136 Ornamental Shrubs. 



esteemed one of its peculiar charms. Mr. E. S. Carman 

 reports growing the plant from seed on his experimental 

 grounds in New Jersey, and, having seen his original speci- 

 men in blossom, says the flower-clusters resemble some- 

 what those of the horse-chestnut, having " white petals 

 marked with red at the base." As they appear in early 

 spring they are certain to answer a good purpose in the 

 garden, on the lawn, or wherever else planted. It ought 

 to be a valuable acquisition for the more Southern States, 

 and doubtless will be so regarded as soon as better known 

 in that section. It may be depended upon, so far as 

 weather conditions are concerned, in all proper situations 

 south of Washington. 



ILEX— Holly. 



THE genus Ilex belongs to the order //zhW^, and 

 includes numerous species and varieties. These 

 are distributed throughout both hemispheres, and 

 are especially abundant in South America and within the 

 tropics. They are also found in Australia, Africa, Asia, 

 and our own country. Of course, many of them are not 

 suited to out-of-door cultivation within the temperate 

 zones, and so need not here be even named or further re- 

 ferred to. The family includes the holly, the prinos, and 

 some other sorts popularly known under different names. 

 Nearly all the hardy species are interesting plants, and 

 some of them are counted among the most desirable of 

 ornamental trees. 



/. aqziifolium is the well-known English holly, a native 

 not only of Britain and other portions of Europe, but also 



