Chap. XIX. 



AZALEA GARDENS. 



329 



were covered with Japanese plants, of which the old 

 man had a good collection. A small species of pin us 

 was much prized, and, when dwarfed in the manner of 

 the Chinese, fetched a very high price ; it is generally 

 grafted on a variety of the stone pine. The Azalea 

 obtusa, and some varieties of it with semi-double 

 flowers, were in full flower, and are highly prized by 

 the Chinese. The colour of this species is much more 

 brilliant and dazzling in China than I have ever seen 

 it in England. A beautiful variety, quite new, had 

 small semi-double pink flowers, which it produced in 

 great profusion. This will be a great favourite in 

 England when its merits are known. Its novel 

 colour, small leaves, and neat habit will render it 

 most desirable for bouquets and for decorative purposes. 

 I have named it Azalea amoena, and it is now in 

 England. 



On the same stage with this Azalea I observed a fine 

 new shrub, which I mistook for a holly. It turned 

 out to be a species of Skimmia, and I observe that 

 Dr. Lindley has described it as Skimmia japonica. 

 It is however quite a different plant from that known 

 by the name in the gardens of this country, and I 

 propose to call it Skimmia Reevesiana* It produces 

 a profusion of whitish flowers, deliciously scented, and 

 afterwards becomes covered with bunches of red 

 berries like our common holly. Its glossy ever- 

 green leaves and neat habit add greatly to its beauty, 



* In compliment to John Reeves, Esq., who has introduced many 

 Chinese plants into this country, and who has been of great service to 

 me while in China. 



