HAMAMELIS JAPONICA.—­The Japanese Witch Hazel.  Japan, 1862.  This is a small species with lemon-yellow flowers.  H. japonica arborea is a taller growing variety, with primrose-yellow petals, and a deep claret calyx.  The flowers are borne in clusters in early spring.  Rarely in this country do we find this species of greater height than about 8 feet, but it is of bushy growth, though somewhat straggling in appearance.  As early as the beginning of January this Witch Hazel may be found in bloom, the bare branches being studded here and there with the curious-shaped flowers, these having bright yellow, twisted petals and reddish calyces.  H.j.  Zuccarinianais a very desirable free-flowering variety, with pale yellow petals and a greenish-brown calyx.

H. VIRGINICA.—­Virginian Witch Hazel.  North America, 1736.  This has smaller flowers than H.j. arborea, and they are plentifully produced in autumn or early winter.  In this country it assumes the shape of an open bush of about 6 feet in height, but is usually of untidy appearance from the branches being irregularly disposed.

They all delight in cool, rather moist soil, and are of value for their early-flowering nature.

HEDYSARUM.

HEDYSARUM MULTIJUGUM.—­South Mongolia.  Hardly ten years have elapsed since this pretty shrub was introduced into England, so that at present it is rather rare in our gardens.  It is a decided acquisition, if only for the production of flowers at a time when these are scarce.  Usually the flowering time is in August, but frequently in the first weeks of October the pretty flowers are still full of beauty.  It is of bushy habit, from 4 feet to 5 feet high, with oblong leaflets, in number from twenty to thirty-five, which are Pea-green above and downy on the under sides.  Flowers bright red, and produced in axillary racemes.  It is perfectly hardy, and grows freely in porous decomposed leaf-soil.

HELIANTHEMUM.

HELIANTHEMUM HALIMIFOLIUM.—­Spain, 1656.  This species is of erect habit, 3 feet or 4 feet high, and with leaves reminding one of those of the Sea Purslane.  It is an evergreen, and has large bright yellow flowers, slightly spotted at the base of the petals.

H. LAEVIPES (syn Cistus laevipes).—­South-western Europe.  A dwarf shrub, with Heath-like leaves, and yellow flowers that are produced in great abundance.

H. LASIANTHUM (syns H. formosum and Cistus formosus).—­Spain and Portugal, 1780.  This is a beautiful species, but not hardy unless in the South and West.  It has large, bright yellow flowers, with a deep reddish-purple blotch at the base of each petal.

H. LAVENDULAEFOLIUM has lavender-like leaves, with the under surface hoary, and yellow flowers.  A native of the Mediterranean regions.

H. LIBONATES.—­This species bears dark green Rosemary-like leaves, and yellow flowers that are produced very abundantly.  South Europe.