444 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



cream-white, and O. i. aureus-marginatus leaves edged with 

 yellow. O. i. rotundifolms^ whose leaves are nearly round, is 

 best adapted for the rock garden. O. /. myrtifoliiis is of 

 dwarf habit 'and free, and forms a neat, dense bush, with small, 

 thick, sharply-pointed. Myrtle-like leaves ; it deserves a prominent 

 position in the shrubbery. 



Although the Osmanthuses grow on their own roots, they may 

 be worked on stocks of the Common Privet in spring, and 

 placed in warm, close cases until a union has been formed, and 

 then removed to cooler quarters and grown on until the follow- 

 ing spring, at which time they will be nice-sized plants for 

 transferring to the open ground. 



OzoTHAMNUS ROSMARiNiFOLius (Snow Flower). — A shrub of 

 elegant habit, whose small white Daisy-like flowers, if cut with 

 long stems, are very useful for indoor decoration, and last a 

 considerable time in perfection. Unfortunately, this shrub is not 

 hardy all over the British Isles. It thrives in ordinary soil, but 

 prefers one composed of peat, loam, and leaf-mould in equal 

 proportions. The drainage should be good. 



Pernettyas. — See page 458. 



Philesia buxifolia is of dwarf habit, rarely exceeding 4ft. 

 It is slow in growth, and quite at home in the rock garden. In 

 very cold localities it should have a place in unheated glass 

 structures. Its deep red drooping Lapageria-like flowers are 

 borne with moderate freedom. 



Phillyrea. — There are about four species. A useful group of 

 hardy shrubs, and with the exception of decora, referred to 

 under " Berry-Bearing Trees and Shrubs," all have small leaves, 

 mostly of a deep green colour, and are indigenous to the 

 Mediterranean region. They are by no means difficult to accom- 

 modate, and there are few positions in which they wall not 

 thrive. They are well adapted for planting under the shade and 

 drip of trees. P. angustifolia is a dense round-headed bush ; it 

 makes a nice lawn shrub, and its small white flowers are 

 produced very freely. P. a. rosmaj'ijiifolia is of dwarfer habit. 

 P. latifolia ilicifolia and P. 1. rotundifolia are pleasing shrubs of" 

 neat growth. P. media (P. variabilis media) is a much-branched 

 bush or small tree, and useful for planting in exposed situations. 

 The variety buxifolia (Box-leaved) and olecefolia (Olive-leaved) are 

 also worthy of note. P. decora (P. Vilmoriniana, P. laurifolia) 

 is the most ornamental of the genus. It is perfectly hardy, 

 beautiful in foliage, and distinct, either when bearing its small 

 fragrant flowers, or its round black berries in August. 



Phlomis fruticosa (Jerusalem Sage) is valuable chiefly for 

 its accommodating nature, as it succeeds admirably in gravelly 

 soils and on dry banks. It is of free, bushy growth, with 



