20 MY SHRUBS 



also a handsome foliage plant ; while other fine shrubs, among more 

 recent novelties, are B. sanguined, from Mongolia, and the Hima- 

 layan, B. insignis. B. gracilis, of Mexico, though tender, is worth 

 a trial, and B. trifoliata, mentioned above, is also a Mexican and 

 not quite hardy. One must name with great praise also B. Fre- 

 montiy with glaucous foliage, and that bright little July flowering 

 shrub, Wilson's berberis> from China, with yellow flowers and bright 

 red berries. 



Betula nana, the dwarf birch, stands but three feet high, and 

 makes a delightful addition to my forest of little conifers. There 

 is a pendulous variety of this mite that one would welcome. Big- 

 nonia grandiflora is disappointing, for, while my specimen prospers 

 exceedingly, and increases from year to year, its heavy flower- 

 spikes are produced so late that the night temperatures begin to 

 fall and the hours of sunshine shorten before it blows. Once, 

 some- years ago, the shrub did itself justice, and then it was a great 

 spectacle ; but since that occasion only an occasional blossom 

 has opened its splendid orange-yellow cup. Vitex agnus castus, 

 the chaste tree, does the same. It prepares fine points of inflores- 

 cence during September, and never opens them. The plants dwell 

 side by side under a south wall, and no more can be done for them 

 here. The Bignonia is worthy of a cold house ; the Vitex is not. 



Biglovia, sacred to Doctor Jacob Bigelow, author of " Florula 

 Bostoniensis," is a hardy little shrub from California, which hangs 

 out modest yellow panicles in summer and likes half shade ; while 

 Billardiera scandens, from New South Wales, is about the only 

 native fruit of Australia a little pretty berry, which follows a 

 drooping flower. It is a climber for a cold house, and no addition 

 to dessert even at its best. 



