January 10, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
Ornamental Otrees anb Shrubs. 
Magnolia stellata. 
A large number of the species of Mangolia in cultivation 
assume the dimensions of trees of greater or less height ; others 
make large bushes when they have had time to attain full 
development. That under notice makes quite a dwarf-bush, 
varying from 2 ft. to 3 ft. in height, though it takes some 
time to attain the latter figure, as it grows slowly. Its dwarf 
habit makes it very useful for planting in beds or clumps on 
the grass, and when once established it requires little attention, 
beyond keeping down the weeds, and top-dressing it annually 
Magnolia stellata. 
with some well-decayed manure or leaf-mould and soil to 
maintain its vigour. 
The species is often known in gardens under the name of 
M. halleana. Botanists seem also to have been puzzled with 
it, for Siebold and Zuccarini called it Buergeria stellata, and 
Miguel named it Talauma- stellata. The petals are much 
narrower than is customary in Magnolia, and spread nearly 
horizontally when fully expanded; hence, the name stellata 
or starry. The flowers are white, and produced in March 
or April, according to- the character of the weather, mild or 
otherwise, at that period. They also expand in advance of 
the foliage, so that they endow the small bushes with a wealth 
of blossom that is effective from a considerable distance, 
because not hidden or buried amongst the leaves, as is the case 
with the summer flowering species of the genus. 
The accompanying illustration shows the general character 
of this Magnolia, which might be likened to M. conspieua in 
its habit of flowering in spring while yet leafless, but the starry 
form of the flower is altogether different, as is the small siz-' 
of the whole plant. A figure of it is also- given in the 
“Botanical Magazine,” t. 6370. It is a native of Japan, and 
though the flowers are liable to be hurt occasionally during 
the prevalence of frosty and diy-east winds, yet it is otherwise 
hardy. Its slow growing habit makes it useful for potroultui e, 
and suitable for the decoration of the greenhouse, conserva¬ 
tory, or winter garden in early spring. 
The Spanish Furze—Genista hispanica. 
None of the dwarfer Brooms would be more missed from 
our gardens than this, for not one of them produces a moi e 
brilliant effect when in flower. Commonly called the “ Spanish 
Furze ” (in distinction to the “ Spanish Broom ”—Spartium 
junceum), it is, nevertheless, a Broom and not a Furze. At 
the same time it has a veiy Furze-like aspect, owing to its 
1:ranches being spiny. It is a dwarf shrub, rarely more than 
from 18 in. to 2 ft. high, and of spreading, compact habit. A 
single plant will ultimately attain to a diameter of a yard 
or more. It is usually in flower by the third week in May, and 
remains so- till well into June. During that time it is singu¬ 
larly beautiful, the whole plant being covered with the head; 
of yellow blossoms. The prevailing colour of the flowers cf 
Genista and Cytisus is yellow, but in scarcely one of them is 
it of such a bright and yet rich a shade as in the Spanish 
Furze-. At Kew it is used freely in beds and in borders ; a 
few good specimens in the rockery also make an effective 
display. 
Like most of the Genistas that are hardy in this country, 
it produces seed in plenty, and this affords a good means of 
propagating it. It can, however, be increased by cuttings 
also. It has but one defect as a garden plant, and this is a 
propensity to decay in the centre during the winter. It seems 
to be affected more by excessive damp and unseasonable 
warmth in winter than by mere- cold, and during mild, wet 
winters patches of brown decayed branches often disfigure 
the plants. They should not be destroyed, however, for after 
trimming over they break freely into growth from the o-lder 
wood, and before the end of the season are furnished as well 
as ever. An over-rich soil will increase this defect, as will 
anything, indeed, that tends to- produce a soft, quick growth, 
rather than a short, hard one. 
The plant, although it has but few leaves, has quite ti e 
effect of an evergreen, owing to its dense mass of green twigs 
and spines. It is a native of Spain and other parts of South¬ 
western Europe, and has been cultivated in Britain rearly 
150 years. 
Azara microfhylla —A small-leaved shrub from Chili, 
growing upwards of 20 ft. high, erect in habit, and bearing 
small greenish inconspicuous flowers with a vanilla-like 
fragrance. It is not absolutely hardy, being cut down to the 
ground at Kew in very severe winters. Still, it is worth growing 
for its singularly graceful habit and distinct appearance. 
Aucuba jafonica.— When first introduced from Japan this 
well-known shrub was grown in the greenhouse. It has 
proved to be one of the hardiest and mo-st useful of ever¬ 
greens, and used for furnishing in shady places ; even beneath 
trees it has few equals. It- has been greatly raised from seed, 
and dozens of named varieties are now offered by nurserymen. 
Some of them are indistinguishable, especially after being 
grown for a few years ; but some, on the other hand, are strik¬ 
ingly distinct. Cuttings of the Aucuba are very easily rooted 
in a little heat. 
Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. The 
female plants are worth growing for the winter effect they 
produce by the rich crop of light-red berries. The contiguity 
of male plants is, of course, necessaiy. 
Arctostaphylos. —Of the five or six species in cultivation 
A. Uva-Ursi and A. to-mentosa. are best worth growing. The 
former is a trailing shrub, useful for draping banks or rocks 
It is found in the Highlands of Scotland. 
A. tomentosa, is a Californian bush with orbicular glaucous 
leaves. W. J. Bean. 
