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Hardy Ornamental Flowering Trees and Shrubs

Chapter 217: TECOMA.
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The author surveys a wide selection of hardy ornamental flowering trees and shrubs, describing around thirteen hundred species and varieties, their botanical names, synonyms, native origins, and introduction history where known. Entries give concise descriptions of habit, foliage, flowers, and hardiness, plus practical cultivation and propagation tips, soil and site preferences, and selected planting lists for special uses. An alphabetical arrangement, an index, and a calendar of flowering seasons make the work a reference for choosing and timing plantings. Emphasis is placed on broadening planting choices beyond common park trees and on testing less familiar Asian introductions for suitability in the local climate.

S. PSEUDO-CAMELLIA (syn S. grandiflora).—Japan, 1879. This is of recent introduction, and differs from the others in the flowers being rather larger, and of a purer white, and supplied with yellow instead of red stamens. It is quite hardy in Southern England and Ireland at least.

S. VIRGINICA (syn S. marylandica).—North America, 1743. This is a handsome free-growing shrub, of often 10 feet in height, with large, creamy-white flowers, that are rendered all the more conspicuous by the crimson-red stamens. The flowers—like those of a single Rose, and fully 2-1/2 inches across—are produced in May. Quite hardy, as many fine specimens in some of our old English gardens will point out.

Though, perhaps, rather exacting in their requirements, the Stuartias may be very successfully grown if planted in light, moist, peaty earth, and where they will be screened from cold, cutting winds.

STYRAX.

STYRAX AMERICANA and S. PULVERULENTA are not commonly cultivated, being far less showy than the Japanese species. They bear white flowers.

S. OFFICINALIS.—Storax. Levant, 1597. This is a small deciduous shrub, with ovate leaves, and short racemes of pretty pure white flowers. A not very hardy species, and only second-rate as an ornamental flowering shrub.

S. SERRULATA VIRGATA (syn S. japonica).—Japanese Storax. Japan. A neat-habited and dense-growing shrub, with pretty white flowers that are neatly set off by the showy yellow stamens. It is an extremely pretty shrub, with long, slender, much-branched shoots, furnished with ovate leaves, and deliciously-scented, snow-white bell-shaped flowers, produced for nearly the full length of the shoots. So far, this shrub of recent introduction has proved quite hardy. S. serrulata variegata is a well-marked and constant form.

SYMPHORICARPUS.

SYMPHORICARPUS OCCIDENTALIS.—Wolf Berry. North America. This species has larger and more freely-produced flowers, and smaller fruit than the commonly-cultivated plant.

S. RACEMOSUS (syn Symphoria racemosus).—Snowberry. North America, 1817. One of the commonest shrubs in English gardens, with small, oval, entire leaves, and neat little racemes of pretty pink flowers, succeeded by the familiar snow-white berries, and for which the shrub is so remarkable.

S. VULGARIS.—Coral Berry, Common St. Peter's Wort. North America, 1730. This is readily distinguished by its showy and freely-produced coral berries. There is a very neat and much sought after variety, having conspicuous green and yellow leaves, and named S. vulgaris foliis variegatis.

The Snowberries are of no great value as ornamental shrubs, but owing to their succeeding well in the very poorest and stoniest of soils, and beneath the shade and drip of trees, it is to be recommended that they are not lost sight of. They grow and spread freely, and are therefore useful where unchecked and rampant shrub growth is desirable.

SYMPLOCOS.

SYMPLOCOS JAPONICA (syn S. lucida).—A small growing and not very desirable species from Japan (1850).

S. TINCTORIA.—Sweet-leaf, or Horse Sugar. South United States, 1780. This is a small-growing shrub, with clusters of fragrant yellow flowers, but it is not very hardy unless planted against a sheltered and sunny wall.

SYRINGA.

SYRINGA CHINENSIS (syns. S. dubia and S. rothomagensis).—Rouen, or Chinese Lilac. A plant of small growth, with narrow leaves, and reddish-violet flowers. It is said to have been raised by M. Varin, of the Botanic Garden, Rouen, as a hybrid between S. vulgaris and S. persica, 1795.

S. EMODI.—Himalayas, 1840. This is a desirable species, that forms a stout bush or small tree, with oblong, reticulately-veined leaves, and erect, dense panicles of white flowers, that are sometimes lilac tinged. The flowers are strongly scented, and borne in great profusion late in the season. There is a variegated form, S. Emodi variegata, and another named S. Emodi villosa, both good varieties.

S. JAPONICA (syns S. amurensis and Ligustrina amurensis).—Japan. This is of recent introduction, and is a decided acquisition, producing in summer large and dense clusters of creamy-white flowers. It is a very desirable species, and though coming from Japan seems to be perfectly hardy.

S. JOSIKAEA, Josika's Lilac, is of Hungarian origin (1835), and is so totally different from the others as to be well worthy of special attention. It rarely exceeds 6 feet in height, with dark-green, wrinkled leaves, and erect spikes of pale mauve flowers.

