EVEKGKEEN SHEUBS 123 



B. vulgaris is the fruit-bearing Berberis, a slow- 

 growing tree, but will reach some twelve feet or 

 more eventually. It is pretty and graceful, and 

 when the berries turn red in autumn, it is a charm- 

 ing sight, but does not bear fruit until it is some 

 age. 



B. vulgaris purpurea is the purple-leaved variety, 

 a most beautiful shrub at all times of the year. 

 This plant is at its best in a poor dry soil, growing 

 vigorously till it reaches ten feet high or more, 

 and spreading wide on every side. The soft bloom 

 on the purple leaves gives a sort of shot appear- 

 ance, which is very attractive ; in autumn, the 

 foliage dies off in beautiful shades of red and 

 yellow, its beauty often lasting up to Christmas. 

 B. Knighti, a pretty small evergreen shrub, with 

 yellow flowers, in June. There are also a great 

 many other varieties. 



Bay Laurus nobilis. An evergreen shrub with 

 fragrant foliage, not hardy everywhere. 



Box Buxus. This is a most useful evergreen, 

 quite hardy, and very close growing ; mixed with 

 Yew, Holly, Juniper, etc., it forms splendid solid 

 hedges and screens, reaching a very considerable 

 height. The more you cut it, the better it grows. 



