FLOWERING TEEBS AND SHRUBS 15 



Berberis (Berberidaceae). 



Berberis Aquifolium (syn Mahonia aquifoliwm). — 

 Holly-leaved Barberry. North America, 1823. This 

 justly ranks as one of the handsomest, most useful, and 

 easily-cultivated of all hardy shrubs. It 'will grow almost 

 anywhere, and in any class of soil, though preferring a 

 fairly rich loam. Growing under favourable conditions to 

 a height of 6 feet, this North American shrub forms a 

 dense mass of almost impenetrable foliage. The leaves are 

 large, dark shining green, and thickly beset with spines, 

 while the deliciously-scented yellow flowers, which are 

 produced at each branch tip, render the plant particularly 

 attractive in spring. It is still further valuable both on 

 account of tbe rich autumnal tint of the foliage, and 

 pretty plum colour of the plentifully produced fruit. 



B. aquifolium repens (syn Mahonia repens). — Creeping 

 Barberry. North America, 1822. This is of altogether 

 smaller growth than the preceding, but otherwise they 

 seem nearly allied. From its dense, dwarf growth, rising 

 as it rarely does more than a foot from the ground, and 

 neat foliage, this Barberry is particularly suitable for 

 edging beds, or forming a low evergreen covering for 

 rocky ground or mounds. 



B. arguta (syn Mahonia arguta). — This undescribed 

 species was sent to Kew from the Botanic Gardens at 

 Dublin in 1907. The leathery leaves have five pairs of 

 leaflets, and the lemon-yellow flowers are in erect crowded 

 panicles. It is closely allied to Mahonia paniculata. 



B. abistata, a native of Nepaul (1820), is a vigorous- 

 growing species, resembling somewhat our native plant, 

 with deeply serrated leaves, brightly tinted bark, and 

 yellow flowers. It is of erect spreading habit, and in 

 winter is rendered very conspicuous by reason of the bright- 

 reddish colour of the leafless branches. 