S. PERSICA (Persian Lilac).—Persia, 1640. This is a distinct small-growing species, with slender, straight branches, and lilac or white flowers produced in small clusters. The form bearing white flowers is named S. persica alba; and there is one with neatly divided foliage called S. persica laciniata.

S. VULGARIS.—Common Lilac, or Pipe Tree. Persia and Hungary, 1597. This is one of the commonest and most highly praised of English garden shrubs, and one that has given rise, either by natural variation or by crossing with other species, to a great number of superior forms. The following include the best and most ornamental of the numerous varieties:—alba, pure white flowers; alba-grandiflora, very large clusters of white flowers; alba-magna, and alba virginalis, both good white-flowering forms; Dr. Lindley, large clusters of reddish-lilac flowers; Charles X., purplish-lilac flowers, but white when forced; Souvenir De Ludwig Spath, with massive clusters of richly coloured flowers; Glorie de Moulins, Marie Legrange, Noisetteana, Duchesse de Nemours, and Vallettiana, all beautiful flowering forms that are well worthy of cultivation, and that are of the simplest growth.

The double-flowered varieties, for which we are much indebted to M. Victor Lemoine, of Nancy, are fast gaining favour with cultivators in this country, and rightly, too, for they include several very handsome, full flowered forms. The following are best known:—

S. vulgaris Alphonse Lavallee, with full double red flowers, changing to mauve.
"       Emile Lemoine, mauve-pink, suffused with white; very handsome.
"       La Tour d'Auvergne, mauve shaded with rose. A beautiful and very dark coloured form.
"       Lemoinei, nearly resembling our common species, but with full double flowers.
"       Leon Simon, light pink, mauve shaded.
"       Madame Lemoine, the finest form, bearing very large pure white double flowers.
"       Michael Buchner, rosy lilac.
"       Virginité, whitish pink, nearly white when fully expanded.

President Grevy is one of the same beautiful group. The blooms are large, double, and produced in very massive clusters, and of a light bluish-lilac tint, when forced almost white. The first of this group, S. vulgaris Lemoinei, was sent out about 1884, and was then awarded a certificate by the R.H.S. The range in colouring of these Lilacs is rather confined, so that the various forms resemble one another in no small degree, particularly when the flowers are opened under glass. From the large size of the flower bunches, and the individual flowers being double, they are all of great beauty, and being quite hardy still further enhances their value for outdoor gardening purposes.

The Lilacs grow freely in any soil of fair quality, but a free, rich, and not too dry loam, would seem to suit the majority of these plants best.

TAMARIX.

TAMARIX GALLICA.—Common Tamarisk. India to Europe. This shrub often in favoured maritime places reaches to a height of fully 10 feet, with long and slender branches, and spikes of pretty, rosy-pink flowers produced at the end of summer. For sea-side planting, it is an invaluable shrub, and on account of its feathery appearance and wealth of showy flowers is well worthy of being included in our list of ornamental and useful shrubs.

T. PARVIFLORA (syns T. africana and T. tetrandra), South-eastern Europe and Levant, is a nearly allied species, with white, pinky-tinged flowers.

TECOMA.

TECOMA GRANDIFLORA (syn Bignonia grandiflora), from China and Japan (1800), is not so hardy as T. radicans, although in certain maritime districts it succeeds fairly well. The flowers are very attractive, being of a rich orange-scarlet, and produced in drooping clusters. Both foliage and flowers are larger than those of T. radicans. It wants a warm, sunny wall, and light, rich, and well-drained soil, and if only for its lovely flowers, it is well worthy of coddling and good treatment.

T. RADICANS (syn Bignonia radicans).—Trumpet Flower. North America, 1640. An old occupant of our gardens and one of the most beautiful wall plants in cultivation. It is a tall climber, of sometimes fully 20 feet in height, with graceful pinnate leaves, and handsome trumpet-shaped scarlet-red flowers, that are at their best about mid-summer, though the period of flowering extends over a considerable length of time. The stems are long, twisted, and wiry, and like those of the Ivy send out roots at the joints and so fasten the plant in position. Few climbing plants are more attractive than the Trumpet Flower, and being hardy in most parts of the country, and free of growth, is to be recommended for covering walls, and arches, or similar structures. T. radicans major is of more robust growth than the species, with larger foliage and paler flowers. The orange-scarlet flowers are produced in terminal corymbs.

TILIA.

TILIA VULGARIS (syns T. europea and T. intermedia).—Lime, or Linden Tree. Europe, Caucasus, and naturalised in Britain. Probably none of the Limes would be included in a list of ornamental-flowering trees and shrubs, still that they are of great interest and beauty even in that state cannot be denied. The common species as well as its numerous varieties have sweetly scented, yellowish-white flowers in terminal cymes, and are, though individually small, highly ornamental when fully developed. Other species of great interest when in flower are T. alba (syn T. argentea), Silver Lime; T. petiolaris, a curious and beautiful species; and T. euchlora.

The various species and varieties of Lime succeed well in almost any class of soil, but rich loam on sand is considered the most suitable for their perfect development.

ULEX.

