458 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



S. Fortunei^ and S. japojiica (Fig. 289). The bright red berries 

 last in good condition through the winter, in fact those of 

 S. Foremani will remain bright for two years if birds do not 

 trouble them. Berberis Aquifolium {Mahonia Aquifolia) is an 

 accommodating shrub, and forms a good undergrowth. In winter 

 its rich green foliage assumes a purplish-bronze hue. Its clusters 

 of blue-black berries are freely produced. Berberis Wallichiana 

 is an attractive and uncommon Barberry. The long, violet- 

 purple coloured berries are quite distinct from all its congeners. 

 The varieties of Pernettya mucronata, or Prickly Heaths, are 

 charming, and where dwarf evergreens are valued they should 

 find a home. They grow best in a well-drained, moist, peaty 



bens (Partridge Berry) is one of the best carpet or dwarf- 

 growing evergreens, and is admirably suited for the front 

 lines of low-growing shrubs. Its small white bell-shaped 

 flowers are borne in July, and are succeeded in autumn by 

 bright red berries, at which time its foliage is shaded with 

 chocolate-brown. In order to ensure regular crops of berries, 

 the plants should be lifted and divided about every third or 

 fourth year. Hyme?ianthera crassifolia is a beautiful New 

 Zealand shrub, deserving of a sheltered spot in the garden. It 

 grows to a height of about 4ft., and its pure white berries are 



Fig. 289. — Skimmia japonica. 



soil, and in a sunny 

 position, as a greater 

 show of berries results 

 than when planted in 

 the shade. Pernettyas 

 may also be advan- 

 tageously grown in pots 

 for the decoration 01 

 rooms and conserva- 

 tories in winter and 

 early spring. The 

 following are amongst 

 the best varieties : 

 carnea lilacina^ soft 

 pinkish-lilac ; coccinea, 

 light scarlet, large and 

 handsome ; alba, white, 

 shaded with blush ; 

 nigra maior, nearly 

 black ; atro-rosea, rich 

 rose ; i7iacrocarpa, deep 

 crimson, very large ; 

 and rosea purpurea, 

 rose, touched with 

 purple. 



Gaultheria procuni- 



