MIDSEASON FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 41 



only a few feet high. The white, urn-shaped flowers 

 are produced in great profusion in terminal, spreading 

 and slightly drooping compound clusters and last for 

 a long time. The bright green leaves have a pleasant 

 acidulous taste and turn in the autumn bright scar- 

 let. The Sourwood is apparently free of disease and 

 is not subject to insect pests; it is perfectly hardy and 

 well deserves a place in every garden. 



Of the several hardy exotic trees which flower in 

 July and August at least three merit wider recogni- 

 nition,viz. the Varnish Tree (Koelreuteriapaniculata), 

 the Pagoda Tree (Sophora japonicd), and the Acan- 

 thopanax (Kalopanax ricinifolium). 



The Koelreuteria is native of northern China and 



was introduced into Petrograd from the neighborhood 







of Peking some time between 1740 and 1756. It was 



introduced in 1763, into England by Lord Coventry, 

 presumably from Petrograd. Though known in cul- 

 tivation for more than a century and a half it is far 

 from being as generally planted as its beauty warrants. 

 It is a small tree from twenty to thirty feet tall with 

 spreading branches, large, shining green, pinnately, 

 divided leaves, and erect much-branched panicles, a 

 foot and more high, of numerous bright yellow flowers 

 which are followed by bladder-like top-shaped fruits. 

 In the color of its flowers Koelreuteria is unique among 



