ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT — EVERGREES 
57 
RETINOSPORA, Continued 
Botanists class all varieties under two species— 
Obtusa and Pisifera, but originating in Japan it 
is almost impossible to say for certain to which 
variety it belongs, and following most other 
nurserymen we list under the names as we re- 
ceived them. R. plumosa, R. ericoides, R. fili- 
fera, R. squarrosa, generally considered as forms 
of R. pisifera, also spelled Retinospora. They 
are very desirable for planting in groups, as they 
are of medium size. In the far north they must 
be protected in winter. 
Ericoides. A dense, broadly pyramidal or round- 
headed bush, with upright branches and dull green 
foliage, changing to brownish green in winter. 
Leaves linear, soft, grayish green beneath. Very 
ornamental. 
Filifera. Upright leader, main branches nearly 
horizontal, smaller branches of a graceful and 
weeping habit. One of the showiest. 
Filfera aurea. A golden form of the preceding. 
Obtusa. A free growing evergreen, of bright 
green foliage. 
Pisifera. An evergreen of tree-like character 
when matured. The underside of foliage is sil- 
very. 
Plumosa. An exceedingly handsome, small 
evergreen from Japan, with feathery, light green 
foliage. 
Plumosa aurea. Like the preceding, a plant of 
great beauty; foliage soft, plume-like, of a golden 
color; close and compact habit; should be in every 
amateur collection. 
Squarrosa. This valued sort has steel-colored 
foliage and makes a tufty, compact growth. It 
grows to a large size, but by pruning can be kept 
down to almost any size, as, in fact, can all Ret- 
inosporas. 
SEQUOIA. See California Big Tree. 
SPRUCE. Picea 
The names Abies for Fir and Picea for Spruce 
are used just oppositely by different authors, 
Linnaeus employing Abies for Spruce and Picea 
for Fir. We have followed Gray, Bailey and 
most of the later botanists, who use the name 
the same as the ancients. 
Colorado Blue (P. pungens.) A rare, elegant 
tree, with foliage of rich blue. One of the most 
distinct and striking of all the Spruce family. 
This variety of Spruce was found in the Rocky 
Mountains, and has always given the best satis- 
faction wherever planted. Considered as one of 
the most beautiful of all evergreens. A free 
grower; perfectly hardy. 
Douglas (P. Douglasii or Pseudotsuga Doug- 
lasii.) Indigenous to Colorado. Of quite rapid 
growth and conical form; foliage delicate green, 
glaucous underneath; hardy and easily grown. 
See also Abies. 
Norway (P. excelsa,) A lofty, elegant tree, 
of perfect, pyramidal habit, remarkably elegant 
and rich, and as it gets age, has fine, graceful, 
pendulous branches. It is exceedingly pictures- 
que and beautiful. Very popular, and should be 
largely planted. One of the best evergreens for 
hedges. 
YEW. Taxus 
English (T. baccata.) A large bush or tree, 30 
to 40 feet when fully grown. It is densely 
branched and can be trimmed into any shape. 
Erect English ( T . erecta.) A very fine pyra- 
midal variety of the English Yew, with dark 
green foliage. Hardy and desirable. 
Elegantissima. One of the most valuable gold- 
en-leaved evergreens which we have. In June 
and J uly the leaves of the new growth are of a 
bright straw-color, rendering the plant highly 
effective, either by itself or in connection with 
other conifers. One of the hardiest of the Yews. 
Irish (T. Hibernica.) Of tall, slim growth 
and beautiful dark green foliage; it is of great 
use to planters. As with all Yews, it winters 
better when shaded from the sun during the cold 
months of winter. 
PODOCARPUS 
Japan Yews (P. Japonica.) A peculiar, charm- 
ing, erect tree from Japan, hardier and denser 
than the Irish Yew, eminently fitting it for 
cemetery purposes. 
Lawson Cypress. See page 54. 
