344 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 22, 1891. 
of obtaining peat is great, good sweet leaf soil with a little of the 
natural soil added, answers in many cases remarkably well. The great 
point to be observed is to tread it firmly at planting time, leave the 
surface firm, and do not disturb it by hoeing or digging afterwards. 
As special preparation of the soil is needed, it is a good practice to 
plant in beds and masses ; and, moreover, the majority look best when 
sren in masses, but in the case of Rhododendrons, the plan of planting 
a few of the strong-growing varieties singly on lawns, or near, but not 
under, the shade of other large trees, I would specially recommend, as 
when so treated they develop into grand specimens and make a strong 
feature at flowering time. In the case also of both Azaleas and 
Rhododendrons, four or five plants grouped together in the foreground 
< f shrubberies are very effective. Andromedas and Kalmias are charm¬ 
ing when associated in beds and edged with hardy Heaths. The varieties 
of Ericas most useful for this purpose are E. vagans alba, E. v. carnea, 
and E. v. rubra. Among Andromedas the best I know are A. floribunda, 
A. speciosa, A. formosa, and A. japonica. Rhododendrons and Azaleas 
are so numerous that want of space prevents my enumerating them ; 
but in ordering plants, if the selection is left to respectable trading 
firms, satisfaction is invariably given. 
Evergreens. 
Following in alphabetical order the first evergreen flowering shrub 
which I wish to call attention to is the well known Arbutus Unedo. 
Flowering as it does in October and November, at a time wdien the fruit 
of the previous year is ripe, it serves to brighten the grounds at a season 
wdien but few are in flower in the open air. Certainly none is so 
distinct in appearance as this Arbutus, with its pendent scarlet fruits, 
small white flowers, and deep green leaves. I now come to that 
delightful class of plants which produce flowers of so many attractive 
shades of yellow and orange, I allude to the Berberises, a family which 
I have a special liking for, not only on account of the beautiful colour 
of their flowers, but also because of their elegant habit. In this respect 
B. stenophylla is the most beautiful, though strange to say it is not so 
much grown as some of the others. When once its long arching, slender 
shoots are seen, studded with drooping yellow flowers, it is not soon 
forgotten. B. japonica and B. nepalensis are fine varieties, having large 
leaves, the stems being surmounted with clusters of yellow flowers. 
B. Darwini, B. dulcis, and the various forms of Aquifolia are all 
extremely useful types. B. Darwini and B. stenophylla should either be 
planted singly on law r ns or in prominent positions in shrubberies, where 
they have room to develop their fine branching habit. Buddleia 
globosa is a choice tree, bearing pretty orange yellow flowers. It 
requires the protection of a w r all or a very sheltered position, and rather 
light porous soil ; in such a position it survived the late severe winter 
here. As also did 
Choisya ternata, which is a great acquisition amongst outdoor shrubs, 
producing deliciously scented white flowers, equal in point of merit to 
Orange blossom. Another very uncommon and beautiful shrub is the 
Gum Cistus (Cistus landaniferus), bearing wdrite cup-shaped flowers 
not unlike single Roses ; and its companion C. landaniferus maculatus. 
These, like the two preceding, require a w T arm sheltered position with a 
south aspect. Crataegus Pyracantha and P. crenulata are useful for 
covering walls or fences, principally on account of the scarlet berries 
they produce in the winter; but their flowers are pretty though not 
showy. Daphne Laureola should find a place in every ornamental garden 
on account of the sweet scent the flowers emit, especially in the 
evening. 
Among Escallonias macrantha and rubra are the best I am 
acquainted with, and prove useful for cutting purposes. A particularly 
useful shrub for supplying cut flowers at the present time is Ligus- 
trurn lucidum. It produces large panicles of white flowers, which 
are supported above small green shining leaves. L. ovalifolium is 
another good Privet which flowers in August. Magnolia grandiflora, 
with its large creamy white scented flowers and noble leaves, is grand 
for planting against a wall having a south aspect; and although well 
known could not be left out of this list. Uiex europrea flore-pleno (the 
double Furze) is very effective for planting in the front of other shrubs, 
as it is of dwarf habit, and when covered with its yellow flowers is 
bright and attractive. This closes my list of evergreen flowering trees 
and shrubs, which might be greatly extended, but I have brought to 
notice only those that I know to be good and well worthy of extended 
Cultivation. 
Deciduous Trees and Shrubs. 
Among these some of the most beautiful of all flowering trees are 
found, and I have no hesitation in saying that when these are well 
selected and judiciously planted among evergreens they are capable of 
creating when in flower one of the most striking features about places 
where the grounds are extensive. They are also useful for supplying 
abundance of flowers for cutting. 
Abelia rupestris is the first in this class which I would bring to 
notice. Although not perfectly hardy it will withstand our most severe 
winters in sheltered places. Its small pink svr.etly scented flowers are 
now in full beauty, and though not particularly showy are decidedly 
attractive. 
Many varieties of the Amygdalus family are extremely showy when 
m flower, and as they produce their flowers in the early spring months 
they are worthy harbingers of rich floral feasts to come. Among the 
first to flower is the Bitter Almond (A. communis amara), the showy 
rose-coloured flowers of which are generally produced in March. 
