March  1\  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
211 
FLOWERING  TREES  AND  ’  SHRUBS. 
{Concluded  f  rom  page  183.) 
Evergreen. 
These  should  always  be  planted  to  a  considerable  extent  in  the 
formation  and  remodelling  of  gardens,  because  there  are  various 
positions  where  it  is  undesirable  to  plant  trees  which  present  only 
bare  branches  throughout  the  winter.  True  it  is  that  there  is 
beauty  in  leafless  twigs,  but  they  are  not  effective  screens  during 
the  dull  season,  and  the  object  in  planting  is  often  to  hide  buildings 
or  unsightly  places,  as  well  as  to  form  secluded  spots.  Both  these 
objects  can  be  secured  by  the  employment  of  evergreen  trees  and 
shrubs,  and  if  a  fair  proportion  of  them  are  showy  flowering  ones 
there  need  be  no  lack  of  brightness  and  variety. 
In  the  southern  parts  of  England  Arbutus  UDedo  succeeds  well, 
and  where  it  does  so  it  presents  a  most  attractive  and  unique 
appearance  during  the  early  autumn  months,  for  then  its  white 
flowers  and  large  scarlet  fruits  hang  in  numerous  panicles  from 
shoots  well  furnished  with  deep  green  leaves.  Here  in  the 
Midlands  I  have  not  seen  it  fruiting,  although  we  have  a  few  large 
plants  which  flower  annually,  and  for  its  flowering  qualities  alone 
it  is  worth  growing. 
All  points  considered,  I  fancy  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a 
more  showy  and  useful  genus  of  flowering  shrubs  than  the  Ber- 
beris.  The  species  and  varieties  are  all  easily  grown,  and  when 
once  they  become  established  produce  a  fine  display  of  blossom 
each  year.  Seasons  seem  to  affect  them  but  little,  for  their 
flower*  come  and  go  with  unfailing  regularity.  Darwiniis  a  species 
which  should  be  grown  in  every  garden  where  there  is  room  for 
one  Berberis,  as  it  forms  a  densely  branched  handiome  shrub, 
which  is  most  attractive  at  all  times.  The  flowers  are  of  a  bright 
orange  colour,  and  are  produced  in  wonderful  profusion  on  grace¬ 
fully  arching  branches.  Plant  it  if  possible  on  a  bank  in  a  sunny 
position  ;  it  will  then  thrive  well,  and  display  its  charms  to  the 
best  advantage. 
B.  buxifolia,  better  known  as  dulcis,  is  an  exceedingly  elegant 
kind,  whicifc  produces  long  slender  shoots,  and  leaves  of  a  fresh 
green  colour  ;  the  latter  associate  well  with  the  soft  yellow  colour 
of  the  flowers.  The  plants  should  be  given  a  good  position,  as  they 
are  not  so  well  able  to  take  care  of  themselves  as  are  those  of 
Darwini.  Nana  is  a  pretty  form  of  dulcis,  which  seldom  grows 
more  than  2  feet  high.  Stenophylla  is  a  fine  variety  for  planting 
upon  a  rockery — on  a  bank,  where  it  can  be  kept  clear  of  stronger¬ 
growing  shrubs.  It  never  attains  a  great  height,  but  sends  out 
long  graceful  shoots,  which  in  time  droop  almost  to  the  ground 
It  may  be  correctly  termed  a  pendulous  variety.  Of  the  well- 
known  aquifolium  there  are  several  forms,  the  principal  difference 
between  them  being  in  the  size  and  style  of  their  leaves.  All  are 
excellent  for  planting  as  a  fringe  to  shrubberies,  for  covering 
banks,  or  unsightly  places  under  the  shade  of  trees. 
By  pruning  the  plants  annually,  just  before  growth  begins, 
they  quickly  form  a  dense  mass,  and  may  if  required  be  kept  to  a 
foot  in  height,  or  if  necessary  they  will  reach  a  height  of  5,  and 
yet  present  a  dense  leafy  surface.  B.  japonica  and  B.  nepalensis 
are  both  handsome  varieties,  of  upright  habit  of  growth,  which 
produce  very  large  leaves.  They  should  be  planted  in  deep  rich 
soil,  in  a  somewhat  shady  position. 
