716 
THE a A RDE ' I NO WORLD . 
September 10, 1S04. 
Notes on Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
Cotoneasters — Although one cannot claim for these that 
they are of any particular value as flowering tree® and shrubs, 
yet, for many purposes', they are almost indispensable in the 
garden, and during the autumn! and winter months, when 
their brightly-coloured fruits are clothing the branches, they 
add considerably to our list, which isi nonei too long, of orna¬ 
mental berried shrubs. Fortunately, they succeed in almost 
any kind of soil, and for this reason can. be used in many 
positions where the majority of shrubs would prove a failure, 
and a very small amount of attention is necessary even to see 
them at their best. Among the Cotoneasters there are both 
evergreen and deciduous varieties, and it is the former which 
are the more valuable for general use. So I propose mention¬ 
ing the most ornamental of these first. 
C. microphylla. —The small-leaved Cotoneaster is one of the 
most) desirable for planting over large boulders, logs of wood, 
etc., as it is of low-growing, rambling habit, and soon cover® 
considerable space. When the numerous branches are studded 
thickly with its small white flower® it. isi a beautiful shrub, and 
one of the best of the genus in this respect; these are suc¬ 
ceeded by innumerable quantities of showy red berries, which 
are very conspicuous when this variety is planted in masise® 
on bank® or ini beds. The same, may be said of the Box-leaved 
Cotoneaster, C. buxifolia, which is, however, a. somewhat, 
stronger grower than the first-named, and the intense green 
foliage produces a, fine effect when planted in any of the above- 
named positions. This variety is also excellent for planting at 
the base of standard tree® on the front of the shrubbery,, for 
instance, and can be kept at a uniform height by pegging the 
longer shoots down, or it makes a pleasing feature if grouped 
in the pleasure ground®!, especially on the grass. A variety 
which is often said to be synonymous with C. huxifolia is C. 
Wheeled, but the two are perfectly distinct. C. Wheeled is 
a much stronger grower, some of the stems reaching a height of 
six feet or more, and the foliage is larger and a. much lighter 
green. Neither does it. flower or fruit nearly so freely as the 
Box-leaved Cotoneaster. 
c. Wheeled is a fine shrub for very bold rock-work, where 
ample -space can be afforded, as some of the branches! have a 
graceful weeping habit, and soon, cover a large area,. This 
shrub deserves to be far more largely grown, than at present. 
C. horizontalis, as the name indicates, throws out its branches 
in a horizontal manner, and, in addition to the general way® 
mentioned above for which Cotoneasters can be used, this is, 
very beautiful for using as a wall -shrub, and has a very dis- 
tine-tive appearance. It does not assume large proportions, and 
is, therefore very suitable for planting aga-inist- low walls.. This 
variety berries very freely, and throughout the winter is 
always much admired. 
Another Cotoneaster which is -see-n to the best advantage 
when- treated as a wall shrub is C. thymifolia, which has ex- 
ceedingly -small foliage and quantitiesi of bright, red fruits. It 
is a, somewhat slow grower, and is valuable! where little wall 
space is at c-ommand. C ! . re-pens, is quite a small creeper, well 
suited for the rock garden, and should be planted close t-o- a 
rock, to which it will cling tenaciously. 
The deciduous sectio-n co-nta-ins several desirable varieties 
which make pleasing specimen® when planted singly in the 
shrubbery, though one or two can be bedded with good effect. 
This applies specially to C. Simonsii, which forms a spreading 
■ bush with almost upright growths, and leaves deep green on 
the upper side and silky beneath. It is- very conspicuous when 
clothed with innumerable quantities, of bright . red. fruits. 
When this shrub becomes too large for the position it occu¬ 
pies, or too crowded when massed, it can be out hard back. 
C. frigida and C. Royleii both form large shrubs, suitable for 
planting singly, and a very plea-sing form of the latter is C. 
Boyleii; pendula, with gracefully-dro-oping, slender branches. 
C. affinis, which carries bunches of fruits, ma-kes a pleasing 
standard when worked on a good length of stem. Some little- 
known varieties, but which, I think, will prove desirable kinds, 
arei C. to-mentosa, which has a- dense, silvery tomentum be¬ 
neath, C. lucidaj and C. aeutifolia. 
Hibiscus. — Throughout the present month the Syrian 
Mallows constitute some of the most handsome of our flower¬ 
ing shrubs-, and though the older varieties! have long been ex¬ 
tensively cultivated, the beautiful double forms are deserving 
of more -attention. They -succeed in the- majority of well- 
drained soils, and, when well established, will reach a heigh-t 
of from six to eight feet. They are be-st left undisturbed after 
becoming settled-, and during very dry weather plenty of water 
should be given at- the roots. Some of' the best varieties are 
rosea plena, eamea plena, amaranthus, rubra plena, spectabilis 
plena, albo pleno, and to-ta alba, a, very beautiful pure white, 
single variety. A. E. Thatchek. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Violets.—-Preparations must soon be made for lifting and 
housing the plants that have been grown in o-pem quarters 
during .summer. Although I do not. advise transplanting these 
into frames too- early ini the autumn, yet there can be no- doubt 
that they -should be transferred toi their winter* quarters by 
the -second or third week in the present month, as they then 
become re-established and robust before unfavourable weather 
sets in, thus ensuring healthy, well-rooted plants that will 
flower abundantly and pass through -the rvinter well. The 
damping off of the fo-liage in winter that we frequently hear 
of may safe-ly be attributed in, great part to soft, improperly 
matured growth before lifting, or a- too close atmosphere imme¬ 
diately after. 
In, my opinion, the best possible structure for the plant® is 
a brick pit having a hot-water pipe running round; not that 
much fire-heat is required, but for t-lie purpose of dispelling 
damp during periods of dull weather, when the lights can be 
opened. Any frame answers fairly well if placed in a light 
open position and good drainage afforded. Sufficient soil 
should be put- in to ensure the plant® being within 6 in-., of the 
glass. An- open, sweet- comp-os-t should be used, and it may 
consist -of equal parts leaf-soil and loam, with some wood ashes 
and road grit added-, or if the grower has a rich garden s-oil it 
will answer without any of these- ingredients. If the plants 
-are infested with insects, the tops should be -dipped in a 
solution, of soft soap and tobacco juice as they are lifted. A 
copious, watering should be given the day before lifting takes 
place, and see that a good ball of soil is retained to each. In 
planting, make firm and do- not bury the crown ; this also- is 
a, fruitful source,of damping o-ff the blossoms and young leaves. 
TV hem, planting is completed, keep rather close for a few days, 
and shade lightly on hot days- j afterward® give air freely; in 
‘ fact, the lights should be kept off until there is danger of 
frost or heavy rains. 
Bouvardias.—The best results in the cultivation of these 
useful -decorative plants- follows the- system of growing in the 
-open, either in pots or planted out during summer, but- the 
plants must b-e housed early in autumn. If planted out, they 
should now be lifted and potted up, taking care to retain a 
ball of -earth s-o- that the plants receive but little check. In 
the case of those kept in pots land plunged, they must be 
cleansed and the drainage -examined before- removal toi the 
greenhouse. As- the flowers o-pe-n, maintain a drier atmosphere 
about them than formerly, and give a weekly application of 
diluted manure-water until in full blossom, when only clear 
water should be afforded. 
