This is a magnificent family which includes the lovely winter-flowering Jasminum nudiflorum. I always grow this as a wall plant and the long rambling shoots are then displayed to the proper effect.

A pergola, stump, even an old stone gate post are all methods I have adopted as support and pressed into service when no wall space could be provided. As a free-growing shrub the shoots should be hard pruned to encourage a proliferation of side branches but this to a certain extent spoils the character.

Propagation is effected by chopping away rooted pieces from the parent or if preferred by cuttings.

The white-flowering fragrant climber, is rather more demanding, though it becomes a strong vigorous climber capable of covering a ’12-ft. high wall with ease. Propagation of both species is easily effected by means of semi-hardwood cuttings in July – August.

Silver Queen has cream-margined leaves but stubbornly persists in being male. I would consider myself a fortunate being if my garden were graced with a well-grown bush of Perry’s Weeping Holly. Not only is it graceful, but the silvered leaves are bedecked in due season with beyond ordinary. Seed of the species sown in the open ground after stratification germinates readily.

Layering is the best method of increase for named varieties, usually performed in October. Cuttings taken in July root with a worthwhile percentage provided adequate attention is given to watering in hot weather.