A. communis dulcis (the Sweet Almond), A. c. flore-pleno, and A. nana, 
the latter being of dwarf habit, are some of the best varieties. Among 
deciduous Berberises the several varieties of B. vulgaris are the most 
useful ; atropnrpurea and fructu lutea bear purple and yellow flowers 
respectively. Calycanthus florida (the Allspice) should be freely 
planted in every extensive garden, on account of the delicious cdour the 
flowers emit. 
Catalpa syringrefolia is a beautiful tree, which ought to be grown 
more extensively'. Its habit of growth is similar to that of the Tulip 
Tree, the flowers being produced in panicles, somewhat after the style of 
those of the Horse Chestnut. The time of flowering is August, and fine 
specimens of these beautiful trees are grand when growing singly on 
lawns. 
Cerasus (Cherry).—The numerous varieties of this are exceedingly 
showy, and so well known that no further comment is needed here. 
Cercis siliquastrum (Judas Tree) in some places grows into a fine tree, 
from 20 to 30 feet in height. Its bright purple flowers are produced in 
May. The wood is also beautifully veined with black. Chimonanthus 
fragrans is conspicuous among flowering shrubs on account of producing 
its pale yellow flowers in the depth of winter, and is always highly 
prized where grown. 
Crataegus (Hawthorn).—The numerous varieties of these showy trees 
are so well known as to need but little description here, but I am sure 
my hearers will agree with me that few more lovely plants dot the 
landscape in the month of May than shapely examples of these hardy 
trees when their pendulous shoo‘s are wreathed with red, pink, or white 
flowers. 
Cydonias are showy for covering walls, but in many cases they are 
pruned too closely. If long shoots are laid in freely each year they 
become thickly studded with flowers in the early spring months. This 
fine shrub is perfectly hardy, and as far north as Lincolnshire it 
thrives admirably when grown as a bush in an open position. 
C. japonica, alba, and rosea are each good varieties. 
Cytisus biflorus and C. purpureus are two beautiful deciduous kinds, 
quite hardy, and the yellow Broom, C. scoparius, is bright and showy. I 
must make a special plea for Daphne Mezereum with its pretty red 
flowers, as it is one of the earliest shrubs to flower in the spriDg, and is 
perfectly hardy, but unfortunately not very extensively grown. There 
are, I believe, autumn flowering varieties, but I have had no experience 
with them. 
Deutzias.—These shrubs are very useful, the pearly whiteness of 
their flowers, which are produced in great profusion, render them par¬ 
ticularly suitable for cutting purposes. D. corymbosa, D. crenata, 
D. crenata flore-pleno, D. candidissima and gracilis are all good, the 
last named being of much dwarfer habit than the other varieties. 
Forsythias suspensa and viridissima are charming yellow flowered 
subjects of elegant habit of growth, suitable alike for covering walls 
and for growing as bushes in shrubberies, or as isolated specimens in 
conspicuous positions. The flowers, being produced in March, are espe¬ 
cially welcome. 
I find that my paper is becoming unduly long, while I have yet 
many to deal with. I will, therefore, confine myself to giving a list 
of those subjects which I wish to bring before you, giving their dates 
of flowering. This list I will append below ; but before doing so I will 
pen a few lines about two others not generally known. The first is 
Paulownia imperialis, which forms a handsome tree, in habit of growth 
similar to the Catalpa already mentioned, but the leaves are larger and 
downy, flowers pale violet with dark spots on the inside. The late Mr. 
Kitley of Bath was, I believe, the first to flower this in England. 
The Macartney Roses, Alba Simplex and Rosea Simplex, are not 
often met with ; but they are fine for training against walls in warm 
positions. We have, a thriving plant flowering here at the present time 
which is greatly prized, and wherever grown are certain to be 
appreciated. 
In conclusion, let me urge upon my hearers the great pleasure and 
many benefits to be derived by planting a greater diversity of flowering 
trees and shrubs than is generally done wherever they are engaged in 
the formation of pleasure grounds, and in the innumerable instances 
where large masses of evergreens already exist which possess no special 
feature, except it be a large expanse of monotonous greenness. 
VEGETABLES AT HIGHCLERE. 
Will “ Observer ” say in what respect the notes on vegetables at 
Highclere do not denote Mr. Pope’s connection with either the growing 
or the showing of them ? Surely because one or two dishes were omitted 
from a collection which “ Observer ” thinks ought to have been there, 
does not warrant the inference that what information I there gave on 
his methods for the benefit of Journal readers was not correct. To the 
experienced in matters of vegetable showing the reason for the omission 
of the kinds quoted will be obvious. As I am not in the habit of im¬ 
parting “ assumed ” information I can afford to pass over the opening 
paragraph. Why Mr. Pope had no Turnips in his collection at Edin¬ 
burgh I am unable to say, it did not occur to me to ask. The reason 
Cucumbers are more appreciated during September than in August is not 
difficult to answer—simply because they are not so easily obtained. 
Where space is limited for their growth the plants which have borne 
during the summer become a little exhausted by September, and con¬ 
sequently do not produce fruit up to exhibition form nearly so freely. 
This, no doubt, was the reason why there was an apparent necessity to 
“ comment ” on their absence from his collection at Edinburgh. I have 
not studied the prize list of the show in question, therefore cannot 
