COCCULUS.

COCCULUS CAROLINUS.—­This is a half hardy, twining shrub, of free growth when planted by a tree stem in a sheltered wood, but with by no means showy flowers; indeed, it may be described in few words as a shrub of no great beauty nor value.

C. LAURIFOLIUS, from the Himalayas and Japan, is even less hardy than the above, although, used as a wall plant, it has survived for many years in the south and west of England.  The foliage of this species is neat and ornamental, but liable to injury from cold easterly winds.

COLLETIA.

COLLETIA CRUCIATA (syn C. bictonensis).—­Chili, 1824.  With flattened woody branches, and sharp-pointed spines which take the place of leaves, this is at once one of the most singular of hardy flowering shrubs.  It forms a stout dense bush about 4 feet high, and bears quantities of small white flowers, which render the plant one of great beauty during the summer months.

C. SPINOSA.—­Peru, 1823.  This species grows fairly well in some parts of England and Ireland, and is a curious shrub with awl-shaped leaves, and, like the other members of the family, an abundant producer of flowers.  It thrives best as a wall plant, and when favourably situated a height of 12 feet is sometimes attained.

COLUTEA.

COLUTEA ARBORESCENS.—­Bladder Senna.  France, 1548.  This is a common plant in English gardens, bearing yellow Pea-shaped flowers, that are succeeded by curious reddish bladder-like seed pods.  It grows to 10 feet or 12 feet in height, and is usually of lax and slender growth, but perfectly hardy.

C. CRUENTA (syn C. orientalis and C. sanguine).—­Oriental Bladder Senna.  Levant, 1710.  This is a free-growing, round-headed, deciduous bush, of from 6 feet to 8 feet high when fully grown.  The leaves are pinnate and glaucous, smooth, and bright green above, and downy beneath.  Flowers individually large, of a reddish-copper colour, with a yellow spot at the base of the upper petal.  The fruit is an inflated boat-shaped reddish pod.  The Bladder Sennas are of very free growth, even in poor, sandy soil, and being highly ornamental, whether in flower or fruit, are to be recommended for extensive cultivation.

CORIARIA.

CORIARIA MYRTIFOLIA.—­South Europe, 1629.  A deciduous shrub growing to about 4 feet in height, with Myrtle-like leaves, and upright terminal racemes of not very showy flowers, produced about mid-summer—­generally from May to August.  For its pretty foliage and the frond-like arrangement of its branches it is principally worthy of culture.  From southern Europe and the north of Africa, where it is an occupant of waste ground and hedges, but still rare in our gardens.

CORNUS.