OLEARIA.--The best known of the Daisy trees of New Zealand is _O. Haastii_, which flowers freely in August. One at least of the species blooms naturally much earlier, namely _O. stellulata_ (_O. gunniana_), and very pretty it is under cover and with its daisy-like blossom. To be seen at their best, grow them altogether in pots and give the protection of a cool house in winter.
TREE PÆONIES.--The magnificent varieties of the Tree Pæony that have appeared in recent years have led to a great increase in their culture. Though hardy in many places, their young leaves and flowers are frequently injured by late frosts, hence they are often flowered under glass. In this way they make a gorgeous display in the greenhouse, which is sufficiently warm for them in all stages. If forcing is attempted they are quickly spoilt. They must be potted in good loamy soil, and are most satisfactory when grown altogether in pots, as many of the long fleshy roots will be injured in digging up established plants.
PERNETTYA MUCRONATA.--Though grown chiefly for its ornamental berries, neat little bushes are very pleasing in the greenhouse when thickly studded with little white lily-of-the-valley-like flowers, so pretty against the dark-green colouring of the leaves. The treatment recommended for Kalmias is suitable for the Pernettyas. The fruits are very charming.
PHILADELPHUS (Mock Orange).--This in its several forms may be lifted in the autumn and flowered well the following spring, not early, as the forcing must be very gentle. Even then the perfume of _P. coronarius_ is too powerful to be pleasant in a confined space. This objection cannot, however, be urged against M. Lemoine's hybrids between this species and the pretty little Mexican _P. microphyllus_, which has a fragrance like that of ripe apples. These newer hybrids--_Avalanche_, _Boule d'Argent_, _Gerbe de Neige_, _Manteau d'Hermine_, _Mont Blanc_, and _Lemoinei_--are all worth a place either in the open ground or for flowering in pots.
PRUNUS.--Several classes that were at one time considered as separate genera are now included in the genus Prunus, which was formerly limited to the Plum family. Now the Cherries, Almonds, and Peaches are only sections of the genus Prunus, as explained elsewhere in this book, but as they are better known under their respective names it will be wiser to refer to them thus. The Cherries (_Cerasus_) have been added to considerably of recent years, several varieties having come from Japan, mostly of _P. (Cerasus) pseudo-cerasus_. These, which include such varieties as _Sieboldi_, _Watereri_, and J. H. Veitch, all flower freely when quite small, an important point when considering plants needed for flowering under glass. Where larger plants are required the double form of the Wild Cherry (_P. Avium_) is very beautiful. The Almonds flower early naturally, and under glass, of course, earlier still; the variety _purpurea_ is one of the best, while a distinct species, _P. (Amygdalus) davidiana_ and its variety _alba_, are also suitable for growing under glass. The Peaches (_Persica_) form a delightful group, all available for flowering under glass; indeed, they respond readily to gentle forcing, hence may be had in bloom by March. There are several varieties, the flowers ranging in colour from white, through pink, to crimson, and double as well as single. One of the finest forms is _magnifica_, a Japanese variety, semi-double, and brilliant carmine crimson in colour. The purple-leaved Peach is very charming.