February 11, 1905. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
115 
The Garryas. 
The species of Garry a- are not very numerous, about thirteen 
and one hybrid only being known to science. Undoubtedly 
the best-known member of the genus is G. elliptica, which is 
perfectly hardy in most parts of this country, and flowers 
regularly between January and the end of March. Most of 
those in cultivation may be grown in the form of bushes in the 
shrubbery or in beds on the glass, but, although they are not 
climbers in any sense of the term, they may be employed for 
covering walls and buildings, where they reach a much greater 
heignt and are appreciated on account of the evergreen foliage 
and because the flowers, although not very showy, are con¬ 
spicuous on account of the great length of the racemes, and 
because they come at a period of the year when outdoor 
flowers are relatively scarce. 
They are not at all particular in the matter of soil, provided 
it is fairly friable and well drained. A sheltered position 
should, however, be selected, because, like all other evergreen 
subjects, they are liable to be more or less injured during high 
winds and blizzards when the bushes happen to be frozen. The 
wind under such conditions is liable to break off the leaves 
when the stalks are frozen. A sheltered position should be 
selected for this reason in order to preserve the beauty of the 
rich, dark green leaves. 
Propagation may be effected by seeds when obtainable, or 
by cuttings of the half-ripened wood during July and August. 
The cuttings should be inserted in very sandy loam in pots, 
] and the latter stood in a cold frame kept close and shaded 
during bright sunshine until the roots are produced. Young 
plants might also be obtained by layering strong shoots during 
July and August much in the same way as is done with Carna¬ 
tions or shrubs that are treated in this way. Nearly all of 
the species are natives of California and Mexico, while one is 
found in Cuba and Jamaica. The Garryas are members of 
the Dogwood family (Cornus), from which they differ remark¬ 
ably in the form of the inflorescence, especially when that is 
decidedly pendulous. A very marked distinction, however, is 
die union of the bracts forming a cup enclosing the flowers 
previous to their expansion. These bracts constitute a large 
portion, of the attraction of the inflorescence 1 , which resemble 
necklaces. The flowers themselves are individually very small 
and greenish-white. The sexes are produced on different 
plants. 
At present at least four species and the hybrid are in cul¬ 
tivation, while G. laurifolia was introduced from Mexico in 
| 1839, but at present does not seem to be included in any col¬ 
lection. It seems to have been collected by Hartweg about 
the period named, when he was in Mexico on a plant-collecting 
| mission. Many of the plants which he sent home seem to have 
become lost to cultivation since', and collectors of hardy plants 
have not been particularly active in that part of the world 
lately. 
G. elliptica, as above stated, is the best-known garden plant, 
and was introduced from California in 1818—some records say 
i 1828. Our illustration represents a spray of this plant cut. 
about, the beginning of the new year, and sent us by Mr. John 
Crook, gardener to Miss Evan®, Forde Abbey, Chard, Somerset, 
Ahe leaves vary between oblong and elliptic, and are leathery, 
smooth on the upper surface, and very thinly felted on the 
lower surface. The picture shows some of thei leaves placed 
singly upon the stem, but that was merely the result of an 
accident, as they are always developed in pairs. 
Ihe great, feature of this species is the abundance of droop¬ 
ing necklace-like catkins produced by the male plant. The 
flowers on this occasion were expanded by the time w'e received 
tlie sprays, but in colder winters and in midland and northern 
districts the plant would be later and more generally at its 
best in March. These catkins are branched at the base, and 
therefore appear in clusters. 
They hang upon the plant, and continue to be conspicuous 
for many weeks, while the branches may be cut. and kept 
indoors for many weeks likewise. They wall continue to be 
ornamental so long as the leaves keep green and hang upon the 
stems. 
The female plant is also in cultivation and obtainable, but 
unless tne cultivator desires berries, it is not particularly de¬ 
sirable, as the berries are produced in dense, rather stiff 
clusters, and not very highly coloured. 
Ur. macrophylla conies next to the previous one in its fre¬ 
quency in collections, but it is more desirable on account of 
the large size of its evergreen leaves than for its flowers. The 
leaves are ovate, elliptic, and at least twice as large as those 
of G. elliptica, and of a rich, dark green colour. The flowers 
GARRYA ELLIPTICA : MALE PLANT. 
are green and produced in short terminal panicles, so that they 
have not the elegance and tassel-like character of those of its 
better-known congener. It was introduced from Mexico in 
1846, and varies in height from 3 ft. to 6 ft., according to 
age. It blooms in spring. 
G. fadyena is the species that occurs in Cuba and Jamaica, 
having been introduced from the latter place first. It is now 
classed amongst other hardy species, so that in all probability 
it affects the higher mountains of those islands. The leaves 
are elliptic, with a short, hard point somewhat similar to those 
of Ur. elliptica. The catkins of the male flowers are branched 
and drooping, which is one of their most ornamental features, 
