ORNAMENTAL PLANTS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 17, 4 December 1883, Page 4

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS.

As a hedge plant the Ligustrum undulatum presents a very charming appearance. Samples of these affairs have lately presented themselves to us, and while the foliage is in itself very handsome, the addition of fairsized spikes of white flowers renders it doubly handsome. The species of privet must become popular, as it is adapted for every description of garden work Dwarf hedges of miniature height may be made from it, and also tall ones to exclude the gaze of wayfarers from the garden view. Left to nature, it forms a valuable plant for the shrubbery, and on account of its freedom from disease ranks amongst the most valuable flowering shrubs we have to select from. The climbing Bignonia Tweed isn't at this period of the year is indeed a grand object, for not only are its flowers of a bright golden hue and produce in immen e quanliiiee, but the young foliage is to a certain extent of a golden colour. It may be quoted as one of the best climbing plants we have. Its growth is very free, and doesnot, like many others, require trellis to climb on, as its trendrils are furnished with claspers that cling to walls and fences so tenaciously as to require considerable force to remove them. For covering unsightly buildings it is one of the best climbers known. We also direct attention to scandent fuchsias. The

old species from New Zealand, Fuchsia exeortieata, is well known for its scandent habit and its suitability for covering fences. We may also mention that, although its flowers are self in colour, their size is of fair porportions. Plants of these used to adorn the fences at Lathallan, North Shore, where it may now probably exist; and while speaking of that place we may mention, in answer to Mr. Mortimore that he was not aware that the true cabbage rose was ever in the colony, that a few years back a dwarf hedge might have been seen in that garden. Fuchsia Kirkii, or F. procumbens of the British botanist, is a very handsome, remarkable small-leaved type of a climbing fuchsia. Plants of this now in flower grown on trellis from one of the prettiest plants imaginable, ,and although its flowers are minute th ey are interesting, and are succeeded by fair-sized scarlet fruit, eaten, we believe, in their natural habitat. We may mention that the fruit of all thefuschsias is edibie. The Californian remarkable pine, Psnus insignis, bids fair to rival the Araucaria exceUa as a lawn specimen rhmt. Our inland friends whose districts are too cold for the Norfolk Island pine will find a most admirable substitute in the Finns insignus. Its best situation is undoubtedly on a lawn awav from other trees, where it can spread its fair proportions without hindrance. It is about the only pine tree we know' of that retains with age its lower branches intact ; and as we know of specimens at least a quarter of a century old thus clothed with branches in a perfect condition from bottom to top, it is a fair criterion of its suitability as a specimen plant for landscape purposes. We may also men’tion that most of the trees vary somewhat in form, and thus give a pleas ing effect.