0I1|F B. m. Hill ffiibrarg Nnrtli (Earolina BtnU Hnitifraitg 3435 -77 This book was presented by "'l''!l'li:^JIIi;i'l!!!|IIL, S00617731 P THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE DATE INDICATED BELOW AND IS SUB- JECT TO AN OVERDUE FINE AS POSTED AT THE CIRCULATION DESK. APR 1 8 B84 ^m 1 1985. N#.0?3/1994 ] OOM/5-79 TREES AND SHRUBS FOR ENGLISH GARDENS THE CLUSTER I'lXI-: (/v«»5 /• The "Couu^ry Life Li'BRAR.Y. TREES & SHRUBS FOR ENGLISH GARDENSr^ BY E. T. COOK. NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, 153-157 FIFTH AVENUE. 1902. PREFACE It cannot be urged against this work that it travels along a path already well worn, for the subject of trees and shrubs for English gardens, though almost inexhaustible, has never been so fully treated and illustrated as it deserves. The book may have many defects, but its pages will show that an honest eftort has been made to offer helpful and instructive information to the many who wish to know more of the beauty of trees and shrubs. In writing this book, the labour of my spare hours for many months, I have been greatly helped by Mr. Bean, the assistant-curator of the Royal Gardens, Kew, whose deep knowledge of the subject has been willingly imparted ; and by Miss Jekyll, to whom I am indebted for many valuable suggestions and notes. Among others to whom grateful thanks are tendered are Mrs. Davidson, Mr. J. Clark, Mr. Dallimore, and Mr. S. W. F'itzherbert. Some of the chapters have already appeared in the Gardeny with the object of making known as widely as possible the importance of the most beauti- ful trees and shrubs for English woodland and pleasure-grounds. The illustrations will show how a shrub, so often b 88857 vi PREFACE stunted and mutilated by unwise pruning, becomes beautiful when allowed to develop naturally. The illustrations have their own teaching value, and in this matter also 1 desire to thank many willing helpers, especially Miss Jekyll, Miss Willmott, and Mr. Crump, of the Madresfield Court Gardens. It is the wish and hope of the author, whose notes, taken during many years, are embodied, that the book may do something to m.ake English gardens more beautiful and interesting, and that it may win many to see the better ways of planting ; also that it may be the means of bringing forward the many trees and shrubs of rare charm that are generally unknown or unheeded. The word " English," of course, stands for the British Isles. E. T. C. November 1 902. CONTENTS WANT OF VARIETY A BLEMISH ORNAMENTAL PLANTING IN WOODLAND GROUl'ING OF TREES AND SHRUBS HEATHY PATHS IN OUTER GARDEN SPACES TREES AND SHRUBS IN POOR SOILS PRUNING FLOWERING TREKS AND SHRUBS PROPAGATION OF HARDY TREKS AND SHRUBS A WINTER GARDEN OF TREES AND SHRUBS AUTUMN COLOURS TREKS AND SHRUBS WITH FINE FRUITS . WEEPING TREES AND THEIR USES THE USE OF VARIEGATED TREES AND SHRUBS TREES AND SHRUBS FOR SEA-COAST . TREES AND SHRUBS FOR WIND-SWEPT GARDENS CONIFERS (INCLUDING PINES) IN ORNAMENTAL PLANTING CARE OF OLD TREKS TREES AND SHRUBS FOR WATERSIDE TREES AND SHRUBS FOR ROCK GARDEN . REMOVAL OF LARGE TREES AND SHRUBS 13 16 18 36 45 63 69 So 84 92 97 lOI 120 '23 127 '39 Vlll CONTENTS YOUNG TREES AND SUNSTROKE . SHADE TREES FOR STREETS . TREES AND SHRUBS IN SCOTLAND TENDER SHRUBS AND TREES IN THE SOUTH-WEST TENDER WALL PLANTS IN THE SOUTH-WEST HARDY BAMBOOS THE HEATHS NATIVE AND OTHER HARDY EVERGREENS SHRUBS P^OR SMALL AND TOWN GARDENS SHRUB AND FLOWER BORDERS SHRUBS UNDER TREES .... HARDY SHRUBS IN THE GREENHOUSE SHRUB GROUPS FOR WINTER AND SUMMER THE USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS FLOWERING AND OTHER HEDGES PLEACHED OR GREEN ALLEYS THE GARDEN ORCHARD . THE WORTHY USE OF ROSES . PLANTING AND STAKING TREES . HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS, TABLES OF EFFECT HAGE 196 203 211 225 236 242 245 248 268 287 308 322 326 337 341 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Cluster Vi^e {/'inns Pinas/er) .... Guelder Rose Magnolia stellaia /EscuLUs parviflora (late July) .... Sloe, Double- Flowered (Prunus spinosa, fl. />/.) In the Woodland at Kew .... Wayfaring Tree ( Vihurtium Lantana) Groui'ing of Shrub and Daffodil . Natural Grouping of Shrub in Rough Ground Shrub and Iris Groups by Woodland . Azalea Garden at Kew CeANOTHUS AZUREU9 AT KeW .... Ceanothus azureus, Marie Simon . Pearl Bush (Exochorda graudijlora) . Hydrangea faniculata grandiflora (Unpnmed) Hydrangea panicui.ata grandiflora Tulip Tree at Ranklagh (Winter) . Lime (Winter Beauty) Witch Hazel {Hamavtelif. japonka, var. uiccariniana Ulmus alata Willow, Babylonian by Waterside Ash, Weeping Weeping Aspen {Populus treniu/a, s-diX. pendula) . Weeping Elm El^eagnus pungens Corn us Mas (var. variegata) .... Taurian Tamarisk (Tamarix tdrandra) w Flowek Ashes by Water Edge Lombardy Poplar Frontispiece To fiue page 2 3 4 5 6 7 ,, 10 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS CoRSiCAN Pink Walk Araucaria imbricata (Chili Pine) Avenue Maidenhair Tree at Frogmork Maidenhair Tree at Kew CORSICAN Pine (var. tenuifolia) . Avenue of Abies {nobilis glauca) Cedrus ati.antica glauca Avenue . Libocedrus decurrens (Frogmore) . Avenue ok Yew (Murthly) .... Alders near Water White Willow i^Salix alba) by Waterside Natural Tree Growth by Water (Bumham Beeches) Willows by Waterside Cistuses and Roses in Rock Garden Dwarf Shrubs in Rock Garden Ononis fruticosa (Shrubby Rest-IIarrow) at Exet Tree in course of Removal .... Plane Tree {Platanus orientalis) .... CyTISUS PRyECOX A Variety of Mahaleb Cherry (PmnHs iVahak var. chrysocarpa) Guelder Rose or Snowball Tree . Wych Elms by Hedgerow .... Edwardsia grandiflora Fabiana imbricata PlNUS MONTEZUM.t; PUERARIA THUNBERGIANA Yuccas, Pampas Grass, and Bamboos (Kcw) . Bamboo Garden at Kew Erica carnea A Grouping ok Heaths White Scotch Heather {Erica cinerea alba) . White Mediterranean Heath {Erica mediterranea Weeping Holly Arbutus Menziesii Hibiscus syriacus {AKhaafrutex, var. cccrnlens) Mock Orange {Philadelplms coronarius) To feu e page alba) ,, LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Tall Evergreen Shrubs in Flower Border . To face page Spira:a canescens .... Clematis Montana over Rough Wall Clematis Montana over Archway . Camellia Leaf and Fruit (Outdoors) Dutch Honeysuckle on Wall . Polygonum baldschuanicum over Fir Trunus triloba on Sunny Wall . Old Wistaria at Hampton Court . Wistaria racemes C.reat Beech Hedge . Hedge of Maidens' Blush Rost: Nut Walk . Old Apple Walk Old Mulberry Tree, Syon Old Medlar Tree Rosa multi flora Hybrid Rose Una Siaking Trees Horse Chestnut . (ATALPA or Indian Bean Tree (C. bigiwnioidi CiSTUS VILLOSUS Cytisus capitatus .... Moonlight Broo.m (Cytisus scoparius, \o.x A Hybrid Broom (Cytisus kewensis) . Garland Flower (Daphne Cneorum). Erinacea pungens .... May-Flower (Epigita repens) Escallonia phillippiana . Spanish Furze (Genista (UUx) hispanica) Spanish Furze on Rough Slope Genista monosperma .... Shoot of Snowdroi' Tree (Ha/efia telrup/ei.i) Hydrangeas . Hydrangea petiolaris Kalmia i.ati folia Vulan (Magnolia conspiu>a) \iLAN AS a Wall Shrih pallidum) 242 280 286 287 303 506 307 314 315 3«8 319 f;22 323 332 333 338 342 350 354 357 358 359 366 367 368 369 372 373 374 376 377 378 379 386 387 xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Magnolia conspicua, var. soulangeana (late Spring) To face page 388 Olearia macrodonta » ,, 389 Prunus Persica ,, ,, 394 Prunus japonica ,> ,, 398 Prunus serrulata >> i> 400 Prunus padus ,, ,, 401 Pyrus sinaica ), >> 404 Pyrus spectabilis ., »» 406 Siberian Crab (Pyrus Mains bacraf a) .... ,, ;> 4°? Pyrus lobata ,, ,, 411 Rhododendron aruorkum (Hybrid) .... ,, ,, 412 Rhododendron Hybrid (Donegal) .... ,, ,, 413 Rhododendron PR^iicox ,-. „ 416 Rhododendron Sapho in Irish Garden (Donegal) ,, ,, 417 Californian Poppy {Romneya Cottlteri) . . . ,, ,, 433 Spir.'Ea canescens ,, ). 436 Spir^a lindleyana ,, ,» 437 Lilacs ,, ,, 438 Standard Lilac , >. 439 Viburnum macrocephauim .... ,, .. 442 Yucca gloriosa in a Surrey Garden ... ,, >> 44^ Yucca filamentosa ,, ,. 447 Pterocarya caucasica ,, ,, 458 Cork Oak [Qtiercus Stiber^ ,, >. 459 Evergreen Oaks ,, >, 460 DovASTON Yew on Steep Bank . . . . ,, ,, 464 TREES AND SHRUBS WANT OF VARIETY A BLEMISH There is a sad want of variety amongst evergreen and deciduous shrubs in the average English garden. Faith is placed in a few shrubs whose only desire is to rob the soil of its goodness and make a monotonous ugly green bank, neither pleasant to look at nor of any protective value. As one who knows shrubs well and the way to group them says, " Even the landscape gardeners, the men who have the making of gardens — with, of course, notable exceptions — do not seem to know the rich storehouse to draw from." Very true is this. We see evidence of it every day, and the mixed shrubbery fondly clung to as a necessary feature of the garden, with distressing results. There are other shrubs than Privet in this fair world of ours, and as for providing shelter, the wind whistles through its bare stems and creates a draught good for neither man, beast, nor plant. Mr. Bean denounces the Cherry Laurel in no measured terms. " Few other plants can stand against its greedy, searching roots, and its vigorous branches and big leaves kill other leaf-growth near them. A D. H. HILL LmRARY North Carolina State College 2 TREES AND SHRUBS Grown in the proper way, that is, as an isolated shrub, with abundance of space to develop its graceful branches and brilliant green leaves, the Cherry Laurel is a beautiful evergreen ; it is quite happy in shady, half-wooded places. But grown, as it is so often, jammed up and smothering other things, or held in bounds by a merciless and beauty- destroying knife, its presence has not been to the advantage of English gardening." When the planting season comes round, think of some of the good shrubs not yet in the garden, and forget pontic Rhododendron, Laurel, Aucuba, and Privet. By this is not meant rare shrubs, such as may only be had from the few nurseries of the very highest rank or from those that make rare shrubs a speciality, but good things that may be grown in any garden and that appear in all good shrub catalogues. Perhaps no beautiful and now well-known shrub is more neglected than beautiful Exochorda grandiflora (the Pearl Bush). Its near relatives, the Spiraeas, are in every shrubbery, but one may go through twenty and not see Exochorda. Even of the Spiraeas one does not half often see enough of 5. Tlmnbergi, a perfect milky way of little starry bloom in April and a most shapely little bush, or the double-flowered S. prunifolia, with its long wreaths of flower-like double thorn or minute white roses and its autumn bravery of scarlet foliage. The hardy Magnolias are not given the opportunity they deserve of making our gardens lovely in earliest summer. Who that has seen Magnolia stellata in its April dress of profuse WANT OF VARIETY A BLEMISH 3 white bloom and its summer and autumn dignity of handsome though not large foliage, would endure to be without it ? or who would not desire to have the fragrant chalices of M. soulartgeana, with their outside staining of purple, and M. conspicua, of purest white in the early months of March and April ? And why does not every garden hold one, at least, of the sweet Chimonanthts, offering, as it does in February, an abundance of its little blooms of a fragrance so rich and powerful that it can be scarcely matched through- out the year. Cassinea fulvida^ still known in nurseries by its older name of Diplopappus, in winter wears its fullest dress of tiny gold-backed leafage in long graceful sprays, that are borne in such profusion that they only beg to be cut to accompany the rare flowers of winter that we bring indoors to sweeten and enliven our rooms. Of small - flowering trees none is lovelier than the snowy Mespilus {Amelauchier), and for a tree of somewhat larger size the good garden form of the native Bird Cherry is beautiful in the early year. The North American Halesia (the Snowdrop Tree) should be in every garden, either as a bush or tree, every branch hung in May with its full array of pendent bloom of the size and general shape of Snowdrops, only of a warm and almost creamy instead of a cold snow-white colour. Few spring-flowering shrubs are more free and graceful than Forsythia suspeusa, and if it can be planted on a slight eminence and encouraged to 4 TREES AND SHRUBS throw down its many-feet-long graceful sprays it then exhibits its best garden use. The Japanese Viburnum plkatum is another shrub well known but unfairly neglected, flowering with the earliest Irises. Grouped with the grand Iris pallida dalmatica it is a thing never to be forgotten. ^sculus or Pavia macrostachya, blooming in July when flowering shrubs are rare, is easily grown and strikingly handsome, and yet how rarely seen ! Caly- canthus floridus, with its spice-scented blooms