66 Ornamental Shrubs. 



as desirable are H. elatum, a native of the United States, 

 which rises about three to four feet, whose blossoms are 

 small but produced in great profusion on the numerous 

 slender-growing branches, and H. hircinum, which grows 

 to about the same height and has paler yellow flowers, 

 with very long stamens whose prominence gives the bush 

 a somewhat peculiar appearance and makes it quite attrac- 

 tive. It is a product of the Mediterranean countries. 



PHILLYREA. 



A GENUS of OleacecB consisting of but four 

 species. These are all natives of the Mediterra- 

 nean countries, and have long been known but 

 not freely employed in cultivation, thus helping swell the 

 large list of neglected plants that are worthy of a more 

 generous recognition. Two kinds only are reputed suffi- 

 ciently hardy for general cultivation in the United States. 



P. media is a vigorous-growing bush of a spreading 

 habit, ten to twelve feet high, with lanceolate leaves, entire, 

 veiny, and of a very distinct appea'rance. The flowers are 

 white, appearing in early spring and followed by fruit in 

 one- or two-seeded drupes of long continuance. It is not 

 suited to the New England climate, but in the southern 

 Middle States would prove an acquisition. There is a 

 pendulous variety of much merit, sometimes known as 

 olcB folia, or ligustrifolia, which is worthy of notice. 



P. vilmoriniana is counted more hardy and is coming 

 into favor in English gardens. Its leaves very much 

 resemble those of the Portugal laurel, being large and 

 leathery, dark green tinted with bronze on their first 



