394 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



addition to the dwarf-growing Japanese Magnolias, being very 

 free and beautiful in blossom ; its pure white cup-shaped 

 flowers, with crimson-red stamens, are produced readily even on 

 small plants. M. Watsoni is another rare and beautiful species, 

 with delightfully fragrant cream-white flowers, which measure 

 from 5in. to 6in. in diameter, the central cluster of rich 

 yellow stamens, with bright red filaments, being very attractive. 

 M. hypoleuca is useful for parks ; it is a vigorous, free-growing 

 tree, with very large leaves, bright green above and glaucous 

 beneath. The deliciously-scented flowers, from 6in. to yin. 

 across, are cream-white with prominent reddish - purple anthers. 

 M. obovata (Af. purpurea^ M. discolor) is of dwarf habit, and 

 produces sweet - scented purplish flowers with moderate free- 

 dom. M. acuminata (Cucumber Tree) is a vigorous-growing North 

 American species, with a straight trunk and numerous stout, 

 spreading branches supplied with large deep green leaves, and in 

 June and July bears bell-shaped, fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers. 

 It is a handsome park tree, M. glauca has been cultivated in 

 this country upwards of 200 years. It grows about 12ft. high, 

 but is rather slow, and in sheltered positions is sub-evergreen. 

 On account of the under-sides being silvery-white a pretty effect 

 is created when the leaves are disturbed by wind. The 

 cream-white, sweet-scented, cup-shaped flowers are produced in 

 June and July. M. tripetala {M. Umbrella) grows freely in 

 ordinary garden soil. It is a handsome species for the pleasure- 

 ground, and requires plenty of room to show its character. It 

 is thoroughly hardy, has very large deep green leaves, and in 

 June is meritorious by reason of its large white sweet-scented 

 flowers, which are succeeded by showy deep red fruits. 

 M. macrophylla grows about 35ft. high, and like the last-named, has 

 very large leaves. The flowers are also large, white, and stained 

 with purple in the centre. As this noble species is a trifle tender 

 whilst young it should, if possible, be planted where spring frosts 

 have little effect upon it. 



Neillia {Spircsa) opulifolia is a quick-growing bush, and 

 produces feathery clusters of white flowers in June. The golden- 

 leaved variety, litte.a, will, if planted in a sunny spot, retain 

 its yellow colour throughout the summer. N. amiirensis is 

 another useful plant for the shrubbery. 



NuTTALLiA CERASiFORMis (Osoberry) is a bushy, compact, free- 

 growing Californian shrub, and although its small white flowers, 

 in axillary drooping racemes, are not showy, they are borne 

 so freely and so early in the year in the open air that they are 

 specially welcome. Its culture is of the simplest. 



Nyssa syi.vatica (yy multiflora) is a fine park tree, of 

 medium height and rather slow in growth, and deserves to be 

 planted extensively for its autumnal effect, its foliage being rich 