ULEX EUROPAEUS.—Furze, Gorse, or Whin. This pretty native shrub needs no description, suffice it to say that it is one of the handsomest-flowering shrubs in cultivation. U. europaeus flore-pleno (Double-flowered Gorse) is even more beautiful than the species, the wealth of golden flowers almost hiding the plant from view. U. europaeus strictus (Irish Furze) is of more erect and slender growth, and less rigid than the common species.

U. NANUS.—-Dwarf Gorse, Cat Whin, and Tam Furze. This differs considerably from the common plant, not only in stature, but in the time of flowering. In this species the bracts at the calyx base are small compared with those of U. europaeus, while the smaller flowers are produced during summer, and when not a bloom is to be found on its supposed parent. It is of dense growth, the tallest stems rarely rising from the ground to a greater height than about 15 inches.

All the Furze family succeed admirably in the poorest of soil; indeed, a dry gravelly bank would seem to be their favourite haunt.

VACCINIUM.

VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM.—Canada to Carolina and Georgia, 1765. This is one of the most beautiful and showy species, with dense clusters of small, pinky flowers.

V. MYRTILLUS.—Whortleberry, Bilberry, Blackberry, and Blueberry. A native plant, with angular stems, ovate-toothed leaves, and pinky-white flowers, succeeded by bright, bluish-black berries.

V. PENNSYLVANICUM.—New England to Virginia, 1772. This has rather inconspicuous flowers, and is of greatest value for the autumnal foliage tints.

V. VITIS-IDEA (Cowberry, Flowering Box, or Brawlins) a native species, has racemose flowers, and red berries.

Other species that might be included are V. canadense, V. stamineum, V. frondosum, and V. ligustrifolium.

The various species of Vaccinium are of dwarf or procumbent growth, and only suitable for planting in beds, or on rockwork, where they will not be lost sight of. They thrive best in soil of a peaty nature.

VERONICA.

VERONICA PINQUIFOLIA.—New Zealand, 1870. This is one of the hardiest species, but it is of low growth, and only suitable for alpine gardening. It is a dwarf spreading shrub, with intensely glaucous leaves and white flowers.

V. TRAVERSII.—New Zealand, 1873. This may be considered as one of the few species of hardy Veronicas. It grows about 4 feet high, with deep green leaves arranged in rows, and white flowers, produced late in summer. It is a very free-growing shrub, of perfect hardihood, and one of, if not the best for general planting.

The above two species are, so far as is at present known, the hardiest in cultivation, although there are many kinds that will succeed well under very favourable conditions, and particularly when planted by the sea-side. Other half-hardy species might include V. salicifolia (Willow-leaved Veronica), with long, narrow leaves, and white or purplish flowers; V. ligustrifolia (Privet-leaved Veronica), with spikes of feathery-white flowers; V. speciosa, with erect spikes of purplish-blue flowers; and V. Andersoni, a hybrid form, with spikes of bluish-violet flowers.

The dwarf or alpine species might include V. cupressoides, with Cypress-like foliage, V. Lyallii, V. carnosula, and others, but such hardly come within our scope.

VIBURNUM.

VIBURNUM ACERIFOLIUM.—Dockmackie. New England to Carolina, 1736. This is one of the handsomest members of the family, being of slender growth and compact and neat in habit. It grows to fully 4 feet in height, and is well supplied with neatly three-lobed leaves, these in the autumn turning to a deep crimson. The flowers, too, are highly ornamental, being borne in fair sized clusters, and white or yellowish-white. It is a very desirable and beautiful plant, quite hardy, and of free growth in any fairly rich soil.

V. AWAFUKII.—Japan, 1842. This is another rare and beautiful plant, of neat habit, and producing an abundance of showy white flowers, that are, however, seldom produced in this country.

V. DAHURICUM.—Dahuria, 1785. This is a charming hardy species, which in May and June is covered with numerous umbels of showy white flowers. It forms a rather spreading bush of 6 feet or 8 feet high, with gray downy branches, and neat foliage. The berries are oval-oblong, red at first, but becoming black and faintly scented when fully ripe.

V. DENTATUM.—Arrowwood. A native of the United States, 1763. This can be recommended as a distinct and beautiful shrub, with cymes of white flowers that are produced in plenty. The leaves are dark green, smooth, and shining, and strongly veined, while the bark is ash-coloured, and the berries bright blue.

V. LANTANA.—Wayfaring Tree. Europe (Britain). This is a native species of large bush, or almost tree growth, with rugose, oblong, serrulated leaves, and large, flat cymes of white flowers appearing in May and June. The whole tree is usually covered with a scaly tomentum, while the fruit is a black flattened drupe.

V. LENTAGO.—Sheepberry and Sweet Viburnum. North America, 1761. This resembles our native V. Lantana, with dense clusters of white blossoms succeeded by black berries.

V. MACROCEPHALUM (syn V. Fortunei).—China, 1844. This is a Chinese species, but one that cannot be depended on as hardy enough to withstand our most severe winters. It has very large heads or panicles of white neutral flowers. Against a sunny wall and in a cosy nook it may occasionally be found doing fairly well, but it is not to be generally recommended.

