MY SHRUBS 29 
the Esterelles, and came home in a matchbox. Now its silver- 
grey, tormentose foliage and purple flowers are an addition to a 
rock border. The true C’. ladaniferus, or gum cistus, is still the 
finest of the genus, and the true C’. purpureus is also splendid. A 
tiny gem still too rare is C. Alyssoides with bright yellow blossoms. 
Chimonanthus fragrans, from Japan, has made huge bushes here, 
and its leafless boughs, covered with most fragrant yellow and 
purple flowers in January are welcome. Spikes a yard long can 
be picked without hurting these splendid growers, and I am safe 
in asserting that Winter-sweet should be upon the south wall of 
every dwelling-house. Chionanthus virginica, the fringe flower, 
as yet has not responded to my care. I have grown it for years 
and never seen a bloom—probably because it was too dry. Peat 
and a cool corner seem indicated. C’. retusus is a splendid new 
variety. 
Citharexylum quadrangulare, the Lyre-wood, a desirable ever- 
green with sweet white flowers, perished here during a mild 
winter, and perhaps is not even half-hardy. Yet again Dorset 
has been quoted as flaunting a fine specimen. Therefore it shall 
be attempted once more. No Devon man will be outdone by 
Dorset without a struggle. I am trying C. bessonianum now, and 
have bloomed this lilac-flowered shrub successfully in a young 
state. The flower-spikes are very trifling. 
But I have missed Cerasus, and must hark back to a special 
treasure from Japan. Cerasus solfatara is a rare gem—a hardy 
cherry, with most delicately-tinted blossoms of pale lemon and 
rose and green. Nothing can be more beautiful than its delicate 
umbels among the young amber-coloured leaves. You shall also 
find it under the name of C. lutea. C’. ihctfoha, which I 
