490 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



it is not sufficiently hardy for general outdoor culture in the 

 British Isles. In the warmer counties of England and Ireland it 

 grows freely, and is an object of great beauty. It has a dis- 

 tinctly pyramidal habit, with reddish-brown bark and small 

 bluish-green leaves. Planted in warm soil and a sheltered position, 

 Knight's Cypress forms a really handsonie tree. C. Lawsoniana 

 (Fig. 313) is a well-known, thoroughly hardy, and easily-grown 

 Conifer. It affords a striking garden picture in spring when 

 laden with its small male catkins ; these are borne on quite 

 small plants, and give an additional charm. Though not 

 particular as regards soil or position, the finest and most 

 shapely specimens are produced in a moist, rich soil. A 

 splendid lawn tree, as well as a useful and cheap hedge- 

 plant. It is very variable when raised from seeds, which 

 are produced abundantly in this country. 



Of the numerous varieties of Lawson's Cypress differing in 

 habit, vigour, and leaf-coloration, the under-mentioned are amongst 

 the most meritorious : C. L. albo-maculata is neat in growth, with 

 short, compact branches, and a portion of its young growths as well 

 as its leaves are stained with creamy- white, C. L. albo-spica is of 

 vigorous dense habit of growth, and, like the last-named, con- 

 spicuous for its silvery variegation, which it fortunately retains, 

 even when planted in somewhat shady positions. C. L. albc- 

 variegata originated at the Coombe Wood Nursery of Messrs. 

 Veitch, and is a neat, compact variety of upright habit ; the young 

 growths and leaves are marked with white. It is a pretty variety. 

 C. L. Aluini is a distinct and pleasing variety, but seems to be 

 little known outside ffood collections of trees and shrubs. It is 

 of fastigiate habit, with bluish-green leaves, and can be well 

 recommended for small gardens ; it grows freely in the 

 shade. C. L. amabilis belongs to the glaucous-leaved 

 group, and is quite distinct, both in habit and in leaf 

 from the last-named. It is of bushy habit, but not so free in 

 growth as the type ; still, it grows with moderate freedom, and 

 is serviceable for ornamental planting. It retains its colour 

 well, and is effective in winter. C. L. ai'gentea varies in its leaf- 

 colour, and is of more than ordinary merit ; it is of compact or 

 rather spreading habit, with slender branches, and leaves of a 

 beautiful glaucous or silvery hue, varying in intensity according 

 to position and soil ; it is a lovely lawn tree. C. L. a. va?'iegata 

 is a good companion to the last-named, from which it differs in 

 its young shoots and leaves being marked with creamy-white. 

 C. L. Bowleri is another charming variety, of compact, dense 

 habit of growth. It is freely branched, and its small branchlets 

 droop gracefully. C. L. compacta is of globose habit and slow 

 growth, and deserves a place in the rock garden. C. L. 

 Darleyensis is a graceful and uncommon variety, of free growth, 

 with leaves and shoots of a bronzy-yellow hue ; it is effective in 



