222 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



native of Europe. Japan, China, &c. The family is a fairly large one, 

 and many species are suitable for open air culture in this country. 

 They should be planted in rich soil of good depth, and as they 

 require plenty of water while growth is being made, perfect drainage 

 should be provided. It is also advisable to shield them front cold 

 winds. Few shrubs are more welcome during winter and early 

 spring than the Mezereon (D. Mezereum), when its sturdy leafless 

 branches are crowded with small clusters of rosy-purple, deliciously- 

 scented flowers. It is a good shrub for grouping, and flowers most 

 freely in an open spot shielded from the sun in the hottest part of the 

 day. There is a variety with white flowers (alba), and another with red 

 flowers (autumnalis). The last named is a good garden shrub, not only 

 for its richly-coloured flowers, but because they are produced over such 

 a long period. It is not unusual for it to keep up a succession of bloom 

 for about four months. D. Gerikwa, from Japan, should be planted 

 extensively, as its hardiness is thoroughly established, and its flowers 

 are of distinct colour. It forms a loose, bushy, free-growing shrub, with 

 slender branches, and when laden with its delicate lilac-shaded flowers 

 is very handsome. One of the most dainty of evergreen Daphnes is 

 undoubtedly D. blagayana, introduced nearly forty years ago from 

 Syria. Notwithstanding its hardiness, freedom, and the fact that its 

 sweet-scented, ivory-white flowers appear in March, it is by no means 

 common. D. alpina is a charming little plant from the European Alps, 

 and quite at home in the rock-garden. It is neat in growth, and bears 

 pinkish- white blossoms in early spring. The Garland Flower (D. Gneo- 

 rum) is another fine rock-garden Daphne ; it is dwarf, compact, free in 

 growth, and has delightful blossoms. Few flowering shrubs of similar 

 growth create a better effect than the Garland Flower when displaying its 

 rose-coloured fragrant blossoms at the ends of the growths, and these 

 remain fresh and attractive for a considerable time. D. Laureola 

 (Spurge Laurel) and D. pontica are valuable principally because they 

 flourish under the drip of trees. The flowers of both species are 

 greenish-yellow and fragrant. D. sericea, known also as D. collina, is a 

 distinct and beautiful species of dwarf habit, with deep green leaves 

 and large clusters of sweet-scented, rose-coloured flowers. 



Desfontainea spinosa should have a place against a warm wall, 

 as it is not sufficiently hardy to endure open-air culture in all parts of 

 the British Isles. It is a sturdy, holly-like shrub from Chili, and when 

 planted in rich soil and well supplied with water in spring produces a 

 wealth of drooping scarlet and yellow flowers. 



Deiltzias. These are ornamental deciduous shrubs with, as a rule, 

 white flowers. They are quite hardy, free in growth, floriferous, and 

 useful for forcing as well as for giving variety to the shrubbery border. 

 D. gracilis, a slender-growing shrub two feet or so high, is in great 

 demand for forcing, as its flowers readily respond to gentle heat. Its 

 variety Lemoinei is of erect sturdier growth, and its pure white flowers 

 appear in neat trusses. D. corymbiflora should be included in a select 

 list of Deutzias. It is a distinct kind, with large graceful panicles of 

 snow-white flowers. D. crenata, known also as D. scabra, is vigorous and 



