454 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



cupressoides •• bears great resemblance to some of the dwart 

 Conifers, and is suitable for the rock garden ; it is of low 

 growth, cupressoides variabilis is of dwarfer habit than the last- 

 named, and forms a dense spreading tuft, and is pleasing in 

 the rock garden. lycopodioides, another bushy, spreading kind, 

 is conspicuous for its slender whipcord-like growths and small 

 dark green leaves. Loganioides, also of dwarf habit, introduced 

 from New Zealand about ten years ago, is well adapted for 

 the rockery; and V. Hectori, a much-branched shrub of dwarf, 

 erect habit, is worthy of notice too. 



Viburnum Tinus (Laurustinus) (Fig. 286) is a valuable shrub, 

 flowering from mid-winter until April out of doors. It is also useful 

 for growing in pots for the conservatory, as its flowers under glass 



lose the pink shade and come 

 pure white. It is perfectly hardy, 

 attractive even when out of 

 flower, and succeeds in ordinary 

 soil. Of this there are several 

 varieties, the following being the 

 most distinct : purpurea is the 

 darkest-leaved Laurustinus, free 

 in growth, neat in habit, and 

 very pretty. The leaves of varie- 

 gatus are irregularly variegated 

 with white, lucida is conspicuous 

 for its large polished green leaves 

 and handsome clusters of pure 

 white flowers ; this is the best 

 kind for forcing purposes. Froebeh 

 is also useful for forcing ; its 

 flowers are larger and of a purer 

 white than those of the type. 

 tyramidalis and rotundifolia are 



also pleasing. 



Fig. 286.— Viburnum Tinus. 



Vinca. — The hardy members 

 of this genus are low-growing shrubs, serviceable for planting on 

 rockeries, dry banks, or rambling over old tree-stumps, and as 

 they succeed in poor soils and under the drip of tall trees, their 

 value is considerably enhanced. V. major . (large Periwinkle), a 

 European plant with broad, glossy green leaves, bears an abundance 

 of showy deep blue flowers in May ; it spreads rapidly, and is 

 useful for planting by the side of woodland walks. V. m. elegan- 

 tissima is characterised by its broad handsome leaves variegated 

 with cream-white ; the variegation is constant. V. minor (small 

 Periwinkle) is a small green-leaved kind, less vigorous in growth, 

 and not so ornamental as those already referred to. Of the last- 

 named there are several attractive : varieties, the principal of which 



