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.