CHAPTER XXIV

TENDER SHRUBS AND TREES IN THE SOUTH-WEST[1]

The possibilities that exist of the successful open-air culture of tender subjects in the south-west are but little dreamt of by the majority of English flower-lovers. They doubtless read with interest the accounts in the horticultural press of Australian, Chilian, and Californian flowering trees and shrubs growing in their native habitats, and possibly feel a desire to visit these climes in order that they may verify with their own eyes the truth of their readings. As a matter of fact, however, a lengthy sea-voyage is by no means indispensable in order to view certain of these exotics flourishing in the open air, for a few hours' journey by rail will bring the passenger to a land where many of these denizens of other climes may be seen enjoying robust health under English skies.

The following list of tender shrubs and trees growing in the gardens of the south-west cannot claim to be an exhaustive one, since it contains only such as have been personally noticed in good health during rambles along the southern coast-line of Cornwall and Devon, and, where no lengthened inspection is possible, it is obvious that certain species and varieties must be overlooked. Incomplete, however, as it doubtless is, it should give an idea of the climatic advantages enjoyed by the district in question.

Many of the subjects mentioned are growing in Tresco Abbey gardens, Isles of Scilly, but most of these are also found in mainland gardens as well. Where any have been met with at Tresco only, the fact is noted, but these may also be present on the mainland.

The soil of the Scillies, which is composed apparently of peat and disintegrated granite, and is almost identical with much of that around Penzance, is admirably adapted for hard-wooded Australian, New Zealand, and Chilian shrubs and trees, and almost all the species and genera enumerated would be best suited by a compost in which peat and leaf-mould and granite sand formed the chief proportion, although it must be allowed that some alluded to have been found to succeed equally well in sandy loam. Porosity in the soil is indispensable, for, in this district, where the winter rains are often exceptionally heavy, unless the water percolates rapidly through the ground, stagnant moisture collects around the roots, a condition which is absolutely fatal to success. The advantages of the Cornish granite sand are gradually being appreciated. Mr. Fitzherbert writes, "I was told the other day by an acquaintance that since he had imported it by the truck-load to his Sussex garden he was able to grow many things successfully that he had before failed with."

ABELIA FLORIBUNDA.--Mexico. A beautiful evergreen shrub, bearing clusters of drooping pink flowers about 3 inches in length. Requires a sunny and sheltered site. Finest specimen 6 feet. Several gardens.

ABUTILON VEXILLARIUM.--Rio Grande. A handsome evergreen species generally grown against a wall. It throws up long, slender, arching shoots from 6 to 8 feet in length, studded with pendulous ball-shaped flowers with crimson sepals, yellow petals, and dark-brown stamens which are very striking and often remain in bloom for six months. Common. _A. vitifolium_--Chili. A most ornamental evergreen shrub of which there are two forms, one bearing lavender flowers, the other white. In exceptional cases it attains a height of 20 feet, and when covered with its large blossoms, which are about 3 inches in diameter, and feathered to the ground with foliage, it presents a lovely picture. Large specimens form pyramids of bloom, and in some gardens numbers of these are to be found. Wall protection unnecessary.

ACACIAS.--Australia. In Cornish and South Devon gardens many species are to be met with in robust health. _A. affinis_, very generally confounded with _A. dealbata_, is the most common. In many cases _A. affinis_ is grown as _A. dealbata_. The leaves of the former are green, while those of the latter are bluish and its flowers are less bright in colour. A group of _A. affinis_ about 35 feet in height was a wonderful sight at Tregothnan at the end of March, being simply covered with golden blossom which was thrown into high relief by a background of Ilexes. _A. verticillata_ is another handsome species flowering later in the spring. It is a very rapid grower, reaching a height of 15 feet in a few years, generally growing in the form of a broad-based cone, with its lower branches but a foot or so from the ground. When in flower it is so covered with its pale-yellow blossoms that no foliage is discernible. _A. armata_ may be seen as a bush 7 feet high and as much in diameter. _A. ovata_ Mr. Fitzherbert has only seen as a bush some 3 feet high; very pretty when bearing its circular, golden flower-bells. _A. longifolia_ is another handsome tree, with leaves something like those of an Oleander and bright-yellow flowers. _A. melanoxylon_ is a fine tree. The specimen at Tresco is about 50 feet in height, and there are good examples on the mainland. Pale-yellow flowers produced in profusion. Other species met with are _A. riceana_, _A. (Albizzia) lophantha_, _A. calamifolia_, _A. linifolia_, _A. latifolia_, and _A. platyptera_, the latter against a wall.

