ARISTOLOCHIA.

ARISTOLOCHIA SIPHO.—­Dutchman’s Pipe.  North America, 1763.  A large-growing, deciduous climbing shrub, remarkable for its ample foliage, and curiously formed yellow and purple streaked flowers.  A native of North America, it is perfectly hardy in this country, and makes an excellent wall plant where plenty of space can be afforded for the rambling branches.  What a pity it is that so ornamental a climber, whose big, dark-green leaves overlap each other as if intended for keeping a house cool in warm weather, is not more generally planted.  It does well and grows fast in almost any soil.

ASIMINA.

ASIMINA TRILOBA.—­Virginian Papaw.  Pennsylvania, 1736.  This is a curious and uncommon shrub that one rarely sees outside the walls of a botanic garden.  The flowers are dark purple or chocolate brown, fully 2 inches across, and succeeded by a yellow, oblong, pulpy fruit, that is relished by the natives, and from which the name of North American Custard Apple has been derived.  In this country it is quite at home, growing around London to quite 12 feet in height, but it wants a warm, dry soil, and sunny sheltered situation.  As a wall plant it does well.

AZARA.

AZARA MICROPHYLLA.—­Chili, 1873.  This is the only recognised hardy species, and probably the best from an ornamental point of view.  In mild seaside districts it may succeed as a standard in the open ground, but generally it is cultivated as a wall plant, and for which it is peculiarly suitable.  The small dark green, glossy leaves are thickly arranged on the nearly horizontal branches, while the flowers, if they lack in point of showiness, are deliciously fragrant and plentifully produced.  For wall-covering, especially in an eastern aspect, it is one of the neatest of shrubs.

Other species in cultivation are A. serrata, A. lanceolata, and A. integrifolia, but for general planting, and unless under the most favoured conditions, they are not to be recommended.  The Azaras are by no means particular about the quality of soil in which they are planted, and succeed well even in stiffish loam, bordering on clay.

BACCHARIS.

BACCHARIS HALIMIFOLIA.—­Groundsel Tree or Sea Purslane.  North America.  For seaside planting this is an invaluable shrub, as it succeeds well down even to high water mark, and where it is almost lashed by the salt spray.  The flowers are not very ornamental, resembling somewhat those of the Groundsel, but white with a tint of purple.  Leaves obovate in shape, notched, and thickly covered with a whitish powder, which imparts to them a pleasing glaucous hue.  Any light soil that is tolerably dry suits well the wants of this shrub, but it is always seen in best condition by the seaside.  Under favourable conditions it attains to a height of 12 feet, with a branch spread nearly as much in diameter.  A native of the North American coast from Maryland to Florida.