42 HARDY ORNAMENTAL 



Colletia (Rhamneae). 



Colletia cruciata (syn 0. Uctonensis). — Chili, 1824. 

 With flattened woody branches, and sharp-pointed spines 

 which take the place of leaves, this is at once one of the 

 most singular of hardy flowering shrubs. It forms a stout, 

 dense bush about 4 feet high, and bears quantities of small, 

 white flowers, which render the plant one of great beauty 

 during the summer months. 



C. spinosa. — Peru, 1823. This species grows fairly 

 well in some parts of England and Ireland, and is a 

 curious shrub with awl-shaped leaves, and, like the other 

 members of the family, an abundant producer of flowers. 

 It thrives best as a wall plant, and when favourably 

 situated a height of 12 feet is sometimes attained. Light, 

 loamy soil Buits the Colletias. 



Colutea (Leguminosae). 



X Colutea arborescens. — Bladder Senna. Prance, 1568. 

 This is a common plant in English gardens, bearing yellow, 

 Pea-shaped flowers, that are succeeded by curious, reddish, 

 bladder-like seed-pods. It grows to 10 feet or 12 feet in 

 height, and is usually of lax and slender growth, but 

 perfectly hardy. A good town plant, and one that is by 

 no means particular about the soil in which it is planted. 

 C. arborescens melanocalyx (Asia Minor, 1892) is a 

 desirable variety. 



C. cruenta {syn C. orientalis and G. sanguinea). — 

 Oriental Bladder Senna. Levant, 1731. This is a free- 

 growing, round-headed, deciduous bush, of from 6 feet 

 to 8 feet high when fully grown. The leaves are pinnate 

 and glaucous, smooth, and bright green above, and downy 

 beneath. Flowers individually large, of a reddish-copper 

 colour, with a yellow spot at the base of the upper petal. 

 The fruit is an inflated, boat-shaped, reddish pod. The 



