PHILLYREA.

P. ANGUSTIFOLIA (narrow-leaved Phillyrea), P. ilicifolia (Holly-leaved Phillyrea), P. salicifolia (Willow-leaved Phillyrea), P. buxifolia (Box-leaved Phillyrea), and P. ligustrifolia (Privet-leaved Phillyrea), are all more or less valuable species, and their names indicate their peculiarities of leafage.  P. angustifolia rosmarinifolia (syn P. neapolitana) is a somewhat rare shrub, but one that is well worthy of culture, if only for its neat habit and tiny little Rosemary-like leaves.  It is from Italy, and known under the synonym of P. rosmarinifolia.

P. LATIFOLIA (syn P. obliqua).—­Broad-leaved Phillyrea.  South Europe, 1597.  This is a compact-growing and exceedingly ornamental shrub, with bright and shining, ovate-serrulated leaves.  For its handsome, evergreen foliage and compact habit of growth it is, perhaps, most to be valued, for the small flowers are at their best both dull and inconspicuous.  Not very hardy unless in the sea-coast garden.

P. MEDIA (syns P. ligustrifolia and P. oleaefolia).—­South Europe, 1597.  This is another interesting species, but not at all common in cultivation.

P. VILMORINIANA (syns P. laurifolia and P. decora).—­Asia Minor, 1885, This is a grand addition to these valuable shrubs, of which it is decidedly the best from an ornamental point of view.  It is of compact growth, with large, Laurel-like leaves, which are of a pleasing shade of green, and fully 4 inches long.  They are of stout, leathery texture, and plentifully produced.  That this shrub is perfectly hardy is now a well-established fact.

The Phillyreas succeed well in light, warm, but not too dry soil, and they do all the better if a warm and sheltered position is assigned to them.  Being unusually bright of foliage, they are of great service in planting for shrubbery embellishment, and which they light up in a very conspicuous manner during the dull winter months.  They get shabby and meagre foliaged if exposed to cold winds.

PHLOMIS.

PHLOMIS FRUTICOSA.—­Jerusalem Sage.  Mediterranean region, 1596.  This is a neat-growing shrubby plant, with ovate acute leaves, that are covered with a yellowish down.  From the axils of the upper leaves the whorls of yellow flowers are freely produced during the summer months.  It is valued for its neat growth, and as growing on dry soils where few other plants could eke out an existence.

PHOTINIA.

PHOTINIA JAPONICA (syn Eriobotrya japonica).—­Loquat, Japan Medlar, or Japan Quince.  Japan, 1787.  This is chiefly remarkable for its handsome foliage, the leaves being oblong of shape and downy on the under sides.  The white flowers are of no great beauty, but being produced at the beginning of winter, and when flowers are scarce, are all the more welcome.  It requires protection in all but the warmer parts of these islands.