V. NUDUM.—American Withe Rod. Canada to Georgia, 1752. This is also worthy of being included in a selection of these shrubs.

V. OPULUS.—Guelder Rose. A native shrub of great beauty, whether in foliage, flower, or fruit. The leaves are variously lobed or deeply toothed, large and handsome, and the flower heads of good size, flat, and composed of a number of small flowers, the outer only being sterile. Individually the flowers are dull and inconspicuous, but being produced in amazing quantity, they have a very pleasing and effective appearance. The great bunches of clear pinky berries render a fair-sized plant particularly handsome and attractive, and for which alone, as also beauty of autumnal foliage, the shrub is well worthy of extensive culture. It grows fully 15 feet high, and may frequently be seen as much through. V. Opulus sterilis (Snowball Tree) is one of the commonest occupants of our shrubberies, and a decidedly ornamental-flowering shrub. The large, almost globular flower heads hanging from every branch tip, are too well-known to require description, and have made the shrub one of the most popular in ornamental planting.

V. PAUCIFLORUM is a native of cold, moist woods from Labrador to Alaska, and may best be described as a miniature V. Opulus. It rarely grows more than 4 feet high, with small cymes of flowers, that are devoid of the neutral flowers of that species.

V. PLICATUM, from Japan 1846, is another very beautiful and desirable shrub, of rather dwarf, spreading growth, and having the leaves deeply wrinkled, plaited, and serrated on the margins. The flowers resemble those of the commonly cultivated species, but they are rather larger, and of a purer white. It is a decidedly ornamental species of easy growth in any good soil, and where not exposed to cold winds.

V. PRUNIFOLIUM, New England to Carolina, 1731, with Plum-like leaves, and pretty white flowers, is another free-growing and beautiful North American species.

V. PYRIFOLIUM.—Pear-leaved Viburnum. Pennsylvania to New Jersey, 1812. This is a rarely-seen, but very ornamental species, with oval-shaped, finely-toothed leaves, that are borne on short, slightly-winged stalks about half-an-inch long. Flowers sweetly scented, white, and in broad corymbs, the feathery appearance of the long, projecting stamens, each tipped with a golden anther, adding considerably to the beauty of the flowers.

V. RETICULATUM and V. LAEVIGATUM are rarely seen species, but of interest botanically, if not for floral beauty.

V. TINUS.—Laurustinus. South Europe, 1596. So commonly cultivated a shrub needs no description here, sufficient to say that the handsome evergreen foliage and pretty pinky-white flowers assign to it a first position amongst hardy ornamental flowering shrubs, V. Tinus strictum has darker foliage than the species, is more upright, rather more hardy, but not so profuse in the bearing of flowers. V. Tinus lucidum (Glossy-leaved Laurustinus), of the several varieties of Laurustinus has the largest foliage, finest flowers, and altogether is of the most robust growth. It is, unfortunately, not very hardy, probably in that respect not even equalling the parent plant. Usually it does not flower freely, neither are the flowers produced so early as in the species, but individually they are much larger. It is of tall growth, and rarely forms the neat, dense bush, for which the common shrub is so admired. V. Tinus rotundifolium has rounded leaves; and V. Tinus rotundifolium variegatum has irregularly variegated leaves.

VINCA.

VINCA MAJOR.—Band-plant, Cut-finger, and Larger Periwinkle. Europe (Britain). For trailing over tree-stumps or rockwork this pretty evergreen shrub has a distinctive value, the bright green leaves and showy deep blue flowers rendering it both conspicuous and ornamental. V. major elegantissima is a decided variety, the leaves being neatly and evenly variegated, and making the plant of great value for bank or rock-work decoration.

V. MINOR.—Lesser Periwinkle. This is of much smaller growth than the preceding, and differs, too, in not having the leaf-margins ciliated. The variety V. minor flore-albo has white flowers, those of the normal plant being pale blue; V. minor flore-pleno differs in having double blue flowers; V. minor foliis aureis has golden-tinted leaves; and V. minor foliis argenteis bears silvery mottled and very attractive foliage.

They are all of simple growth, succeeding well in somewhat shady situations, and in by no means the richest of soil. As they run about freely and soon cover an extent of ground they are rendered of great value for a variety of purposes.

VITEX.

VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS.—Chaste Tree, Hemp Tree, and Monk's Pepper-tree. A South European shrub (1670), growing from 6 feet to 10 feet high, with digitate leaves that are almost hoary beneath, and spikes of small violet flowers. It is not very hardy, although in some of the warmer parts of southern England and Ireland, fair-sized, healthy-looking specimens are now and then to be met with. As a wall plant, however, it succeeds best, and for which purpose, with its neat foliage and pretty flowers, it is peculiarly suitable.

VITIS.

