40 MY SHRUBS 
who wags his foliage merrily, signalling by secret code to his 
neighbours in the forest. 
Deutzia need not detain us, but if you lack D. Kalmiefiora, a 
new hybrid with clusters of pink flowers, obtain it. D. Lennet 
is also a worthy shrub. The larger species are valuable additions 
to the shrubbery. 
Disanthus cercedifolia, said to produce glorious autumn colour, 
is with me as an infant. This Japanese tree will doubtless pre- 
serve shrubby dimensions as long as my interest in it survives ; 
but Distylum racemosum, also from Japan and still uncommon, 
makes hearty growth and hangs out a strange crimson inflores- 
cence among its shining leaves. This interesting shrub is an ever- 
green kinsman of the witch hazels. A west wall in peat appears 
to suit it admirably. Diosma ericoides, from South Africa, a neat 
little shrub with white flowers, has been garnered, and a like fate 
would have overtaken D. vulgaris, that makes such splendid bushes 
in the South of France. With adequate protection, however, they 
might endure. Diospyrus Kaki, the Japanese date plum, whose 
name in Greek means “ celestial food,” has blossomed generously, 
but set no ambrosia for me. It made great growth, flowered 
abundantly, and promised a crop year after year in a noble spot 
under a south wall ; but now I have dragged it away to my reserve 
plantation, and there I care not what happens to it. Perhaps 
now, slighted and neglected, it will surprise me. D. lotus should 
be tried, for that is hardier. But I never see this species in 
catalogues. 
Dorycnium rectum is a rather good, pea-flowered shrub from 
South Europe, with downy foliage and pale pink blossoms. It 
throve with me for two years in a sunny place, then perished for 
