248 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



Ulex (Gorse, Furze, or Whin). The type is a native shrub and well 

 known, but the double-flowered variety is less frequently planted. Its 

 double yellow flowers are very bright, and remain a long time in fresh 

 condition. U. nanus is welcome, as its flowers appear in early autumn, 

 and a succession of blossom is maintained until December. It grows about 

 fifteen inches high. Furze plants dislike much interference at the roots. 

 They succeed in poor soils and exposed situations, and are readily propa- 

 gated by cuttings planted in sandy soil on a shady border, or by seed. 

 Strong seedlings are very reasonable in price. No shrub is more suitable 

 for clothing rough banks. The 



New Zealand Veronicas are neat shrubs, with evergreen leaves 

 and spikes of variously coloured flowers. Although not sufficiently 

 hardy for general planting throughout the British Isles, they may be 

 placed in a sheltered nook in the garden, especially in the south and 

 west of England. Avoid planting in positions exposed to the east, as 

 cold winds are harmful. The soil should be rich, not too moist, and 

 thoroughly well drained, as sour soil is most injurious to them. V. 

 Andersoni variegata is very handsome, with silver leaves. It is used 

 largely in the flower-garden, and for growing in pots for winter deco- 

 ration few shrubs are more attractive, or more easily grown. V. Traversi 

 is a neat-growing species, with deep green leaves, and in late summer 

 bears spikes of pale blue or white flowers. It grows four or five feet 

 high, and succeeds admirably near the sea-line. V. speciosa bears long 

 racemes of rich purplish-blue flowers. It is of good growth. The garden 

 varieties, Silver Star, Blue Gem, and Purple Queen are very attractive. 



Viburnums (Guelder Rose). These are quite hardy shrubs and very 

 free, especially such kinds as V. Opulus sterile, V. plicatum, and V. 

 macrocephalum. Deep loamy, well-drained soil suits them best, and to 

 encourage a thorough ripening of the wood a sunny position should bo 

 selected. They are familiar border shrubs and admirably adapted for 

 blooming in winter under glass. V. Opulus, the native Guelder Rose, is 

 a valuable berry-bearing shrub. In October the leaves change to lovely 

 shades of crimson and orange. The variety sterile is perhaps the most 

 familiar Snowball Tree, very ornamental, of easy culture and good habit. 

 Its round heads of flowers are borne in great abundance and remain 

 attractive for a long time. V. plicatum (Japanese Snowball Tree), so far 

 as purity of flower is concerned, is superior to the last named, but the 

 plant is not nearly so graceful in habit. It blossoms usually in June, 

 and its snow-white flower clusters are produced at the points of the 

 small twigs along the shoots. It may be used with excellent effect as a 

 wall covering, and for flowering under glass during winter it can be well 

 recommended. It is a grand shrub for massing. V. macrocephalum, 

 an uncommon kind, is a native of China and deserves wall protection, 

 as it is a trifle tender and too valuable to pass by unnoticed. Its large 

 heads of white flowers are very beautiful, and a good-sized, well-grown 

 plant at flowering time is strikingly handsome. It is an admirable 

 shrub for greenhouse decoration during early spring. V. acerifolium, an 

 old inhabitant of our gardens, bears an abundance of white flowers in 

 spring and richly coloured berries in autumn, at which time its tinted 