VITIS HETEROPHYLLA HUMILIFOLIA.—Turquoise-berried Vine. North China and Japan, 1868. The leaves of this Vine are three to five lobed, and the small flowers freely produced in slightly branching cymes. The latter are succeeded by their most interesting and attractive berries, that ripen in September and October. They are pale china-blue, marked all over with very dark specks. The stems grow to a height of 4 feet to 8 feet, and should be trained against a wall in a sunny position to ripen the berries. The plant is perfectly hardy. The variety V. heterophylla variegata is a dwarf, low-growing plant with variegated leaves, and is used for pot work, for covering the ground in sub-tropical bedding designs, and might be used to great advantage for rambling over large stones in the rock garden.

WISTARIA.

WISTARIA CHINENSIS (syns W. sinensis, Glycine chinensis, and G. sinensis).—Chinese Wistaria. China, 1816. This is the only species at all common in gardens, and by far the handsomest in cultivation. It justly ranks amongst the most beautiful of hardy climbing shrubs, and is invaluable as a wall plant, or for clothing the bare stems of sparsely foliaged trees. The purplish-lilac flowers are produced in long, drooping racemes in early summer. W. chinensis alba has pretty white flowers; W. chinensis flore-pleno has not proved very satisfactory, but when seen at its best, which is, however, but rarely, the double flowers are both beautiful and showy; W. chinensis variegata has badly variegated foliage; and W. chinensis macrobotrys is a plant of great beauty with very long racemes of pale lavender flowers, but they vary a good deal in colour, those of some plants being almost white. It is a very desirable variety, and one that when better known is sure to attract attention.

W. FRUTESCENS (syns Glycine frutescens and Thyrsanthus frutescens).—North America, 1724. This is a very handsome deciduous climbing species from North America. The flowers, which appear towards autumn, are bluish purple and fragrant, and borne in erect racemes. It is quite hardy and equally suitable with the Chinese species for using as a wall covering. W. frutescens magnifica is an improved form of the species.

W. JAPONICA.—Japan. A bush-like species bearing white flowers, but it is rarely seen in cultivation. It is, however, quite hardy, and succeeds well in the bush state at Kew.

W. MULTIJUGA.—Japan, 1874. Resembles somewhat our commonly-cultivated species, and has pale purple flowers arranged in long racemes. It is a very ornamental and desirable species, but the flowers are not borne in great quantity.

The Wistarias are of simple culture, but succeed best in rather rich alluvial soil, and where protection from cold winds is provided.

XANTHOCERAS.

XANTHOCERAS SORBIFOLIA.—China, 1870. An extremely pretty flowered and handsome leaved shrub, but owing to its late introduction is not yet well known. So far it has proved itself perfectly hardy in this country, there being specimens at wide distances apart that have stood uninjured through our past severe winters.

The leaves are pale green, and pinnate, somewhat resembling those of the Rowan Tree. Flowers five petalled, creamy white, sometimes very slightly tinged with flesh colour, with a coppery red or violet-purple centre, and disposed in racemes. When fully expanded they are an inch across, and somewhat reflexed. It flowers early in April, with the appearance of the leaves, the blooms being produced in great abundance, in spike-like clusters fully seven inches long, and succeeded by a small green Pear-like fruit. This is one of the most distinct and handsome of recently introduced shrubs, and will, when more widely disseminated, be largely planted for purely ornamental purposes. It grows from 10 feet to about 15 feet high.

XANTHORHIZA.

XANTHORHIZA APIIFOLIA.—Yellow-root. Pennsylvania, 1776. A small growing shrub, with yellow creeping roots, from which suckers are thrown up profusely. The leaves are irregularly pinnate, and the minute flowers, which are borne in large, branching spikes, are of a peculiar dark purple colour. It prefers a cool, moist situation.

YUCCA.

YUCCA FILAMENTOSA.—Silk Grass. North America, 1675. A well-known and beautiful plant, with numerous leaves arranged in a dense rosette, and from 1 foot to 2 feet long by 2 inches broad. Flower scape rising to 5 feet or 6 feet in height, and bearing numerous flowers that are each about 2 inches deep. There is a beautiful variegated form of this species named Y. filamentosa variegata, and one with much narrower leaves than the typical species, and known as Y. filamentosa angustifolia.

Y. GLORIOSA.—The Mound Lily. United States, 1596. This is another well-known hardy species, with long, sharp-pointed leaves, and a handsome, much branched scape, of flowers that are each about 2 inches deep. There are several varieties, differing in colour of foliage, including Y. gloriosa glaucescens, with decidedly glaucous foliage; Y. gloriosa superba, with rigid leaves and a shorter and denser flower scape; and another with variegated leaves. Y. gloriosa recurvifolia is usually dwarfer in the stem than the type, and more inclined to branch than the other species, and less rigid, with recurving leaves that are not so sharp-pointed, The flower panicle is large and very much branched.

The Yuccas all do well if planted in light loam of good quality.

ZELKOVA.

ZELKOVA ACUMINATA (syns Z. japonica and Planera acuminata).—Japan. This resembles very nearly our common Elm in appearance, and being perfectly hardy is to be recommended for planting in this country.