Buddlea  globosa  is  unfortunately  not  often  met  with,  doubtless 
because  it  is  somewhat  tender  but  if  given  the  protection  of  a 
wall  and  a  south  aspect,  only  our  most  severe  winters  injure  it 
fatally.  Its  flowers  are  so  unique  in  appearance  that  they  are 
worth  taking  some  trouble  to  secure.  Choisya  ternata  is  another 
neglected  shrub,  which  bears  a  profusion  of  strongly  scented  white 
flowers,  much  resembling  Orange  blossom.  I  consider  it  to  be 
perfectly  hardy,  as  we  have  a  large  plant  growing  on  a  wall  that 
sweeps  round  to  the  east,  at  a  point  where  the  wind  sometimes 
catches  it  with  tremendous  force,  yet  this  plant  was  not  materially 
injured  during  the  severe  winters  of  1893  and  1894.  Cuttings  root 
quite  easily,  so  there  is  really  no  valid  reason  why  this  scented 
shrub  should  not  be  universally  grown. 
Cistus  ladaniferus  (Gum  Cistus)  with  its  cup  shaped,  delicate 
white  flowers  should  be  grown  wherever  a  small  space  of  wall, 
having  a  sunny  aspect,  can  be  spared.  C.  1.  maculatus,  C.  creticus, 
and  C.  florentinus  are  also  good  varieties. 
Good  specimens  of  Desfontainea  spinosa  are  sometimes  met 
with  in  the  south-western  counties,  and,  although  I  am  not  sure  if 
it  is  quite  hardy  in  the  Midlands,  it  is  certainly  worthy  of  being 
given  a  trial  on  account  of  its  great  beauty  when  in  flower. 
Daphne  Laureola  (Spurge  Laurel)  is  a  well-known  low-growing 
shrub,  useful  for  growing  under  the  shade  of  trees,  as  the  shoots 
branch  freely,  and  are  very  pliable  by  pegging-down  ;  a  single  plant 
will  in  time  cover  a  large  space  and  be  kept  quite  dwarf.  Pontica 
is  highly  prized  on  account  of  the  delicious  fragrance  the  flowers 
emit,  especially  in  the  evening  ;  for  this  reason  it  should  be  freely 
planted  in  various  positions. 
Fully  expanded  flowers  or  opening  buds  may  usually  be  seen  on 
the  Laurustinus  at  Christmas,  unless  the  weather  is  exceptionally 
severe.  After  very  sharp  winters  many  of  the  older  branches  are 
killed  to  the  ground  line  ;  it  should  therefore,  if  possible,  be  planted 
in  a  rather  sheltered  position.  Frobeli  is  a  very  compact  form, 
bearing  pure  white  flowers,  and  judging  by  the  behaviour  of  the 
few  plants  we  have  of  it,  it  is  hardier  than  the  common  form. 
Among  the  Ligustrums  (Privets)  lucidum  and  1.  coriaceum 
are  two  of  the  most  showy  ;  the  former  flower*  in  early  autumn 
and  the  latter  in  June  or  July.  Each  bears  large  panicles  of  white 
or  greenish  white  flowers. 
Like  many  other  indigenous  plants  the  several  varieties  of  Ulex 
are  extremely  showy,  and  well  adapted  for  planting  in  gardens. 
Good  dwarf  bushe*  are  always  telling  when  in  flower  if  situated  in 
the  foreground  of  shrubberies,  but  to  my  mind  their  great  value 
lies  in  their  capacity  for  clothing  dry  banks  where  the  soil  is  poor, 
and  perhaps  interlaced  with  tree  roots.  In  almost  every  garden 
places  of  this  description  exist,  where  many  things  have  been 
planted  with  but  poor  results.  To  all  who  have  a  difficulty  of  this 
kind  to  overcome  my  advice  is  insert  at  once  seeds  of  Ulex  europea 
nana  ;  do  not  be  sparing  of  seed,  and  when  the  young  plants 
appear  keep  them  free  from  weeds.  By  doing  this  you  will  in  the 
course  of  a  few  years  be  able  to  convert  an  unsightly  spot  into  one 
presentable  in  appearance  at  all  times,  and  which  in  the  early  spring 
months  will  be  a  vision  of  golden  beauty. 
