E. LATIFOLIUS.—­Broad-leaved Spindle Tree.  A European species (1730), deciduous, and growing from 10 feet to sometimes fully 20 feet in height.  The leaves are bright, shining green, and much larger than those of our native species.  Flowers, purplish-white, appearing in June; the capsules large, deep red, and when open contrasting very effectively with the bright orange arils in which the seeds are enveloped.  It is a very distinct and beautiful, small-growing lawn tree, and succeeding, as it does, best in shade is an extra qualification.

FABIANA.

FABIANA IMBRICATA.—­Chili, 1838.  This is, unfortunately, not hardy in any but the milder maritime parts of England and Ireland.  It is a charming shrub of Heather-like appearance, with small, crowded leaves, and pure white flowers produced in May.  Planted at the base of a southern wall it does best, and where it thrives it is certainly one of our handsomest half-hardy shrubs.

FATSIA.

FATSIA JAPONICA (syns Aralia japonica and A.  Sieboldii).—­Japan, 1858.  This is of no particular value as a flowering shrub, but being hardy in most districts, and having large handsome leaves that impart to it a tropical appearance, it is well worthy of culture.  The flowers are ivory-white, and produced in large umbels towards the end of autumn, but our early frosts too often mar their beauty.  In this country it grows about 10 feet high, and is usually what is termed “leggy” in appearance, and thrives well in any good loamy soil if fairly dry.

FENDLERA.

FENDLERA RUPICOLA.—­Mexico, 1888.  A low-growing shrub, peculiar to the dry rocky parts of the United States, particularly the south-western district.  It grows about a yard high, and bears a great profusion of bluish-white flowers, that are rendered very conspicuous by reason of the bright yellow stamens.  It is the only known species, and is nearly allied to the Saxifrages.  Any fairly good garden soil will suit it well, but it wants to be planted where superfluous moisture is quickly carried off.

FORSYTHIA.

FORSYTHIA SUSPENSA (syn F. Fortunei and F.  Sieboldii).—­Japan and China, 1864.  A slender-growing shrub, with variable leaves, and long, trailing shoots.  The flowers are abundantly produced, are of a beautiful golden tint, and bell-shaped, and being of good substance last for a long time.  Either as a wall plant, or for using in some sheltered corner, and where the branches can spread about at will, it forms a very distinct and handsome shrub, and one that is perfectly hardy and quite indifferent as regards the quality of soil in which it is planted.  There are several forms of this pretty shrub, but as they do not differ to any great extent from the species, are hardly worthy of consideration.