Gardening for Amateurs 



925 



Deciduous Trees with Ornamental Foliage 



AT3W trees are mentioned elsewhere 

 which might be included under this 

 heading, such as the large-leaved 

 Walnuts, the Tree of Heaven, the Purple 

 and Copper Beeches and the Variegated 

 Elms. But there are others to which 

 special attention must be directed. Fore- 

 most amongst these are the various kinds 

 of Box Elder Acer Negundo. 



Acer Negundo is distinguished from 

 other Acers by its pinnate leaves, but it is 

 the variegated kinds to which special atten- 

 tion is directed. As they are small-growing 

 trees and stand a fair amount of pruning 

 they are suitable alike for large and small 

 gardens. Foliis marginatis aureis has golden 

 variegated leaves, variegatum silver varie- 

 gated foliage, and calif ornicum aureum 

 golden leaves. The two last are the best. 



Gatalpa bignonioides aurea is one of 

 the best of the low-growing golden-leaved 

 trees. It keeps its colour well throughout 

 summer. 



Fagus sylvatica Zlatia is a Beech 

 with golden leaves, but the colour fades 

 during summer. The silver variegated 

 Beeches are hardlv worthy of note. 



Fraxinus excelsior aurea has golden 



leaves, whilst another Ash with golden foliage 

 is found in americana aucubaefolia. 



Idesia polycarpa is worth growing for 

 the sake of its large, heart-shaped leaves, 

 which have showy red stalks. 



Prunus cerasifera atropurpurea, or 

 Prunus Pissardi, as it is often called, is a 

 handsome purple-leaved tree which keeps 

 its colour well throughout the season. P. 

 Persica foliis rubris is another good purple- 

 leaved tree, but the remainder of the large- 

 growing variegated-leaved Primuses are not 

 worth planting. 



The same remarks apply to variegated- 

 leaved Apples and Pears, but the golden- 

 leaved White Beam Tree, Pyrus Aria chry- 

 sophylla, is handsome. Pyrus vestita is an 

 attractive silver-leaved tree from the Hima- 

 layas. There is a variegated-leaved Horse 

 Chestnut, but it is not worth growing. 

 Robinia Pseudacacia aurea is a golden- 

 leaved variety of the common False Acacia 

 which is worth attention. 



Amongst the Oaks are several kinds with 

 coloured foliage. Quercus pedunculata pur- 

 purascens has purple leaves, Concordia and 

 rubra aurea golden leaves, and Cerris varie- 

 gata silver variegated leaves. 



Ixia. This pretty bulb belongs to the 

 Iris family, and includes numerous species 

 and varieties which are renowned for their 

 brightly-coloured flowers. Being natives of 

 South Africa, Ixias require all the sun that 

 it is possible to give them. In the warmer 

 parts of the country they may be grown in 

 a well-drained border of loamy soil out of 

 doors, a position facing south and at the 

 foot of a wall for preference. They are 

 planted from November to January, the 

 bulbs being placed about 3 inches apart and 

 3 inches deep. A little sand about the bulbs 

 at planting time is an advantage, while in 

 the event of frost it is wise to cover the ground 

 with bracken or some other protective 

 material. Ixias may also be grown in pots 



in the greenhouse. Place half a dozen bulbs 

 in a 5-inch pot in light but good loamy soil, 

 and cover the pots with ashes until growth 

 commences, or keep them in a cooj frame. 

 Then take them out and grow in a sunny 

 greenhouse or frame. Water carefully, in- 

 creasing the supply as the plants strengthen. 

 The varieties are perhaps better for the 

 amateur than the species, the following 

 selection including the best : Beauty of 

 Norfolk, pale yellow, black centre ; Buce- 

 phalus, claret ; Conqueror, yellow, shaded 

 red ; crateroides, scarlet ; Excelsior, crim- 

 son-scarlet ; Humber, coppery-rose, black 

 centre ; Lady Slade, rose-pink ; Magnifica, 

 deep yellow, chocolate centre ; Vulcan, 

 orange-red. 