Many  of  the  Yeronieas  are  pretty  dwarf  shrubs,  unfortunately 
not  quite  hardy.  What  a  gem  Andersoni  variegata  would  be  were 
it  perfectly  hardy  !  In  sheltered  positions  I  have  known  plants 
thrive  well  for  a  few  years,  but  they  have  always  Succumbed  to 
*evere  winters  at  last.  Traversi  is,  therefore,  the  only  one  I 
recommend  for  planting,  except  in  especially  favoured  districts. 
In  drawing  these  notes  to  a  close  I  am  tempted  to  express  the 
hope  that  they  may  be  the  means  of  directing  attention  to  the 
desirability  of  planting  more  extensively  the  good  things  sent  us  from 
foreign  land*,  so  that  this  fair  island  may  be  made  fairer  still.  We 
all,  I  think,  must  sometimes  read  with  envy  the  graphic  descriptions 
given  by  travellers  of  the  floral  beautie*  to  be  met  with  in  more 
sunny  climes  ;  but  methinks  that  England  may  be  made  as  bright 
and  beautiful  as  any,  seeing  from  how  many  countries  we  obtain 
shrubs  which  will  blossom  in  full  glory  here. 
Botanical  collectors  have  done  their  part  towards  the  achieve¬ 
ment  of  this  result  by  expending  their  energy  and  risking  their 
lives  to  send  us  the  best  the  world  can  give.  To  complete  the 
work  the  mutual  efforts  of  gardeners  and  their '  employers  are 
required,  for  if  the  latter  contribute  some  of  their  wealth  toward* 
the  project,  and  the  former  select,  plant,  and  cultivate  intelligently, 
time  and  a  bountiful  Creator  will  do  the  rest. — H.  Dunkin, 
Castle  Gardens,  Warwick. 
THE  MISSION  OF  FLOWERS. 
For  surely  flowers  hav6  a  mission,  if  it  be  but  to  assure,  to 
comfort,  and  to  cheer.  It  is  not  only  nectar  for  bee  and  butterfly, 
and  seed  for  birds,  but  variety,  beauty,  and  fragrance  for  the 
wayside  embellishment,  so  that  he  who  runs  may  read.  The  more 
we  take  delight  in  the  study  of  Nature  the  more  we  appreciate 
and  enjoy  it.  Sir  Thomas  Browne  speaks  wisely  on  this  subject. 
“  The  wisdom  of  God,’’  says  he,  “  receives  small  honour  from  those 
vulgar  heads  that  rudely  stare  about  and  with  a  gross  rusticity 
admire  His  works,,  those  highly  magnifying  Him  whose  judicious 
inquiry  into  His  acts,  and  deliberate  research  into  His  creatures, 
return  the  duty  of  a  devout  and  learned  devotion.”  Most  of  us 
enjoy  beauty  of  form  and  colour  and  sweet  odour*.  What  can  one 
have’  more  beautiful  than  even  our  common  wild  flowers — the 
chaste  elegance  of  the  peerless  Lily  of  the  Yalley  and  the  wreaths 
of  the  fragrant  Wild  Rose  ?  Were  the  humble  wildings  that 
carpet  our  woodlands,  and  garland  our  hedges,  and  put  a  bordering 
of  Myosotis  and  Meadow  Sweet  along  our  riversides  less  abundant, 
we  should  perhaps  admire  and  esteem  them  more.  But,  alas  !  our 
children  are  too  much  occupied  at  school  in  the  wretched  routino 
of  the  so-called  education  given  that  there  is  no  time  to  “  consider 
the  Lilies.”  , 
I  cannot  help  thinking  at  times  of  that  Carpenter  s  Son  who, 
with  his  faithful  followers,  “  downhearted,”  as  country  folk  say, 
passed  through  the  fields  of  Galilee,  rubbing  now  and  again  the 
ears  of  corn  in  their  hands,  as  they  were  allowed  to  do  by  their 
code  of  laws.  “  Knowing  their  thoughts,”  he  pau«es  by  the  way 
to  utter  those  few  poignant  words,  ‘  .Consider  the  Lilies,  how  they 
grow  !  ”  And  surely  the  humblest  florist  must  be  convinced  of  the 
absolute  truth  that  “  even  Solomon  in  all  bis  glory  was  not  arrayed 
like  one  of  these.”  Glares  into  the  corona  of  the  wild  Narcissus, 
