460 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



effect, as the Ivies form a nice background for the bulbous 

 subjects. They are also suited for planting in various places 

 in the rock garden, and few shrubs are better adapted for 

 •winter bedding than Tree Ivies. Another use to which they 

 might with advantage be put is as pot shrubs for placing in 

 vestibules, rooms, &c, during winter when in berry. H. arborea, 

 H. a. elegantissima, and H. a. fructu-luteo are the best. 



The Cotoneasters form an important group of hardy berry- 

 bearers. As trees and shrubs valued for their flowers, the 

 Cotoneasters merit a place in select collections, and as they 

 are perfectly hardy and of such simple cultural requirements, it 

 seems strange that they have not been more extensively employed 

 in gardens. The. best known member of the evergreen section 

 is undoubtedly C. microphylla, a low spreading bush, with small 

 deep green leaves ; it is very beautiful when laden with bright red 



berries in winter. Its pale 

 pink flowers are showy, too. 

 C. m. glacialis (C. congeita) 

 is well adapted for the rock 

 garden. It is dwarfer in 

 habit than the last-named, 

 with paler green leaves, and 

 flowers more deeply stained 

 with pink. A very attractive 

 neat shrub. C. buxifolia is 

 vigorous and valuable for 

 shelter. Its long branches 

 are clothed with deep green 

 Box-like leaves, and in spring 

 bears clusters of white flowers, 

 which are in ' due time 

 succeeded by richly-coloured 

 berries. C. tkymifoua, a neat, dwarf-growing, Himalayan species, 

 deserves a place in the rock garden. It is slow in growth, 

 and its numerous short branches are supplied with narrow dark 

 green leaves. It bears an abundance of" pinkish-white blossoms 

 and attractive berries. C. rotundifolia is a distinct and charming 

 species rarely exceeding 5ft. in height. The brightly-coloured 

 berries are borne with exceptional freedom, and often remain 

 on the bushes until February and March. 



The Strawberry Tree {Arbutus Unedo) is highly appreciated on 

 account of its white bell-shaped flowers and red strawberry-like 

 fruits appearing simultaneously. It must, however, to succeed 

 well be planted in a sheltered spot. The Laurel-leaved Phillyrea 

 decora {P. Vilmoriniana) is a fine shrub of dwarf spreading 

 habit. It is hardy, with thick deep green leaves and round 

 black berries, which latter are preceded in spring by white 

 Hawthorn-scented flowers. This is a very useful shrub for 



Fig. 291. — Holly Silver Milkmaid. 



