ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 445 



•deep green wrinkled leaves, and rich yellow flowers produced 

 in whorls during summer. 



Phyli.ostachys. — See Bamboos. 



Pieris. — Decorative hardy shrubs, generally planted in peaty 

 soil, but thriving in rich well-drained loam, to which has been 

 added a quantity of leaf-mould. Like the rest of the Ericacea 

 they have a great dislike to lime. They delight in being kept 

 moist at the roots, and during the growing season (especially 

 in dry weather) should be occasionally watered overhead. 

 Being surface-rooting plants an annual top-dressing of vegetable 

 matter not only tends to keep the roots cool but increases 

 the vigour of the plants. P. floribunda {Andromeda floribunda) 

 is perfectly hardy, with thick green leaves, and bears a profusion 

 of white flowers in branching terminal racemes. The buds are 

 formed in winter, but do not expand until the end of March. 

 For forcing into blossom about Christmas time it is also useful. 

 P. japonica {Andromeda japonica) is a charming dwarf early- 

 flowering species of rather slow growth, with handsome foliage 

 and drooping racemes of white bell-shaped flowers. There is a 

 variegated form of the last-named that deserves to be mentioned, 

 and is known as P. j. variegata. It is rather slow in growth, 

 with pale green leaves, irregularly margined and splashed with 

 white, and this bright variegation is happily constant. 

 P. formosa {Andromeda formosa) is a rare and beautiful Himalayan 

 species with deep green, finely-serrated leaves, tinged with 

 brownish-red in spring, and erect pure white flowers. As this 

 species is somewhat tender, it should be planted in a sheltered 

 nook. P. ovalifolia {Andromeda ovalifolia) is a tall-growing species, 

 hardier than the last-named, and with flesh-coloured flowers. 



Piptanthus.^-7 5 . nepalensis {Baptisia nepalensis, Anagyris 

 nepalensis, Thermopsis laburnifolia) bears a wealth of pale 

 yellow pea-shaped flowers in early . summer in the open air in 

 this country. It is of quick growth and not at all exacting 

 as to soil, but dislikes a north and east aspect, as it is apt to 

 suffer from cold winds and hard frosts ; therefore, it should be 

 grown against a wall in districts north of London. 



Polygala cham^ebuxus {Chamabuxus alpestris). — This is useful 

 for either the rock garden or as an edging to beds or borders of 

 dwarf shrubs. Its racemes of fragrant cream-coloured flowers, 

 tipped with purple, are borne in May. The purple-flowered 

 variety {purpurea) is equally dwarf and sturdy in habit, and the 

 more attractive. Polygalas are showy, dwarf in habit, and delight 

 in moist, peaty soil. 



Quercus. — Evergreen Oaks, especially Q. Ilex, are splendid 

 trees for pleasure-grounds, as well as for standing as isolated 

 specimens on lawns. They vary much in habit and height. For 



