ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 



425 



those here mentioned are amongst the showiest of spring- 

 flowering shrubs. B. Darwini is a brilliant shrub, with small 

 polished green leaves completely hiding the pendulous shoots, 

 and in April and May the numerous racemes of orange-yellow 

 flowers are very pleasing. In height it varies from 4ft. to 10ft., 

 according to soil and position. It flowers in quite a small state, 

 and fills in well at the bottom, so that it forms a neat, 

 symmetrical bush. As a hedge-plant it can be recommended : it 

 bears the knife 

 well. B. buxifolia 

 (B. dulcis) is a 

 variable and use- 

 ful shrub, with 

 small, stiff, dark 

 green, Box - like 

 leaves ; the flowers 

 are pale yellow ; 

 in some positions 

 it is sub-evergreen. 

 B. stenophylla (a 

 hybrid between 

 B. empetrifolia 

 and B. Darwini) 

 (Fig. 272) is a gem 

 amongst Barber- 

 ries, distinct, free 

 in growth, and 

 very attractive ; 

 plenty of room 

 must be allowed, 

 as it spreads 

 rapidly, and soon forms a dense bush, with long, gracefully- 

 arching, deep green shoots clothed with small, narrow, intense 

 green leaves ; the small drooping yellow flowers appear in May. 

 B. empetrifolia is a neat trailing bush, with small linear leaves, 

 about 1 in. long, arranged in clusters along the slender branches; 

 the bright yellow flowers are produced in the axils of the 

 leaves in May, and frequently z.- second crop is borne 

 in the autumn. On account of its dwarf habit and slow growth, 

 it is better suited for the rock garden than the ordinary 

 shrubbery^ B. Wallichiana (B. Jamesoni, B. Hookeri) (Fig. 273) 

 is a decorative shrub of great beauty, forming a dense 

 bush. The glossy green leaves are arranged in clusters on 

 stiff branches. The attractive pendent flowers are borne 

 freely. B. ilicifolia is a distinct kind, of bushy habit, and needs 

 a sheltered position to bring out its true characters. The rich 

 glossy green leaves, with numerous spines and large clusters of 

 orange-coloured flowers, are charming. B. congestiflora hakeoides 



<&£&&3&Sm 



Fig. 272. — Berberis stenophylla. 



