HARDY ORNAMENTAL 

 FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 



Abelia (Caprlfoliaceae). 



— Abelia chinensis (syn A. rupestris). — The Eock Abelia, 

 China, 1844. This is a neat, twiggy shrub, growing from 

 2 feet to 3 feet high, with slender shoots, and very pleasing, 

 shining green serrated leaves. The tubular, sweet-scented 

 flowers are produced in clusters at the ends of the shoots, 

 even the smallest, and are of a very delicate shade of 

 pink — indeed, almost white.' It makes an excellent wall 

 plant, but by no means refuses to grow and flower freely 

 without either shelter or protection, if a fairly rich and 

 wellrdrained soil is provided. From August to October 

 is the flowering period of this handsome deciduous 

 shrub. It is the only really hardy species of the genus, 

 for though the rosy-purple-flowered A. floribunda (Mexico, 

 1842) and A. serrata (China, 1844) have stood for several 

 years uninjured in the South of England, they are not 

 to be relied upon. All the species are readily propagated 

 from cuttings. 



A. teifloea.— Himalayan regions, 1847. A half-hardy 

 and beautiful species with small lanceolate, entire leaves, 

 and pretty star-shaped flowers that are yellowish-white and 

 flushed with pink. The long, narrow, and hairy calyx-lobes 

 give a light and feathery appearance to the flowers, which 

 are produced continuously from May to November. It does 

 best as a wall plant, and several beautiful examples may 

 be seen in and around London, as also at Exeter, and in 

 the South of Ireland. 



