56 TREES AND SHRUBS 



winter colouring of osier twigs — golden and crimson 

 and olive, mirrored in still water or broken into a 

 thousand reflections by the ripple of a running brook. 



Perhaps, amongst all the wealth of winter ever- 

 green shrubs the rank of those which show variega- 

 tion is too much exaggerated. Popular as they are, 

 the effect is not always good, unless more than 

 ordinary care is taken in their placing. Some few, 

 like the best golden and silver HoUies are very 

 beautiful, though not all of these are improvements 

 upon the finest green forms. No variegated shrub, 

 probably, is more universally grown than the Aucuba, 

 and it has excellent points ; it is hardy in constitu- 

 tion, handsome in outHne, and bold of leaf. By ill- 

 luck, as it happened, more than a hundred years ago, 

 the spotted variety was sent home first from Japan, 

 and became domiciled in English gardens and rooted 

 in English affections before the far more worthy 

 green species made its entry. 



It is but a private opinion and not given as dogma 

 that it might possibly be a distinct gain to gardens, 

 large and small, if the spotted Aucuba were practi- 

 cally banished and the true green-leaved forms — 

 some of which are generally beautiful when well set 

 with large coral berries — allowed to take its place. 

 The variegated Oleaster (Elceagnus pungens), a remark- 

 ably fine shrub when taken by itself, sadly disturbs 

 the repose and dignity of the garden outlook in 

 winter, though doubtless positions might be found 

 in which it would harmonise with its surroundings. 



We need only con over, mentally, all the more 