ADENANDRA FRAGRANS.--Cape of Good Hope. A small evergreen shrub, bearing fragrant, rose-coloured flowers. Tregothnan.

ANOPTERUS GLANDULOSA.--Tasmania. A vigorous evergreen shrub, with dark, shining green leaves, bearing long, erect terminal racemes of white, cup-shaped flowers, resembling the blooms of _Clethra arborea_, but larger. Tregothnan.

ACANTHOPANAX SPINOSUM.--Garden seedling. A striking plant with dark-green, large-sized leaves divided into five sections. Height at present 5 feet. Tregothnan.

ASTER (OLEARIA) ARGOPHYLLUS.--Australia. The Silver Musk tree, with musk-scented leaves and dull-red flowers in summer. Three gardens. Height 12 feet.

ATHROTAXIS LAXIFOLIA.--Tasmania. A tender Conifer. A fine example, 20 feet in height, fruited profusely at Menabilly two years ago.

BANKSIA GRANDIS.--Australia. Evergreen shrub, bearing yellow flowers in dense spikes. _B. serrata_, red flowers, and _B. littoralis_. All at Tresco. _B. quercifolia_, handsome leaves, with white reverse. Abbotsbury. Banksias were at one time in request as greenhouse plants.

BAUERA RUBIOIDES.--New South Wales. A pretty little evergreen shrub not unlike a Heath, but more branching, bearing solitary, pink, saucer-shaped flowers half an inch across, each petal striped with white down the centre.

BENTHAMIA (CORNUS CAPITATA) FRAGIFERA.--Nepaul. A handsome, evergreen tree, first introduced into England in 1825, when seed was sown at Heligan, Cornwall, and where there are now specimens some 60 feet in height. It is largely represented throughout Cornwall, being used in some places as a woodland tree. In June, when the leafage is hidden by the wide-spread, platter-like flowers of pale yellow, its effect is very beautiful, especially when thrown up by a background of green foliage. In the autumn the fruits, from which it takes its name of Strawberry tree, some an inch or more in diameter, become bright crimson.

BORONIA.--Australia. These are almost universally treated as greenhouse plants, but succeed in the open air in the south-west. At Tregothnan, at the end of March, two bushes of _B. megastigma_, planted in front of a wall, the larger of which was about 3 feet in height, were coming into profuse bloom, and already scented the air with the first of their brown, yellow-lined, drooping cups. _B. heterophylla_, with its purple-red flowers was also expanding blooms, and _B. Drummondii_, _B. elatior_, and _B. polygalæfolia_ were also growing in the same garden.

BRACHYGLOTTIS REPANDA.--New Zealand. A handsome tree, with leaves nearly a foot in length and numerous minute flower-heads. Tresco.

BUDDLEIA COLVILLEI.--Sikkim. The finest of the new race, with pendulous racemes, nearly a foot in length, of crimson, pentstemon-like flowers, paler round the centre, an inch across. Leaves large and dark green, 6 inches or more in length. Several gardens.

CALLISTEMON SALIGNUS.--Australia. There are two forms of this Bottle-brush, one bearing pale-yellow flowers and the other crimson. Others are _C. lanceolatus_, carmine-flowered, and _C. speciosus_, scarlet-flowered. These grow well as bushes, specimens of the first-named being sometimes 10 feet in height and as much in diameter. There is much confusion between this genus and _Metrosideros floribunda_. Callistemons are to be found in many gardens.

CAMELLIA RETICULATA.--This is hardy, but rarely flowers satisfactorily in the open except in the south-west, where it is grown both against walls and as a bush plant. It is by far the finest of the Camellias, bearing lovely, pink, semi-double flowers 6 inches in diameter, with bright-yellow, spreading stamens.

