THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



handsome effect. P. rotundifolia {P. latifolia)^ P. Tormi?mHs 

 {So?'bi(s To7'mi?iaUs\ P. Decaisneana, and P. i?iter?)tedia are of 

 good growth, and in every way desirable. P. spuria {Sorbus 

 heterophylla), P. lanugmosa, and P. a?nerica?m microcarpa are also 

 deserving of attention. 



QuERCUS (Oaks) are valuable timber and landscape trees. 

 Some kinds are very showy, and a list of select varieties should 

 include the following : Q. coccinea, an Oak with brilliant-coloured 

 foliage in autumn. Q. pedunciilata Concordia {Q. foliis-aureis) 

 is the best of the Yellow-leaved Oaks. Q. p. heterophylla 

 (Q. laciniata^ Q. dissecta) and Q. p. filicifolia (Q. asplenifolia) \ 

 the last-named a particularly handsome kind, with elegantly-cut 

 rich green leaves. The leaves of Q. p. variegata (Q. elegantis- 

 sima) are mottled with grey and white on a soft green ground. 

 Q. p. fastigiata {Q. pyramidalis) is of erect growth, similar to 

 the Lombardy Poplar. Q. p. pu7piirasce)is (Q. atropiirpurea) has 

 dark purple foliage. Q. sessiliflora rubicunda is very distinct, the 

 leaves being large, and tinted with purple. Q. s. mespilifolia 

 merits attention by reason of its pretty, narrow, Willow-like leaves. 

 It succeeds best in moist soil. Q. rubra (Red Oak) is another 

 large-leaved kind of great beauty. Q. conferta {Q. pannonica^ 

 Q. hu?igarica) is of erect habit, with conspicuous, deeply- 

 cut, rich green leaves, which take on shades of yellow and 

 brown ere they fall in autumn, Q. Cerris variegata is the best 

 of the Silver-leaved Oaks, its pale green leaves being splashed 

 and irregularly margined with white ; it is of free growth. 

 Q. laurifolia is particularly attractive in autumn, when its large 

 leaves change to shades of crimson and yellow. Q. casfanafolia 

 is a handsome species, with bold, rich green leaves, bearing some 

 resemblance to those of the Spanish Chestnut. Q. dentata 

 {Q. Daimyo) is a very fine Japanese species, with very large 

 leaves ; it is free in growth. Q. stellata {Q. obtuscefolia) rarely 

 exceeds 50ft. in height ; its rough green lobed leaves are covered 

 with a yellowish down on the under-surface. Q. Mirbeckii is one 

 of the last of the Oaks to lose its deep green leaves in autumn : 

 it is a South European species, of fairly rapid growth, and 

 decidedly ornamental. Q. ?iigra, Q. palustris, Q. macrocarpa, 

 and Q. P?'inus are other handsome Oaks. 



Rhododendrons. — During May and June the Azalea group are 

 wrapped in colour of all shades from white to yellow and orange, 

 through pink, rose, and salmon, to scarlet and crimson, whilst the 

 flowers are deliciously scented, and beautiful for cutting and placing 

 in vases for room decoration. Azaleas are perfectly hardy, and. 

 thrive in loamy soil, but prefer one that is composed principally 

 of peat and leaf-mould. Lime should be absent from the soil, 

 and good drainage is essential, as they are never happy when 

 w^ater becomes stagnant at the roots. Although amongst the 



