TREES AND SHRUBS. 
379 
Choisya (Mexican Orange Flower). — An evergreen shrub, 
a native of Mexico, and belonging to the Rue family (Rutaceas). 
In the milder parts of the kingdom C. ternata does well as 
a bush in the open shrubbery, but in less mild districts the 
protection of a south or west wall is necessary. The flowers 
are white, fragrant, and not unlike orange blossoms. Summer 
is the dowering season. The foliage is of a glossy green 
colour and three parted. Plant in well-drained loam in Sep- 
tember or April. Increased by cuttings inserted in a cold 
frame in September or by layering in autumn. 
Cistus (Gum Cistus ; Rock Rose). — A genus of beautiful 
and veiy interesting eveigreen flowering shrubs. Nat. Ord. 
Cistaceae. Unfortunately they are not hardy enough to suc- 
ceed outdoors except in mild parts of the kingdom. The 
flowers are very beautiful, of a satiny texture, fragrant, and 
freely produced, but their individual beauty is of short dura- 
tion. The Gum Cistus (C. ladaniferus), a native of Spain, 
bears w'hite flowers in June, and grows 4ft. high. There are 
two pretty varieties of it, viz., maculatus, white with a dark 
spot at the base of its petals ; and albifiorus, white with pale 
yellow spots. C. albidus grows 2 to 3ft. high, is a native 
of S.W. Europe, and bears purplish or rosy flowers with yellow 
spots at base in June. C. laurifolius hails from the same 
habitat, grows 4 to 5ft. high, and has white flowers with yellow 
spots on the base of the petals in summer. C. purpureus 
has reddish-purple flowers, spotted with deep purple, grows 
2 to 4ft. high, and is a native of the Levant. C. crispus only 
grows about 2ft. high, has reddish-purple flowers in June, and 
is a native of S.W. Europe. There are many other species or 
hybrids described in books, but those named are in our 
opinion the best. These shrubs require to be grown against a 
south wall in well-drained sandy soil. They will not thrive 
on damp, heavy soils. We have seen them do well on warm 
sheltered banks. Spring is the best time to plant. In severe 
weather the plants should be protected with a straw bundle 
or a mat. Increased by seeds sown in light sandy soil in heat 
in spring, afterwards growing the seedlings on in pots till 
the following spring, then planting out. Also by cuttings with 
a “heel ” of old wood attached, inserted in pots of sandy soil in 
a cold frame in August ; likewise by layering the shoots in 
summer. 
Cladrastis (Yellow Wood). — Hardy deciduous flowering 
trees. They belong to the Pea order (Leguminosae). C. 
tinctoria (Syn. Virgilia lutea) has elegant pinnate foliage, 
grows 20ft. high or so, and bears white pea-shaped flow'ers 
in drooping clusters during May. The foliage changes to a 