CANDOLLEA TETRANDRA.--Australia. An evergreen bush bearing clear-yellow, cup-shaped flowers somewhat resembling Sun Roses, but of finer texture. Tresco.

CANTUA BUXIFOLIA.--Peru. An evergreen shrub, bearing in corymbs at the end of the branches pale-red trumpet-flowers something after the style of _Fuchsia corymbiflora_. Tresco.

CARPENTERIA CALIFORNICA.--A well-known evergreen shrub in the south-west, bearing fragrant, white, yellow-centred flowers. In some gardens it suffers from browning of the leaves, but this is apparently not the effect of cold winds or frost, as often the most exposed plants are the least affected and the most sheltered are in the worst plight. The finest specimen known to Mr. Fitzherbert is about 8 feet high and as much through; it is growing near Teignmouth. It may be considered fairly hardy since it has been grown in the open in Scotland.

CARYOPTERIS MASTACANTHUS.--Chili. A most valuable, much-branched evergreen shrub growing to a height of 4 feet or more, bearing lavender-blue clusters of flowers in October. There is also a white form. The type is common. This is also happy farther north.

CASSINIA LEPTOPHYLLA.--New Zealand. A small evergreen shrub, bearing white flower-heads. Tregothnan.

CEANOTHUS.--California and Mexico. Many species and varieties are grown both as bushes, in which form they soon make small trees, and trained against walls. Of the early-flowering varieties _C. veitchianus_ is the brightest coloured, and of the autumn-blooming, azureus section, Gloire de Versailles is the favourite. Common in most gardens.

CITHAREXYLOM QUADRANGULARE.--West Indies. The Fiddle-wood. Bears white, fragrant flowers. There is a fine specimen at Abbotsbury. Dorset.

CITRUS TRIFOLIATA (OEGLE SEPIARIA).--Japan. This fiercely-spined Citrus is hardy, but rarely flowers and fruits in the north. In the south-west it flowers freely, and one specimen fruits almost annually. It is 7 feet in height, and last year carried over thirty fruits.

CLERODENDRON TRICHOTOMUM.--Japan. A deciduous shrub, also hardy, but flowering best in the south-west. A fine specimen over 15 feet in height and as much through is at Greenway on the Dart.

CLETHRA ARBOREA.--Madeira. The Lily-of-the-Valley tree. Evergreen. It bears panicles of white, bell-shaped flowers in the summer, at which time it is quite a feature at Tresco. There are good bushes, the largest about 7 feet in height, at Trewidden, near Penzance.

COROKIA BUDDLEIOIDES.--New Zealand. A tall-growing evergreen shrub, with leaves 2 to 6 inches in length. _C. Cotoneaster_ is a spreading shrub with small leaves. Both species bear yellow, sweet-scented flowers. The first was at Ludgvan Rectory, Cornwall, the second at Bishop's Teignton. South Devon.

CORREA.--Australia. Greenhouse evergreen shrubs which do well at Tresco, and also in some gardens on the mainland. _C. cardinalis_ is the most brilliant, but _C. ventricosa_ is almost as highly coloured. The two named, as well as _C. alba_, _C. bicolor_, _C. carnea_, _C. glauca_, _C. magnifica_, and _C. virens_ are sometimes seen in good health and flower on the mainland.

CORYNOCARPUS LÆVIGATUS.--New Zealand. An evergreen tree, bearing panicles of white flowers followed by plum-like fruit. A healthy young plant is at Ludgvan Rectory.

CRINODENDRON HOOKERI (TRICUSPIDARIA HEXAPETALA).--Chili. A particularly handsome shrub, growing to a height of 5 feet, bearing large, drooping, cherry-red, urn-shaped flowers on long peduncles, the petals being very fine in texture. In many gardens.

CYTISUS RACEMOSUS.--Peak of Teneriffe. One of the commonest and most popular greenhouse plants. It grows to 8 or 10 feet in height in the south-west and often flowers until Christmas.