of low- toned crimson, also a late summer flower, is a fine thing in a cool, well-sheltered corner, where the sun cannot burn the flowers. The Rose Acacia {Robinia hispida), trained on a wall or house, is as beautiful as any Wistaria, and the quality of the low-toned rosy bloom of a much rarer colour. It is quite hardy, but so brittle that it needs close and careful wall training or other support. To name a few others in the same kind of category, but rather less hardy, the Sweet Bay is the noblest of evergreen bushes or small trees ; the Tamarisk, with its grey plumes of foliage and autumn flower-plumes of tenderest pink, is a delightful plant in our southern counties, doing especially well near the sea. Clethra alnifolia, against a wall or in the open, is a mass of flower in late summer, and the best of the Hibiscus syriacus, or Althcea fridex, the shrubbery representatives of Mallows and Hollyhocks, are autumn flowers of the best class. A bushy plant of half-woody character that may well be classed among shrubs, and that was beloved of our grandmothers, is Leycesteria formosa, a WANT OF VARIETY A BLEMISH 5 delightful thing in the later autumn. The large- fruited Euonymus (Spindle Tree) is another good thing too little grown. For a peaty garden there are many delightful plants in the neglected though easy-to-be-had list. One of these is the beautiful and highly fragrant Azalea occidentalism all the better that the flowers and leaves come together and that it is later than the Ghent Azaleas. Then there are the two sweet- scented North American Bog Myrtles, Myrica cerifera and Comptonia asplenifolia, the charming little Ledum buxifolium, of neatest bushy form, and the larger L. palustre, whose bruised leaves are of delightful aromatic fragrance ; Vacciniutn pennsylvanicum, pretty in leaf and flower and blazing scarlet in autumn, and Gatdtlieria Shallon, a most important sub-shrub, revel- ling in moist peat or any cool sandy soil. These examples by no means exhaust the list of desirable shrubs that may be found for the slightest seeking. This brief recital of their names and qualities is only meant as a reminder that all these good things are close at hand, while many more are only waiting to be asked for. ORNAMENTAL PLANTING IN WOODLAND Where woodland adjoins garden ground, and the one passes into the other by an almost imperceptible gradation, a desire is often felt to let the garden influence penetrate some way into the wood by the planting within the wood of some shrubs or trees of distinctly ornamental character. Such a desire very naturally arises — it is wild gardening with the things of larger growth ; but, like all forms of wild gardening (which of all branches of gardening is the most difficult to do rightly, and needs the greatest amount of knowledge), the wishes of the planter must be tempered with extreme pre- caution and restraint. It does not do to plant in the wild garden things of well-known garden charac- ter. This is merely to spoil the wood, which, in many cases, is already so good that any addition would be a tasteless intrusion of something irrelevant and unsuitable. Still, there are certain wooded places where a judicious planting would be a gain, and there are a certain number of trees and shrubs which those who have a fair knowledge of their ways, and a true sympathy with the nature of woodland, recognise as suitable for this kind of planting. They will be 6 ORNAMENTAL PLANTING 7 found in these classes : Native growths that are absent or unusual in the district, such as the Spindle Tree {Euotiymus), White Beam, Service Tree, White and Black Thorn, Wild Cherry, Bird Cherry, Wild Guelder Rose [Viburnum Opu/us), and V. Lantana, Honeysuckle, Wild Roses, Juniper, and Daphne Laureola. Then, among cultivated trees and shrubs, those that are nearly related to our wild kinds, including some that are found in foreign woodlands that have about the same latitude and climate as our own. Among these will be Quinces and Medlars, many kinds of ornamental Crataegus, Scarlet Oaks, various Elders and Crabs, and the grand Sorbus americana, so like our native Mountain Ash, but on a much larger scale. A very careful planting with trees and shrubs of some of these and, perhaps, other allied kinds, may give additional beauty and interest to woodland. Differences of soil will, of course, be carefully considered, for if a piece of woodland were on chalky soil, a totally different selection should be made from one that would be right for a soil that was poor and sandy. In moist, sandy, or, still better, peaty ground, especially where there is a growth of Birches and Scotch Firs, and not many other kinds of trees, a plantation of Rhododendrons may have a fine effect. But in this case it is better to use the common R. ponticum only, as a mixture of differently coloured kinds is sure to give a misplaced-garden look, or an impression as if a bit of garden ground had missed its way and got lost in the wood. GROUPING OF TREES AND SHRUBS If this subject were considered with only a reason- able amount of thought, and the practice of it con- trolled by good taste, there is nothing that would do more for the beauty of our gardens or grounds. Nothing can so effectually destroy good effect as the usual senseless mixture of deciduous and evergreen shrubs that, alas ! is so commonly seen in gardens — a mixture of one each of a quantity of perhaps excellent things planted about three feet apart. There would be nothing to be said against this if it were the deliberate intention of any individual, for, as a garden is for the owner's happiness, it is indisputably his right to take his pleasure in it as he will, and if he says, " I have only space for a hundred plants, and I wish them to be all different," that is for him to decide. But when the mixture is made from pure ignorance or helplessness it is then that advice may be of use, and that the assurance may be given that there are better ways that are just as easy at the beginning, and that with every year will be growing on towards some definite scheme of beauty, instead of merely growing up into a foolish tangle of horti- cultural imbecility. If the intending planter has no knowledge it is well worth his while to take advice at the beginning, GROUPING OF TREES AND SHRUBS 9 not to plant at random and to feel, a few years later, first doubt, and then regret, and then, as knowledge grows, to have to face the fact that it is all wrong and that much precious time has been lost. How to group is a large question, depending on all the conditions of the place under consideration. Whether a group is to be of tall or short growing shrubs or trees, whether it is to be of three or three hundred, and so on. The knowledge that can answer is the knowledge of gardening of the better kind. The whole thing should be done carefully on paper beforehand, or there will again be repented the error of huddled single plants. The groups will have to be well shaped and well sized and well related to each other and all that is near, or they may be merely a series of senseless blocks, not intelligently formed groups at all. Then, in proper relation to the groups, single plants can be used with the best possible effect, as, for instance, a snowy Mespilus or a Cherry or a Pyrtis Mains Jloribtitida against a dark mass of Yew or Ilex; or a Forsylhia suspcnsa casting out its long flowering branches from among bushes of Berbcris. Then the fewer individuals will have their full value, while the larger masses will have dignity even when in leaf only, and their own special beauty at the time when they are in flower or fruit. For some flower- ing and fruiting bushes are best grouped, while a few are best seen standing alone, and it is only knowledge of good gardening that can guide the designer in his decisions on these points. Still it does not follow lo TREES AND SHRUBS that a shrub or flowering tree cannot be used both for groups and single use, for such an one as the Forsythia just mentioned is also of charming effect in its own groups, with the red-tinted Berberis or the quiet-coloured Savins, or whatever be the lower grow- ing bushy mass that is chosen to accompany it. Every one can see the great gain of such arrange- ments when they are made, but to learn to make them, and even to perceive what are the plants to group together, and why, that is the outcome of the education of the garden artist. Much has been done at Kew in the judicious grouping of plants, and here is a living place of in- struction open to all, where the best of plants may be seen and, to a considerable degree, the best ways of using them in gardens. The one-thing-at-a-time planting is always a safe guide, but as the planter gains a firmer grasp of his subject, so he may exercise more freedom in its application. Nearly every garden, shrubbery, and ornamental tree plantation is spoilt or greatly marred by too great a mixture of incongruous growths. Nothing wants more careful consideration. On the ground in the open air, and sitting at home quietly thinking, the question should be carefully thought out. The very worst thing to do is to take a nursery catalogue and make out from it a list of supposed wants. The right thing is to make a plan of the ground, to scale, if possible, though a rougher one may serve, and mark it all down in good time before- hand, not to wait until the last moment and then NATURAL GROUPi: IN ROUGH GROUND. GROUPING OF TREES AND SHRUBS ii mark it ; and not to send the list to the nursery till the ground is well forward for planting, so that the moment the plants come they may go to their places. All this planning and thinking should be done in the summer, so that the list may go to the nursery in September, which will enable the nurseryman to supply the trees in the earliest and best of the plant- ing season. How good it would be to plant a whole hillside on chalky soil with grand groupings of Yew or Box, or with these intergrouped, and how easy afterwards to run among these groupings of lesser shrubs ; or to plant light land with Scotch Fir and Holly, Thorn and Juniper (just these few things grouped and intergrouped) ; or wastes of sandhills near the sea within our milder shores with Sea Buckthorn and Tamarisk, and Monterey Cypress {Cupressus ntactv- carpa)y and long drifts of the handsome Blue Lyme Grass. A mile of sandy littoral might be transformed with these few things, and no others than its own wild growths, into a region of delight, where noble tree form of rapid growth, tender colour of plume-like branch and bloom and brilliant berry, and waving blue grassy ribbons, equalling in value any of the lesser Bamboos, would show a lesson of simple planting such as is most to be desired but is rarely to be seen. The other and commoner way is nothing but a muddle from beginning to end. A van-load of 12 TREES AND SHRUBS shrubs arrives from the nursery — one of each or perhaps not more than six of any kind. No plan is prepared, and the trees and shrubs are planted in the usual weary mixture, without thought or design. Generally there are three times too many for the space. It is a cruel waste and misuse of good things. HEATHY PATHS IN OUTER GARDEN SPACES The subject of heathy paths comes within the scope of this book. We are not thinking of grass or gravel paths, but those in pleasure-grounds that are beyond the province of the trimly-kept garden, and yet have to be somewhat tamed from the mere narrow track such as serves for the gamekeeper on his rounds. Paths of this kind admit of varied treatment. The nature of the place and the requirements of those who use the paths will determine their general nature, and settle whether they are to be of turf or of some- thing that must be dry in all weathers. But grass and gravel are not the only alternatives. One kind of path not often seen, but always pleasant, and at one time of year distinctly beautiful, can be made of the Common Heather {Calluua vulgaris). We know of such a path, 1 2 feet wide and some hundreds of feet long, carpeted with this native Heath, mown once a year, and feeling like a thick pile carpet to the feet ; grey-green in summer, bronze-coloured in late autumn, and in the second and third weeks of August thickly set with short sprays of the low-toned pink of the Heather bloom. It is not so dry as a gravel path, but a good deal drier than grass, and 14 TREES AND SHRUBS has a pleasant feeling of elasticity that is absent in common turf. Many are the pleasure-grounds in the south of England and Scotland where the soil is sandy and, perhaps, peaty. Any such can have these pleasant heathy paths. We have even seen them on a poor sandy clay, scarcely good enough to call loam, in Sussex ; for Calluna, unlike the other Heaths, will grow willingly in clay. In the case quoted the plant was wild in the place. In a Fir wood, the bare earth carpeted with needles