3o6 Ornamental Shrubs. 



having yet been disseminated. Its flowers are single, 

 white with the usual crimson eye, and with a dash of 

 rose tipping each petal. The appearance of this color 

 regularly located on the petals, is unique and pleasing." 

 Buist's variegated althea is distinguished for its beautiful 

 foliage. The leaves are marked with stripes of yellowish- 

 white in such proportions and distinctness as to arrest 

 the attention of every passer. It is a low, well-rounded 

 bush, and worthy of a place in every garden or border. 

 It can scarcely be called a flowering shrub, for the blos- 

 soms fail to materialize. Though the petals appear to be 

 fully formed, they gather in the shape of balls or buttons, 

 simply showing their tips, which are red. They remain 

 into late autumn, but are more curious than beautiful. 



PAVIA— Dwarf Horse-Chestnut. 



THE common horse-chestnut, so freely planted in 

 this country, is of foreign origin, having come 

 from China, with Europe as an intermediary, and 

 it must be confessed that America has given it a right 

 royal welcome. Few trees are more freely grown on 

 strictly ornamental grounds, as it has little or no economic 

 value either in its timber or its fruit. It is a large and 

 magnificent tree, and in spring is one of the most beauti- 

 ful both in leaf and flower. 



It may not be appreciated by all that we have a branch 

 of the horse-chestnut tribe which may be properly classed 

 among shrubs, and which is equally, even if not more, 

 desirable than the larger sort. The j^sculus parvi- 

 fiora, known also as macrostachya in the catalogues, is a 



