MY SHRUBS 13 



flowers feebly and dwells with a colony of dwarf conifers. Perhaps 

 if I set it among flowering plants, it would discover its possibilities 

 and hang out more snowy bells in spring. Again, if I were to 

 call it " Cassiope," it might perchance declare itself, for all gar- 

 deners can furnish incidents of plants that languish under one 

 name, which will flourish at once when the synonym is provided. 



Anopteris glandulosa is a very fine thing indeed. Above the 

 shining laurel-like leaves, hang white waxy flowers as big as a 

 snowdrop. It is rare in cultivation, but by challenging your 

 nurseryman and hinting that the shrub is beyond his reach, he 

 may make an effort and procure it for you. Do not, however, 

 suppose he will perform this feat for less than half a guinea ; he 

 may indeed want more ; and he will have earned it if he procures 

 you a good piece. Anopteris flourishes in a garden of a friend, who 

 holds it hardy. But his ideas on that subject must be discounted, for 

 he dwells beside a tidal river sheltered from all winds that blow. 

 Therefore give it your most sheltered spot in half-shade, and guard 

 it jealously through the winter. 



A good silky shrub is Anthyllis Barba-Jovis a kidney vetch 

 that grows six feet high. Mine, which I collected as a seedling 

 beside the Mediterranean, on roasting sun-scorched cliffs, did 

 well for many years before it passed away. Its early inflorescence 

 of pale butter-colour was often discouraged by frost, but the 

 plant prospered until I moved it a course it resented to the 

 extent of perishing. I remember the good thing at Kew, on a 

 wall, but know not if it prospers there yet. 



Aralia supplies many handsome species for the garden and 

 A. Sieboldiiy the Japanese evergreen, attains to a great size and 

 splendour among us in the West. A. spinosa, the Angelica Tree 



