*Bambusa violascens.—A hardy and vigorous kind, intermediate between B. nigra and B. viridi-glaucescens, most resembling the last-mentioned however. It has blackish-violet much-branched stems, which assume a yellow tinge with age. The leaves are green above, bluish-grey beneath, with an elongated ligule surrounded by a bundle of black hairs. Native of China.
*Bambusa viridi-glaucescens.—A species from Northern China, which has been proved very hardy and free in the Paris gardens, and will, probably, in warm parts of our islands, make a more vigorous growth and prove a more beautiful object than any other kind. The stems, of a light-yellowish-green, grow from 7 ft. to 12 ft. high, branching from the base, each branch again branching very much. The leaves are very numerous, especially at the ends of the branches, of a pale-green, bluish underneath, sheathing the stem for a considerable length. It forms a fine object when planted as isolated specimens in sheltered warm glades in the pleasure-ground, or in snug open spots near wood-walks, in very deep, rich, light, and well-drained soil.
*Bambusa viridis striata.—Described as a vigorous-growing, hardy kind, with numerous branches, having its long leaves green on both sides, and marked with bands, some of a yellowish and others of a deeper green. It is a native of Japan, and was recommended by MM. Thibaut and Ketteleer of Paris, but I have had no experience of its growth.
*Baptisia australis.—A handsome hardy perennial from N. America, forming strong bushy tufts from 3 ft. to 5 ft. high, and from 3 ft. to 6 ft. across, with sea-green trifoliate leaves which reflect a metallic lustre. The flowers are of a delicate blue, with wings of a greenish-white colour, and are borne in long erect spikes. Grows well in ordinary, deep, well-drained soil, preferring a sandy loam. B. exaltata and B. alba are closely allied to the preceding species, and form equally handsome bushes. The foliage of these is of a character to permit of their being grouped along with some of the finer perennial foliage-plants with good effect. Division.
*Berberis Aquifolium.—A well-known shrub from N. America, with simple stems from 3¼ ft. to 6½ ft. high, and very glistening, bright green leaves, each consisting of 7 or 9 sessile, oval, spiny leaflets. Where the plant is fully exposed to the sun, the foliage frequently acquires an agreeable reddish tinge. There are numerous varieties, of which B. floribunda may be mentioned as very handsome in habit and profuse in flower, and B. nitens, remarkable for the extremely glossy appearance of the old leaves, which when young are of a rich bronze changing to a dark green. This variety is of a dwarf and compact habit. It requires a shady situation and a compost of peat, loam, and sand. Though so very common, it will be found worth planting in some places among groups of hardy things, and also for isolation on the turf, its leaves being very ornamental.
*Berberis Bealii.—This is perhaps the finest of all the hardy species, whether as regards foliage or flower, while the fruit, in colour and size, surpasses that of any other kind. The leaflets vary to a very great degree on the same plant, both in form and size, some being 5 ins. long and 3½ ins. broad, the average size being 3 ins. long by 2 ins. broad: some again are nearly square, while others are long and narrow, with a very stiff triangular point. Shade, shelter from gusts of wind, and rich, well-manured soil are absolutely necessary to do full justice to the merits of this species. By pruning it to a single stem, it may be made to assume a very effective palm-like character. It is easily propagated from seed; a single berry frequently producing three plants. Being a noble subject for quiet half-shady wood-walks in peat or moist sandy loam, it should be much planted in the southern and milder districts. Where it thrives freely, it would prove a fine object on the margins of shrubberies grouped with the hardy “subtropical” plants, or indeed in any position.
*Berberis japonica.—A very handsome species, 5 ft. or 6 ft. high, with very leathery, pinnate, spiny leaves, from 1 ft. to 18 ins. long, slightly tinged with pink when first opened, then becoming pale green, and finally changing to dark green blotched with yellow. Flowers yellow, in large racemes, succeeded by large handsome
