ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 



451 



Rosmarinus officinalis (Fragrant Rosemary) is very familiar, 

 and when planted in very moist soil and a sunny aspect produces 

 an abundance of small soft blue flowers. It also grows freely 

 and flowers well on dry banks. The varieties with yellow- and 

 silver-striped leaves are less ornamental than the type. 



Ruscus (Butcher's Brooms). — These are useful shrubs for 

 undergrowth. They succeed in ordinary soil, and R. aculeatus 

 forms quite a carpet of deep green leafage. It is referred to 

 under " Berry-Bearing Trees and Shrubs." R. hypoglossum is of 

 taller and more slender habit than the first-named. The small 

 soft yellow flowers are produced in . the centre of the deep glossy 

 green leaves in April and May, and succeeded by richly coloured 

 berries. In the case of R. Hypo- 

 phyllum (R. microglossias) the 

 small flowers are borne on the 

 under-sides of the leaves. R. 

 racemosus (Alexandrian Laurel), 

 now recognised as Dancea race- 

 mosa, is quite distinct from 

 either of the' foregoing. It is 

 of elegant habit, and not so 

 dense in growth as R. aculeatus 

 (Fig. 285). Its oblong, polished 

 green leaves are sharply pointed, 

 and the yellowish-green flowers 

 are produced at the tips of the 

 growths. 



Skimmias. — See page 457. 



Tamarix. — The members of 

 this genus, especially T. gallica, 

 should be largely grown, as 

 they are of extreme elegance, 

 easy culture, and quite hardy. 

 They succeed admirably on 

 sandy banks, and by the sea- 

 coast grow luxuriantly. T. gallica, the most familiar kind, grows 

 about 12ft. high, and its slender, drooping branches, clothed 

 with narrow rich green leaves, are very beautiful, and in August 

 bears a profusion of rose-pink flowers in slender spikes. 

 T. germanica (Myricaria germanica), T. hispada, T. parviflora, 

 T. tetrandra purpurea, and T. libanotica, are also of graceful 

 habit. 



Trachycarpus excelsus (T. Fortunei, Chamcerops excelsa 

 C. Fortunei) is the only Palm suitable for outdoor culture. It 

 is very handsome, with large fan-shaped leaves of a refreshing 

 shade of green. It should be planted in rich well-drained soil, 

 and a position sheltered from cold winds is advisable for this 



2 g 2 



Fig. 285. — Ruscus aculeatus. 



