BEAUTIFUL DECIDUOUS 



TREES AND SHRUGS. 



403 



cyathiformis, speciosa, spectabilis, superba, triumphans, 

 and Yulan grandis. '1 he variety most frequently seen is 

 Soulangeana, which flowers rather later than the species, 

 and is readily recognised by its purple suffused Hewers. 

 M. conspicua when in lull beauty is a lovely picture, and 

 noble examples of it exist in gardens, particularly at 

 Syon House, Brentford, where there is a tree of the 

 type and also of Soulangeana. When in full beauty the 

 tree seems as if wreathed with snow, the bold flowers as 

 pure as a snowdrift, and remaining some lime in beauty. 

 Unhappily, late frosts are apt to destroy their freshness, 

 and lor this reason it is wise to plant the early-flowering 

 Magnolias in some fairly sheltered spot, where, for 

 instance, the big flowers are thrown into high rebel by a 

 background perhaps of Yew or some dark-toned ever- 

 green. Even in quite town gardens this Magnolia 

 succeeds, and its early flowers are always a pleasure to 

 look upon. 



M. Fraseri. — This is a handsome species from the South 

 United States. Its pale green leaves are sometimes 1 jin. 

 or more in length and Sin. wide, whilst the flowers are 

 creamy while. 



M. glaiiea. This is quite a shrub, from bin. to 12111. 

 high, with leaves much like those of the Laurel, but 

 thinner in texture ; the creamy while flowers are about 

 jin. in diameter, and borne on the points ol the shoots 

 during July and August ; they are very sweetly scented, 

 and turn to quite a buff lint with age. It likes a peaty 

 soil. 



M. Lennei. — The flowers of this are very large, borne 

 before the expansion of the foliage, ami ol a rich rosy 

 purple outside, but lighter within. Though plants 6.'t. 

 high will 'lower freely, it grows to nearly twice thai 

 height. This Magnolia forms quite a bush, with numerous 

 wide-spreading branches. A form ol M. conspicua. 



M. maerophylla. — This Magnolia is only suitable for 

 sheltered spots, as the huge leaves, sometimes nearly lyd. 

 long and gin. or loin, wide, are quickly injured if in an 

 exposed place. The flowers, which are borne in June, 

 are large, white, with a purplish centre, but they are 

 sparingly produced. 



M. parviflora. — This Japanese species of Magnolia is a 

 desirable shrub for small gardens, as it will flower when 

 not more than lyd. high. The flowers are globular in 

 the bud state, but when expanded are about ain. in 

 diameter. Al that lime the tult of crimson anthers in 

 the centre of the bloom forms a noticeable feature. 



M. purpurea. — This is also known as M. obovata, and 

 forms a spreading bush 6ft. or so in height, with flow r ers 

 purple in the bud state, and light within; they follow 

 soon after those of M. conspicua. 



M. Stellata. — This is a charming 

 little species, the first of all to flower, 

 at least in most seasons, though 

 M. conspicua soon follows. It is a 

 compact, freely branched bush, and 

 when not more than lyd. high 

 everv shoot is terminated with 

 its pure white starry blossoms. 

 They are about 3111. in diameter, 

 and composed of numerous strap- 

 shaped petals, which soon droop 

 down, thus leaving the central 

 portion higher than the rest of the 

 flower. There is a blush-coloured 

 kind. A bed of this Magnolia is very 

 pretty in the early year. 



M. Soulangeana. — Supposed to be 



a hybrid between M. c onspicua and 

 M. purpurea, and its appearance 

 would support that theory, as it is in 

 everv way about midway between 

 the two. It is a very desirable 

 kind. 



M. tripetala.- This is a large, bold 

 tree, with leases nearl) 1 Sin. long, 

 and arranged around the points ol 

 the shoots regularly, lor which 



reason it is Pometimes called the Umbrella Tree. The 

 creamy while flowers are borne in May and Line, after the 

 expansion ol the leaves. 



M. WntSOni is likely to prove an important Japanese 

 species, as it is very hardy, and its flowers are ol great 

 beaulv, being veiy sweetly scented, creamy while, set off 

 by deep red filaments. M. hypoleuca and C. Kobus may 

 be grow n also. 



Maple. See Acer. 



MespilllS, Snowy. -V,' Amelanchier. 

 Mezereon. See Daphne Mezereum. 

 Mock Orange, s,- i'hiladelphus. 



MortlS. 'I'hi' Mulberry (Morus nigra) is a well-known 

 tree, grown for the sake of iis fruits, while the leaves are 

 much used for feeding silkworms. For this latter 

 purpose a second species, M. alba, is also employed, but 

 its greenish while fruits are not much sought alter. 

 This is very prolific in varieties, one of the most 

 distinct (pendula) being of a singular weeping habit of 

 growth. '1 he Mulberry will strike readily from cuttings; 

 even large branches slack in die soil will, under favour- 

 able conditions, soon root. 



Mountain Ash. — W Pyrus Aucuparia. 



Mulberry. — See Moras. 



Negundo aeeroides or fraxinifolium. — This is the 



old name lor the Maple known ,is Acer Negundo. The 

 best-known Negundo is that with variegated leaves, 

 which is so frequently seen in suburban gardens. Seeds 

 ol the green-leaved type grow readi y if sown as soon as 

 ripe in the open ground, and when the young plants are 

 strong enough the variegated kind may be budded 

 thereon in fulv and August. A union is quickly effected. 

 Oak. — See Hue reus. 



Oxydendron arboreum. — A Vaccinium-like plant that 



needs a moist, peaty soil in a somewhat sheltered spot. 

 The spikes of while l.il\- of the Valley-like flowers are 

 borne in August, while later on the leaves change to an 

 intense crimson scarlet, which hue is retained till they 

 drop. 



Paulownia imperialis. — A quick-growing Japanese 

 tree, with large heart-shaped leaves and spikes of purple 

 Foxglove-like flowers. A bright summer and autumn is, 

 however, required to develop flower buds, and even if 

 formed the)' are often injured by frosts in the following 

 spring, as the Paulownia naturally flowers early. In 

 some of the more favoured districts it flowers well, and 

 its beauty in the neighbourhood of Paris is generally 

 recognised. Can be propagated by root cuttings taken 

 in winter and put in a frame. It should be cut hard 

 ba:k every year if immense leaves are de ired lor sub- 

 tropical gardening. 



FLOWER OF MAGNOLIA CONSFICUA (less than halj size). 



