382 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



which time it is particularly handsome. E. Alberti, a rare and 

 delightful white-blossomed shrub, is fortunately also hardy, and 

 may be described as superior to the type. 



Fagus. — For pleasure-ground planting the Beech {Fagus 

 sylvatica) is well known. It is seen to the best advantage in 

 sandy soil with a calcareous bottom. In early spring the tender 

 green foliage is very pleasing, and towards the fall of the leaf 

 the colour varies to chestnut-brown. The Beech makes a good 

 hedge plant. F. s. argentea variegata is distinct and effective ; 

 leaves broad, green, and finely-striped with white ; it is late in 

 unfolding its buds in spring. F. s. hetero- 

 phylla (F. laciniatd), the fern-leaved 

 variety, is charming, and grows well. 

 F. s. macrophylla (F. latifolid), with its 

 bold leaves, is very handsome, and 

 deserves to be largely grown ; it is a 

 vigorous grower and requires plenty of 

 head room. F. s. atro-purpurea is un- 

 questionably one of the most ornamental 

 of purple-leaved trees ; it is as free in 

 growth as the type, and much more 

 beautiful. F. s. tricolor is showy and 

 distinct, with large purple leaves streaked 

 and margined with rose-pink ; it is very 

 attractive in a young state, while F. s. 

 grandidentata and F. s. aureo-variegata 

 are deserving of mention. 



Forsythias are delightful April-flowering 

 shrubs, suitable for many purposes ; they all 

 bear an abundance of yellow bell-shaped 

 flowers, and are of easy culture. On 

 account of its low growth, F. viridissima, 

 introduced from Japan in 1845, is well 

 adapted for planting as a' margin to the 

 shrubbery. Beyond doubt, however, the 

 most useful, as well as the most beautiful, 

 species is F. suspensa (F. Fortunei and 

 F. Sieboldi) (Fig. 247). Its graceful, 

 arching shoots, often 6ft. long, create a pleasing effect in 

 spring, when clothed with golden-yellow flowers. It is use- 

 ful for covering pillars and running over verandahs, as well as 

 for hiding unsightly walls. To show the flowers off to 

 advantage, Forsythias should be planted amongst low-growing 

 evergreens. Beyond the removal of weak and spent-out growths, 

 little pruning is necessary; but it should be remembered 

 that the best time for this operation is immediately the 

 plants have done blossoming, as they are then allowed the 



Fig. 247. — Foesythia 

 suspensa. 



