8 
SHRUBBERIES. 
English Flora of the late Sir J. E. Smith, are, — Class v. order i. Pentandria 
Monogynia. Flowers monopetalous, inferior, with numerous covered seeds, con- 
tained in ''^two follicles^ erect. Corolla salver-shaped, oblique. Seeds simple." 
These are essential to the genus, which by Linnaeus was referred to his Natural 
order, Contortce ; and by Jussieu, to Apocinew. 
The specific character: — " Stems procumbent. Leaves elliptic, lanceolate, 
smooth-edged. Flowers stalked. Segments of the calyx lanceolate. Eoot 
creeping. Herb very smooth. Stems round, trailing ; the flowering branches 
simple, leafy, erect. Leaves dark, shining, green, on short stalks, opposite with- 
out stipulas. Flowers solitary, an inch wide, and of a fine violet blue. Fruit 
scarcely seen in England. There is a white-flowered variety in gardens, having 
variegated leaves ; and another with double, more purple flowers." Season May. 
The plant is said to be found, but rarely, about hedges and banks. By 
Honingham Church, Norfolk, on a bank facing the south, plentifully ; also in 
several lanes in that parish, undoubtedly wild ; — Mr. Crowe. Abundant at 
Raleigh, Essex ; — Rev. R. B. Francis. Near Rippon, Yorkshire ; — Rev. James 
Dalton. 
The foregoing were Dr. Smith's authorities. 
" We found it growing abundantly in one of the woods on an eminence, near 
Bath, the white variety being equally plentiful as the azure ; but the leaves were 
not variegated. The double Jf?^^ce-tinted was seen only in a garden at Frome ; 
with us it was not a free grower. We brought home several plants of the white 
and blue-flowered, and on one occasion, and one only, when they flowered in the 
garden, a blossom or two w^as produced, the ground of which was a pure white, 
blotched with a lovely azure. The spot was purely accidental, as seven or more 
years have since elapsed, and each variety remains quite true to its character. 
This charming plant possesses every requisite to make a shrubbery complete ; 
it creeps over and fills up every blank space, yet, though humble, it is not 
prostrate ; bold, but unobtrusive masses of lively verdure, are quickly formed ; 
and there, early in the year, are relieved with the numerous blossoms of white or 
azure, gracefully distributed among the rich foliage. When once the ground is 
covered, there is an end to hoeings and diggings ; all the trouble required will 
consist in scattering a little leaf-mould, or light earth, over the plants at the 
approach of winter ; and in occasionally curtailing the shoots, if they attempt to 
encroach upon the lawn or gravel walks. The dwarf periwinkle thrives under the 
closest shade of trees or shrubs, but in no degree interferes with their progress ; 
the China rose will thrive and bloom in the midst of its masses, and thus add 
variety to beauty." 