Z. CRENATA (syns Planera crenata and P. Richardi).—Zelkova Tree. Western Asia to Mount Caucasus, 1760. This is a handsome, large growing tree, with oblong deeply-crenated leaves, and small and inconspicuous flowers. For avenue planting or as a standard specimen this is a valuable tree, being quite hardy, and of free and quick growth. P. crenata pendula is a good weeping form, and worthy of culture.

Z. CRETICA.—Crete. A pretty small growing bush or tree of about 20 feet in height, with crenate, leathery, dark green leaves, which are usually fully an inch in length. The leaves are hairy, and the twigs, too, are thickly covered with short grey hairs.

ZAUSCHNERIA.

ZAUSCHNERIA CALIFORNICA.—Californian Fuchsia, or Humming Birds' Trumpet. California and Mexico, 1847. A small-growing, densely-branched shrub, with linear-lanceolate silvery pubescent leaves, and bright red or scarlet tubular flowers, with a long, slender style resembling some of the Fuchsias. It is a pretty and distinct Alpine shrub, and not being perfectly hardy should be assigned a rather warm and sheltered position.

ZENOBIA.

ZENOBIA SPECIOSA (syn Andromeda speciosa and A. cassinaefolia).—South United States, 1800. This is a distinct and pretty hardy species, a native of swampy low-lying districts. It grows about four feet high, and bears pure white, bell-shaped, Lily-of-the-Valley like flowers in great abundance during the summer. In too dry situations it becomes sparse of foliage and unhappy, but grows and flowers freely in light, peaty soil. Z. speciosa pulverulenta is a very desirable variety, the whole plant, stems, foliage, and flowers, being of a pleasing light gray or white colour. Individually the flowers are larger than those of the species.

 

A D D E N D A.

 

EXOCHORDA.

EXOCHORDA GRANDIFLORA (syn Spiraea grandiflora).—North China. This handsome shrub forms a much branched, spreading bush, about 4 feet to 6 feet high, and flowers abundantly in May. The habit is similar to that of a shrubby Spiraea, but the pure white flowers are as large as those of some of the species of Cherry, and quite unlike those of any known species of Spiraea. The flowers are liable to injury sometimes from late spring frosts, but the plant itself is quite hardy. As a bush on the lawn it is nevertheless highly ornamental and desirable.

MYRICARIA.

MYRICARIA GERMANICA.—Europe, Asia, 1582. A tall, somewhat straggling shrub, very similar to the Tamarisk, with terminal spikes of pink or rosy flowers, produced freely nearly all the summer. It succeeds well in this country in sea-side situations, and is often described as a Tamarisk by gardeners.

 

TREES SUITABLE FOR PLANTING IN TOWNS.

Acer macrophylla
Ailanthus glandulosa
Crataegus Oxyacantha
    flore-plena
    tenacetifolia
    Catalpa bignonioides
Gleditschia triacanthos
Liriodendron tulipiiera
Magnolia acuminata
    glauca
Pyrus of sorts
Robinia Pseud-acacia and its varieties
    viscosa
Sophora japonica
Tilia, in variet.

SHRUBS FOR TOWN PLANTING.

Amelanchier, in variety
Arbutus Unedo
Berberis Aquifolium
    vulgaris
Cistus ladaniferus
    laurifolius
Colutea arborescens
Daphne Laureola
    Mezereum
    pontica
Deutzia crenata
    gracilis
Forsythia suspensa
    viridissima
Griselinia littoralis
Hibiscus syriacus
Hypericum calycinum
Hypericum nepalense
Koelrenteria paniculata
Leycesteria formosa
Philadelphus Gordonianus
Prunus nana
Pyrus japonica
Rhus Cotinus
Ribes aureum
    sanguineum
Skimmia japonica
Syringa (nearly all)
Ulex europaeus fl.-pl.
Viburnum Opulus
Weigelia rosea
Yucca gloriosa
    recurva

TREES FOR THE SEASIDE.

Acer campestre
    saccharinum
Arbutus Unedo
Ailanthus glandulosa
Aesculus Hippocastanum
    rubicunda
Catalpa bignonioides
Fraxinus Ornus

SHRUBS FOR THE SEASIDE.

Atriplex halimus
Cerasus lusitanica
Cytisus Laburnum
    scoparius
Euonymus japonicus
    europaeus
Fabiana imbricata
Griselinia littoralis
Hippophae rhomnoides
Ilex Aquifolium
Laurus nobilis
Lycium europaeum
Prunus Padus
Rhamnus frangula
Ribes sanguineum
Rosa spinosissima
Shepherdia argentea
Spirea adiantifolia
Syringa persica
    vulgaris
Symphoricarpus racemosus
Tamarix gallica
    germanica
Ulex europaea
Viburnum Tinus

 

THE FLOWERING SEASONS OF TREES AND SHRUBS.

The asterisk * after the name denotes that the species continues in flower for a longer period than the month under which it is placed.

JANUARY.

Erica carnea*
Chimonanthus fragrans*
Crataegus Oxyacantha praecox*
Jasminum nudiflorum*
Ulex europaeus*
Viburnum Tinus*

FEBRUARY.

