432 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



spring and autumn. A capital plant for the rock garden. There 

 is a stronger-growing form \?najiis), with larger leaves and flowers ; 

 but these are not quite so fragrant as those of the type. There 

 is another variety with variegated foliage ; but it is not so 

 valuable as either of the foregoing. I), sericea {D. coUijid) 

 forms a neat bush of erect habit, about 2ft. high, with glossy 

 green leaves and terminal clusters of pale pink flowers. A place 

 should be reserved in every rock garden for that rather rare and 

 beautiful species named D. Blagayana (Fig. 276), which is of 

 spreading habit, and rather slow in growth. In early spring it 

 carries a wealth of fragrant cream-white flowers. D. oleoides 

 is another early-flowering kind of much beauty. The fragrant 

 flower-clusters are white, tinged with pink. It grows about 2ft. 

 high, and is of neat habit. D. striata (Snake-barked Daphne), 

 also of dwarf habit, bears a profusion of rosy-purple flowers 

 about midsummer. D. Laiireola (Spurge Laurel) bears greenish- 

 yellow flowers in January, and is valuable on account of the 

 ease with which it grows in poor soils and under the drip of 

 trees. This species loves partial shade, and its leaves are of 

 a richer green than when fully exposed to the sun. It grows 

 about 4ft. high, and forms a serviceable stock for working the 

 rarer kinds upon. D. po7itica also thrives well under the shade 

 of trees. 



Daphniphyllum glaucescens. — A handsome ornamental 

 Japanese shrub of compact habit, and not unlike certain dwarf 

 Rhododendrons. In this country it has proved thoroughly hardy, 

 and when it comes to be better known is sure to be planted freely. 

 It is by no means particular as regards the quality of the soil, 

 provided suitable drainage is secured. The rich green leaves are 

 glaucous on the under-surface, while the crimson footstalks and 

 the brownish - red bark add a touch of welcome colour. 

 D. g. Jezoe7isis makes a very compact bush, and is useful for 

 planting in the front of the shrubbery. It is of slow growth. 



El.^:agnus. — These prefer a fairly rich and well-drained soil, 

 and they also flourish in sandy soil where many shrubs merely 

 exist. During the winter months, the variegated kinds in 

 particular are very bright in the garden, and valuable either 

 for placing as isolated specimens on the lawn, or for adding 

 colour to the shrubbery ; they are also useful for covering walls, 

 and are capital dry-weather shrubs, as they do not show ill 

 effects from long drought. Their hardiness is beyond doubt, 

 and if planted in a sunny position, the gold- and silver-leaved 

 kinds produce pretty pictures. As the colour is constant, planters 

 should use them freely ; in fact, the variety named E. pu7ige)is 

 aiirea is almost equal in its colouring to some of the fine 

 foliaged Codiaeums (Crotons). All form dense round bushes, 

 and should be allowed freedom to develop ; beyond the 