always makes a suitable path, and one that is always dry ; the only thing to correct is to fill up any places where the bare roots rise above the path level. For in these informal paths, where we want to look about and at the trees, there should be no danger of being tripped up. The path, of whatever nature, should be wide enough for two persons — 5 feet to 6 feet is ample ; but it should have quite a different character to the garden path, in that its edges are not defined or straightened. One may often see in the outskirts of an old garden a dense wood that once was only a growth of shrubbery size. The walk was originally bordered by a Box edging, and there may have been a strip of flowers between it and the shrubs. Here and there one may still see a yard or two of straggling Box nearly 2 feet high. Of course, this edging should have been removed as soon as the place became a wood, for after a certain time its original use as a formal edging to a trim plantation ceased to exist. mis GROUPS BY WOODLAND HEATHY PATHS 15 Nothing is pleasanter in woodland than broad, grassy ways, well enough levelled to insure safety to an unheeding walker. In early spring, before the grass has grown any height, here is the place where Daffodils can best be seen and enjoyed, some in the clear grass and some running back in wide drifts into any side opening of the wood. If the grass is cut in June, when the Daffodil foliage is ripe, and again early in September, these two mowings will suffice for the year. In many woody places where shade is fairly thick, if there is any grass it will probably be full of moss. No path-carpet is more beautiful than a mossy one ; indeed, where grass walks from the garden pass into woodland, the mossy character so sympathetic to the wood should be treasured, and the moss should not be scratched out with iron rakes. Often in the lawn proper a mixture of moss and grass is desirable, though one has been taught that all moss is hateful. In such places, though it may be well to check it by raking out every four or five years, it should by no means be destroyed, for in the lawn spaces adjoining trees or woodland the moss is right and harmonious. There are paths for the garden and paths for the wood. A mistaken zeal that would insist on the trimness of the straight-edged garden walk in wood- land or wild is just as much misplaced as if by slothful oversight an accumulation of dead leaves or other debris of natural decay were permitted to remain in the region of formal terrace or parterre. TREES AND SHRUBS IN POOR SOILS As there is vegetation to suit nearly all natural con- ditions, so those who find they have to undertake planting in poor, dry, hungry sands and gravels will find that there are plenty of trees and shrubs that can be used, though the choice is necessarily a more restricted one than they might make on better land. The very fact of the fewer number of available trees and shrubs may even be a benefit in disguise, as by obliging the planter to be more restricted in his choice the planting scheme will be all the more harmonious. As to trees, Holly, Thorn, Juniper, Birch, Scotch Fir, and Mountain Ash are found wild on the poorest soils, and will even grow in almost pure sand. Oaks, though they never grow to the dimensions of the Oak of loamy woodlands, are abundant on poor soils, where they have a character of their own that is full of pictorial value. The lovely Amelanchier, daintiest of small trees, revels in sandy woods, as does also the Bird Cherry, another good native tree, while the Wild Cherry becomes a forest tree of large size and of loveliest bloom. Ilex and Arbutus are excellent in the south of England, enjoying the warmth and winter dryness of light soils. Garden shrubs in general can be grown, though TREES IN POOR SOILS 17 not so luxuriantly as on better soils, but some classes are especially successful on poor land. There are the Cistuses and Heaths, with Lavender and Rose- mary, in the drier parts, and in the wetter places Kalmias, Androniedas, Rhododendrons ^ Ledums, Per- mcttyas, and Vacciniums, with the Candleberry Gale and the native Bog Myrtle. These, which are usually classed as peat shrubs, will succeed in any sandy soil with the addition of leaf-mould, and are among the most interesting and beautiful of our garden shrubs. Those who garden on poor and dry soils should remember that though their ground has drawbacks it has also some compensations. Such soils do not dry in cracks and open fissures in hot weather, and do not present a surface of soapy slides in wet ; they can be worked at all times of the year, except in hard frost ; they are easy to hoe and keep clean of weeds and are pleasant and easy to work. They correct the tendency of stony soils to the making of a quantity of coarse rank growth, and they encourage the production of a quantity of flowers of good colour. PRUNING FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS The art of pruning properly is one that is acquired by considerable practice and observation. The first is necessary that the actual work may be well and cleanly done, and it is only by observing the manner and times of flowering of the different trees and shrubs which go to constitute a well-kept pleasure- ground that the proper time to prune can be thoroughly understood. The manner of pruning varies considerably, some pinning their faith to a slanting cut towards a bud ; some preferring a straight cut ; while others again are content with simply slashing off the useless wood in the quickest possible manner. The former is the best method, as it does not present a surface for the lodgment of water, an important point with those shrubs that are of a pithy nature in the centre of the wood, as the presence of water will quickly cause the stems to rot and render the plant unsightly, even if it escapes serious injury. All stems that are an inch or more in diameter should be tarred over to keep out the wet, which either rots them directly or injures them indirectly by making a moist, congenial home for the various fungoid diseases to which so many of our exotic trees and shrubs are liable. PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 19 Many shrubs which have been in one place for some years, and which have become stunted or poorly flowered, are often given a new lease of life by a hard pruning in the winter, cutting away all the old wood entirely, and shortening the remainder. With a good feeding at the same time, they will throw up strong young shoots, full of vigour, which will bear fine and well-coloured flowers. Of course, a season of blooming will be lost by doing this, but it will be amply compensated for in after years by a heahhy plant in place of a decrepit and unsightly one. The list appended includes practically every flowering tree and shrub hardy in this country, with the proper time of pruning it. Those not specified flower on the old wood. Abelia. — This genus is barely hardy, and, in most localities, is usually pruned sufficiently or too much by frost. A moderate thinning of the shoots in spring is sufficient. ACANTHOPANAX — There are three species of this genus hardy in this country, and of these A. ricini- folimn requires no pruning beyond the cutting away of side-shoots to a single stem, as it attains the dimensions of a tree in Japan, its native country. A, sessilijlorum and A. spinosuin are low -growing shrubs, and require an occasional thinning out, which is best done in late summer to allow the remainder to thoroughly ripen before winter. ACTINIDA. — A climbing genus, easily grown in warm, sheltered localities. They require very little pruning, but should be watched in spring when 20 TREES AND SHRUBS growth has commenced, or the twining shoots will get into a tangled and unsightly mass. Any growth not required should be cut away in winter. Akebia. — ^^Akebia quinaia has flowered here, on an east wall, profusely for the last seventeen years, under the following pruning treatment : Cover the space allotted with the strongest shoots, and when new growth pushes from the eyes or spurs in the spring, do not regulate it, but summer-prune away all super- fluous growth before it gets entangled. It is from ' spurs ' that the flowers are produced, and the more these are kept clear, the more matured they become, and flower correspondingly." — E. M. in The Garden. iEscuLUS (Horse-Chestnut). — The common re- presentative of this requires little or no pruning, but the other species are benefited by a thinning out of misplaced and useless branches in late summer to allow light and air to the centre of the tree. This is especially important to all the -^sculus in a young state. jEscuIus parvijlora should have a good thin- ning if the branches or suckers become at all thick, cutting all growths not required clean away from the base. Amelanchier. — These should be pruned after the flowers are past, the removal of badly-placed and weakly shoots being all that is required. If the plants are becoming too large, they can be shortened back at the same time. Amorpha. — -If flowers are desired of A. fruticosa it should be kept thinned out, and not be cut back ; but the flowers are not showy, and it is usually kept CKANOIIWS AZUREUS, VAR MARIE SIMON. PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 21 cut down every winter for the sake of its foliage. A. canescens should be cut down each spring to within two or three eyes of the old wood, as it flowers best on the young growth. Andromeda. — The only recognised species of this genus is A. polifolia, which requires no pruning. Akalia. — These should be kept to a single stem until they have attained a height of 6 to 8 feet, after which they may be allowed to branch, or be still kept to a single stem, as may be desired. Arbutus. — An evergreen genus which requires no pruning. Aristolochia. — A genus of climbers which suc- ceed best if the shoots are not allowed to become too thick. The weakest should be cut away in winter. Artemisia. — This genus is best known by its common representative, the Southernwood, but this and the other Artemisias should be cut down annually in a young state. When older, an occasional thinning out of the shoots in winter is sufficient. Baccharis. — Of this, D. halimifolia flowers on the young wood and should be cut back annually, while B. patagonica should not be pruned at all. Berberis. — Properly the Berberis requires no pruning, but the stronger-growing species, such as B. aristata, B. Lyciuni, B. virescens, B. vulgaris, &c., require an occasional thinning to keep them within bounds. Berchemia. — A climbing genus which requires no pruning. 22 TREES AND SHRUBS Bruckenthalia. — A dwarf - growing Ericaceous genus, the seed-pods of which should be removed as soon as the flowers are past, or the plants will be seriously weakened. Bryanthus. — This should be treated the same as the last, which it somewhat resembles. BUDDLEIA. — Of these, B. japonica, B. intermedia, and B. lindleyana flower on the young wood and require cutting back every winter to within two or three eyes of the old wood ; B. globosa need not be pruned at all, except in a young state to keep it bushy ; and B. paniculaia only requires thinning out if it becomes too thick, which is not a very common occurrence. Calluna (the Ling). — This and its numerous varieties should have the old flowers cut off as soon as they are past, and any long or straggling growth cut back at the same time. Calophaca. — The solitary representative of this genus is rather inclined to become straggly if grow- ing at all freely. When this is the case, the plant is benefited by the cutting back of the longer shoots in winter. Calycanthus. — These require an occasional thin- ning of the branches, and any long shoots may be shortened with advantage. Camellia. — These, which should be grown out- doors much more than they are, should be cut down if they get unhealthy or unshapely, which should be done in April. Otherwise no pruning is required. Caragana. — Cut away all the straggling or mis- placed branches. PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 23 Carmichaelia. — Requires no pruning. Cassandra. — See Calluna. Cassinia. — These are grown more for their fohage than for their flowers, and should be cut down in the winter or early spring. This can be done annually or biennially according to whether the plants are growing strongly or not. Cassiope. — See Calluna. Catalpa. — This genus contains some of our hand- somest flowering trees, all of which require careful pruning after the flowers are past, thinning out the weakly wood, and shortening any long branches. Ceanothus. — Of these, C. americanus, C. azureus, C. integerrimus, and the garden hybrids, such as " Gloire de Versailles," " Marie Simon," " Ceres," &c., flower on the young wood, and should be cut back in spring, allowing only sufficient shoots to remain to form