137 
THE GENISTA. 
WITH AN ENGRAVING OF G. aTLEEANA. 
m 
Tiie Genista is an old and generally favorite genus, well de¬ 
serving the little attention requisite to grow it; contributing so 
largely as it does to the embellishment both of the conservatory 
and the flower garden, in the early spring months. 
There are many species common to the whole of Europe, which 
thrive in the open air with us, and produce an abundant display 
of their pleasing bright yellow blossoms, at a time when every 
flower is valuable, however humble. The best of this class is 
perhaps G. triquetra ; grown either as a low shrub on its own 
bottom, or grafted on the Laburnum as a stock to form standards. 
In this way it is exceedingly graceful, and should occupy a place 
on every lawn or flower garden. 
But our attention is now more immediately directed to the 
tender kinds, that is, those which ornament the greenhouse or 
conservatory ; these too are all early flowerers, and the colour 
of their flowers is also yellow. Our first importation was G. 
canariensis, so far back as 1656, since which time it has ever 
held a prominent situation in all collections. G. rodophna and 
racemosa are of later introduction, and are considered superior 
in some respects. 
It is rather surprising when we consider the great number ol 
years we have been in possession of this genus, and remarking 
too how prolific it is of seed, that we have not had a greater num¬ 
ber of improved varieties acquired, so small an amount of trouble 
being required in their management. 
The subject of our present figure is the result of attention to 
this particular. It was raised about four years ago by Mr. Atlee, 
gardener to H. Beaujoy, esq. of Lambeth, from seeds of, we 
believe, G. canariensis. It, peculiar characteristics are a dense 
habit, without being formal, and large copiously produced flowers. 
The superiority it possesses over its parent is obvious in the size 
of the flowers, and more particularly the racemes, which are con¬ 
siderably longer than even G. rodophna, and in relation to the 
latter it has all the advantage of the close compact habit which dis¬ 
tinguishes that plant, without its objectionable lumpish figure. It 
will probably rise to a height of eight or ten feet or even more : 
the original plant is now about half that height, without any ap¬ 
pearance of nakedness, but rising in a neat pyramidal form. 
VOL. IV. KO. VIII. 14 
