414 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



flowers. 5. expansa is of free growth, and bears pretty rose- 

 pink flowers. »S. Lindleyana is a handsome free-growing kind 

 from the Himalayas, and is a charming shrub for planting near 

 the verge .of the lawn, as its rich green pinnate leaves and 

 terminal panicles of white flowers are very effective ; in good 

 soils it grows to a height of about 10ft. »S. sorbifolia (Sorbus- 

 leaved) is another attractive species, and worthy of note. 

 S. pachystachys is welcome for its late-flowering qualities ; its 

 flowers are pink. S. semperflorens macrantha is very handsome 

 and rare. It is> free in growth, and its rose-pink flowers are 

 borne with much freedom. £. triolata is an old inhabitant of 

 our gardens, but by no means seen as often as one could 

 wish. Its white flowers are borne in corymbs. Other good 

 kinds are »S. Chamcedrifolia, S. Schinabecki, S. -bikoviensis, and 

 6 1 . salicifolia,- 



Stachyurus precox is an early spring-flowering shrub, quite 

 hardy in the open air in the southern counties, and grows freely 

 in ordinary garden soil. Though not showy, it's axillary spikes 

 of greenish-yellow flowers are produced in abundance. 



Staphyleas (Bladder Nuts) form stout bushes, and are 

 effective in groups. Their small white flowers are borne in 

 drooping racemes with much freedom in May. The two best 

 kinds are »S. colchica, a native of the Caucasus, and S. Coulombieri 

 (S. pinnata x S. colchica). These thrive in ordinary soil, and 

 delight in an abundance of water during dry weather. Both 

 kinds are excellent for forcing into blossom about Christmas. 

 If one kind only is to be grown, ^. Coulombieri should be selected, 

 as it is very free in blossom. 



Stuartias thrive in the open air if planted in rich, well- 

 drained soil, and beyond the reach of biting winds. In very 

 cold counties they should be grown in the conservatory or cold 

 greenhouse. S. pseudo-camellia (S. japonica, S. grandiflora) 

 is an uncommon shrub with pure white single flowers, relieved 

 by yellow stamens. In autumn the leaves assume many shades 

 of crimson, rose, and orange ; it is the most ornamental member 

 of the genus. S. pentagyna (S. montana, Malachodendron 

 ovatuni) is worthy of mention. »S. virginica (S. marylandicd) 

 grows about 10ft. high, and is fairly well known ; its cream- 

 white flowers, with red stamens, are borne in May and June. 



Styrax japonicum is a beautiful Japanese shrub, and although 

 its pendent pure white fragrant flowers, with conspicuous yellow 

 stamens, are not large, it appeals to planters by reason of the 

 freedom with which these are borne. A rather dry soil and a 

 position not exposed to east winds should be selected for it. 

 S. Obassia is worth growing ; the rich green leaves are large and 

 handsome, and in autumn, when they become suffused with 

 yellow and blotched with red, they are very pleasing. 



