Ornamental Trees, Flowering Shrubs, Etc. 
COLUTEA. Bladder Senna 
A genus composed of a few shrubs bearing pea¬ 
shaped flowers in axillary racemes; perhaps all are 
but varieties of one species, described below. Natives 
of the middle and south of Europe, and entirely 
hardy here. 
C. arborescens. Arborescent Colutca. A very rapid¬ 
growing, large shrub, producing yellow flowers 
during summer. The bloom is succeeded by large 
bladder-like pods or legumes, assuming a reddish 
tint at maturity. It is of easy culture in almost any 
soil. 
COMPTONIA. Sweet Fern 
A genus of native shrubs. Composed of one spe¬ 
cies, closely allied to the Sweet Gale family. It is 
found mostly in sterile soils and does well in almost 
any situation. The leaves are lobed, deep green, and 
delightfully fragrant. 
C. peregrina (Syn., C. asplenifolia). Sweet Fern. 
A small bush not over t or 2 feet in height, admir¬ 
ably adapted for planting dry banks, etc. It is 
quite fern-like in appearance, which, added to its 
aromatic perfume, entitles it to general notice for 
massing in cultivated grounds. 
CORNUS. Dogwood 
With the exception of C. Jlorida , the family of 
Dogwoods are not showy when in bloom, but they 
are especially useful for the rich coloring of the bark 
in some species, and the bright autumnal lints in the 
foliage of almost all. They are rapid-growing, bushy 
shrubs, of great value to the landscape architect, who 
can discern beauty in the drupaceous fruits of various 
colors, as well as in the bright, healthy foliage of 
the entire family. 
C. alternilolia. Blue Dogwood. Another native plant, 
quite distinct, which forms a large shrub or small 
tree. The peculiar arrangement of the 
branches gives the shrub a tabular or 
flattened aspect. The bark is greenish, 
striped with white; the fruit is deep blue. 
C. amomum (Svn., C. serieea). Silky 
Dogwood. A native shrub, found usually 
in low, damp soil, but succeeding well 
on high ground also. Bark purplish ; 
leaves ovate, pointed, with a silky 
pubescence on the under side. Fruit 
pale blue; growth less rapid than in 
most other species. 
C. candidissima (Syn., C. paniculata). 
Panicled Dogwood. A medium-sized, 
very rapid-growing shrub, very much 
branched, with numerous panicles of 
pure white flowers. The branches are 
smooth and gray, with ovate-lanceolate 
foliage, whitish beneath. Fruit abun¬ 
dant and pure white. A native of the 
northern states, where it forms dense 
masses bv numerous suckers. 
CORNUS Mas. Cornelian Cherry. This introduced 
species forms a large shrub or low tree. It is re¬ 
markable for the beauty of its yellow flowers anti 
large, brilliant scarlet fruit. It is generally of slow 
growth, but of long duration, and may be recom¬ 
mended for extensive culture. 
C. sanguinea. English Dogwood. The true C. san¬ 
guinea is very unlike C. stolonifera. having dark 
purplish red bark and dark purple fruit. It is not 
nearly so effective for ornamental purposes as the 
latter, although valuable for heavy masses of shrub¬ 
bery and especially where little attention is given the 
plantation. It is occasionally sold under the name 
of C. Siberian. 
var. foliis variegatis. Fariegatcd Dogwood. A 
form of the preceding, having the foliage distinctly 
marked with pure white. It stands the direct rays 
of the sun with reasonable success, but in partial 
shade the effect is enhanced. It is quite hardy. 
C. Spaethi. Golden-Leaved Dogwood. This is evi¬ 
dently a chance variety of one of the foregoing spe¬ 
cies, probably alba, and is a decided acquisition 
to ornamental grounds. The foliage is richly 
marked with yellow variegations, and does not burn 
badly in the full sun. 
C. stolonifera (Syn., C. alba. Erroneously C. san¬ 
guinea). Red-Twigged Dogwood. Owing to its 
bright red bark, this species is more popular with 
planters than any other, but there is great confusion 
in the names, so that C. sanguinea, of Europe, an 
inferior species, is frequently substituted for this. 
Fruit white or lead-colored. Leaves ovate, pointed 
and whitish underneath. 
var. aurea. Golden-Twigged Dogwood. A form 
of the above, just introduced into cultivation. The 
bark is bright golden yellow and makes a distinct 
and pretty contrast to the species. It is entirely 
hardy and of vigorous growth in any good soil, 
var. marginata. IFliitc-Margined Dogwood. An¬ 
other strictly new and very pleasing form of the Red- 
Twigged Dogwood, with a distinct white band 
around the edge of each leaf 
C. circinata. Round- Leaved Dogwood. 
A large shrub, with greenish branches 
and roundish oval leaves, woolly under¬ 
neath. The fruit is light blue. As the 
foliage is larger than in any other species, 
it is distinct all summer long. Quite 
rare in cultivation, but deserving of 
more consideration. 
