KALMIA.

KALMIA ANGUSTIFOLIA.—­Sheep Laurel.  Canada, 1736.  This is at once distinguished from K. latifolia by its much smaller and narrower leaves and smaller flowers, which latter are, however, of brighter tint and more plentifully produced.  It rarely exceeds 2 feet in height.  Of this there are two very distinct forms, that named K. angustifolia pumila, being of neat and dense small growth; and K. angustifolia rubra, in which the flowers are of an unusually deep red.

K. GLAUCA.—­Canada and Sitcha, 1767.  This, which has lilac-purple flowers, produced in early spring, is not a very desirable species, being rather straggling of growth and with few flowers.

K. HIRSUTA.—­Hairy-leaved Kalmia.  South-east Virginia to Florida, 1786.  This is at once distinguished by the rather rough and hairy foliage and few rosy-tinted flowers.  It is of dwarf, neat growth.

K. LATIFOLIA.—­Calico Bush, or Mountain Laurel.  Alleghanies, Canada, and Western Florida, 1734.  A favourite shrub in every garden where the conditions of soil will allow of its being successfully cultivated.  In peaty soil, or light, friable loam and leaf soil, it forms a dense, round-headed bush, often 8 feet in height, and nearly as much through, with pleasing green leaves, and dense clusters of beautiful pink, wax-like flowers.  The flowering period commences in May, and usually extends to the end of July.  This is a choice shrub of great hardihood, and one of the handsomest flowering in cultivation.  There is a still more beautiful form named K. latifolia major splendens, and one with small Myrtle-like foliage named K. latifolia myrtifolia.

The members of this handsome family are, as a rule, partial to cool, damp soil, peat of a light, sandy nature being preferred.  They thrive well where Azaleas and Rhododendrons will succeed.  In bold masses they have a fine effect, but a well developed standard specimen of the commonly cultivated species is highly ornamental.

KERRIA.

KERRIA JAPONICA (syn Corchorus japonicus).—­Japan, 1700.  A Japanese shrub, the double-flowered variety of which, K. japonica flore-pleno, is one of our commonest wall plants.  The orange-yellow flowers, produced in great rosettes, are highly ornamental, and have earned for the shrub a well-known name.  It succeeds well almost anywhere, and, though usually seen as a wall plant, is perfectly hardy, and forms a neat shrub for the open border.  There is a form in which the leaves are variegated, and known under the name of K. japonica variegata.

KOELREUTERIA.

KOELREUTERIA PANICULATA.—­Northern China, 1763.  Whether for its foliage or flowers, this small-growing tree is worthy of a place.  Though of rather irregular growth, the beautiful foliage and large panicles of yellowish flowers, which stand well above the leaves, make the shrub (for it does not in this country attain to tree height), one of particular interest, and a valuable aid in ornamental planting.  In a sheltered corner, and planted in rich soil, it grows and flowers freely.