238 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



(Syrian Mallow) forms a round-headed bush six feet to eight feet in 

 height, and at the end of summer bears masses of purplish flowers blotched 

 with crimson. The under-mentioned are a few of the best varieties : 

 Painted Lady is very conspicuous; flowers large, delicate rose, with 

 large red blotches at the base of each petal. Totus albus is a remarkably 

 pretty and distinct pure white free-flowering variety ; should be far 

 more popular. The flowers are smaller than those of the type. Codestis 

 is a dainty variety, with medium-sized, bright blue flowers blotched with 

 purple. The flowers of puniceus plenus are semi-double, rosy-purple 

 with a deep purple base, and those of ccerulea plena, also double or semi- 

 double, are mauve with a purple base. 



Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn} is one of the finest of berry- 

 bearing shrubs for winter effect. It is very cheap and perfectly hardy. 

 Although usually considered a seaside shrub only it can be recommended 

 for inland planting, and if grown in masses near the edge of water the 

 effect in winter, when the long shoots are smothered with round brilliant 

 orange-shaded fruits, is very striking. It is quite a success in sandy soil, 

 and its berries remain bright for a long time. It is also an attractive 

 standard tree, and its silvery-grey leaves are quite distinct. It must not 

 be forgotten that one male plant should be planted to every group of six 

 female ones, otherwise no fruit will be produced. Complaints are frequent 

 of the Sea Buckthorn not fruiting, and this failure may generally be 

 attributed to the absence of the male form. 



Holboellia latifolia, formerly known as Stauntonia latifolia, is a 

 vigorous Himalayan evergreen climber, growing upwards of a dozen 

 feet in height, and bears clusters of delightfully fragrant purplish flowers. 

 Protection from biting winds is necessary, and rough turfy loam forms a 

 good soil for planting it in. In spring and early summer it is much bene- 

 fited by copious supplies of water, for which reason ample drainage 

 should be provided. 



Hydrangeas form a group of hardy shrubs of considerable import- 

 ance, not only in the outdoor garden but under glass. One of the most 

 useful is H. Hortensia, known also as H. japonica, and is the most fre- 

 quently planted kind; it flourishes amazingly near the sea line, and 

 it is quite hardy in a sheltered nook inland. We need hardly describe 

 a shrub so leafy and showy when in flower. Of the many garden forms 

 of this Chinese shrub the following are particularly meritorious : 

 Thomas Hogg produces great heads of white flowers, and Lindleyi, 

 better known perhaps as japonica roseo-alba, also deserves mention, 

 and stellata, with its bright pink flowers touched with rose, is too valuable 

 to pass by unnoticed. Iron in the soil turns the flowers to that deep, 

 beautiful blue, so conspicuous in the autumn landscape, and a pre- 

 paration containing iron is now sold for the purpose and can be recom- 

 mended. H. paniculata grandiflora is unquestionably the best of the 

 autumn blooming kinds, and worthy of a place in the small garden. It 

 is a noble shrub for massing, and if planted in deep, fertile soil and the 

 young shoots cut back close to the old wood before growth commences 

 in spring a superb display may be expected in autumn. The thin sickly 



