8G2 
THE GARDEN I NO WORLD 
October 17. 1993. 
WORK OF THE WEEK. 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
At the time of writing it would seem that we may expect 
but little improvement in the weather this year, for a gale is 
blowing and the rain-gauge continues to record heavy down¬ 
falls. Already over 29 in. have fallen, which is 4 in. in excess 
of the average for twelve months', and the greatest quantity 
registered here in, the time for many years. This is not a 
very promising outlook for the trees and shrubs, which needed 
a tine warm autumn to ripen, the wood, and should a hard 
winter follow, it is probable that many will suffer in conse¬ 
quence. It is advisable to- collect now some suitable material 
for giving those shrubs which require it a, slight protection, 
such as dry Bracken, being as serviceable as anything. Store 
in the dry under cover until wanted, and this will also, be very 
suitable for protecting wall shrubs, etc. At this, season, in 
spite of the depressing weather, there are many subjects which 
are beautifying our gardens with the richness of their autumn 
tints, to many even more beautiful than the spring ones, 
though it tends to remind one of the dreary season to follow. 
To the observant eye' there is always something of interest 
even in the depth of winter. 
One of the most beautiful—in fact., there is no other shrub 
that surpasses it for gorgeous colour at. this season—is Disan- 
thus cercidifolia, a Japanese shrub which is mw to this country, 
but will become a, general favourite when better known. In 
general appearance it very closely resembles Cercidiphyllum 
japonicum, and with us has proved quite hardy in an, exposed 
position and cold, clay soil. It does not. appear to. flower in a 
young state, but the beauty of the' foliage is sufficient to warrant 
its inclusion in the best collections. 
In addition to those shrubs conspicuous, for their foliage, 
there are several in flower, and on, account of their lateness are 
most valuable. 
Caryopterisi Ma.stacanthus or Mastacanthus sinensis is a 
Chinese shrub of great beauty and of striking appearance at 
the present time. It makes a small bush about 4 ft. in height 
and as much or more in width, the tendency being to make a 
spreading shrub rather than increase in stature. The flowers 
are blue and produced in large quantities 1 on the current season’s 
growth, and the foliage is green, above and silvery white 
beneath, which makes it very conspicuous'. We give a slight, 
protection in, winter, for with severe weather the branches get 
cut to the ground. 
Arbutus Unedo —Though a, fairly common shrub in this 
country and generally called the Strawberry Tree, this seems 
to be one of the most, desirable shrubs for the mixed border, 
on account of the great, quantities of waxy white, pendulous 
flowers it is now carrying. These are succeeded by numbers 
of deep red fruits somewhat, similar to a Strawberry, but quite 
round and of insipid flavour, which remain on the' shrub 
through the winter. It. forms a dense bushy shrub, with dark 
green, lustrous' foliage, about, 8 ft,, in height, and in every 
way is one of the best of evergreens. 
Abelia chinensis. —-Grown as a wall plant or in the open, 
this is a, shrub of great beauty, with sweetrscented, tubular 
flowers, white; slightly tinged pink in colour, and which are 
produced with great freedom in. clusters o'n all the shoots, large 
and small. Given, a well-drained position and fairly good 
soil, it, leaves nothing to be desired, and is one of the hand¬ 
somest deciduous shrubs. 
Hibiscus syriacus totus albus, —All the Syrian Mallows are 
beautiful flowering shrubs, this one especially so, and though 
by no means new, it well deserved the Award of Merit, given 
by the Floral Committee at a recent meeting. It has been 
in flower for a considerable time now, and not being injured 
by the weather the quantity of unopened buds should give 
a, display for a, long period. The flowers are single, about 
2 in, across and pure white, and this variety with us is not 
nearly such a strong grower a,s many of the others, though 
perfectly hardy and worthy of extended cultivation. 
Lespedeza Sieboldi (syn. Desmodium penduliflorum). —This 
Chinese shrub has not, become so- widely known as it deserves 
to be, owing to the fact that many consider it not hardy. 
This, I think, is a. mistaken idea; having stood the winter for 
several years totally unprotected in these gardens is a sufficient 
proof of its hardiness. Given a good soil, it attains a height 
of 6 ft., and at this season produces several large racemes of 
small, showy reddish-purple flowers resembling a Pea in shape. 
A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Among the Orchids. 
Plants in Flower. —The plants'now developing their flower- 
buds and expanding their flowers are certainly the most 
welcome kinds, as well as being the most useful in cultivation. 
At the present, season the outdoor supply, of flowers is very 
limited indeed, while the indoor Chrysanthemums are not ready 
for cut-flower arid decorative purposes. At such seasons it is 
well to draw particular attention, to the kinds of Orchids which 
may be, mentioned as useful for the above-mentioned purposes. 
In the cool division Odoutoglossum cprhosum will be ex¬ 
panding their flowers', and, together with 0. Pescatorei, make 
useful subjects for cutting. In the slightly warmer conditions 
we find 0. grande. Owing to the-extensive manner in which 
this species lias, been introduced during the past season or two, 
they may be procured for a modest outlay, and from the manner 
in which they have been secured it would indicate that tlieir 
gaudy tints were becoming appreciated in the manner they 
deserve. A few daysi ago I saw a house with some hundreds 
of flowers expanded ; a more attractive display could not be 
imagined, and when, arranged in the conservatory or among 
small groups; for effect they are very telling indeed. 
In this division also, where the atmospheric conditions ire 
kept as dry as possible, the plants of D.endrobium Phalaenopsis 
have been removed from the stove or warm division. After 
the scapes have become expanded they last in perfection for a 
much longer period when removed to cooler and drier condi¬ 
tions of the atmosphere. The flowers also, after being cut, are 
much more durable after the plants: have stood in a cooler 
temperature for a few days. The later-grown plants of 1). 
formosum giganteum should be removed here after their 
flowers have become fully expanded. Retained in a warm 
housie with a, humid atmosphere, they are almost sure to, become 
spotted on the white segments, which quickly renders them 
useless for cut-flower purposes. 
For the; next six weeks the Cattleya, house will be the most 
attractive, of the divisions of Orchid houses. The lovely 
hybrids derived from the influence of Cattleya bowringiana as 
one of the parents are now making the best display ; their use¬ 
fulness, combined with their free growing and flowering char¬ 
acteristics, will render their cultivation more extensive in the 
near future. The lovely hybrids, such as C. Maronii and C. 
Iris, have introduced quite a new race ; their bronzy sepals and 
petals and highly coloured la,heliums give a. pleasing and 
striking contrast, to the lilac segments of other members of 
the Cattleya family in, flower at, the present season. 
The hybrids also of Laeli'a, crispa are exceedingly attractive, 
and are: a striking contrast to the larger hybrids, such'as 
Cattleya hardyana,, C. Lord Rothschild, C. chamberlainiana. 
and the striking tints found among the variable, L.c. bleteh- 
leyensis and L.c. gottoian.a. The above mentioned will not be 
passed out of flower before we get the bulk of C. labiata ex¬ 
panding. There is no species more highly appreciated than 
this where there is a demand for cut flower's during the late 
autumn. The moisture in this division, will have to be applied 
with considerable discretion. Damping on.ee a day should he 
ample. The amount afforded should be governed by the pre*- 
vailing- outside conditions. During foggy or wet weather little 
moisture in the atmosphere should prevail, and in bright 
weather it should be applied sufficiently early to permit it be¬ 
coming distilled before the cool evening temperature sets in. 
H. J. 
