14 HARDY ORNAMENTAL 



Baccharis (Composite). 

 X Baccharis halimifolia. — Groundsel Tree or Sea Purs- 

 lane. North America, 1683. For seaside planting this is 

 an invaluable shrub, as it succeeds well down even to high- 

 water mark, and where it is almost lashed by the salt 

 spray. The flowers are not very ornamental, resembling 

 somewhat those of the Groundsel, but white with a tint of 

 purple. Leaves obovate in shape, notched, and thickly 

 covered with a whitish powder, which imparts to them a 

 pleasing glaucous hue. Any light soil that is tolerably 

 dry suits well the wants of this shrub, but it is always 

 seen in best condition by the seaside. Under favourable 

 conditions it attains to a height of 12 feet, with a branch 

 spread nearly as much in diameter. A native of the 

 North American coast from Maryland to Florida. 



B. patagonioa. — Megallan. This is a very distinct and 

 quite hardy species, with small, deep-green leaves and 

 white flowers. It succeeds under the same conditions as 

 the latter. 



Baptisia. See Piptanthus. 



Benthamia. See Cornus. 



Berberidopsis (Berberidaceae). 



Berberidopsis coeallina. — Coral Barberry. Chili, 

 1862. This handsome evergreen, half-climbing shrub is 

 certainly not so well known as its merits entitle it to be. 

 Unfortunately it is not hardy in every part of the country, 

 though in the southern and western English counties, but 

 especially within the influence of the sea, it succeeds well 

 as a wall plant, and charms us with its globular, waxy, 

 crimson or coral-red flowers. The spiny-toothed leaves 

 approach very near those of some of the Berberis, with 

 which the plant is nearly allied. It seems to do best in 

 a partially shady situation, and in rich, light loam. 



