466 
DECIDUOUS SHRUBS, 
and glossy, and in England is considered one of the most ornamen- 
tal of evergreen shrubs, “ the foliage tufting in beautiful masses, 
and covered with a profusion of white flowers which commence 
expanding in November, and continue flowering till April or May.” 
From the fact that this species is not grown in our best nurseries, 
we infer that it is too tender to be grown in the northern States, 
though a common garden-shrub in the south of England. It forms 
a compact shrub from eight to ten feet high. Native of the south 
of Europe and north of Africa. The viburnum., awefuki, or ja- 
ponicuni, is a beautiful new Japanese evergreen variety which, it was 
formerly supposed, would prove hardy ; and the, V. sinensis, a 
Chinese evergreen sort, was once reported entirely hardy in Eng- 
land. We have not heard from either of them in this country. 
Snow-ball Viburnum. Viburniun opulus . — The snow-ball, or 
guelder rose, is a shrub so common, and so showy when in bloom, 
that few, even of towns-people, are unfamiliar with it. Its magnifi- 
cent balls of white flowers, from two to four inches in diameter, 
appear about the first of June, when the lilac has done blooming, 
and for showiness have no equals in their time. The bush is large, 
massy, and though coarse in foliage, spreads broadly and grace- 
fully as it grows old. They may be grown in symmetrical tree- 
form, branching and bending on all sides to the lawn with a wealth 
of “ snow-balls ” exceedingly showy. Either as a bush or tree, it 
requires, at maturity, ten to twelve feet space for its perfect develop- 
ment ; and it sometimes attains a height and breadth of fifteen feet. 
The leaves in autumn assume bright warm colors. 
The Variegated-Leaved, V. o. foliis variegati, has leaves 
variegated with white and yellow. 
The Double-flowering, V. o. flore pletia, flowers double, but 
no more showy than the common sort. 
The Dwarfs, V. o. nana and V. pyg7noea, are very diminutive 
varieties. 
The High-bush Cranberry, V. o. oxycoceus, a large coarse 
shrub or small tree, bearing a fruit that is eatable, and with leaves 
larger and less deeply lobed than the common snow-ball. Its 
flowers are less showy, and a month later. Its fruit resembles the 
cranberry, and may be used in the same way. 
