296 PLANT CULTURE 



ARALIA (Angelica Tree). Aralia japonica, (discussed under 

 Fatsia,) A. mandshurica and A. spinosa have very large bipinnate 

 leaves and stout, prickly stems. A. pentaphylla, often called Acan- 

 thopanax, is a dwarf shrub, with small palmate leaves and does 

 well in shade. They are useful for permanent positions where a 

 sub-tropical effect is desired. 



Propagation. Take roots and cut them into pieces about 

 3 inches in length and start them during Spring, in sand or moss. 



AUCUBA. A dwarf, evergreen shrub belonging to the Dog- 

 wood family. It is one of the most desirable evergreens for the 

 warmer parts of the country. (Also discussed on p. 67.) Among 

 the better known kinds are A. japonica aurea, A. j. lalimaculata, 

 A. j. macrophylla, A. j. ovata. A. j. limbata and A. j. pygmcea 

 sulphnrea. Some of the varieties of this plant are almost as hand- 

 some as the Crotons for decorative work, and as a berry bearing 

 plant it has not had the attention it deserves. The sexes are on 

 separate plants. They flower early in Spring. A branch of the 

 staminate plant, when the pollen is in suitable condition, if care- 

 fully shaken over the pistillate flowers on a calm, sunny day, will 

 almost certainly insure a crop of the large, bright red berries. In 

 favorable situations the berries last in good condition through the 

 following Winter. While frequently hurt by late frosts in this 

 locality, it is only the imperfectly ripened ends of the previous 

 season's shoots which suffer. 



Propagation. In the Fall those shoots which are likely to be 

 injured by frost make good material for cuttings. They may 

 be made quite large; pieces 8 or 10 inches long will root easily in the 

 cold propagating house. The roots emitted from the cuttings are 

 thick and easily broken, and if left for any length of time in the 

 sand bed, or boxes, after the roots are about 2 inches long, they 

 are difficult to handle successfully. 



AZALEA. The gardener calls all Rhododendrons which shed 

 their leaves, Azaleas. The two earliest to bloom are A. canadcnse, 

 the Rhodora, a rose purple sort, and .1. Vaseyi, a pale rose with 

 large dots in upper petals; then follows A. niidiflcra, the Pinxter 

 Flower, which bears flowers ranging from white to deep pink. In 

 May and June we have the Flame Azalea, A. calendulactum, with 

 flame-colored flowers. Somewhat later, June and July, the White 

 Swamp Honeysuckle, A. viscosum, is in bloom; although called white 

 this species often has a blush tint. A group of hybrids, .4. vnillis, 

 or the Ghent Azaleas, are in great popularity; the colors are superb. 



