CHAPTER II 
which I have done little. It flowers occasionally, but 
shows no heartiness, and makes but scanty growth. I 
suspect this piece is of poor constitution, for plants, like animals, 
vary much in their physique, and there is no obvious reason why my 
cesalpinia should not prosper. This chronic invalid must have its 
troubles ended, and I will try again with a sounder specimen. A 
C* ZESALPINIA JAPONICA is one of the fine shrubs with 
wall, full sun, and good loam should meet its requirements, and 
enable it to produce the handsome yellow flowers with crimson 
stamens. That grand shrub C’. Galliesit, from South America, has 
also failed with me, after several trials. Probably I cannot keep it 
dry enough in winter. 
Calceolaria integrifolia thrives well beside the sea, and hangs 
out its golden bunches freely. It is a Chilian, but enjoys full sun, 
with a wall behind it for choice. C. violacea also loves sunshine, 
but is not quite so hardy. Its little corollas of pale violet, spotted 
with a darker tone of the same colouring, are mildly interesting. 
A more important pair are Callistemon speciosus and C. salignus, 
the scarlet and white bottle-brushes. These fine things, from 
Australia, love a warm corner in peat, and there prosper and make 
good growth from year to year. The winter they much dislike, 
and the younger foliage is often nipped in frosty weather; but 
they come through bravely enough, and flash out again brilliant 
and cheerful when June returns. 
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