446 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



instance, Q. coccifera forms a dense bush about loft. high, while 

 Q. Ilex is, if we except the Mammoth Conifers, one of the 

 largest of evergreen trees hardy in this country. They are not 

 so free in growth as the majority of the deciduous sorts, and as 

 they are rather sparsely furnished with fibrous roots, great care 

 should be taken in transplanting them, always securing, if 

 possible, a good ball of earth to the roots. Q. Ballota (Q. cyclo- 

 phylla, Q. Ilex Ballota) forms a handsome tree of 20ft. 

 or so high, with furrowed, greyish bark, and short, roundish, 

 serrated, pale green leaves, having a white substance on their 



under-sides. Q. coccifei-a (Q. 

 ^ermesiana), noted above, is 

 thoroughly hardy, and rather 

 slow in growth, with small, oval, 

 smooth, deep green, spiny leaves. 

 Q. cuspidata^ a Japanese species, 

 with its variegated, broad, and 

 narrow-leaved varieties, is hand- 

 some. Q. Suher (Cork Oak) 

 (Fig. 282), an old inhabitant of 

 gardens, has distinct rugged 

 bark, and forms a small round- 

 headed tree, which rarely exceeds 

 15ft. in height in this country. 

 Q. Turneri is well adapted for 

 avenue-planting, being shapely 

 and free in growth, with large 

 deep green serrated leaves. Q. 

 phillyrceoides (Q. 7'otunda)^ with 

 smooth, rich green, serrated 

 leaves, is of bushy habit and 

 distinct appearance. Q. acuta. 

 (Q. Biie7'ge7'ii^ Q. angusti- 

 folia) is, unfortunately, rather 

 scarce in gardens ; it is never- 

 theless very distinct. Q. densifio7'a 

 {Q. eclmiaced) is a handsome 

 species, with deep green leathery 

 leaves. It requires protection from biting winds. Q. ag7'ifolia 

 (Q. arcoglaiidis) and Q. ser7'ata deserve mention, and are rather 

 slow in growth. Q. glandulifeTa forms a much-branched tree, with 

 a well-balanced head, and is useful for decorative planting. 

 Another kind, glabra, is attractive and hardy, and forms a 

 good-sized bush, with large smooth green leaves, but should be 

 protected from east winds. Q. Ilex (Holm Oak), a well-known 

 dense round-headed tree, grows freely in ordinary soil, and reaches 

 a height of 40ft. The spreading branches are clothed with deep 

 polished green narrow leaves, which, if not pruned in, almost 



Fig. 282. — QuERCus Suber. 



