FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 17 .S 
that are classified under this heading: 
might also have been placed among the 
larger trees. The cherry laurel (. Lauro- 
cerasus C afoliniana ) is a native of this 
state, and one of the best plants for orna¬ 
mental purposes. It can be used for 
screening for out-buildings, and is also 
very ornamental as single specimens and 
in groups. It may be pruned to any de¬ 
sired shape. It blooms in early spring 
with clusters of white flowers, and retains 
its foliage the year round. It should be 
pruned twice a year to make the growth 
more compact. It is suitable for exten¬ 
sive grounds as well as small areas. It 
should be transplanted during the winter 
months. It has a tendency to produce 
suckers from the roots, which should be 
removed. 
Theholl y (Ilex opaca) is another of our 
best ornamental native plants which can 
be used under almost any conditions. It 
does not require pruning to the extent that 
the cherry laurel does. It makes very orna¬ 
mental single specimens as well as small 
groups. Through the fall and early win¬ 
ter, when covered with its bright red ber¬ 
ries and glossy leaves, which are not shed, 
none of our native plants show off to bet¬ 
ter advantage; and it should be placed 
with this in view. On removing from the 
woods it should be severely pruned and 
defoliated. Then planted in a nursery for 
a year. Larger specimens should be cut 
back to the main trunk and the root sys¬ 
tem should be carefully preserved. There 
are other varieties of Ilex, as Ilex vomi - 
toria, and Ilex cassine, that are natives 
here, which also may be used as ornamen¬ 
tals. 
The American olive ( Osmanthus 
Americanns) is a good native plant. It 
blooms in the spring with clusters of small 
white flowers and is evergreen. The re¬ 
marks made in regard to transplanting 
the holly will apply also to this plant. 
The wax myrtle ( Myrica cerifera) is 
especially valuable in spots inclined to be 
wet and swampy. They should be well 
pruned back before transplanted in the 
spring. 
The dogwood ( Comas florida ) is a 
well-known native plant. It is best trans¬ 
planted in December or January. It is 
subject to borers, but these may be kept 
under control by going over the trees 
twice a year and killing the worms with 
a small wire inserted in the holes in the 
trunk and painted with carbolineum. This 
is the only remedy I have found to be 
successful. 
The red bud or Judas tree ( Cercis can¬ 
adensis) I consider one of the best of our 
native ornamentals. It may be used as a 
background or in groups. I have found 
it one of the easiest to transplant, and it 
requires but little care. 
Some of our native hawthorns ( Cratae¬ 
gus ), of which there are many varieties, 
are very ornamental, especially in mixed 
groupings. 
Among the introduced medium plants 
should be mentioned the camphor tree, a 
well-known plant suitable for single speci¬ 
mens, but not for avenues. Transplant¬ 
ing is best done in early spring, and the 
plants should be defoliated. 
The Japanese varnish tree ( Sterculia 
plant anifolia) is a fine deciduous tree for 
winter effects on account of its br ight 
green bark. It can be procured from nur¬ 
series. 
