FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 143 



it is one of the hardiest of its family. P. sinensis flore- 

 pleno is a double white form, and the most ornamental for 

 pot 'work. There is also a variety with rose-coloured 

 flowers. 



P. spinosa. — Sloe, or Blackthorn. An indigenous, 

 spiny shrub, with tiny white flowers; and P. spinosa 

 flore-pleno has small, rosette-like flowers that are both 

 showy and effective. 



P. tomentosa. — Japan, 1872. This is one of the most 

 desirable of hardy shrubs, with large white, flesh-tinted 

 flowers produced in the first weeks of March, and in 

 such quantities as almost to hide the branches from view. 

 It forms a well-rounded, dense bush, of 5 feet or 6 feet 

 high. 



P. teiloba (syns P. virgata, Amygdcdopsis Lindleyi, and 

 Prunopsis Lindleyi). — China, 1857. This is a very hand- 

 some early-flowering shrub, that is at once recognized by 

 the generally three-lobed leaves. It is one of the first to 

 flower, the blossoms being produced in March and April, 

 and sometimes even earlier when the plant is grown 

 against a sunny, sheltered wall. The semi-double flowers 

 are large and of good substance, and of a rosy-white tint, 

 but deep rose in the bud state. There is a nursery form 

 of this plant with white flowers, named P. triloba alba. 

 It is quite hardy, bears pruning well, and grows quickly, 

 soon covering a large space of a wall or warm, sunny bank. 

 As an ornamental, flowering lawn shrub it has few equals, 

 the blossoms remaining good for fully a fortnight. 



P. vikginiana (syn Cerasus virginiana) and P. sekotina 

 (North America Bird Cherries) are worthy species, with 

 long clusters of flowers resembling those of our native 

 Bird Cherry. They are large-growing species, and, par- 

 ticularly the latter, are finding favour with cultivators in 

 this country on account of their bold and ornamental 

 appearance. They are all readily cultivated in any light, 

 rich soil. 



