendid tree, and perhaps the most 

 beautiful of Norway Maples. It is tall, vigorous, free in growth, and 

 has delightful foliage, its bronzy-red deepening with age. A. p. rubrum 

 is of much merit with reddish tinted leaves. It is of excellent growth, 

 and, like the last named, very beautiful in autumn. A. argutum, 

 from Japan, forms a neat specimen, and is suitable for the outskirts 

 of the lawn. It is rather slow in growth, and has tinted, deeply- 

 lobed leaves, which change to bright colouring in autumn. A. 

 japonicum is a much branched tree of small stature, and well adapted 

 for small gardens. Its colours in autumn are remarkably brilliant, and 

 as the leaves hang upon the trees long after those of many species have 

 fallen, its value for effect is increased. 



The Actinidias are hardy climbers, well suited for training over 

 arbours, bridges, pergolas, and similar. A. Kolomikta^ from Eastern 

 Asia, is perhaps the most familiar kind, and certainly the most orna- 

 mental. It is vigorous in growth, and soon covers a large space. Al- 

 though its white flowers are not showy they are produced freely, and 