DAPHNE INDICA.--India. Both the white and purple-red form of this fragrant plant are common in the open in Devon and Cornwall, and in mild seasons commence to bloom in January. Some old plants have formed large bushes in front of walls.

DAPHNIPHYLLUM GLAUCESCENS.--China. Evergreen. This is hardy, but is uncommon. A very large specimen is at Trewidden, and is 12 feet in height and 20 feet in spread. It has long shining leaves, the shoots being red in colour; these, early in April, are surrounded by closely clustered, maroon-red flower-buds.

DATURA SANGUINEA.--Peru. This grows to a large size in the south-west, often forming a tree 12 feet or more in height, and, in mild winters, blooming until February. _D. suaveolens_, Mexico, is probably more tender, as such large specimens are rarely seen.

DENDROMECON RIGIDUS.--California. A handsome shrub with glaucous leaves, the branchlets terminated by bright-yellow poppy-like flowers. It succeeds best in poor soil that does not induce vigorous growth. Enys.

DESFONTAINEA SPINOSA.--Chili. A most distinct evergreen shrub, with leaves resembling those of a Holly. It bears tubular flowers 3 inches in length of a bright vermilion tipped with yellow, and is a very handsome object when in full flower. It commences to bloom in the summer, and often holds many of its flowers until November. The largest specimen met with was about 8 feet in height, and was in the neighbourhood of Teignmouth. The Desfontainea is to be found in most gardens.

DIOSMA ERICOIDES.--South Africa. A heath-like evergreen shrub, bearing single white flowers not unlike those of a Myrtle. Its leaves are fragrant when bruised. A healthy plant, about 4 ft. by 4 ft., trained against a wall, was coming into bloom at Tregothnan at the end of March.

DIOSPYROS KAKI.--The Persimmon. China. This is hardy, but rarely fruits except in the south-west. A tree at Bishop's Teignton produced fruit, which ripened well, in 1890. In autumn the colouring of its foliage is very attractive.

DRIMYS (TASMANNIA) AROMATICA.--Tasmania. An evergreen shrub or small tree, bearing tiny white flowers in spring. Its leaves, if bitten, are very pungent, stinging the palate like pepper. The finest specimen known to the writer is one 15 feet in height at Menabilly. _D. Winteri_--South America. A handsome flowering shrub, bearing ivory-yellow, fragrant flowers, an inch across. At Bishop's Teignton there is a good example over 12 feet in height. Both species are fairly well distributed in gardens.

DRYOBALANOPS AROMATICA.--Sumatra. The Camphor tree. There is at Penjerrick a good specimen 20 feet in height.

EDWARDSIA GRANDIFLORA SYN. SOPHORA TETRAPTERA.--The New Zealand Laburnum. This and its variety _E. microphylla_ bear racemes of yellow flowers, the individual blooms being 2 inches long in the first case, and about half the length in the second, in the spring. Examples 10 feet or so in height are to be found in some gardens.

EMBOTHRIUM COCCINEUM.--South America. The Fire Bush. The most brilliant of all flowering trees capable of outdoor culture in this country. In May every twig is laden with clusters of long flowers of glowing scarlet, the trees presenting a most gorgeous spectacle. Every good garden in Cornwall and most in South Devon possesses specimens, some containing a dozen or more. The finest are probably Trewidden and Penjerrick, where they are 30 feet in height and as much in spread.

ERIOSTEMON BUXIFOLIUS.--Australia. A small evergreen shrub, bearing pink flowers in the spring. Tresco.

ESCALLONIA ILLINITA.--Chili. Bears white flowers in July. There is one 15 feet high at Menabilly. _E. revoluta_--Chili. Bears white flowers three quarters of an inch long in August, 20 feet high. Menabilly. _E. organensis_--Organ Mountains. Bears rose-coloured flowers. Fine specimens in more than one garden. _E. floribunda_--Montevideo. Bears fragrant white flowers in August. Common in the south-west.