a well-balanced plant, and shortening them back to within two or three eyes of the old wood. The remaining species flower on the old wood, and merely require a shortening back of the stronger shoots and a thinning out of the weakly ones after the flowers are past. Celastrus. — A climbing genus of strong and vigorous habit with showy fruits. They only require sufficient pruning in winter to keep them within bounds. Cercis. — Requires no pruning, except such as may be necessary to make well-shaped plants, which should be done after flowering. Chimonanthus. — The shoots of this should be 24 TREES AND SHRUBS shortened back after flowering, and if on a wall they should be spurred in. Chionanthus. — See Cercis. CiSTUS. — Those which are hardy of this genus should be cut back each spring while in a young state, but when they have attained a flowering size no pruning is required. The cutting back of young plants induces a bushy habit, and also keeps them from weakening themselves by blooming and seeding. Clematis. — The garden forms of this genus are divided into two sections, of which C. Jackmani, C. lanuginosa, C. Viticella, and C. aromatica (C coerulea odorata) are the types of those which flower on the young wood, and which require cutting back close to the old wood in the winter ; while C. Jlorida, C. patens, and C. montana are the types of those which flower on the ripened wood of the previous year, and merely require a thinning out of weakly or unnecessary growth. Of species other than those mentioned above, C. Flammula^ C. paniculata, and C. Vitalba flower on the young wood ; and the re- maining species are either herbaceous or flower on the old wood. Clethra. — These practically require no pruning, but long shoots may be shortened and weakly ones cut away with advantage. COLUTEA. — These make better plants and flower later if they are cut back every winter. C. istria (a rare species) should not be cut down if flowers are desired. CORNUS. — The strong-growing shrubby Cornus, PEARL BUSH (lixochcnla grandijhya) SIIOWliXG ITS NATURAL BEAUTY. PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 25 such as C. alba, C. Atnoviiait, C. Bat'/eyi, C. pubescens, and C. stolonifera require an annual thinning out, and those with brightly-coloured stems should be cut down every spring for their effect during the follow- ing winter. The remaining Cornus require little or no pruning. COTONEASTEK. — The large-growing species should be pruned in late summer, but only sufficiently to keep them within bounds ; C. Simonsii requires cut- ting down annually while young to make it bushy, and the dwarf-growing kinds are best left alone. Ckat^gus. — Keep the heads well thinned out to allow light and air to the centre of the tree. This should be done in late summer. Cytisus — These require very little pruning, with the exception of C. nigricans and C capitatus, which flower on the young wood, and should be cut back annually. The other species and varieties make better plants if they are cut down each year while in a small state, but they should be left alone when they have attained fiowering size. Dabq^cia (the Irish Heath). — Cut away all old flower stems in early winter. Daphne. — Requires no pruning. Desmodium. — These flower on the young wood, and should be cut nearly to the ground-line every spring. Deutzia. — The old wood should be kept cut out of these, but no shortening of young shoots should be attempted. El^EAGNUS. — These require an annual overhaul- vh. m. hill, library North Carolina State College 26 TREES AND SHRUBS ing to keep them in good condition. This should be done in late summer, when the plants should be well thinned out, and all useless growth cut clean away. Erica. — See Calluna. ESCALLONIA. — These are usually cut back by frost ; but if they escape, E. rubra and E. punctata should have their long growths shortened back in spring, while the other hardy species need not be touched, ExocHORDA. — These usually require no pruning, but if the plants are getting too large or unshapely, they should be cut back immediately after flowering. Fatsia {Aralia Sieboldii). — This is usually cut by frost, but it stands a cutting back in spring, when new growth is soon made which will flower late in the following autumn. FOTHERGILLA Requires no pruning. Genista. — G. iinctoria flowers on the young wood, and should be cut back every spring. The other species of Genista should not be pruned, except to keep them in shape. Halesia. — These are small trees or large shrubs, and should not be shortened back, but are improved if the growths are kept thinned out, which should be done after the flowers are past. Halimodendron. — Requires no pruning. Hamamelis. — Thin out regularly, as they are very apt to get thick and make weakly growths. Hedysarum. — This flowers on the young wood, and should be cut back each spring, but not too hard. The growths can also be pegged down to improve the plant, which is apt to get straggling. PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 27 Helianthemum. — Cut away all dead flowers and seed-pods after blooming. Hibiscus. — Thin out in winter, but only shorten the longest shoots. Hydrangea. — These flower best on young wood, and should be cut down in winter. Hypericum.— These should be cut back fairly hard in early spring, as they all flower on the young growth. Indigofera. — Cut down every spring, as they flower on the young wood. Itea. — Keep the growths thinned and cut away all old wood. Jamesia. — This should be treated as the preceding. Jasminum. — -/. fruticans and /. humile are shrubs which should be thinned regularly ; and/, midijlonim andy. officinale are climbers, which should be spurred in after flowering. Kalmia. — Remove seed-pods as soon as the flowers are past. Kerria. — Cut away the old wood to encourage the young growths, which yield the best flowers. Laburnum. — These should be thinned after flowering, cutting away the old or weakly wood, and shortening any long or straggling shoots. Lavandula. — Cut away all flower-spikes after they are past. Ledum. — Remove seed-pods after flowering. Lespedeza. — See Desmodium, which it much resembles. Leucothoe. — L. axillaris and L. Catesbcei flower 28 TREES AND SHRUBS much better if the old growths are removed and strong young shoots encouraged. The rest of the genus require no pruning. Leycesteria. — Thin out old growths every spring. LiGUSTRUM. — L. ovalifolium and its golden variety are all the better for being cut down each winter while in a young state. The remainder merely require an occasional thinning. LiRiODENDRON. — Requires no pruning. LONICERA. — The shrubby Loniceras are nearly all inclined to become very thick and full of weakly shoots if not well looked after. A thinning out should take place after flowering is past. The climbing Honeysuckles should only be pruned suffi- ciently to keep them within bounds. Lycium. — These should be served the same as the shrubby Loniceras, but the operation should be per- formed in autumn or winter, as they flower practi- cally all the summer. Lyonia. — Requires no pruning. Magnolia. — Generally speaking, the Magnolias should not be pruned, but cut away useless or decaying wood. Every wound, however small, on a Magnolia should be tarred over immediately. MiCROGLOSSA. — The solitary shrubby representa- tive of this is M. albescens, which should be cut down in winter, as it flowers best on the young wood. Myrica. — An occasional thinning is sufficient for this genus. Myricaria. — Flowering on the young wood ; this should be cut back every spring. '^^^$ k-»4/%ir^ ■HF 7f ^^^^^H^^ r^^il^H i*" ' ,^ 1 ;0^ittE^^^^^^^^^| ^^^Hm^a^m B ijl^H j^Br^ H^H ^^^^F^I '^^Si B Rl 1 ^^^^^E^iWi^l PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 29 Neillia. — Thin out every year after flowering is past, cutting back the old wood to strong young shoots. Neviusia. — This requires the same pruning as Neillia. NOTOSPARTIUM. — Requires no pruning. NuTTALLiA. — The single species of this flowers in February, and is improved by a good thinning out of the old wood when blooming is past. Olearia. — Requires no pruning. Ononis. — O. rotnndifoHns should be cut down every winter, as it flowers on the young wood. The re- maining species flower on the older wood, and need not be touched. OsMANTHUS. — These should not be pruned unless a particular shape is desired, when the plants may be clipped with a pair of shears in spring. OxYCOCCUS. — This is a small creeping genus allied to Vaccinium, and requires no pruning. OxYDENDRON. — Remove seed-pods. Paliurus. — This attains the dimensions of a small tree, and should be kept trimmed up for that purpose. Parrotia. — Thin out in spring after the flowers are past. Paulownia. — Keep to a single stem to a height of about 8 feet, and then allow it to branch. If used for sub-tropical bedding, it should be cut down to the ground every winter. Peraphyllum. — The solitary hardy species of this should not be pruned or disturbed in any way if it can be avoided. 30 TREES AND SHRUBS Periploca. — A climbing genus which should be thinned out in winter, and only shortened back if necessary. Pernettya. — These should not be pruned at any time. Philadelphus. — These should be thinned after flowering, and the old wood cut back to strong young shoots. This is especially important with P. microphyllus, P. coronart'us, and P. Lemoinei and its varieties. Photinia. — Requires no pruning. PiERls. — Remove seed-pods. POTENTILLA. — Thin Out after flowering, and shorten any old wood back to strong young breaks. Prunus. — When young, all the members of this genus that are grafted or budded are improved by being cut back each spring until they have attained a fair size and shape. More especially is this the case with the Almonds, double-flowered Peaches, and the various flowering Cherries. When older, they need only be thinned and the flowering Plums and Cherries kept spurred in, but not too hard. Prunus japonica, P. nana, and P. triloba should be cut down to strong young breaks after flowering, the resulting wood bearing better flowers than the old wood. If any of these three latter are grown on a wall they should be spurred back hard after blooming. Ptelea. — When young, trim these to form small trees, and do not allow them to develop into ungainly bushes. When older, they require an occasional thinning. P. trifoliata var. aurea, a golden form PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 31 which is not grown so much as it deserves to be, should be cut back annually or biennially, the young wood being better coloured and bearing larger leaves than the old. Pyrus. — The wild Pears should be spurred in the same manner as adopted for fruiting Pears, though not quite so hard. The wild Crab-apples, such as P. baccata, P. Jloribunda, P. spcctabilis, &c., should be cut back every spring until they have formed well- balanced heads. Afterwards an annual thinning and a shortening of the longest shoots after flowering is sufficient. The remaining sections of Pyrus merely require an occasional thinning. P. japonica should be kept spurred in, whether growing on a wall or in the open, and in the latter case should not be allowed to become a mass of weakly shoots. Rhamnus. — These should be thinned out if be- coming too thick, but, as a rule, they require very little pruning. Rhododendron (including Azalea). — Remove all seed-pods immediately the flowers are over, and any plants that are in a sickly condition should be cut down at the same time. By doing this a season or two of flower is lost, but it is practically the only means of bringing a weakly plant back to health again. Rhodotypus. — Cut away old wood, and encourage the strongest of the young growths. Rhus. — Keep these well thinned out, and destroy all suckers that appear, unless wanted for stocks. Gloves should always be worn when handling any 32 TREES AND SHRUBS of the Rhus, as the sap of all is poisonous to a certain extent. RiBES. — All the Ribes are improved by being cut down annually while in a young state, but when older, a yearly thinning out of the old wood is sufficient. ROBINIA. — This is a genus that requires very little pruning when the members of it have attained a fair size, an occasional thinning being all that is necessary. In a young state they require well staking, and the longest shoots should be shortened back, as many of them are top-heavy when young. Rosa. — Although the various garden Roses come under this heading, yet they are a class apart, and are better dealt with by specialists. The species of Rosa do not require any shortening of their shoots, which should always be left at full length, but all of them should have an annual thinning out of the old wood, either cutting it right away or back to a young shoot. Some of the species are very prone to throw up suckers from underground sometimes to a considerable distance from