Cornus Mas*
Daphne Laureola*
    Mezereum*
Hamamelis japonica
Lonicera fragrantissima*
Magnolia conspicua*
Parrotia persica*
Pittosporum Tobira*
Prunus nana*
    Davidiana*
Rosmarinus officinalis*

MARCH.

Arbutus Andrachne*
Berberis japonica*
Erica mediterranea*
Forsythia viridissima*
Garrya elliptica
Magnolia stellata*
Nuttallia cerasiformis*
Prunus Amygdalus*
    ilicifolia*
    japonica*
    spinosa*
    triloba*
    tomentosa
Rhododendron dahuricum
    ledifolium
Skimmia Fortunei
Spiraea Thunbergi*
Xanthoriza apiifolia*

APRIL.

Akebia quinata*
Amelanchier alnifolia
    canadensis
    vulgaris
Berberis Aquifolium*
    Darwinii*
    pinnata
    vulgaris
Caesalpinia sepiaria
Caragana frutescens
    spinosa*
Ceanothus cuneatus*
    rigidus*
Clematis cirrhosa*
    florida*
Cornus florida
Cytisus scoparius*
Daphne altaica
    Blagayana
    Cneorum*
    Genkwa
    sericea
Deutzia gracilis*
Diervilla rosea*
Drimys aromatica
Fothergilla alnifolia*
Fremontia californica
Halesia diptera
    tetraptera
Kalmia glauca*
Laburnum vulgare*
Ledum latifolium
    palustre
Lonicera Caprifolium*
    tatarica*
Magnolia cordata*
    Fraseri
    Lennei
    obovata discolor
Pieris floribunda*
    japonica*
Prunus Avium Juliana
    cerasifera
    cerasifera Pissardii
    Cerasus
    domestica
    divaricata
    Mahaleb
    maritima
    Padus*
    paniculata flore-pleno
    Puddum*
    sinensis
Pyrus angustifolia
    baccata*
    floribunda*
    japonica Maulei
Pyrus prunifolia*
    rivularis*
    sinica
    vestita
Rhododendron campanulatum
    Rhodora*
Rhodotypos kerrioides
Ribes aureum*
    cereum
    floridum*
    sanguineum
Rosa indica*
Sambucus racemosa*
Skimmia japonica
    Laureola
Spiraea prunifolia
Stuartia virginica*
Syringa Emodi
Xanthoceras sorbifolia

MAY.

Abelia triflora*
Aesculus glabra
    Hippocastanum
Arbutus Menziesii
Berberis aristata*
    Bealei
    empetrifolia
    sinensis
    trifoliolata
    Wallichiana
Calycanthus floridus*
Caragana arborescens
    microphylla
Ceanothus dentatus*
Cercis canadensis
    Siliquastrum
Chionanthus retusa
    virginica
Citrus trifoliata
Cladrastis tinctoria
Clematis alpina*
    montana*
Cornus canadensis
    stolonifera
Coronilla Emerus*
Crataegus Azarolus
    Azarolus Aronia
    coccinea
    cordata*
    Crus-galli
    Douglasii
    Oxyacantha*
    parvifolia
    Pyracantha
    tenacetifolia
Cytisus albus*
    albus incarnate*
    biflorus*
Daphne alpina*
Deutzia crenata*
Epigaea repens
Fabiana imbricata
Fraxinus Ornus*
    Mariesii
Gaultheria Shallon
Genista lusitanica
    pilosa*
    prostrata*
Halesia parviflora
Halimodendron argenteum*
Laburnum Adami*
Leiophyllum buxifolium*
    Leucothoë axillaris
    Catesbaei
Magnolia acuminata*
    glauca
    Umbrella
Ostrya carpinifolia
Paeonia Moutan
Pernettya mucronata*
Philadelphus coronarius
Pieris Mariana*
    ovalifolia
Piptanthus nepalensis
Polygala Chamaebuxus*
Prunus Chamaecerasus
    pennsylvanica
    virginiana*
Pyrus Aria*
    Aucuparia*
    coronaria
    germanica
    prunifolia
    sinensis
    Smithii*
    torminalis
Rhododendron arborescens
    calendulaceum
    Collettiana
    ferrugineum*
    flavum
    hirsutum*
    molle
    ponticum
    racemosum
Ribes speciosum
Robinia hispida
    Pseud-Acacia*
    viscosa
Rosa spinosissima*
Rubus biflorus
    deliciosus
    spectabilis
Sophora tetraptera
Spiraea cantoniensis
    laevigata
    trilobata
Staphylea pinnata*
    trifolia*
Stuartia pentagyna*
Syringa chinensis*
    Josikaea
    persica*
    vulgaris*
Vaccinium corymbosum*
    pennsylvanicum
Viburnum acerifolium*
    Lantana*
    Lentago*
    nudum*
    plicatum*
    prunifolium
    pyrifolium*
Wistaria chinensis*
    multijuga*
Exochorda grandiflora

JUNE.

