BROAD-LEAVED EVERGREENS 145 



forms of this Holly and if plants are raised from seed 

 much variation in size of leaf is shown. Those with 

 the smallest leaves are hardiest and seldom burn in 

 winter, whereas the form known as major has not 

 proved hardy in the Arnold Arboretum. This shrub, 

 or small tree, is widely spread in Japan and is also 

 much grown in Japanese gardens where it is usually 

 clipped and trained into the grotesque. 



The Common Box of Europe (Buxus sempervirens) 

 is scarcely hardy in New England and as a rule 

 browns badly in March and looks unsightly in the 

 spring. There are many forms of this Box, and the 

 hardiest is myrtifolia, with dull green leaves which 

 are longer than they are broad. As a low edging 

 around formal beds the Common Box winters fairly 

 well when the snowfall is normal or in excess of nor- 

 mal, but if exposed to full sun in March the leaves 

 scald. A much superior plant for northern gardens 

 is the Japanese Box (B. microphylla) and its taller 

 growing variety japonica, both being perfectly hardy 

 in the Arnold Arboretum. The type is dwarf in habit 

 and has narrow, wedge-shaped leaves and is very 

 useful for edging purposes and for rockeries. The 

 variety has rounded leaves, yellowish green in color 

 and makes a compact bush in size comparable with 

 its European relative. Both flower in early spring 