the plant, and these should always be dug out and got rid of ; merely cutting them off only producing two evils in the place of one. RUBUS. — This genus includes the Blackberry and Raspberry, and in a modified form the treatment accorded to them for fruiting is the best to employ with the ornamental Rubi, that is, all old wood that has flowered should be cut away and strong young canes encouraged. But while in the cultivation of PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 33 the Raspberry only a few young canes are allowed to grow, in the ornamental species practically every young growth should be utilised. The double- flowered Rubi should have some of the old wood left, as they do not make so much young growth as the single ones do. Santolina. — This is a dwarf-growing genus, the old flower-heads of which should be cut away as soon as they are past, and any long or straggling growths cut back at the same time. Sambucus. — The elders require very little pruning as a rule, but the various cut-leaved, golden, or variegated forms are improved by being cut back annually. This will prevent them flowering, but as good foliage is required the loss of the bloom is a matter of little consequence. Skimmia. — Requires no pruning. Smilax. — The hardy species of this genus do not require any pruning if they have room to ramble. If space is restricted, thin out and shorten in autumn. SOPHORA. — These should be kept thinned when they have attained flowering size ; in a young state they should be kept to a single stem and induced to form well-shaped trees. Spartium. — This should be cut back in a small state, but when older it requires no pruning whatever. SpiR/EA. — Though all the Spiraeas will flower on the old wood, the following are better for being cut back in winter to form young flowering shoots, viz., S. betiilifolia, S. Douglasi, S. Foxii, S. japonica, C 34 TREES AND SHRUBS 5. MargaritcB, S. salicifolia, S. semperflorens, S. tomentosa, and many of their varieties and hybrids. The remaining Spiraeas should be kept thinned out, and if any are making strong young breaks from the lower part of the plant they can be cut back to them after flowering. Stachyurus. — This should be thinned out after flowering. Staphylea. — S. pinnata should be kept thinned in late summer ; S. colchica and S. Colombieri require very little pruning, but if too tall or unshapely should be cut back immediately after flowering. Stuartia ) „ . Styrax ] ^^^''^^^ "° prunmg. Su^DA. — Cut back occasionally to keep it from getting ragged. Symphoricarpus. — Keep these well thinned out, which should be done in late summer. Syringa (Lilac). — These should be kept free of suckers, especially the finer-named kinds, which are usually worked on stocks of the Common Lilac. In addition, disbudding may be practised with ad- vantage in the spring, removing the majority of the blind shoots and any flowering or leading shoots that are misplaced or not required. This should be done twice or thrice at intervals of ten days or a fortnight. Tamarix. — Cut back in a young state, but when older they should not be pruned at all. Vaccinium. — ^The removal of any old or rough wood is sufficient for these. PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 35 Viburnum. — All the Viburnums grow thickly, and require an annual thinning. ViTis. — The methods practised in growing Vines for fruit suits the ornamental species as well. If space is restricted they should be grown on the spur system, and if there is plenty of room then the extension system may be employed. Wistaria. — These should be kept spurred in, with the exception of the leading shoots, which merely require a shortening in early spring accord- ing to the strength of the plant. Xanthoceras. — Requires no pruning. Zenobia. — These require no pruning as a rule, but occasionally a hard cutting back will induce healthy growth in place of a weakly one. PROPAGATION OF HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS If we were to take many books about trees and shrubs or general gardening as a guide, one might be led to think that only one way of increasing a tree or shrub existed, and that by grafting ; but, as we have pointed out elsewhere, it is a mischievous practice when indiscriminately applied. It is not con- tended by this that grafting and budding are utterly needless, as in a few instances these methods may be rightly adopted, but the four natural ways of increase are by layers, seeds, suckers, and cuttings. Of these, practise seed-raising whenever possible ; but if seeds cannot be procured, then adopt other ways, and the man is wise who tries to keep a plant on its own roots. Neither budding nor grafting should be resorted to, unless other means fail ab- solutely. When standard trees cannot be got true from seed, budding or grafting must be practised, and the evils of these methods of propagation are not so pronounced in such cases as with dwarf plants. With the former, suckers, or growths from the stock, are easily seen as soon as they appear, but with dwarf plants a perfect forest of suckers may seriously weaken the plant before they are noticed. Seeds. — These can be sown at almost any time. PROPAGATION OF HARDY TREES 37 but the spring is the best, as those which germinate quickly have time to form strong young plants before the following winter. Some take two years to come up, and should be left in the ground. This refers more to seeds sown outdoors, and few hardy trees and shrubs require heat to assist germination. When sown in the open the beds should be made on a fairly rich, moist piece of ground, protected from cold winds, but fully exposed to the sun. After the seeds are sown, cover them with light tiffany shading, fir branches, or heather, but the first is best, as it is easily removed to attend to the bed. Conifers especially should be sown in beds, whether indoors or outdoors, as pot-culture results in the roots taking the shape of the pot, and never afterwards recovering from their cramped condition. It must be remem- bered, however, that varieties cannot be depended upon to come true from seed, though by careful selection for a few years many varieties will almost reproduce the characteristics of the parents. Hy- brids, such as Berberis sienophylla, Hypericum mosen- anuntj and many others, also do not come true from seed, so that cuttings, layers, or division of the old plants, must be the practice chosen. Suckers. — Plants which throw up suckers from the base, or below the ground-line, are easily pro- pagated by detaching these suckers in winter with a portion of root. They will grow away readily, and soon form good trees or shrubs as the case may be. Cuttings. — Nearly all the hardy shrubs, and a small proportion of hardy trees also, can be pro- 38 TREES AND SHRUBS pagated by cuttings taken at certain times of the year. Summer cuttings are taken during the last two weeks of May and throughout June, the actual time depending on the season, and consist of the young shoots that have grown to a length of 3 to 6 inches. These should be pulled off with a " heel," and inserted in sandy soil in a close frame, with brisk bottom heat. The cuttings should be taken on a dull day, or early in the morning, and kept cool and moist until they are in the frame. A cutting that has flagged is useless, as it never revives. De- ciduous flowering shrubs are usually propagated by summer cuttings, which generally root well in a fortnight or less. Autumn cuttings are taken during August and September, and are made from the partially ripened growths of the current year, in- serted in sandy soil, in a close frame, without bottom heat. Winter cuttings are made from thoroughly ripened wood at any time between October and March, and are laid in rather thickly in rows out- doors, and only about an inch or less is left above the soil. The majority of our best flowering shrubs are easily increased in this way. Layers. — Excellent trees and shrubs can be got by layers, and they may be laid down at any time of the year ; they will be ready for removal in about eighteen months or two years. Budding. — This is done about August, and the same rules apply to trees and shrubs as to Roses, &c. Grafting. — This takes place outdoors from March to May, at the earlier time for deciduous trees and PROPAGATION OF HARDY TREES 39 shrubs, and later on for evergreens. The actual time depends upon the season. Where seed is not expressly mentioned below, it must be understood that this is the natural, and in many cases the best, way to propagate. The following trees can only be raised from seed to do any good afterwards, though a few of them will throw up suckers, which can be taken otf and replanted : jEscuIus (Chestnut), Aihnius, Alnus (Alder), Arbutus, Betula (Birch), Carpinus (Hornbeam), Carya (Hickory), Castanea (Sweet Chestnut), Celiis (Nettle tree), Fqgus (Beech), Fraxiuus (Ash), Gledits- chia (Honey Locust), Juglans (Walnut), Laburnum, Liquidambar, Morus (Mulberry), Prunus, Pyrus, Quercus (Oak), Sophora, JJlmus (Elm), and Zclkova. The varie- ties of any species of the above, and, in fact, of nearly all hardy trees, must be budded or grafted on the species they are forms of, but an exotic species should never be worked on the native representative of the genus — e.g. ^sculus flava should not be budded on the Common Horse Chestnut, as the latter is far too strong a stock for the smaller-growing ^sculus. Acer (Maple) and Tilia (Lime or Linden) can be raised from seeds or by layering, the Lime especially being largely propagated from layers, which soon form strong young trees. The varieties of Maple are best worked on stocks of the species they belong to. CratiTgus (Thorn), Catalpa, and Robiuia (Locust tree), can be raised from suckers or root-cuttings, if seeds cannot be got. Any of their varieties are 40 TREES AND SHRUBS usually budded or grafted on stocks of the parent species. Ilex (Holly), Magnolia, Populns (Poplar), Platanus (Plane), and Salix (Willow). The Holly is easily raised from cuttings and layers, the second roots readily when layered, and the latter three are pro- pagated in large quantities by winter cuttings. The White Poplar {Populus alba) is an exception, as this can only be increased by root-cuttings. Increasing Hardy Shrubs The best of our hardy flowering shrubs are grouped under seven natural orders, and a knowledge of the order to which a plant belongs is in most cases a guide to its propagation, as the majority of the species con- tained in an order are, as a rule, increased by the same methods. Berberide^. — This contains Akebia and Berberis, which are propagated by seeds, cuttings, or layers. Berberis stenophylla and B. Netiberti do not come true from seed, so that one or both of the other methods mentioned above must be adopted. Leguminos^. — ^^In this order such genera as Cyttsus (Broom), Genista (Rock Broom), Spartium (Spanish Broom), Ononis, Indigofera, Colutea (Bladder Senna), Caragana (Siberian Pea tree), and Cercis (Judas tree) should be raised from seed, which is the quickest and best method of propagation. Cuttings of certain forms of Cytisiis and Genista will root readily, but the plants will sometimes die off just as they have PROPAGATION OF HARDY TREES 41 attained flowering size. Ulex (Furze, Whin, or Gorse) is propagated by seeds or cuttings, and Wistarias by seeds or by layering. RoSACEiE. — This includes Pruntts, the shrubby forms of which can, in the majority of cases, be increased by cuttings or layers ; Spircea and Kerria (Jews' Mallow), cuttings of which root readily at almost any time of the year ; Exochorda (Pearl Bush), must be raised from seed to do any good ; Rubus (Brambles), some of which can be propagated by suckers, and the remainder by pegging the points of the shoots down to form young plants ; Rosa (Rose), the species of which should be increased by seeds, cuttings, or layers, though seeds will not always come true, as Roses become hybridised very readily ; and Cotoneaster, which are increased by seeds, cuttings, or layers. SAXiFRAGEiE. — In this order Hydrangea, Deutzia, Philadelphus (Mock Orange), Escallonia, and Rihes (Flowering Currant) are included. All are easily propagated by cuttings taken in almost any season of the year. With the exception of Hydrangea, which should be struck under glass, all the mem- bers of this order root readily outdoors in the winter. CAPRiFOLiACEiE. — This order contains such genera as Sambucus (Elder), Viburnum, Lonicera (Honey- suckle), Symphoricarpus (Snowberry tree), Abelia, Leyccsteria, and Diervilla. All are easily propagated by cuttings or by layering. The cuttings can be taken at almost any time of the year, and root 42 TREES AND SHRUBS quickly, the young plants attaining a good size by the end of the second year. Ericace^ — This order includes all the so-called American plants, such as