elongated
panicle, and bright red bark on the young wood.
P. BENTHAMIANA is only worthy of culture for its neat habit and freedom
of growth when suitably placed.
P. SERRULATA (_syn Crataegus glabra_).--Chinese Hawthorn. Japan and
China, 1804. This has Laurel-like leaves, 4 inches or 5 inches long,
and, especially when young, of a beautiful rosy-chocolate colour, and
clustered at the branch-tips. Flowers small, white, and produced in flat
corymbs. An invaluable seaside shrub.
They all grow well either in light, rich loam, or in sandy, peaty earth,
and are usually propagated by grafting.
PHYLODOCE.
PHYLODOCE TAXIFOLIA (_syns P. caerulea_ and _Menziesia caerulea_).--An
almost extinct native species, having crowded linear leaves, and
lilac-blue flowers. It is only of value for rock gardening.
PIERIS.
PIERIS FLORIBUNDA (_syns Andromeda floribunda_ and _Leucothoe
floribunda_).--United States, 1812. Few perfectly hardy shrubs are more
beautiful than this, with its pure white Lily-of-the-Valley like
flowers, borne in dense racemes and small, neat, dark green leaves. To
cultivate this handsome shrub in a satisfactory way, fairly rich loam
or peat, and a situation sheltered from cold and cutting winds, are
necessities.
P. JAPONICA (_syn Andromeda japonica_).--Japan, 1882. A hardy,
well-known shrub, that was first brought specially under notice in "The
Garden," and of which a coloured plate and description were given. It is
thickly furnished with neat and small deep-green, leathery leaves, and
pretty, waxy white flowers, pendulous at the branch tips. Planted in
free, sandy peat, it thrives vigorously, and soon forms a neat specimen
of nearly a yard in height. It is a very desirable hardy species, and
one that can be confidently recommended for ornamental planting. There
is a variegated variety, P. japonica elegantissima, with leaves clearly
edged with creamy-white, and flushed with pink. Amongst variegated,
small-growing shrubs it is a gem.
P. MARIANA (_syn Andromeda Mariana ovalis_).--North America, 1736. A
neat shrub of about 3 feet in height, with oval leaves, and pretty white
flowers in pendent clusters.
P. OVALIFOLIA (_syn Andromeda ovalifolia_).--Nepaul, 1825. A fine,
tall-growing species, with oval-pointed, leathery leaves placed on long
footstalks. Flowers in lengthened, drooping, one-sided racemes, and
white or pale flesh-coloured. Being perfectly hardy, and attaining to as
much as 20 feet in
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