78 Subtropical Gardening. 



changing to a dark green. This variety is of a dwarf and 

 compact habit. It requires a shady situation and a com- 

 post of peat, loam, and sand. Though so very common, 

 it will be found worth planting in some places among 

 groups of hardy things, and also for isolation -on the 

 turf, its leaves being very ornamental. 



*Berberis Bealii. This is perhaps the finest of all the 

 hardy species, whether as regards foliage or flower, while 

 the fruit, in colour and size, surpasses that of any other 

 kind. The leaflets vary to a very great degree on the 

 same plant, both in form and size, some being 5 ins. long 

 and 34- ins. broad, the average size being 3 ins. long by 

 2 ins. broad : some again are nearly square, while others 

 are long and narrow, with a very stiff triangular point. 

 Shade, shelter from gusts of wind, and rich, well-manured 

 soil are absolutely necessary to do full justice to the 

 merits of this species. By pruning it to a single stem, 

 it may be made to assume a very effective palm-like 

 character. It is easily propagated from seed ; a single 

 berry frequently producing three plants. Being a noble 

 subject for quiet half-shady wood- walks in peat or moist 

 sandy loam, it should be much planted in the southern and 

 milder districts. Where it thrives freely, it would prove a 

 fine object on the margins of shrubberies grouped with the 

 hardy " subtropical " plants, or indeed in any position. 



*Berberis japonica. A very handsome species, 5 ft. 

 or 6 ft. high, with very leathery, pinnate, spiny leaves, 

 from i ft. to 1 8 ins. long, slightly tinged with pink when 

 first opened, then becoming pale green, and finally 

 changing to dark green blotched with yellow. Flowers 

 yellow, in large racemes, succeeded by large handsome 



