230 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



H. patulum is rather uncommon and very beautiful. It produces 

 slender arching shoots, with deep green leaves and medium-sized flowers. 

 H. calycinum (Rose of Sharon) is a spreading half -evergreen shrub, and 

 succeeds under the shade and drip of trees, for which purpose we 

 advise it be planted. It is a splendid carpet plant and delights in a 

 cool soil. H. moserianum, a cross between H. calycinum and H. 

 patulum, bears large, rich, yellow flowers of great substance. It is 

 bushy, dwarf, very free-flowering, and the best of the later additions to 

 the St. John's Worts. H. andros&mum, H. uralum, and H. hircinum 

 are good kinds too. 



Idesia polycarpa. A remarkably handsome Japanese deciduous 

 tree, very rare and quite hardy, but liable to get injured from cold 

 winds in spring, unless a sheltered place can be found for it. It is of 

 sturdy growth in deep rich naturally drained soil, and its vigorous 

 branches, with large, bright green, heart-shaped leaves, and crimson 

 petioles, are quite distinct from those of any other hardy tree. Its small 

 yellowish green flowers are in pendulous racemes, and very fragrant. 



Ilex Aquifolium (The Common Prickly-leaved Holly) and its 

 numerous varieties are in the front rank of evergreen shrubs and small 

 trees. As a hedge plant the Holly is unrivalled, and is used exten- 

 sively in all parts of the country, as it succeeds in various kinds of soil. 

 The winter effect of a large tree of the Common Holly standing alone 

 in the pleasure-ground is very beautiful, either with or without its rich 

 scarlet berries. In addition to the green-leaved forms, some have silver 

 and golden-coloured leaves, and a few are of decidedly weeping habit, 

 all of which may be advantageously used even in small gardens. It is 

 a good plan to frequently transplant Hollies during the first few years of 

 their growth to encourage the production of bushy roots. Early autumn 

 and late spring are the best times for lifting Hollies. Propagation may 

 be effected by seed, which should be mixed with sand immediately it is 

 gathered and laid by in a heap until spring, the whole being turned over 

 three or four times in the interval. Sow in drills, or in well-drained 

 beds, just covering the seed with very fine soil. Cuttings of well-ripened 

 shoots may be taken off in late summer, and planted in sandy soil in a 

 cold frame. Water with a fine rose water-pot occasionally, and shade in 

 bright weather. Budding is carried out in summer, and grafting under 

 glass in spring, but it should not be forgotten that plants on their own 

 roots are the most satisfactory. The under-mentioned list comprises 

 some of the most attractive of green-leaved Hollies : Platyphylla is 

 vigorous, with large, glossy green leaves, and an abundance of berries. 

 The Hedgehog Holly (ferrox) has curled, twisted, and prickly leaves. 

 Fructu differs from the type in having yellow berries instead of red. 

 Hodginsi is splendid for town gardens and avenues; its leaves are 

 large, and the shrub berries freely. Hendersoni is a noble Holly, with 

 large shining green leaves. Ovata is a medium-sized variety, with 

 beautiful rich green leaves. 



Of variegated Hollies Watereriana (Waterer's Dwarf Golden 

 Holly) is a charming variety, neat in growth, with smooth golden- 

 coloured leaves ; this is a grand variety for planting on the fringe 



