168 ARISTOCRATS OF THE GARDEN 



other species which produce their flowers in January 

 and February are strongly recommended. One of 

 these (B. asiaticd) has pure white, deliciously scented 

 flowers arranged on long, slender cylindrical tails, 

 gray Willow-like leaves, and slender arching and 

 spreading branches. The other (B. officinalis) is a 

 more sturdy shrub with broader leaves, stouter 

 branches, and broader branching heads of rose-pink 

 flowers each with an orange eye. A hybrid between 

 these two species has been raised and named B. 

 Farquharii. This plant has pale pink flowers and 

 is perfectly intermediate between the parents and 

 combines the good qualities of both. These "Winter 

 Lilacs," as they may be termed, are very free grow- 

 ing and free flowering shrubs and to obtain the best 

 results they should be severely pruned each year 

 after flowering. 



The Brambles (Rubus) are not usually regarded 

 as ornamental garden plants but many of the Chinese 

 species have strong claims to be so considered. 

 Among semi-evergreen species with attractive foliage 

 and pleasing habit I may mention Rubus chroosepalus 

 with leaves like those of Tilia petiolaris; R. bambu- 

 sarum with three-partite leaves, dark green above 

 and dun-colored below; the closely allied R. Henry i 

 with lobed leaves; R. flagelliflorus with entire leaves 