Perndtya, Gaultheria, Leu- cothoe, Andromeda, Picris, Zenobia, Erica (Heath), Callima (Common Heather, Ling), Kalmia, Ledum, Clethra, and Rhododendron (including Azalea). These can all be increased by seeds, layering, and, in addition, the first two by division of the old plants. Erica and Callima can also be increased by cuttings. Seedlings, of course, make the best plants, but layer- ing is a quicker method, and, in the case of some of the smaller Ericaceae, one of the easiest. All the Rhododendrons will not root from cuttings, though some of the small-flowered ones strike easily, but practically all may be increased from layers. A few of the showy garden forms cannot be raised from layers, and have to be grafted on stocks of the common R. ponticum or R. catawbiense. Oleace^. — This includes both deciduous flowering shrubs and ornamental evergreens, such as Syringa (Lilac), Chionanthus (Fringe irte), Jasniinicm (Jasmine), Forsythia, Ligustrum (Privet), Phillyrcea, and Osmanthus being represented. The first two are best propagated by seeds or layers, though the named garden Lilac is usually grafted on stocks of the common S. vulgaris, a silly practice. It is a pitiful business keeping down suckers from grafted plants. Ask for Lilacs on their own roots, and much vexation will be saved. A garden should be a place of rest and pleasure, not a hunting-ground for suckers. The PROPAGATION OF HARDY TREES 43 other genera are readily raised by cuttings taken at almost any time of the year, or by layering. Although the above orders include a considerable number of our best shrubs, several plants must be specially mentioned. The Clematis is increased by seeds, cuttings, or layers in the case of the species, but unfortunately the garden forms are usually grafted on C. Viticella or C. Flamtnula, whereas many can be propagated by cuttings, and practically all will root when layered. Daphne should be raised from seeds, or by layering, though a common prac- tice is to graft all the rarer Daphnes on D. Mezereiaji, which is another mistake, especially with the ever- green ones, which have a brief existence grafted on a deciduous plant. In the absence of seeds the following genera must be propagated by layers, viz., Aticuba, Chimonanthus (Winter Sweet), Halcsia (Snowdrop tree), Hamamelis (Witch Hazel), Hippophac (Sea Buckthorn), and Myrica (Candleberry Myrtle). Cuttings of the first will root readily enough, but never seem to succeed afterwards. The female form of Hippophac is best raised from layers, as seedlings usually give a large percentage of male plants. Aralia and Rhus (Sumach) are increased by seeds or root-cuttings ; BuddUia japonica is best raised from seeds, and the other Buddleias from cuttings ; and practically all other hardy shrubs that have not been specially mentioned are easily propagated by seeds, cuttings, or layers, and the majority of them by all three methods. 44 TREES AND SHRUBS Always keep a plant on its own roots whenever possible. Budding and grafting are only makeshifts ; but, of course, // it is impossible to increase a tree or shrub by any other means, then resort to budding or grafting. It is strange that layering is yet only in its infancy. We have gone on blundering for generations, and propagating wholesale in the most uncertain and unsatisfactory of all ways, that is, by grafting or budding when neither was in the least expedient. Such tricks have hindered the develop- ment of English gardening. TULIP TREE AT RANELAGH (Winter) WINTER BEAUTY OF LIME. A WINTER GARDEN OF TREES AND SHRUBS The budding spring, the ripening summer, the out- poured riches of harvest, appeal to all, physically if not spiritually. But to hundreds of people a winter landscape is dreary beyond expression. They never dream of going into a garden during the dark months ; to them its silent lessons are but a dead- letter, nor would they ever wake to the beauty of bare boughs nor pause to note the strange glow of withered Fern fronds in the grey gloom of a foggy day. We are not wholly free from blame in this matter in so far as our gardens are concerned, for spring and summer and autumn all have their share in the garden plan, while winter, too often, stands apart uncared for and unclothed. Yet how much may be done by the right grouping of beautiful trees and shrubs to make the winter garden harmonious and inviting. " You see, it takes a deal of insight to know what's a-going to be," was a remark, half-apologetic, half-regretful, often made by an old gardener of a school now gone by, when matters horticultural went somewhat athwart of his calculations. The words recur to mind as containing a germ of truth beyond the meaning of the speaker. It has been 46 TREES AND SHRUBS well said with regard to deeper matters that fore- sight must spring from insight, and it may be taken also as a foundation principle of good gardening. For just in proportion as we use our faculties of insight and foresight will our gardens grow, more or less, into a perfect expression of our sense of the ever-changeful, never-ending beauty of Nature. It must be no cursory glance given to get rid of an unwelcome duty. We must look deep into the meaning of things as they are — a meaning which never lies wholly on the surface — before we can forecast them as they are going to be, and such insight rarely comes by intuition. The seeing eye is given only to a few, though with some it is but sleep-holden and needs no more than to be awakened. The things that are and the things that are to be. Let us take the thought as company and try to glean some of Nature's own lessons of fitness. How instinctively we seek, for a winter ramble, the shelter of the woodland copse, which is not far distant from any English country habitation. The broad grass drive is hoar with frosty rime in the shadow of the bushes and crisp under foot. Under the trees the ground on either side is carpeted with Ivy. The lithe, trailing stems, wreathed with their shining, taper-fingered leaves, so exquisitely pencilled, are cushioned on the soft, feathery moss, or twine in and out amongst the Hazel stocks, or creep at will up the nearest tree trunk. One can scarcely look at Ivy on a winter's day without a A WINTER GARDEN OF TREES 47 thrill of admiration, especially this woodland sort, for, mark it well, Nature never encourages the coarse-lived Ivy of common cultivation within her domains. How perfect in its grace is this fine- leaved Ivy, how utterly content with its surroundings, how resolutely cheerful, be the circumstances of weather or situation what they may ! Clinging lowly to the ground or mounting to the topmost branch of some tall Pine, it is equally at home, and why should we not agree with that good naturalist, Charles Waterton, in his assertion that forest tree was never injured by its clasping stems ? An English plant for our English climate, it may be used to make beautiful an unsightly building, to clothe a decay- ing tree stump, as bush or border or mantle, in a hundred different ways, yet it is never out of character, and never touches a jarring note. Then those tall Hollies, see how dauntlessly they stand up above the under-growth of Hazel. How living and warm, in their ruddy glow, are the cluster- ing berries in the glint of the fearless leaves. For expedience sake, their lower branches have been trimmed away, and greatly we gain by it, for other- wise that lovely contrast of their ashen-grey stems would be hidden from our eyes ; but over yonder a fine old Holly tree stands alone, which axe and knife have left untouched, and how graceful is the curven sweep of its feathering boughs. No foreign evergreen can excel it for symmetry of form or winter garniture of leaf and fruit. Life is astir, too, in the brown twigs of the Hazel bushes. Tiie infant 48 TREES AND SHRUBS year is not more than a week or two old, yet already the tasselled catkins are swinging in the lightest rustle of the sighing wind, and begin to lift up their tiers of small woolly cowls to set free the yellow pollen-dust. And so we may go on our way, and, at every turn, some rugged Yew, or clump of red-stemmed Scotch Fir, or tapering Spruce with hanging russet cones, will stay our steps, and if we look and listen, they will tell us in their own way the story of their perfect fitness for our homely English landscape. Or, if we chance to be in one of the chalky districts of the South Downs, we may come upon Box, the ever young, as it was called of yore, or Juniper, in its bloom of silver grey, as precious as any, to add to the tale of our best native evergreens. Now it is to a wise choice of evergreens and to their rightful placing that we must look for the basis of our content in the winter garden. The insight of our forefathers foresaw the solid comfort of the rampart of Yew which was fostered of old in many a manor-house garden. It caused them to fence about their dwellings on north and east with a belt of sturdy timber trees, to meet and ward off in their pliant strength the roughest winter gales. It planned the sheltered nut-walk and the pleached alley and the cosy settle, carved out of the thick Box bushes, on the grassy verge of the bowling- green. They took of the materials at hand, and many have since their day blessed the fore- sight which planted, not only for themselves, but A WINTER GARDEN OF TREES 49 for their children's children. That they were not blind to the rare beauty of foreign trees many a magnificent Cedar of Lebanon and massive Ilex, or deciduous tree — like the fine Tulip trees at Mackery End, beloved of Charles Lamb — bear noble testimony to this hour. Nothing, perhaps, in the wide range of garden beauty is more pictorial than an ancient Cedar, dusky and glaucous, with cavernous shadows, holding upright the smooth, pale-brown, rounded cones on its flattened branches, or some grand Silver Fir standing alone in its solemn symmetrical beauty, or even, as may now and then be seen, though rarely, some stately Araucaria, wind-sheltered, whose radiat- ing branches sweep down upon the greensward. Others there are, no less pictorial perhaps, nor even less exacting, for none can do without the shelter of a good position, such as the Stone Pines, with corrugated trunk and green spreading head ; or again, the graceful fragrant Cypress (C. lawsoniana) of more recent date, with its slender pyramidal growth and drooping feathery branches, taking on at the close of winter the ruby-red of the catkins which tell of the coming of the small, bloom- powdered cones. The desperate hurry, the incessant crowding out of the times in which we live, give little encourage- ment to the sentiment of planting for posterity, yet some such planting is continually being done. This much must be said, that the last fifty years have seen the introduction of numberless fine trees and D so TREES AND SHRUBS shrubs, the fitness of which for our cUmate time alone could test. During that period in England, the Mammoth tree of the Yosemite Valley (Sequoia gigantea) has been planted in its thousands, and by irony of fate, the giant not seldom finds itself cramped within the limits of a half-acre plot. But leaving out the question of space, it is a tree utterly unsuited to our northern climate, unless under exceptional circumstances, as its scorched and fretted branches on the windward side suffi- ciently prove ; while in itself it is not nearly so grand or suggestive as its near-of-kin, the beautiful Californian Redwood (S. sempervirens). Ah ! that burning question of space, how it comes between us and our highest garden aspirations ! Have we not all seen the Deodar or the Araucaria trying to exist in a narrow, twelve-foot forecourt, and smiled, if we have not rather been ready to weep, over the crass absurdity of its position ? But such mistakes are made every day. Let us think, then, before we plant, of the things that are going to be, and take prudent counsel with ourselves. Our garden resources, nowadays, are beyond all calculation greater than those of our forefathers, and we rejoice and are glad because of it ; but we should let nothing oust from our affections the hardy trees and shrubs, native and naturalised, that are at home in our climate, beautiful in themselves and invaluable in their fitness to give shelter to the more fastidious immigrants from other latitudes. Shelter, in fact, is as the keynote to the winter A WINTER GARDEN OF TREES 51 garden. Beauty is killed when leaves that should be green and smiling are bruised and brown, when boughs that should be perfect in grace and curve are twisted and tortured. We may be very sure, too, that such symptoms of discomfort in our gardens will re-act in disquiet on ourselves, whereas the mere sight of tree or bush standing firm in its green bravery through storm and stress tends, it may be unawares, to brace and uplift. Even the familiar Laurel, good as it is when suitably placed, and used not too freely, is