8 THE BOOK OF THE WINTER GARDEN 



AUCUBAS 



Aucuhajaponica maculata was first known in Britain as a 

 hothouse plant. The varieties macrophylla and viridis 

 are male, and maculata and vera dentata and longifolia 

 female ; the last two being plain green-leaved forms, 

 display the red berries to the best advantage. In some 

 gardens the male flowers often before the female, and 

 unless the powdery pollen is collected in dry papers 

 and dusted with a soft camel-hair brush on the females 

 when they open, no berries will be produced. Or graft 

 male shoots on to the female plants. The berries usually 

 remain green through autumn, colouring after the turn 

 of the year. 



Yellow Berried Hollies 



are much sought after when their whereabouts are 

 known. They are as free as the red. Of the latter the 

 camellia leaved {Ilex camelliaejolia) and /. Hodgsoni are 

 effective in leafage and their fruit. Young trees should 

 not be carelessly cut for their branches, as the fine shape 

 may be easily spoiled. The berries too remain on for 

 months. 



Mistletoe may be Grown 



by slightly notching the bark on the under sides of 

 branches of apple trees, etc., and rubbing the seed in 

 from January to March. The viscid matter soon 

 causes it to adhere. Mistletoe grows freely on thorns, 

 poplars, limes, sweet chestnuts, maples, and mountain 

 ash. It is less free on the oak, but as this is by far 

 its most famous host, should be tried thereon. The 

 plants are very small during the first year, but after 

 three years they push on well. The immense quantity 

 of this favourite shrub used at Christmastide comes 

 principally from Northern France. 