EUCALYPTI.--Australia. Some thirty or forty specimens are grown, of which perhaps the best known are: _E. globulus_, which has attained a height of 50 feet; _E. citriodora_, 20 feet, against the house at Togerthnan; _E. amygdalina_, &c. Many flower freely and bear fertile seed. _E. Gunnii_ flowers freely at Parkstone, Dorset, in Professor Wallace's garden. It is quite hardy there.

EUCRYPHIA PINNATIFOLIA.--Chili. A beautiful deciduous flowering shrub, bearing large white flowers like a St. John's Wort, with bright-yellow anthers. A specimen at Trewidden is 8 feet in height.

EUONYMUS FIMBRIATUS.--Japan and India. This shrub is chiefly remarkable for the tint of its young leafage, which is bright crimson, and gives a vivid, flower-like effect at a little distance in April. Met with at Tregothnan and Abbotsbury.

EUPATORIUM WEINMANNIANUM.--South America. This soon grows into a rounded bush 10 feet or so in height and as much in diameter. It bears its flat heads of fragrant white flowers in autumn and well into winter, the flowers being succeeded by fluffy seed-vessels. It is quite common.

EURYA LATIFOLIA.--Japan. Half-hardy. An evergreen shrub, with leaves somewhat like those of a Camellia, bearing small white flowers. There is a variegated form that at one time was used for greenhouse decoration. Tresco.

FABIANA IMBRICATA.--Chili. A charming evergreen heath-like shrub, bearing a profusion of pure-white tubular flowers clustered thickly around every shoot. A fine example 8 feet in height is at Trelissick, but it is a common plant in the south-west.

FAGUS CLIFFORTIOIDES.--The New Zealand Beech. A tree with minute leaves, which have given it the name of Birch in its native land. In New Zealand it is evergreen, but in this country is deciduous. A good specimen is at Enys.

FREMONTIA CALIFORNICA.--An extremely handsome deciduous flowering shrub, bearing bright-yellow, cupped flowers 3 inches in diameter with orange stamens. It often remains in bloom for months. Large plants have unfortunately a way of dying off when apparently in good health, several fine specimens having succumbed in this manner. The finest we now know of is one growing in bush form about 8 feet in height at Newton Abbot, but the same garden contained at one time a larger example.

GREVILLEA.--Australia. _G. rosmarinifolia_, with carmine-red flowers, forms a vigorous shrub, growing to a height of 8 feet with a spread of 7 feet. It is to be found in many gardens. At Tregothnan, _G. Priessii_, with pink and yellow flowers; _G. alpina_, red-tipped yellow; and _G. sulphurea_ are grown; and we have seen _G. robusta_, which had been in the open for three years. All species are evergreen.

GUEVINA AVELLANA.--Chili. A very ornamental evergreen tree, with large impari-pinnate leaves of a deep, glossy green, bearing white flowers followed by coral-red fruit the size of a cherry. There is a fine specimen at Greenway, 20 feet in height, which has ripened fruits from which seedlings have been raised.

HABROTHAMNUS CORYMBOSUS.--Mexico. This well-known red-flowered greenhouse shrub does admirably as a bush plant in the open, as does _H. elegans_, with purple-red flowers. They often carry bloom as late as November and are frequently met with.

HAKEA LAURINA.--Australia. An evergreen shrub, bearing clusters of rosy-lilac flowers. Menabilly. Mr. Fitzherbert says, "I am not aware if it has flowered in this country."

HELIOCARPUS CYANEUS.--Tropical America. A small evergreen tree, bearing blue flowers. Tresco.

HOHERIA POPULNEA.--New Zealand. The Houhere of the natives. Ribbon-wood. With pure white flowers and a handsome foliage. Enys and other gardens.

ILLICIUM ANISATUM.--Japan. A half-hardy evergreen shrub, bearing clusters of ivory-white flowers. Held sacred by the Japanese, who burn the bark before the shrines of their deities. Tresco. _I. floridanum_, Southern States of America, bearing maroon flowers. Not uncommon.

INDIGOFERA GERARDIANA.--India. A low-branching evergreen shrub, with finely-divided foliage, bearing racemes 5 inches in length of rose-purple, pea-like flowers. Common. There is a white variety which is rarely seen.

