A variety of the lilac-tree, apparently a hybridous production between the common and the Persian is now cultivated, under the name of Siberian Lilac. It forms a pretty shrub, the size of the leaf being intermediate between that of the two old species. It seems to be the Voris of the French.
Ribes aureunt, or the Yellow-flowered Currant, makes a fine appearance when covered with its blos soms in May. It requires a sheltered place, or to be trained to a wall.
Ireland has, within these few years, produced three very ornamental varieties, all of them evergreens. 1. The most important is a broad-leaved ivy, usually distinguished by the name of Irish Ivy. For all the purposes for which ivy is desirable in a garden, this kind is preferable. It not only grows more freely, but its leaves are four times larger than in the com mon ivy, and of a brighter green. For decorating or disguising the back of a wall, it is well calculated, on account of the beauty of the leaves ; for covering a rock or an aged tree in the pleasure grounds, it is equal ly adapted. 2. The next is a kind of Yew-tree, first ob served at Florence Court, in the county of Ferman agh, remarkable for its upright growth, and commonly distinguished by the name of Irish Yew. It forms a very fine object in the shrubbery, its dark foliage contrasting with the light hue of the cypress or the Swedish juniper. It is so different in aspect from the common that some regard it as a distinct species. S. The Irish Furze is a very recent pro duction, and it is likewise remarkable for its upright growth. For small cross hedges, or brise-vents, in drover-borders, it is very desirable, being tit the same time curious and ornamental, and completely answering the purpose. It is propagated by cut tings, but these do not strike very readily.
For the many fine flowering shrubs which require a bog sod, compartments are now prepared with great care, generally in a low situation, or by the side of a rivulet or pond. Surface peat-earth, hav ing a considerable portion of fine sand intermixed with it, forms the most desirable soil. From the circumstance of several of the most showy plants (particularly the whole genus Kalmia, with different species of Azalea and Andromeda, and one fine Rhododendrum R. maximum), being natives of America, these compartments are generally called the American grounds. The list of plants adapted to those grounds has been considerably increased. Rhododendrum Catawbiease, Caucasicum, and Dauri cum, may be particularly specified, with Androme da pulverulenta and cassinefolia ; and some new va rieties of Azalea nudiflora and viscose.
The Tree-peony or Mouton, if planted in a shel tered situation in the garden, and protected by a temporary cover during winter, forms a most beau tiful ornament when in flower in the beginning of summer.—This may be considered as a connecting link, leading from the notice of shrubs to herbaceous plants. But here brevity must be studied ; and on ly a few of the most ornamental can be named.
The different species and varieties of herbaceous Peony may first be noticed, these having, of late, been much in vogue, and getting in many places a separate border of the flower-garden allotted to them. The following are at present cultivated : P. coraltina; paradoxa fimbriata, or double-fringed;. peregrina compacts, or byzantine ; albiflora, in three subvarie ties, with single flowers, with double flowers, and double sweet-scented (the latter one of the finest) ; daurica ; tenuifolia, anomala, or genuine hiciniate ; albiflora Tatarica, or Saiirica ; officinalis with double red flowers (one of the oldest inhabitants of our gar dens) ; the same with double flesh-coloured flowers, and a still paler variety approaching to white.
The cultivation of Dahlias has become fashion able, and they must not, therefore, be omitted. ' There are two species, D. superflua and D. frus tranea. Of the former there are purple, scarlet, and rose-coloured varieties ; of the latter, saffron-colour ed and white. Occasionally most of these are pro cured with double or semi-double flowers, and these are most highly prized by florists. The roots, which are tuberous like those of the common peony, are taken up in autumn, and kept in a dry place, beyond the reach of frost, till the time of planting in the spring. Burying them among sand is unnecessary, and often proves hurtful. In April the more choice kinds should be planted in pots, so as to have their growth forwarded in a frame or green•-house. Iii June they may be planted out : a rich border is not desirable for them ; on the contrary, the flowers come more brilliant in a poor soil. If the pleats show a great disposition to be luxuriant, the dowering is impaired : this disposition may be somewhat check. ed, by pinching off aome of the secondary breeches while young and tender. After the dower-bud has appeared little water should be given to the plants, even though the weather should prose dry.