234 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



rather moist deep soil, and when the position is fully exposed to the 

 sun the autumn-tinted foliage is very handsome. 



Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) is a vigorous North 

 American Tree, handsome for its broad distinct leaves, and large Tulip- 

 like sweet-scented yellow flowers in August. In growth it is erect, and 

 its grey bark is streaked with white. The leaves change in autumn to 

 yellow. There are several varieties, but the one with golden leaves, 

 named aurea, is the most effective. It is very showy, grows well, and 

 its bold leaves are heavily blotched with yellow. 



Loropetallim Chinense. This is a Witch Hazel-like shrub, very 

 rare, pretty, early flowering, and of dwarf growth, with cream- white flowers 

 composed of long slender petals. Ordinary well-drained soil suits it, 

 and select a sunny position to enable it to thoroughly mature its wood. 



Magnolias. A large and beautiful family of shrubs and trees, 

 valued for their bold and variously coloured fragrant blossoms. Al- 

 though perfectly hardy, some of them, i.e. M. conspicua and M. Jialle- 

 ana, flower early, for which reason protection from cold winds and sharp 

 frosts is essential. They do not require special soil as they make good 

 growth in the ordinary garden, provided ample drainage is secured, and 

 the points already referred to are not forgotten. Magnolias transplant best 

 in spring, as the roots are sparsely furnished with fibres. Give a good water- 

 ing immediately after planting. M. glauca blossoms in summer. It is 

 of bushy habit, eight feet to twelve feet high, with half evergreen leaves, 

 silvery on the under sides, and with medium-sized flowers. It prefers 

 a moist soil. M. Campbelli, from the Himalayas, is unfortunately not 

 sufficiently hardy for all gardens, besides which it does not flower when 

 young. For planting in the warmer parts of the country it can be re- 

 commended, as its large rosy-crimson flowers are very handsome. M. 

 macrophylla is a vigorous tree, with large leaves, often three feet long, 

 and immense white purple-centred flowers. It comes from the United 

 States, and grows upwards of thirty feet high. M. conspicua (Yulan) 

 is a familiar Chinese spring-flowering tree of branching habit. A tree 

 a dozen feet or so in height is very pretty in March when laden with 

 bold snow-white fragrant flowers. This is the kind of tree for a lawn. 

 Of the Yulan there are several beautiful varieties, but of these only two 

 need be mentioned here. Perhaps the finer of the two is Soulangeana, 

 the flowers of which are heavily tipped and shaded with purple, the 

 inside being flushed with pale pink. Its flowers are very lasting, and 

 appear after those of the type. Lennei, with its reddish-purple flowers, 

 is quite distinct and very free. M. stellata, occasionally labelled M. 

 haileana, is a dainty Japanese shrub, dwarf, bushy, and free. Its 

 sweet-scented, star-shaped flowers, with long white petals, are produced 

 before those of any other Magnolia, and remain in good condition 

 for several weeks. Quite small plants will bloom. The pink-flowered 

 form (rosed) is similar to the species, except that the flowers are rose. 

 M. Watsoni is an uncommon species, with large, sweet-scented, ivory 

 white flowers, and a cluster of red filaments. M. parviflora is another 

 rare and dwarf species also with white flowers. 



M. grandiflora is the only evergreen kind that will be referred to. 



