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' Shoeflowers " and need very little description here. The type of 

 the numerous garden forms is Hibiscus rosa sinensis and is easily 

 distinguished by its large single scarlet flowers. The number of garden 

 varieties is large and range in shades in singles ,and doubles from deep 

 scarlet to yellow buffs and whites. The plants vary in habit from 

 upright compact shrubs to weeping scraggly bushes. The uses of this 

 section of Hibiscus are endless. For forming hedges they cannot be 

 beaten or for shrubberies, beds, borders or as isolated specimens. 



There are several other species of Hibiscus worthy of mention ; 

 one of the best known being the extremely pretty 



Hibiscus mutabilis. A Chinese form of distinct appearance. 

 The flowers are large and double resembling giant hollyhocks. The 

 foliage is large and downy, the stems are erect and produced from the 

 base of the plant. To produce the best effect this plant should be 

 planted closely together in beds, its upright compact habit suiting it 

 for this purpose. A continual supply of flowers can be had by cutting 

 out the old stems as they finish flowering and allowing the younger 

 stems to take their places. 



Hibiscus malviviscus. Is a Chilian species quite unlike any of its 

 congeners in appearance. The flowers are small, scarlet and twisted 

 and the foliage is small, contracted and sparsely disposed. When 

 properly grown it forms quite an attractive little shrub but is seen at 

 its best when two or three plants are planted close together. 



The Hibiscuses are extremely easy of culture and propagate readily 

 by cuttings. 



Hamelia patens. Is a South American free flowering shrub with 

 brownish red flowers tinged with yellow disposed in terminal peduncu- 

 late umbels. The leaves are ovate, oblong and pubescent. A useful 

 plant for bed or border, flowers freely and is not exacting as to soil or 

 position. Propagates readily from cuttings. 



The Ixoras form a genus of ornamental and in some cases extreme- 

 ly handsome shrubs or small trees, natives for the most part of trop- 

 ical Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. The flowers are scarlet, 

 pink, yellow or white and arranged in terminal corymbs. The plants 

 are increased by cuttings of well ripened shoots which in most cases 

 root readily. A good rich loam is best suited for their culture and oc- 

 casional dressings of manure are beneficial. 



The best species for garden decoration are as follows : — 

 Ixora macrothyrsa. A plant from the South Sea Islands often met 

 with in gardens under the name of Ixora Dufjii. The flowers are deep 

 red in immense trusses and tho leaves are large and dark green. 



Ixora coccinea. Has bright red flowers disposed in very large heads, 

 or corymbs which are umbellate. A handsome shrub from the East 

 Indies. 



Ixora coccinea var. Bandhuca. Is a form of the latter with a con- 

 tracted habit but worth growing as a dwarf kind. 



Ixora coccinea supcrba. Is a handsome Javanese variety with deeper 

 coloured flowers and broader and thicker petals and of more vigorous 

 habit than the type. 