JACARANDA MIMOSÆFOLIA.--Brazil. A very graceful evergreen tree with acacia-like leaves a foot in length, bearing panicles of drooping violet-blue flowers. There is a fine young plant at Rosehill, Falmouth.

LAGERSTROEMIA INDICA.--A handsome deciduous shrub, bearing large bright-pink flowers.

LEPTOSPERMUM.--Australia. _L. baccatum_ and _L. scoparium_ are the most generally met with. Both bear small white flowers and are evergreen. We have seen the former 12 feet and the latter 20 feet in height. Other species are also grown.

LIBONIA FLORIBUNDA.--Brazil. The favourite greenhouse flowering shrub, bearing drooping scarlet and yellow blossoms. Tresco and one mainland garden.

LITSEA GENICULATA.--Southern United States. A deciduous shrub or tree, bearing white flowers in May. The largest in England is probably one at Menabilly, 25 feet in height.

MELALEUCA HYPERICIFOLIA.--Australia. An evergreen shrub, bearing scarlet bottle-brush flowers. Tresco.

MELIA AZEDARACH.--Tropical Asia. The Bead tree, so called from the seeds being used for rosaries, bearing much-branched panicles of fragrant lilac flowers. Leaves bipinnate and deeply serrated. Rosehill. Evergreen.

MELIANTHUS MAJOR.--Cape of Good Hope. A well-known plant in sub-tropical gardening. At Rosehill it has reached a height of 12 feet.

METROSIDEROS ROBUSTA.--New Zealand. An evergreen tree, bearing clusters of brilliant crimson flowers at the extremities of the shoots; in this it differs from Callistemon, whose flowers encircle the branchlets some distance below the extremities. Tresco; 30 feet in height.

MITRARIA COCCINEA.--Chili. An evergreen shrub, bearing bright-scarlet flowers. This is to be found 6 feet in some gardens.

MYOPORUM LÆTUM.--Australia. Native name, Guaio. An evergreen tree, bearing small white flowers, and having lanceolate leaves dotted with countless transparent spots. Two mainland gardens.

NERIUM OLEANDER.--Mediterranean. The Oleander. This is established, and flowers in sheltered nooks on the mainland.

OZOTHAMNUS ROSMARINIFOLIUS.--Australia. An evergreen shrub, bearing countless, minute, white flowers. Sprays, if cut when the flowers are fully expanded, will retain their decorative qualities for a year. It is common in the south-west, and at Trewidden there are bushes 8 feet in height.

PAULOWNIA IMPERIALIS.--Japan. A hardy deciduous flowering tree, bearing erect panicles of large, lilac, gloxinia-like flowers. Owing to the spring frosts, it rarely perfects these except in sheltered sites in mild springs, but when in good bloom it is marvellously beautiful.

PENTSTEMON CORDIFOLIUS.--California. A tall-growing species, bearing bright-scarlet flowers in the summer. With the shelter of a wall it grows to a height of 5 feet or more. Trewidden.

PHILESIA BUXIFOLIA.--Chili. A dwarf evergreen shrub, rarely exceeding 2 feet in height, bearing drooping, pink lapageria-like blossoms. To be found in many gardens.

PHOTINIA JAPONICA.--Japan. The Loquat. This hardy, ornamental-foliaged tree is practically hardy, and at Enys flowers annually. We believe, however, that it has not fruited. The finest specimen we know of, 15 feet in height with a head 12 feet through, is at Saltram.

PIERIS FORMOSA.--Himalayas. This so-called Andromeda is widely met with. The finest example is at Pentillie Castle, and is 20 feet in height with a spread of 30 feet. When this is white with its clustering flower-sprays it is a lovely sight.

PIMELEA DECUSSATA.--Australia. An evergreen shrub, bearing rose-red, globular flower-heads at the extremities of the branches. Tresco.

PINUS MONTEZUMÆ.--Mexico. A noble and distinct Pine, good specimens of which are at Tregothnan and Menabilly, where it has fruited.

PIPTANTHUS NEPALENSIS.--Nepaul. An evergreen shrub, bearing numbers of bright-yellow laburnum-like flowers. It seems indifferent to soil, and may be seen flourishing under adverse circumstances. Common.

