A WINTER GARDEN OF TREES 57 



familiar examples of shrub variegation to find, pro- 

 bably, that we should do as well without a goodly 

 proportion of them, though we may frankly admit 

 some to be very handsome. The secret of our 

 discontent, possibly, lies in the fact that variegation 

 in plants that are normally green is not, in its 

 essence, a sign of health but of wasting sickness. 

 In any case, whatever our feelings may be on this 

 particular point, it is well worth while to weigh the 

 merits of each shrub, variegated or green, before 

 we plant it, not only individually, but in relation to 

 its neighbourhood to other garden associates, and 

 more especially with regard to its winter aspect. 



Mr. Bean writes as follows about the winter 

 beauty of trees and shrubs : " Even in November 

 and December there are trees and shrubs that 

 brighten the garden with their coloured bark and 

 fruits. Although not abundant, the members of 

 this class are not used so extensively as they 

 might be. 



"Among Willows, for instance, there are the 

 golden and red-barked varieties of Salix vitellina. 

 These, though scarcely ever seen, are capable, when 

 properly treated, of producing bright warm effects 

 that are especially charming from November to 

 February. When allowed to grow naturally this 

 Willow — known popularly as the Golden Osier — 

 forms a graceful tree of large size. Its twigs have a 

 golden or red tinge, according to the variety, but on 

 fully-grown trees these twigs are not large, and as it 

 is, of course, the bark of the preceding summer's 



