ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 



395 



crimson, and in this respect is perhaps the most conspicuous 

 of trees grown for the beauty of their foliage. It thrives best 

 in moist soil. 



Oxydendron arboreum {Andromeda arborea, Lyotiia arbored) 

 produces its small white blossoms in September, a time 

 when there is a dearth of flowers amongst hardy shrubs. The 

 branched racemes of wax-like flowers range from sin. to 9m. 

 long, and are borne at the tips of .the branches. It is of rather 

 slow growth, and although in its native habitat (North America) 

 it ranges from 30ft. to 40ft. high, yet in this country it rarely 

 attains more than half that height. It succeeds best in a cool, 

 moist, peaty soil, and flowers in quite a young state, while its 

 foliage dies , off a rich purple-red colour in autumn. 



PiEONiA Moutan (Tree Pseony) (Fig. 254) is one of the most 

 gorgeous of flowering shrubs, yet far from common in gardens. 

 Tree Pseonies are gross- 

 feeding plants, and delight 

 in a deep loam enriched 

 "with well-decayed manure. 

 A yearly mulching of 

 manure or leaf-mould 

 should be afforded. 

 Copious supplies of 

 water should be 

 .given while growth 

 is progressing, and 

 frequent doses of 

 liquid manure will 

 also greatly assist 

 them. Good drainage 

 is important. The 

 plants should not 

 be disturbed at 

 the root more than 

 is really necessary. 

 Although perfectly hardy, 

 be exercised, and the 

 "where 

 spring 



Fig. 



254. — Double-flowered Variety 



OF PyEONIA MOUTAN. 



discretion 



Pseonies 

 the young growths are likely to suffer from late 

 frosts. On the other hand, they must not have a 



as to position should 

 must not be planted 



too-sheltered position, or the wood will not ripen sufficiently 

 to carry flowers. They are lovely subjects for planting 

 on the lawn, and few shrubs produce a more charming 

 ■effect in the mixed shrubbery border, when in flower, than do 

 the varieties of P. Moutan, their deeply-cut and variously-tinted 

 foliage giving them- additional beauty. For growing in pots, for 

 ■conservatory decoration, they are also well suited. After flowering 

 is over, encourage them to make fresh growth, and later on 