Adenocarpus decorticans*
Aesculus californica*
Andromeda polifolia
Bryanthus erectus
Buddleia globosa*
    Lindleyana*
    paniculata*
Calophaca wolgarica*
Calycanthus occidentalis*
Carpenteria californica
Castanea saliva
Catalpa speciosa
Ceanothus azureus*
Choisya ternata*
Cistus crispus*
    ladaniferus
    laurifolius*
    monspeliensis*
    purpureus*
    salvifolius*
Clematis lanuginosa*
    patens*
    Viorna
    Viticella
Colutea arborescens*
    cruenta*
Cornus circinata
    macrophylla
Crataegus nigra*
Cytisus decumbens
    nigricans
Daboëcia polifolia
Diervilla floribunda*
    grandiflora*
Escallonia macrantha*
Fuchsia Riccartoni*
Genista aetnensis*
    saggitalis
Helianthemum halimifolium*
    lasianthum
    lavendulaefolium*
Helianthemum pilosum*
    polifolium*
    umbellatum*
Hypericum calycinum*
    patulum*
Itea virginica
Jamesia americana
Jasminum revolutum*
Kalmia angustifolia
    latifolia*
Kerria japonica*
Laburnum alpinum
    caramanicum
Ligustrum japonicum
    lucidum*
    ovalitolium*
    sinense*
Liriodendron tulipifera*
Lyonia paniculata
Magnolia macrophylla
Myricaria germanica*
Myrtus communis*
Neillia opulifolia
Olearia macrodonta
Oxydendrum arboreum*
Philadelphus grandiflorus
    hirsutus
    inodorus
    Lewisi
    microphyllus*
Phlomis fruticosa
Plagianthus pulchellus*
Potentilla fruticosa
Prunus lusitanica
Rhododendron californicum
    campylocarpum
    chrysanthum
Rhus Cotinus*
Robinia dubia*
Rosa alba*
    centifolia*
    damascena*
    gallica*
    lutea
    rubiginosa
    rugosa
    sempervirens*
Rubus arcticus
    laciniatus*
    odoratus*
Sambucus nigra
Spiraea bullata*
    cana*
    chamaedrifolia*
    decumbens*
    hypericifolia*
    japonica*
    media*
Staphylea colchica
Stuartia Pseudo-Camellia*
Syringa japonica*
Tecoma radicans*
Tilia vulgaris*
Veronica pinquifolia
    Traversii*
Viburnum dahuricum*
    dentatum
    macrocephalum
    Opulus*
Yucca filamentosa
Zenobia speciosa*

JULY.

Aesculus parviflora*
Berberis Fortunei
Ceanothus americanus*
Clematis Flammula*
    Vitalba*
Cornus alba
    alternifolia
    tartarica
Escallonia floribunda
    Phillipiana*
    pterocladon
    rubra*
Eucryphia pinnatifolia*
Fuchsia macrostema globosa*
Genista anxanctica*
    cinerea
    germanica
    hispanica*
    radiata*
    tinctoria*
Gordonia lasianthus*
Hydrangea hortensis*
Hypericum elatum
    fasciculatum
    hircinum*
    prolificum*
    uralum*
Jasminum fruticans*
    humile*
Kalmia hirsuta*
Ligustrum Ibota*
    Quihoi*
Lonicera Xylosteum*
Periploca graeca*
Philadelphus Gordonianus
    satzumi
Photinia arbutifolia
Plagianthus Lyalli
Philadelphus Lemoinei
Rhododendron catawbiense
    maximum
    viscosum
Rosa bracteata
    hemisphaerica
Spartium junceum*
Spiraea bella*
    discolor ariaefolia
Spiraea salicifolia*
    sorbifolia*
    tomentosa
Tamarix gallica*
    parviflora*
Tilia petiolaris*
Wistaria japonica*
Yucca gloriosa
Zauschneria californica

AUGUST.

Abelia chinensis*
Calluna vulgaris*
Catalpa bignonioides
Clerodendron foetidum
Erica cinerea*
Escallonia illinita
Gordonia pubescens
Hedysarum multijugum
Hibiscus syriacus*
Hypericum oblongifolium
Leycesteria formosa*
Loropetalum chinense*
Magnolia grandiflora*
Nesaea salicifolia*
Passiflora caerulea*
Rubus nutkanus
Sophora japonica*
Spiraea Douglasii
    Lindleyana
Vitex Agnus-castus

SEPTEMBER.

Arbutus Unedo*
Baccharis halimifolia
Clerodendron trichotomum
Clethra acuminata*
    alnifolia
Daphne Cneorum*
Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora*
Olearia Haastii
    Gunniana
Photinia japonica
Microglossa albescens*
Tecoma grandiflora*

OCTOBER.

Berberidopsis corallina
Berberris nervosa*
Caryopteris Mastacanthus
Hamamelis virginica*
Lespedeza bicolor

NOVEMBER.

Azara microphylla
Cassinia fulvida
Chimonanthus fragrans*
Jasminum nudiflorum*

DECEMBER.

Chimonanthus fragrans*
Lardizabala biternata
Viburnum Tinus*

 

I N D E X.