16 HAEDY OKNAMENTAL 



B. Bealei (syn Mahonia Beallii). — Japan, 1887. This 

 species is one of the first to appear in bloom, often by the 

 end of January the plant being thickly studded with 

 flowers. It is a handsome shrub, of erect habit, the leaves 

 of a yellowish-green tint, and furnished with long, spiny 

 teeth. The clusters of racemes of deliciously fragrant 

 yellow flowers are of particular value, as being produced so 

 early in the season. This is sometimes included under 

 B. japonica. 



B. buxifolia (syn B. ckdcis and B. microphylla). — Straits 

 of Magellan, 1830. A neat and erect-growing shrub of 

 somewhat stiff and upright habit, and bearing tiny yellow 

 flowers. This is a good rockwork plant, and being of 

 neat habit, with small purplish leaves, is well worthy of 

 cultivation. 



B. congestifloea. — Chili, 1861, is not yet well known, 

 but promises to become a general favourite with lovers of 

 hardy shrubs. It is of unusual appearance for a Barberry, 

 with long, decumbent branches, which are thickly covered 

 with masses of orange-yellow flowers. The branch-tips, 

 being almost leafless and smothered with flowers, im- 

 part to the plant a striking but distinctly ornamental 

 appearance. 



)< B. Dabwinii. — Chili, 1849. This is, perhaps, the best 

 known and most ornamental of the family. It forms 

 a dense bush, sometimes 10 feet high, with dark, glossy 

 leaves, and dense racemes of orange-yellow flowers, pro- 

 duced in April and May, and often again in the autumn. 



B. empeteifolia. — Straits of Magellan, 1827. This is 

 a neat-habited and dwarf evergreen shrub, that even 

 under the best cultivation rarely exceeds 2 feet in height. 

 It is one of the hardiest species, and bears, though rather 

 sparsely, terminal golden-yellow flowers, which are fre- 

 quently produced both in spring and autumn. For its com- 

 pact growth and neat foliage it is alone worthy of culture. 



B. Forttjnei (syn Mahonia Fortunei). — China, 1846. 



