ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 



443 



Fig. 281. — Olearia Gunniana. 



season, it is specially valuable for shrubbery or pleasure-ground 

 planting. 



Olearias. — The hardiest of these is O. Haastii (Daisy Bush), 

 a choice dwarf-growing shrub, free in growth, forming a 

 dense, upright, much-branched bush, 5ft. high, with small Box- 

 like leaves and pure 

 white,sweet-scented, 

 Daisy-like flowers in 

 July and August. 

 The flowers are 

 carried abundantly, 

 even on small plants, 

 and last in con- 

 dition for several 

 weeks. O. Gunniana 

 (Fig. 281), though 

 not as hardy as the 

 first-named, will, 

 nevertheless, thrive 

 if provided with a 

 sheltered spot. In 

 groups on the turf, 

 a pleasing effect is 

 obtained by plant- 

 ing Gladiolus, Lilies, &c, between them, as a long succession of 

 flowers is maintained. 



Osmanthus. — The Osmanthuses are cultivated principally for 

 their handsome Holly-like foliage, but their clusters of small 

 white and cream-white flowers are deliriously 'scented, and borne in 

 the axils of the leaves very freely on good-sized plants in autumn. 

 The soil should be rich and well drained, and they should be 

 planted in a position shielded from east winds. Their value for 

 walls is referred to elsewhere, and they are well adapted for planting 

 as isolated specimens on the lawn, and for growing in pots for 

 placing on balconies, in vestibules, halls, &c, they have few 

 equals. Another use for which they are well suited is winter 

 bedding, and the best ' for this purpose is the variety named 

 purpureas. They are also serviceable for filling window boxes. 

 Numerous varieties are now in commerce, differing from the 

 type in the size, form, and colour of the leaf. All are decidedly 

 ornamental shrubs or small trees of neat habit and free growth. 

 O. Aquifolium (Oka Aquifoliuni) is a beautiful shrub, and in good 

 soil forms a large well-balanced bush, with broad, leathery, Holly- 

 like leaves of a pleasing shade of green. O. ilicifolius purpureus 

 is one of the finest of all the Osmanthuses. In habit it 

 resembles O. ilicifolius, but the young leaves are wholly purple, 

 and with age become purplish-bronze. It is hardier than the 

 type. O. i. latifolius variegatus has leaves margined with 



