72 Ornamental Shrubs. 



regard it as one of the best of recent introductions, 

 as it serves a good purpose whether planted singly, in 

 groups, or in front of taller growths. Such plants, beauti- 

 ful in both foliage and flower, are to be preferred to many 

 of those which possess but a single virtue. 



COLUTEA. 



THE coluteas constitute an interesting genus, of the 

 order LeguminoscB, which have long been known 

 to Old-World cultivation and are now somewhat 

 widely distributed in America. They are all rapid growers 

 and of easy cultivation, being not over particular as to 

 soils and situations, though thriving better on dry land 

 than in peat and excessively wet locations. In some 

 European countries they were at one time much planted 

 as ornamental hedges, though now superseded in that re- 

 spect by newer and better adaptations. The genus is not 

 large, but it exhibits peculiarities of such a striking 

 character that specimens may well be planted in every 

 considerable garden. 



C. arbor escens. — This is doubtless the best known and 

 most widely distributed member of the family, and every- 

 where answers a good purpose in decorative planting. In 

 some countries it is known as the bladder senna, from 

 medicinal uses to which the leaves have been put. It is a 

 native of Italy, where it grows to a height of six to ten 

 feet and forms a rather open but well-rounded head 

 covered with glaucous green foliage. The leaves are com- 

 pound, with seven to nine elliptic leaflets, which hold their 



