SUBTROPICAL GARDEN. 



213 



little curious that plants so famous for their medicinal or 

 other uses as the Castor-oil^ the Chinese rice-paper_, and the 

 Indian-rubber plants,, should have become so useful as orna- 

 ments in the garden. For this edible Aralia we may claim as 

 high a position as a hardy plants and for planting singly few 

 things surpass it. It is very rare in this country now^ but 

 being easily propagated^ may, it is to be hoped, not long 

 prove so. I have seen it nine feet high ; but as it dies down 

 rather early in autumn it must not be put in important 

 groups, but rather in a position where its disappearance may 

 ' not be noticed. An isolated place, or one near the margin 

 of an irregular shrubbery, fernery, or rough rockwork by 

 the side of a wood walk, will best suit. 



Aralia japonica. — ^-A hardy woody species, and fine plant 

 for varying the garden, bearing immense and graceful leaves, 

 and delighting most in a warm and sheltered position — 

 plenty of sun, but little exposure to wind. It is best when 

 the stem is rather short and simple, and has an advantage 

 that few things of the kind possess — it may be used with a 

 stem of considerable height, or with a very dwarf one. 



Aralia spinosa, the angelica tree of North America, and 

 resembling the preceding, is higlily useful in this class, in 

 consequence of its 

 beauty of foliage 

 and distinct aspect. 

 Like many of the 

 hardy things, it 

 should be placed in 

 positions where it 

 would not be ne- 

 cessary to remove 

 it, or closely asso- 

 ciate it with tender 

 plants requiring 

 frequent distur- 

 bance of soil. Both 

 this and the prece- 

 ding kind may be 

 hadin our nurseries. 



Fig. 77. 



Aralia Sieboldi. 



