218 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



branched tree, and succeeds fairly well in dry sandy soil, but it produces 

 the best growth by the lake or stream side, and in such a position the 

 flowers are not only deeper in colour, but they remain in good condition 

 for a much longer time than those produced in sandy soil. It may be 

 planted also against a wall. 



Chimonanthus fragrans. The exquisite Winter Sweet should be 

 represented in every garden where hardy shrubs are treasured for their 

 flowers. It was introduced from Japan upwards of one hundred and 

 thirty years ago, and is of strong growth, especially when planted in 

 deep, rich, moist soil, and as its soft yellow flowers are produced in 

 midwinter along the leafless twigs, it should be given a prominent place 

 to reveal its beauty. The variety grandiflorus bears larger flowers than 

 the type, but they are not so strongly scented. The Chimonanthus 

 flowers are borne on wood of the previous season's growth, consequently 

 all pruning and thinning of the shoots should be attended to in early 

 spring, as the full growing season is then available for the production of 

 wood. 



Chionanthus virginicus. The Fringe Tree is a charming deci- 

 duous shrub with fragrant white thread-like flowers in great drooping 

 clusters. It is a North American shrub ; succeeds best in cool soil and 

 partial shade. It has lately been used for forcing with considerable 

 success for indoor decoration during winter. Hard forcing should be 

 avoided, and the plants never allowed to want for water. 



Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Flower) is a precious shrub with 

 bright evergreen foliage, and in spring each matured shoot bears a terminal 

 cluster of white sweet-scented flowers, which are well adapted for placing 

 in bowls for room decoration, as they can be cut with their own foliage. 

 It also blooms in autumn and during very mild winters. The Mexican 

 Orange Flower is hardy in most parts of the British Isles, is bushy, of 

 free growth, and flourishes in ordinary soil. It should be planted liber- 

 ally, as it is one of the gems of the shrub garden. It is not advisable 

 to expose it to cold east winds, and a few plants in pots make a wel- 

 come addition to shrubs suitable for forcing. In very cold localities 

 space should be reserved for it against a wall. Cuttings of young shoots 

 taken off about midsummer and planted in light soil and placed in a 

 warm case emit roots in about a fortnight. 



The Rock Roses, or Gum Cistuses, are excellent shrubs for dry 

 banks, particularly if facing south or south-west, because it is only on 

 perfectly ripened shoots that flowers are produced, and although the 

 latter are of such fleeting duration they are borne in profusion over 

 a long period. G. florentinus is a charming kind, neat in growth and 

 very free-flowering. Its white flowers are blotched with yellow. G. 

 ladaniferus, the typical Gum Cistus, has thick sticky leaves and bold 

 white flowers blotched with purple. A grand plant for the sea-coast, 

 G. villo&us, bears lilac-coloured flowers suffused with purple. G. ladani- 

 ferus is another pretty free-flowering kind, and quite hardy. Its 

 flowers are white. 



CitrUS trifoliata, introduced from Japan upwards of thirty 

 years ago, deserves mention not only for its quaint growth, but 



