io MY SHRUBS 



and China respectively. They flower in the fall, but have no great 

 value or charm. 



Of the dwarf Abies, a delightful, little neat conifer is A. hudsonica 

 and the varieties of A. sub-alpina are also good for your miniature 

 forest. General mention of the natural dwarfs is made else- 

 where. 



Abutilon is akin to Malva. They are showy things, and make 

 great plants against a wall, with flowers white and yellow, 

 crimson and chocolate ; but best I like A. vitifolium, the vine- 

 leaved abutilon, whose foliage is always beautiful, and whose 

 porcelain blue, or pure white, flowers plentifully cover the shrub 

 in May. A. vitifolium attains to a great size, and is as hardy in 

 Devonshire as most other Chilians. I find half shade suits them 

 best a rule for Chilians in general. In full sun this shrub is apt 

 to drop its flower-buds unexpanded. A. megapotamicum " the 

 big river " abutilon a brilliant and cheerful gem from Rio Grande 

 with blossoms of red, yellow, and brown is worth a wall. 



With Acacia I have failed. The various species tried all made 

 fine plants, and for ten years A. dealbata regularly covered her 

 feathery limbs with dense inflorescence ; but once only did the 

 weather suffer a fine display. With February too often comes 

 frost, to ruin the promise of splendour at a critical moment when 

 the flower is opening. In more sheltered gardens this and other 

 varieties do well. I should like to try Rice's wattle from Tasmania 

 if I knew where to get it. 



Of Acer, I have only a few examples. The little Japanese 

 dwarf maples make fine colour with their purple and rosy foliage on 

 a rockery. The dark-leaved sorts are the hardiest, and those with 

 the beautiful variegated foliage often fail me. They are perfect 



