HARDY ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. 446 
Myrtus (Myrtle). — Evergreen shrubs, with fragrant 
foliage and white flowers, belonging to the Nat. Ord. 
Myrtaceae. The Common Myrtle (M. communis) is the well- 
known greenhouse or window plant. It is also often met with 
growing outdoors against warm walls, where it flowers freely 
during the summer. There are several varieties of it known 
as the Box-leaved, Thyme-leaved, and Rosemary-leaved. The 
foregoing are natives of S. Europe. There is also a Chilian 
species named M. Ugni (Syn. Eugenia Ugni), with deep 
shining leaves, and white flowers succeeded by black berries. 
Both should be grown against a warm sunny wall in loam 
and leaf-mould. Plant in May or September. No pruning 
required. They like plenty of moisture in summer. May also 
be grown in pots or tubs, and placed outdoors in summer. 
Readily increased by cuttings inserted in sandy soil in a cold 
frame in summer; in bottles of water hung in a greenhouse 
or window ; also by layering in autumn. 
Nyssa. (Tupelo Tree). — Hardy deciduous trees, grown 
chiefly for the value of their foliage, which assumes a rich scar- 
let tint in autumn. N. sylvatica and N. biflora are the only two 
species worth growing. These grow 20ft. high or so, and are 
suitable for planting on the margins of streams, lakes, etc., 
anywhere where there is plenty of moisture. Plant in autumn. 
They belong to the Dogwood order (Cornaceae), and are in- 
creased by layering in autumn. 
Osmanthus. — A genus of holly-like evergreen prickly- 
foliaged shrubs, belonging to the Lilac order (Oleaceae). All 
have fragrant flowers, but they are grown mainly for their 
foliage. The best known species is O. Aquifolium, a native 
of Japan. This has prickly leathery leaves and white flowers 
borne in autumn. It forms a neat compact bush 4 to 6ft. high, 
and is well suited for small or large gardens. There are 
several varieties of it, viz., illicif olius, with small green leaves ; 
illicifolius argenteo-marginatus, silvery-leaved ; illicifolius 
aureo-marginatus, golden-leaved ; and myrtifolius, myrtle- 
leaved. O. fragrans (Syn. Olea fragrans) is only hardy enough 
to grow outdoors in very mild sheltered districts. Plant in 
good ordinary soil in May or September. These shrubs need 
no pruning. Increased by cuttings of ripened shoots inserted 
in sandy soil in a cold frame in autumn ; also by layering in 
September. 
Pernettya. (Prickly Heath). — A genus of dwarf ever- 
green shrubs bearing berries of various shades of purple, rose, 
white, pink and crimson in winter. They belong to the Heath 
order (Ericaceae). P. mucronata, a native of the Straits of 
