VALUE IN THE BRITISH ISLANDS OF INTRODUCED CONIFERS. iQl 



found most valuable for planting in beds ; and the larger 

 varieties of these genera, especially those of a distinct colour and 

 erect form, along with the choicest kinds of dwarfish habit of 

 the Firs, Pines, and Spruces, are used as single specimens to 

 complete the design, and to give a well-balanced and harmonious 

 effect to the whole space. 



On the lawns, and in the pleasure-grounds at a greater 

 distance from the mansion, almost every hardy Conifer is of 

 value as a decorative tree or shrub. Space is there found for 

 the most gigantic specimens of tree-life, and at proper dista.nces 

 apart the biggest of them may be grown with good effect, if the 

 tree is naturally of a handsome contour, such as the Wellingtonia, 

 and remains so for the greater part of its lifetime. A selection 

 for this purpose need not be named, because all ornamental 

 Conifers are eligible ; but in this division room should always 

 be found for a specimen or two of the rarer and more interesting 

 Conifers which are not sufficiently hardy and robust to grow 

 everywhere, such as Abies bracteata, A. Pindroiu, A. religiosa, 

 and A. Webbiana ; Athrotaxis, Cephalotaxus, Cryptomeria, 

 Cunninghamia, Dacrydium, Fitzroya, Saxegothgea, and Taxo- 

 dium; various species of Cypress, Juniper, Libocedrus, Pinus, 

 Podocarpus, and Torreya ; and especially the curious and interest- 

 ing Golden Larch {Pseudolarix KcEmpferii), Maidenhair tree 

 {Ginkgo biloba), and Umbrella Pine {Sciadopitys verticillata). 

 Nor should we omit to mention here the later introductions of 

 Fortune, Veitch, and others from the Far East, as .most of 

 the " Japanese " Conifers have proved to be perfectly hardy 

 in Britain and are thriving well in our soil and climate. 

 Among them are many valuable decorative trees and shrubs 

 admirably suited for the lawn and pleasure-ground, and some of 

 them are promising to grow into useful forest trees in course of 

 time. 



All of the larger and vigorous-growing Conifers are invaluable 

 to the landscape planter for the embellishment of parks and 

 policies. When disposed with skill and taste over a domain, 

 in avenues, clumps, or single trees, they give a charm and fresh- 

 ness to the landscape, especially in the winter season, that a^ 

 once attracts interest and admiration, and which no other 

 trees can supply in our climate. The Araucaria, Cedars, Firs, 

 Pines, Spruces, and the Wellingtonia, as well as the taller 



