406 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
There it grows 20ft. high and upwards, but it has not been 
grown long enough in England to determine its height under 
cultivation. It is a very handsome and beautiful shrub, with 
large leaves, which change to a bronzy hue in autumn, and 
bearing white flowers in terminal racemes during early 
summer. It requires a peaty soil and a sheltered position. 
Plant in May or September. Increased by seeds sown in 
sandy peat in a cold frame in spring. A member of the Heath 
order (Ericaceae). 
Oiothamnus— A genus of Australian evergreen flower- 
ing shrubs, of which O. rosmarinifolius is the only species 
worthy of note here. This shrub belongs to the Daisy order 
(Composite), has rosemary-like leaves, and white flowers borne 
in dense clusters in August. A pretty shrub to grow on a 
warm bank or in the front of a sunny mixed shrubbery. Will 
grow in ordinary soil, and should be planted in early autumn. 
No pruning needed. Increased by cuttings inserted in sandy 
soil in a cold frame in August. 
Pseonia (Tree Paeony). — The Tree Paeony is distinct from 
the ordinary or herbaceous Paeony on account of its having 
woody stems and shrub-like habit. P. moutan comes from 
China and Japan, grows 3 to 4ft. high, is deciduous, has finely 
cut foliage, and bears its large handsome flowers of many 
shades of colour in May and June. Of this species there is a 
host of lovely varieties, the names of which will be found in 
trade lists. P. lutea is a yellow-flowered species of recent 
introduction. The Tree Paeony and its varieties require to be 
grown in a sheltered, sunny position, and in a deep, rich, well- 
drained loamy soil. Very light soils should have some loam 
and cow-dung freely mixed with them, and very heavy soils 
be made more light and porous by adding plenty of road grit, 
leaf-mould and well-rotted manure. Planting should be done, 
if possible, in September or October, or in March or April. 
The plants do not, as a rule, flower till the third or fourth year 
after planting, so immediate flowering must not be expected. 
Early every spring top-dress with well decomposed manure. 
Tree Paeonies delight in a rich soil. They are increased by 
grafting on the fleshy roots of the common herbaceous paeony 
in early autumn ; also by cuttings removed with a “ heel ” 
of old wood and inserted in sandy soil in a cold frame in July 
or August. 
Parrotia (Iron Tree). — P. persica is a deciduous flower- 
ing shrub of hazel-like growth, belonging to the Witch Hazel 
order (Plamamelidaceae). It is a native of Persia, grows 8 to 10ft. 
bigh, and has foliage which changes to a rich orange or yellow 
