ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 



441 



leaf-mould. Water should be given liberally while growth is 

 being made. Several kinds are available, but it is only necessary 

 here to mention pahistre^ latifoliiim, and glauditlosiim. L. paliistre 

 (Marsh Ledum) is the kind most generally met with, and forms a 

 dwarf, much-branched bush, about 2ft. high, with small, narrow, 

 deep green, dehghtfully-aromatic leaves, conspicuous for the 

 rusty tomentum on the under-surface. The terminal clusters of 

 Rosemary-like flowers are white, and borne very freely. L. lati- 

 foliiun (Z. palustre latifolium and L. grcEiilandicuni)^ well known 

 as the Labrador Tree, the leaves of which have been used as a 

 substitute for tea, differs from L. palustre^ being more vigorous and 

 compact in growth, with larger leaves and finer clusters of white 

 flowers, that are sometimes suffused with pink when first expanded. 



Leiophyllum buxifolium (Z. serpyllifoliiim^ Z. thy7nifolhiin^ 

 Ammyrsine buxifolia^ Ledum buxifoliiwi). — This delightful 

 little Sand Myrtle is a gem amongst dwarf-growing Ericacece, but 

 rarely met with outside good collections of hardy shrubs. It 

 grows about loin. high, is of compact habit, with small, narrow, 

 rich green Box-like leaves, and small white flowers and un- 

 opened rose-pink buds, and is most attractive. A sandy peat soil 

 suits it best. It is serviceable for edgings to beds of dwarf 

 American shrubs, as well as worthy of a place in the rock 

 garden. Z. b. prostratum (Z. Lyo?ii and Ammyrsine prosh^ata) 

 is equally hardy and very showy, but is better adapted for 

 the rock garden. 



Leucothoes, — Although these shrubs have a preference for 

 damp, peaty soil, they flourish in good loam provided it is free 

 from lime. All the Leucothoes are very satisfactory planted 

 on the margins of lakes and streams. Z. axillaris {^Andromeda 

 axillaris) grows about 2^ft. high, and bears white flowers in 

 May and June. Z, Davisice is a compact-growing species, with 

 small deep green leaves and clusters of white flowers. Z. race- 

 mosa (Z. spicata, Andromeda spicata) is of good habit and 

 bears slender spikes of white flowers. Z. recurva {Andromeda 

 recurva) is of dwarfer habit than the last, and it produces in 

 summer racemes of pale pink bell-shaped flowers. Z. Cafesbcsi 

 {Andromeda Catesbai) grows freely, and carries a profusion of 

 white flowers. 



LiGUSTRUMS (Privets) are represented in many gardens only 

 by Z. ovalifolium (oval-leaved) and its golden-leaved form. The 

 first-named is useful for hedges on account of its quick growth, 

 but, owing to its hungry roots, soon exhausts the soil, and for 

 this reason should not be planted too freely, especially in the 

 vicinity of the kitchen garden, Z. o. foliis aureis (Z. califor- 

 7iicum aureum) is a showy, useful, and popular yellow-leaved 

 Privet, well adapted for town gardens, window boxes, and for 

 winter bedding. Though less vigorous than the type, the rich 



