ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 375 



it grows into a bush ioft. high, having numerous stout branches 

 clothed with large dark green leaves that are particularly showy 

 in autumn when fading to a reddish-brown, crimson, and orange. 

 Its deliciously-scented white flowers, with a rosy-purple calyx, 

 are borne in large terminal cymes in September. C. fostidum 

 (C. Bungei) should only be planted in the open air in very 

 favoured localities. It is better adapted for the unheated 

 greenhouse. 



Clethras. — When planted in peaty soil and a sheltered nook, 

 these grow well and flower abundantly. They form neat bushes, 

 and all bear racemes of fragrant flowers of various shades of 

 white. They are suitable for planting in the front of the shrubbery, 

 as well as by lake or stream-side. C. alnifolia (Alder-leaved 

 Pepper Tree), from North America, forms a loose bush 4ft. Or 

 so high, and about the middle of July bears an abundance of 

 flowers at the points of the branches. C. a. tomentosa merits 

 attention principally on account of its lateness in flowering. It 

 is distinct and pretty, grows about 4ft. high, and from July to 

 the middle of October bears a profusion of pure white flowers 

 which are considerably larger than those of the type. The 

 following are excellent kinds : C. a. scabra, C. canescens, and 

 C. acuminata. 



Colutea arborescens (Bladder Senna) thrives under the 

 same conditions as the Caraganas ; it grows about ioft. high, 

 and bears yellow pea-shaped flowers, succeeded by soft green 

 bladder-like legumes, which change to a reddish colour by the 

 time the seeds are ripe. C. cruenta (C. sanguinea) is a quick- 

 growing species with bright green leaves and reddish-coloured 

 flowers. C. istria {C. microphylla) and C. melanocalyx are also 

 showy. 



Cornus (Dogwoods) are effective dwarf shrubs and small trees, 

 and as some of them thrive under the shade of tall-growing 

 trees their value is enhanced. Some are conspicuous on account 

 of their variegated foliage, others by reason of their showy 

 flowers, whilst a few are effective in winter, as then the slender 

 bright red-barked branches give colour to the landscape. 

 C. florida (Benthamia florida) (Fig. 245) is not so well known as 

 it might be. It is rather difficult to get it properly established, 

 but once it is so, its pure white flowers are borne freely every 

 year about April. The leaves in autumn change to brown and 

 yellow. It loves a sunny spot. C. f. rubra is a desirable shrub, 

 with rose-pink flowers. C. macrophylla (C. brachypoda) is a 

 strikingly-handsome Dogwood, with large rich green leaves, 

 heavily tinted with orange-red in autumn ; the clusters of white 

 flowers are produced in the early summer. C. m. variegata is 

 a pretty silver-leaved shrub, deserving of extended culture. 

 C. Kousa {Benthamia iaponica) is another lovely white-flowered 



