60 DECORATIVE PLANTS, TREES AND SHRUBS 



PlCEA 



This family embraces the great pines such as Scotch, Weymouth, 

 Austrian, etc. P. nordmanniana we have already referred to as a 

 very handsome and massive tree, but not fit for market cultivation. 

 P. nobilis is one of the grandest of all the pines, and this too is 

 heavy. Young pieces of P. pinsapo, resembling more closely the 

 abies, and very dense in growth, make magnificent specimens 

 when fully grown, and we have seen some wonderful examples in 

 various parts of England . Most of the piceas can be raised from seed . 



RETINOSPORA 



A well-known and popular family in about half a dozen acceptable 

 varieties, of which " plumosa " is more plentifully grown than any 

 other. Its plumose foliage is particularly attractive and lacks the 

 stern outline of many conifers. It certainly makes a fine plant for 

 boxes, and is by no means inelegant when grown in pots. It is 

 easily raised from cuttings. A golden form, R. plumosa aurea, is in 

 all respects similar except in colour, which is an attraction when 

 grown among green shrubs, but not so much when grown solitary. 

 R. filifera has long thread-like growths as its name implies, and is 

 distinct and interesting. R. pisifera somewhat resembles plumosa, 

 but the foliage is not so feathery and the growth is a little less 

 spreading. It and its golden variety are very hardy and make good 

 specimens. R. squarrosa is very distinct, but perhaps best when 

 small. All the Retinosporas are worth the market man's close 

 attention. Cuttings strike readily. 



TAXUS (YEW) 



The yew will always be a popular tree in England, for though we 

 do not depend upon it for defensive weapons, as our forefathers did, 

 it has long been woven into our nature. The common yew is raised 

 from seeds ; the golden yew, T. baccata aurea and Aurea elegantis- 

 sima, are grafted on to the common stock and make exceedingly 

 ornamental shrubs of considerable value, yet always in demand. 

 The Irish or Florence Court yew, with its peculiar attenuated 