constantly scathed and disfigured in damp or low-lying localities. For the same reason, it is doubtful whether Rhododendrons should be planted within range of our windows. Most of them, in severe weather, frightened before they are hurt, put on a melancholy air and droop of leaf which is apt to send a shiver through any shrinking mortal whose vitality is already low enough. The bare boughs of winter, on the contrary, are never depressing. They sleep, but it is not the sleep of death ; they rest, but while they are resting, we feel that the mystery of life silently works out the fulfilment of the promise of re-awakening. Mean- while, before the veil of leafage hides so much else that is beautiful from our eyes, we see the things that are, tree trunks in all their majesty of girth and column and fencing bark, the net-work of budding spray, each after its kind distinct, yet each in its own form perfect. Even in mid-winter, the brown gummy buds of the Horse Chestnuts begin to swell 52 TREES AND SHRUBS at the ends of the swaying boughs, and the Ash- buds, as they make ready to burst their bonds, put on a deeper hue. The Beeches keep their silken green tight shut within their scale-bound points, and will not let it unfold an hour too soon ; but look at the lovely colouring, now silvern, now golden green, of the Lichen-stains on the smooth grey bark. Contrast it with the deeply-chiselled ribs of the Sweet Chest- nut, the rugged armour-plates of the Oak, the thin white tissue of the dainty Silver Birch. It is this diversity, these contrasts, which make up the charm of winter, while the sombre green of Fir and Yew intermingling with the leafless trees gives just the touch of warmth and comfort which winter lacks. If any of these bless our gardens with their gracious presence, let us hesitate long before any trivial inconvenience tempts us into doing away with them. A single group of Silver Birches, one spreading Beech, a clump of Scotch Fir, with a stretch of grass beneath them, is more precious to look out upon in the winter garden than all the borders and rockeries that can be devised. Urge as we may, however, for their own sake, the fitness and constant delight of our native trees and ever- green shrubs, we plead for them, no less, because by their well-advised use our sheltered gardens may become congenial abiding-places for the strangers we may invite within our gates. Do we profit as much as we might by the wealth of garden beauty, in the way of trees and shrubs, A WINTER GARDEN OF TREES 53 which for every intent and purpose Hes within our reach ? Take Magnohas, for example. They are not sub- tropical trees, as we are apt to think, but fairly hardy, and the Laurel Magnolia, so well known as a beautiful covering for a south wall, is seldom enough seen in standard form. Yet it is one of the most stately of evergreen trees, and it would be hard to find one more worthy of a good position, sheltered from north and easterly winds. The whole outline of the tree is noble, with its broad, shining, russet- backed leaves, a delight to look upon in winter — nor is it shy, when full-grown, of bearing in late summer its scented ivory-white lily-cups. It is too much, however, to expect the lovely-sculptured, crimson- flushed cones, which in warmer climates than ours open about November to disclose their hanging scarlet seeds. Some of the deciduous Magnolias, too, such as the fine Chinese Yulan {M. conspiciia) and the bushy white-flowered Japanese species {M. slellata), are full of interest, even while lifeless. All through the winter we may watch the gradual filling out of the hairy, conical flower-bracts, until at length, in very early spring, the impatient buds can contain themselves no longer, and all too soon, sometimes, push them olT altogether that they may creep out of their prison bands. Every one has his private calendar, and reckons the seasons by a computation of his own, but we may safely say that four long months, if no more, separate the falling of the leaf from its coming again. 54 TREES AND SHRUBS Perhaps we ought not to include MagnoHas amongst hibernal flowers, though the trees are often white with blossom before the Larch is green ; but the list of shrubs which bloom, or are bright with coloured fruit during those four months, would sur- prise most people who think of winter only as the dead season. The boughs of Sea Buckthorn are loaded with orange berries. Clusters of scarlet peep out of the fresh green of the Skimmia bushes and, so long as the birds do not find them out, Pernettya carries a crop of purple and crimson and pink fruit more showy than the modest white flowers of summer. When November days are growing dark, Coronilla, in sheltered spots, puts forth its pale clustering yellow flowers. Winter Jasmine, if the flowering branches are not ruthlessly pruned away in autumn, covers its long green shoots with golden stars. The ever- green Clematis (C calycind) is never happier than when clinging to some terrace balustrade where it may have a little kindly shelter, which it repays by wreathing the stone-work with garlands of finely-cut bronzed foliage, hung with creamy freckled bells. More than one kind of hardy Heath, if grown in spreading masses, will deck the garden with sheets of colour the whole winter through. The Chinese Honeysuckle {L. Standishii) arrays itself in its fragile white flowers as early as January. Witch Hazels hang their bare branches with twisted petals of gold or amber or, sometimes (as in Hama- melis zuccariniand), borrow the pale-green tint of the under wing of a brimstone butterfly. Soon after A WINTER GARDEN OF TREES 55 Christmas, Mezereon flushes into rosy purple, and bushes of Winter-sweet {CItimouautlius fragrans), inde- pendent of a wall (as few people know), will breathe out its perfume from leafless branches studded over with waxen-yellow flowers. It is strange how many of these winter-blooming plants keep their leaves well out of harm's way, brave as their flowers may be. But so it is, and so we learn that if we would gain their fullest winter beauty, we must group them with evergreen shrubs as foil or background. And what store there is of these to choose from, not green only, but colour-tinged — Bcrberis of many kinds, the shining ordered leaf-rows of Azara, the purple tints of Maliouia and GauUkcria, the bronze of Andromeda buds, the deep dull green of Osmanthus, the wine red of Leucothoe, the pearl grey of Atriplex, and a hundred more will respond to our beck and call. Only we must choose with judgment, for whether our lot is cast in north or south, in the black east or soft caressing west, makes all the differ- ence to our choosing. Only be sure that more important still than climate are the wind-breaks we can plan, and the shelter we may contrive. Yet when we are in doubt we can always come back with satisfaction to the quick-growing hardiest shrubs and find in them some fit setting for our garden picture. The slender angled branches of green Broom, the rigid spiny Furze, scented Rosemary, or hoary Lavender — all will lend their varied tints and attributes as we need them. And if a pool or stream only gives us opportunity, what can surpass the 56 TREES AND SHRUBS winter colouring of osier twigs — golden and crimson and olive, mirrored in still water or broken into a thousand reflections by the ripple of a running brook. Perhaps, amongst all the wealth of winter ever- green shrubs the rank of those which show variega- tion is too much exaggerated. Popular as they are, the effect is not always good, unless more than ordinary care is taken in their placing. Some few, like the best golden and silver Hollies are very beautiful, though not all of these are improvements upon the finest green forms. No variegated shrub, probably, is more universally grown than the Aucuba, and it has excellent points ; it is hardy in constitu- tion, handsome in outline, and bold of leaf. By ill- luck, as it happened, more than a hundred years ago, the spotted variety was sent home first from Japan, and became domiciled in English gardens and rooted in English affections before the far more worthy green species made its entry. It is but a private opinion and not given as dogma that it might possibly be a distinct gain to gardens, large and small, if the spotted Aucuba were practi- cally banished and the true green-leaved forms — some of which are generally beautiful when well set with large coral berries — allowed to take its place. The variegated Oleaster {Elceagnus pungens), a remark- ably fine shrub when taken by itself, sadly disturbs the repose and dignity of the garden outlook in winter, though doubtless positions might be found in which it would harmonise with its surroundmgs. We need only con over, mentally, all the more A WINTER GARDEN OF TREES 57 familiar examples of shrub variegation to find, pro- bably, that we should do as well without a goodly proportion of them, though we may frankly admit some to be very handsome. The secret of our discontent, possibly, lies in the fact that variegation in plants that are normally green is not, in its essence, a sign of health but of wasting sickness. In any case, whatever our feelings may be on this particular point, it is well worth while to weigh the merits of each shrub, variegated or green, before we plant it, not only individually, but in relation to its neighbourhood to other garden associates, and more especially with regard to its winter aspect. Mr. Bean writes as follows about the winter beauty of trees and shrubs : " Even in November and December there are trees and shrubs that brighten the garden with their coloured bark and fruits. Although not abundant, the members of this class are not used so extensively as they might be. "Among Willows, for instance, there are the golden and red-barked varieties of Salix vitclliua. These, though scarcely ever seen, are capable, when properly treated, of producing bright warm effects that are especially charming from November to February. When allowed to grow naturally this Willow — known popularly as the Golden Osier — forms a graceful tree of large size. Its twigs have a golden or red tinge, according to the variety, but on fully-grown trees these twigs are not large, and as it is, of course, the bark of the preceding summer's 58 TREES AND SHRUBS growth only that is coloured no very marked colour effect is produced. To obtain a really bright patch of colour it is necessary to plant these Willows in goodly-sized groups and to prune them hard back every spring. By treating them in this way a great cluster of long, wand-like growths is made every year, the bark over the whole of which becomes a bright yellow or red as winter approaches. An effective group is produced by mixing the red and yellow-barked varieties. " Another striking Willow is Salix daphnoides. The young bark of this species is covered with a thick glaucous or vivid blue-white ' bloom.' S. acutifolia is similarly distinguished, though not quite so markedly. Different from any of these Willows, too, is the variety of S. iriandra, with purplish-brown bark. To bring out fully the ornamental qualities of these Willows they should be treated as advised for Salix vitellina. All these Willows are especially charming near the edge of water. Not only are their moisture-loving propensities satisfied, but their beauty is doubled by reflection in the water. " Somewhat similar to the Willows in the character of their bark, but useful in being adapted for drier situations, are the Cornels (Corntts). The best of the genus in this connexion are Corntts alba and its variety sibirica. They produce bark which for one or two seasons remains a bright red during the time the branches are leafless. A group of Cornus alba, with Cliionodoxa Lucilice or Winter Aconite planted thickly beneath, gives a very pleasing bit of colour early in A WINTER GARDEN OF TREES 59 the year. A yellow-barked form of Conius stolonifcra, known 2ls flaviramea, deserves mention. " Several shrubs are notable for the particularly bright green of their bark. The forms of Kerria japonica and Neillia are very bright during the winter on this account, but still more effective is a near ally, Stephanandra kanakce, a comparatively new shrub, also from Japan, but of little value in any other respect. Finally, I may mention the Rubuses with white stems. As in Salix daphnoides, the bark is covered with the waxy secretion known as ' bloom,' and of a blue-tinted white. Some six or seven species of Rubus have this character. Of those obtainable from nurseries, R. biflorus, a Himalayan species often to be had from dealers under the erroneous name of Rubtts leucodermis, is the best. Dr. A. Henry has introduced a Chinese species, Rubus lasiosly/us, which is even better than bifloms; the bloom is more distinctly blue, and the stems sturdier and more self-supporting. The species is, however, an