ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 



419 



of white flowers in June. The pale green sharply-toothed 

 leaves are smooth, with prominent veins, and the bright 

 blue berries are very pleasing in September. V. 7?mcro- 

 cephalum should, if possible, have a place beyond the reach 

 of east winds. It succeeds best in rich well-drained soil, and 

 when laden with its enormous heads of white flowers is 

 very effective. It is useful for forcing into flower for con- 

 servatory decoration. V. prujiifoliiuji has Plum-like leaves, 

 flowers towards the end of May, and bears black berries in 

 autumn. V. nudimi (American Withe Rod) grows about 8ft. 

 high, and produces white flowers in the early part of June, and 

 crops of black berries in September. V. Opiihis sterile is 

 sufficiently known to need nothing more than passing allusion. 

 It is an easily-grown shrub, and the great balls of white flowers 

 borne at the points of the growths are very conspicuous in June. 

 V. plicatiim (Japanese Snowball Tree) is a particularly handsome 

 shrub when in flower. It is perfectly hardy, free in growth, and 

 flowers abundantly. Although not particular as to soil, it yields 

 the best results when planted in soil composed of equal quan- 

 tities of lumpy loam and leaf-mould. Good drainage and a 

 sunny position are important. This shrub is well suited for 

 planting in bold groups on the turf, and in June, when its large 

 clusters of snow-white flowers are being displayed on the short 

 spurs along the stifl" growths, few plants are more pleasing to 

 the eye. The bafls of flowers are larger and of a purer white 

 than those of the well-known Guelder Rose. 



Zenobia speciosa {A?idromeda cassincefolia^ A. speciosa). — 

 Although introduced to this country nearly a hundred years ago, 

 this is rarely met with. It is a shrub of much beauty. Its white, 

 drooping, Lily of the Valley-like flowers are freely produced in 

 axillary clusters in summer on the old wood, and it grows about 

 4ft. high. Z. s. pulverule7ita (^Afidromeda dealbata, A. pulverulejita, 

 and A. speciosa glaucd) is an improved form, and should be known 

 to all lovers of dwarf-growing shrubs ; not only are its stems and 

 foliage powdered with white, but its flowers are larger and borne 

 more freely than are those of the type. Peaty soil is not 

 essential to the proper development of these sadly-neglected 

 shrubs, as they grow freely in ordinary well-drained soil. Both 

 the plants named are perfectly hardy near London, and are 

 nearly sub-evergreen. In order to keep the latter true to 

 character, it is advisable to increase it by cuttings or by layers, 

 as the majority of plants raised from seed revert to the type. 



Evergreen. 



Andromeda polifolia (Marsh Rosemary) delights in peaty sol, 

 and as it rarely exceeds ift. in height, it is well adapted for 

 planting in front of the shrubbery. Its shoots are clothed with 

 narrow rich green leaves, and its pinkish-white flowers, tipped 



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