454 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



ciipressoides bears great resemblance to some of the dwart 

 Conifers, and is suitable for the rock garden ; it is of low 

 growth, ciipressoides variabilis is of dwarfer habit than the last- 

 named, and forms a dense spreading tuft, and is pleasing in 

 the rock garden. lycopodioides, another bushy, spreading kind, 

 is conspicuous for its slender whipcord-like growths and small 

 dark green leaves. Loganioides, also of dwarf habit, introduced 

 from New Zealand about ten years ago, is well adapted for 

 the rockery; and V. Hectori, a much-branched shrub of dwarf, 

 erect habit, is worthy of notice too. 



Viburnum Tinus (Laurustinus) (Fig. 286) is a valuable shrub, 



flowering from mid-winter until April out of doors. It is also useful 



for growing in pots for the conservatory, as its flowers under glass 



lose the pink shade and come 



pure white. It is perfectly hardy, 



attractive even when out of 



flower, and succeeds in ordinary 



soil. Of this there are several 



varieties, the following being the 



most distinct : purpurea is the 



darkest-leaved Laurustinus, free 



in growth, neat in habit, and 



very pretty. The leaves of varie- 



gatus are irregularly variegated 



with white, lucida is conspicuous 



for its large polished green leaves 



and handsome clusters of pure 



white flowers ; this is the best 



kind for forcing purposes. Froebeli 



is also useful for forcing ; its 



flowers are larger and of a purer 



white than those of the type. 



-byramidalis and rotundifolia are 



also pleasing. 

 Fig. 286. — Viburnum Tinus. 



ViNCA. — The hardy members 

 of this genus are low-growing shrubs, serviceable for planting on 

 rockeries, dry banks, or rambling over old tree-stumps, and as 

 they succeed in poor soils and under the drip of tall trees, their 

 value is considerably enhanced. V. major (large Periwinkle), a 

 European plant with broad, glossy green leaves, bears an abundance 

 of showy deep blue flowers in May ; it spreads rapidly, and is 

 useful for planting by the side of woodland walks. V. m. elegan- 

 tissima is characterised by its broad handsome leaves variegated 

 with cream-white ; the variegation is constant. V. ininor (small 

 Periwinkle) is a small green-leaved kind, less vigorous in growth, 

 and not so ornamental as those already referred to. Of the last- 

 named there are several attractive varieties, the principal of which 



