Sophora Japonica

Sophora Japonica is worthy of recommendation as a tree that is admirably suited for planting in towns. It is of large and rapid growth, with elegant dark green pinnate leaves. Being a native of China and Japan, it may not be perfectly hardy in the colder portions of the British Isles, but it succeeds well in Southern England and Ireland, and it thrives admirably in the most smoke-infested parts of London.

Thorns of various kinds succeed in town parks and gardens, but they are not to be recommended for the most smoky and confined localities. In Glasgow, however, I have noticed how well suited for planting in the squares and public gardens many forms of the Thorn are; indeed, even in London, and where smoke and dust are by no means wanting, they gladden the eye with their wealth of flowers and bright green leaves. The single and double scarlet would seem to be best adapted for withstanding soot and smoke; and these may not unfrequently be seen of large size and in perfect health.

The Tansy-Leaved Thorn (Cratcegus tanacetifolia)

The Tansy-Leaved Thorn (Cratcegus tanacetifolia) is another excellent member of the family for town planting. A noble example may be seen near the entrance to the Glasgow Botanic Garden and in various of the London parks.

The Common Holly (Ilex Aquifolium)

On the whole the Holly cannot be considered a suitable shrub for smoky localities, though occasionally one sees it in a fairly healthy condition, but only when growing under ex-ceptionally favourable conditions, as in the most open and airy of our town squares and gardens. Take, as examples, the Holly hedge around the gardens in Cavendish Square, where the atmospheric conditions are by no means bad when compared with other parts of London, and it must be admitted that the trees wear a wretched, blackened, rusty appearance, though they are able to survive and eke out an existence under their unfavourable conditions. Even in our larger parks, where the grounds are open and airy, the Holly is by no means at home, and, though able to survive, cannot compare in point of beauty with those grown in the country.

Of course, as we recede from the smoke and other impurities of the confined town atmosphere, the Holly gradually improves until - say in Greenwich or other parks on the outskirts of the metropolis - it may be considered as a fairly satisfactory shrub; but in the more confined parts of London it cannot be recommended.

The Dwarf variety of the Common Holly may be considered as probably better than the species for London generally, though both Ilex Hodginsii and I. Balearic a (the Minorca Holly) have distinct claims, particularly the former, on the town planter. Hodginsii, owing to its strong constitution, sturdy habit and smooth leaves, would appear to do well under unfavourable conditions, and, when established, wears quite a presentable appearance even in moderately smoky localities. All the Hollies want a light, but rich loamy, soil if their best qualities as town shrubs are to be brought out, and, as they bear pruning well, are equally adapted either as standards or hedge plants. A distinct disadvantage with the Holly is that soot and smoke adhere persistently to the leaves.