372 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



form, C. B. asplenifolia (C. B. laciniata), is less common, 



and very distinct. C. B. purpurea, C. B. pyramidalis, 



C. caroliniana (C. americand), and C. cordata, are also deserving 

 of attention. 



Caryas are beautiful park trees, and delight in rich soil and 

 plenty of head-room. As they make few fibrous roots, and do 

 not transplant easily, it is a good idea to set the nuts in the 



places where the plants are to 

 remain. A few of the best kinds are 

 C. alba, C. olivaformis (C. angusti- 

 folia), C. sulcata (C. cordiformis), 

 C. amara, and C. porcina. 



Caryopteris Mastacanthus is a 

 somewhat scarce but pretty Japanese 

 or Chinese shrub, with pale blue 

 flowers (Fig. 242) that are borne in 

 autumn with great freedom. It is of 

 free growth, and delights in full ex- 

 posure to the sun and in being out 

 of the reach of cold east winds. 



Castanea sativa (C. vesca) (Fig. 

 243), the sweet Spanish Chestnut, 

 is a familiar park tree, but its silver 

 (alio - marginata), yellow (aureo- 

 marginata), and cut-leaved (laciniata) 

 forms are less known, although 

 decidedly ornamental. Other good 

 kinds are C. dentata and C. crenata. 

 They succeed best when planted in 

 sandy loam. 



Catalpas are noble trees, beautiful 

 in both foliage and flower. C. big- 

 nonioides (C. syringcefolia) is a native 

 of North America, and has been in 

 British gardens about 200 years ; it 

 is hardy in most parts of England, 

 assumes a spreading form, and grows 

 to a height of about 30ft. Its leaves 

 are bold and bronze-tinted, whilst 

 its flowers are borne freely in erect spikes at the points of the 

 growths. They are white, flushed with puce, and dotted with 

 purple in the yellow throat. C. b. aurea has golden-yellow 

 leaves, which keep their colour throughout the summer, and do 

 not get burnt by hot suns, as do those of so many variegated 

 shrubs and trees. C. cordifolia (C, speciosd) is of vigorous growth 

 and hardier than C. bignonioides. The soft green heart-shaped 

 leaves, as well as the large white flowers mottled with purple and 



Fig. 242. — Caryopteris 



Mastacanthus. 