PLAGIANTHUS BETULINUS.--New Zealand. Ribbon tree. Bears small white flowers in clusters. A splendid example 50 feet in height is at Abbotsbury.

PITTOSPORUM.--New Zealand. Evergreen shrubs. _P. Mayi_, at Tregothnan, is about 30 feet in height; while we have seen _P. bicolor_ over 20 feet, and many fine examples of _P. undulatum_, _P. tenuifolium_, of which last a hedge has been made at Falmouth, and other species. All bear their little flowers in profusion in the south-west. The Japanese _P. Tobira_ is a hardy shrub, bearing spreading flower-heads of fragrant white blossom.

PODOCARPUS ANDINA.--Chili. A handsome evergreen tree to be found in most gardens. At Penjerrick there is a specimen 40 feet in height.

POINCIANA (CÆSALPINA) GILLIESI.--South America. An evergreen shrub with acacia-like foliage, bearing clusters of large yellow flowers with bright-red stamens. Mr. Fitzherbert says, "The finest specimen I have seen was in the late Rev. H. Ewbank's garden at Ryde, but I know of smaller ones in the south-west."

POLYGALA GRANDIFOLIA (syns. _grandis_, &c.).--Bahia. An evergreen flowering shrub, the finest of its race, bearing large rose and white flowers. Tregothnan.

PSEUDOPANAX CRASSIFOLIUM.--New Zealand. An evergreen shrub with dark-green thick leaves 2 feet in length, with orange midribs. Ludgvan Rectory.

PUNICA GRANATUM.--The Pomegranate is a neglected shrub in English gardens. Planted at the foot of a south wall, and treated generally like a well-groomed Peach tree, it will flower from June to September. It is not a shrub for cold climates, but Mr. Watson, writing in the _Garden_, October 26, p. 283, says, "At Kew three varieties are grown outdoors, namely, the type, the big double-white flowered variety, with petals margined with white, Picotee-like, and the dwarf variety known as Nana. There are other forms beside these, including a white-flowered one which I have seen in Paris gardens, where old--very old--standard plants are grown and treasured. The dwarf variety is cultivated as a pot plant in some continental countries. I have seen it in the Hamburg florists' shops, pretty little pyramids in 5-inch pots, covered with flowers. Fruits are rarely produced by the Pomegranate in England."

RHAPITHAMNUS CYANOCARPUS.--Chili. An evergreen tree, bearing pale-blue flowers, followed by violet-blue berries. A fine specimen 20 feet in height is at Menabilly.

RUBUS AUSTRALIS.--A Bramble, the only form of which is worth growing, and that merely as a curiosity, is a practically leafless one. The leaves are indeed there, but they consist merely of three midribs armed with curved spines, and terminated by leaflets less than an inch in length of an inch in breadth. A large plant at Bishop's Teignton has smothered a Euonymus bush, and climbed into an adjacent Fir.

SENECIO.--Many of the newer evergreen exotic species, such as _S. Grayii_, _S. Fosterii_, _S. Heretieri_, and others are grown, while in Rosehill garden is a fifty-year-old plant of the Mexican _S. Petasitis_, 8 feet in height.

SOLANUM CRISPUM.--Chili. An evergreen flowering shrub, bearing lavender yellow-centred flowers in profusion, often reaching a height of 8 feet. Quite common.

SPARMANNIA AFRICANA.--Cape of Good Hope. African Hemp. An evergreen shrub, bearing masses of white flowers with ruby-tipped anthers; a well-known greenhouse plant. At Tresco both the single and double forms are grown, and attain a height of 10 feet. The single form is also met with in mainland gardens, where it is often in flower in February.

VERONICA HULKEANA.--New Zealand. An evergreen shrub, bearing branching panicles of pale-lilac flowers, doing best with the support and protection of a wall. To be found in many gardens.

WESTRINGIA TRIPHYLLA.--Australia. Evergreen shrub, bearing blue flowers in summer. Tregothnan.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Probably all the trees and shrubs mentioned in this and the following chapter will succeed in Ireland.