extremely rare one in cul- tivation. It is scarcely necessary to repeat how essential it is that these Brambles and Cornels should be planted in bold groups. " Among trees the most noteworthy as regards the colour of their bark are the Birches. The beauty of the Common White Birch has not been overlooked by planters. A single specimen or a few grouped together make a bright winter picture when asso- ciated with evergreens. The Canoe Birch of North America {Betula papyrifera) has a bark of an even 6o TREES AND SHRUBS purer white than our native species. The Yellow Birch (5. Udea) shows warm orange-brown tints on the more recently exposed surfaces of its bark. The bark of the River Birch {B. nigra) is not brightly coloured, being of a dull dark brown, but it gives the tree a notably curious aspect owing to the way it stands out from the trunk and branches in great ragged-looking flakes. A Flower Garden in Winter " It is possible to make a new feature in gardens by setting apart a piece of ground exclusively for the cultivation of trees, shrubs, and bulbs — in short, any plants that flower or are bright with fruit or bark between, say, the beginning of November and the end of February. One might term it ' an out-door winter garden.' For the purpose there would be required a well-drained piece of ground, the soil of which was fertile and open. The situation should be fully exposed to the south and west, but guarded well on the north and east sides by a thick belt of evergreen trees and shrubs. The shelter would be still more complete if the site sloped rather steeply to the south-west. Such shelter would be welcome, not only to the plants that grew there, but to those who might visit and tend them. Some of the more noteworthy trees and shrubs with ornamental barks I have already mentioned. Plants that carry their fruit into winter might be included, such as the Hollies, especially the yellow-berried Holly ; Cra- K ■ B' -;^?^.. ^"^ ^■., ^*,^ ^ ^^?^M -4 .k ► nn - t*' 'M ^^tSf^ ^\L %%\- Z^^ V v> A WINTER GARDEN OF TREES 6i tcegus Crus-Galli and C. spathulata; Cotoneaster roiun- difolia, which is the best of all the Cotoneasters, and frequently carries its bright-scarlet berries till March ; and Hippophce rhamnoides, the Sea Buck- thorn, whose orange-coloured fruits are borne in such profusion and retain their colour till past Christmas if the frosts are not too severe. The scarlet-fruited Skimmia japonica and its varieties are very ornamental during the winter months, but of these (as well as the Hippophae) it is necessary to grow male and female plants together. Groups of variegated evergreens would not only help to give shelter and warmth, but would also add to the brightness of the garden. The best of them are the golden and silver variegated Eljeagnuses, the Hollies of a similar character, and the best of the Aucubas, of which there are now some very fine forms ; the female plants are also very ornamental as fruit- bearers. Pinus sylvestris aurca, a variety of the Scotch Pine that turns golden in winter but is green at other seasons, and Cupressus macrocarpa lutea are the two best Conifers of their class. Many of the variegated Conifers lose most or all of their colour as autumn and winter approach. "With regard to the trees and shrubs that bear flowers between November and February, the num- ber is not, of course, great ; still, they constitute a group that is larger, perhaps, than is generally sup- posed. The following list, which comprises all that I can call to mind, may be useful even to those who would not intend to bring them together in one spot. 62 TREES AND SHRUBS Some country houses are only occupied during the shooting and hunting seasons, and these winter- flowering plants are of especial value in such places. November Arbutus hybrida. Hamamelis virginica. „ Unedo and vars. Jasminum nudiflorum. Daphne Mezereum grandi flora. Lonicera fragrantissima. Elaeagnus glabra, macrophylla, „ Standishii. and pungens (all delightfully fragrant). December an d January Chimonanthus fragrans. Erica carnea. Clematis calycina. alba. Crataegus monogyna praecox Garrya elliptica. (Glastonbury Thorn). Viburnum Tinus. Erica mediterranea hybrida. Febncary and early March Berberis japonica. Hamamelis zuccariniana. „ nepalensis. Prunus davidiana (pink and Cornus Mas, white forms). Corylopsis spicata. „ amygdalus persi- Daphne blagayana. coides. „ Laureola. Populus tremuloides pendula. ,, Mezereum. Parrotia persica. „ „ van alba. Pyrus japonica. „ oleoides. Rhododendron altaclarense. Erica mediterranea. „ dauricum. Hamamelis arborea. ,, nobleanum. „ japonica. „ prsecox. „ mollis. AUTUMN COLOURS There is a certain amount of mystery about the autumn colouring of the foliage of hardy trees and shrubs in this country, and we have never yet ascer- tained with any degree of exactness the conditions that produce the richest and brightest colours. Probably the conditions most favourable generally are provided by a good growing season — that is, a warm, moist summer — followed by a dry, sunny autumn. But it frequently happens after what one would regard as favourable seasons, that species which are usually quite trustworthy in this matter fail to colour well. Probably one set of condi- tions does not suit all trees and shrubs in this respect. To produce the colouration of the leaf just before it falls certain subtle chemical changes in its composition take place. And to bring about these changes certain conditions in regard to sun- light, temperature, and moisture are necessary. But in a climate such as that of Britain, where the seasons are never alike two years together, we can never hope to obtain the same regularity of autumnal colouring that characterises the vegetation, for in- stance, of the Eastern United States. Still, when all is said, we possess in our gardens a large number of trees and shrubs and climbers that are dehghtful 63 64 TREES AND SHRUBS in their autumnal livery of crimson, purple, scarlet, or gold. It is curious that every season we may notice species not usually conspicuous for their autumn tints beautifully coloured. An over-vigorous, sappy growth, often the result of a wet, warm autumn or too rich a soil, is certainly detrimental to autumn colouring. Rhus cotinoides, an American Sumach, worth growing for the beauty of its colours in autumn, is one of the most unfailing in this matter. But young plants, put out in well- trenched, heavily-manured soil, will often fail to colour at all till they get older and less vigorous. The most beautifully-coloured examples of this Sumach that we have seen grow in rather light sandy soil. We have frequently noticed, too, that various species of Vine [Vitis) when starved in pots will colour exquisitely, whilst others, planted out in the ordinary way, completely fail. We believe, therefore, when planting with a view to the produc- tion of autumnal colour, any great enrichment of the soil is neither necessary nor advisable, provided it is of moderate quality to start with. In the following notes, brief mention is made of some of the best trees, shrubs, and climbers that colour in autumn : — Trees First among these are the American Red Oaks. Undoubtedly the best of these is a variety of Quercus coccinea known as splendens and grayana. This not only turns to a fine scarlet crimson, but it retains its AUTUMN COLOURS 65 foliage for some weeks after the colour has been acquired — sometimes almost up to Christmas. Other good Oaks, not so certain, however, as the preceding, are Quercus marylandica (or nigra), Q. heterophylla, Q. imbricaria, and Q. palustrts, all of which turn red. The Tupelo tree {Nyssa sylvaticd) turns a fine bur- nished bronzy red. A tree remarkable for the size of its leaves, and especially for the rich golden yellow they put on in autumn, is Carya tomentosa, but, like most of the Hickories, it is scarcely known in gardens. Carya sulcata is somewhat similar. The Common Elm is usually very beautiful in the soft yellow tints of its leaves in autumn, but another Elm of more distinct aspect is Ulmus pumila, a low tree whose small leaves are retained till late in the year, and turn golden yellow before they fall. Liquidambar styracijliia has long been valued for its fading foliage of purple red, but not so well known is the lovely yellow of the Fern-like foliage of the Honey Locust [Glcditschia triacantlws). The Tulip tree {Liriodendron), the Nettle trees {Celtis), the Zelkowas, and several of the Birches turn yellow, one of the best of the Birches being Betiila corylifolia, which turns a rich orange yellow. Among commoner trees the yellow of the Horse Chestnut, the lovely crimson of the Wild Cherry, the golden shades of the Black and Lombardy Poplars, add much to the beauty of every autumn. Several of the Maples are noteworthy in this respect, more especially the numerous varieties of Japanese Maples {Acer pahnatiim and A. japonicum), these, as well as 66 TREES AND SHRUBS the Mandshurian Acer Ginnala, turning to various shades of red. The Common Sycamore and Norway Maple change to yellow, but Schwedler's variety of the latter becomes red. Other trees that deserve mention are Amelanchter canadensis, whose foliage changes to lovely crimson shades in autumn ; Kal- reuteria japonica, soft yellow ; Pyrus torminalis, bronzy red ; Gingko biloba, pale gold ; Cladrastis tinctoria, yellow ; Parrotia persica and Hamamelis, bronzy red and yellow. The Common Beech is nearly always beautiful, changing first to yellow, then to warm brown tints. Among Conifers the yellow-leaved variety (aurea) of the Scotch Pine is remarkable in retaining its colour during the winter months only, becoming green in spring and summer. Retinospora squarrosa and Cryptomeria ekgans turn bronzy red in winter. The warm red-brown tints of the decidtious Cypress are charming. Shrubs The Sumachs (Rhus) furnish some of the most striking of autumn-colouring shrubs ; the best of them, R. cotinoides, has been already described ; other fine species are R. typhina, R. glabra (with the cut- leaved variety lactniata), and R. Toxicodendron, all of which turn red. The Venetian Sumach, R. Cotinus, becomes yellow. Berberis Thunbergi, which dies off a rich scarlet, is so beautiful in autumn that on some estates it has been planted in great quantity, not only for cover, but so that sportsmen may enjoy its colour during the shooting season. Its evergreen AUTUMN COLOURS 67 ally, B. Aqiiifolium, turns a glowing red or purple after the first frosts. The Ghent Azaleas almost always colour richly, either deep glowing crimson, bronzy red, or gold ; and of other ericaceous plants the warm tints of Picris mariana and the rich crimson of the Enkianthus should be mentioned. The taller American Vacciniums {corymbosum and its various forms) are always lovely. Our native Guelder Rose {Vilmrnum Opiilus) becomes crimson in autumn, whilst the Common Hazel and Rhanmus Fratigula often produce fine effects in yellow. The feathery foliage of Spircca Tliunbergi is singularly beautiful when it changes from its natural pale green to crimson ; and two other Japanese shrubs (both, unfortunately, very rare) are remarkable for their autumnal beauty. These are Disauihus ccrcuiifolia, an ally of the Witch Hazels, lovely claret colour, and Viburnum ahiifolium^ crimson. Other noteworthy shrubs are Fothergilla abii/olia, rich red ; Euonymus alatus, crimson ; Dcutzia crcnata^ yellow ; and Pyrus arbutifolia, red. The common Brambles of our woods should not be passed over without mention ; they turn a rich glowing red, and for their autumnal beauty alone may be used as undergrowth in wilder parts of the garden and woodland. Climbers First among these, of course, is Veitch's Ampe- lopsis, the finest of all deciduous climbers for walls, being self-supporting and changing to crimson in 68 TREES AND SHRUBS autumn. Vitis Coigyietice is one of the noblest of all Vines, and turns crimson also. Other Vines useful in this respect are the Teinturier Vine, purple ; V. Romanetiy red ; and the Virginian Creeper, espe- cially that variety known as muralis or Engelmannii, which clings to walls or tree trunks without any artificial support, and acquires beautiful red shades in autumn. Among Honeysuckles, Lonicera japonica var. flexuosa is noteworthy for the fine red purple of its decaying leaves. TREES AND SHRUBS WITH FINE FRUITS The most important of all the groups of trees and shrubs, for their fruit, is the one comprising the hardy species of the Rose order. This includes, of course, besides the Roses, such trees and shrubs as the Thorns, Crabs, and Cotoneasters. Among the the Thorns (Crataegus) are many very handsome sorts giving variety in size and colour of the fruits. It is unfortunate that many of them fall early and get spoilt by birds. At the same time birds add so greatly to the delight of the garden that we may well overlook their depredations. By many, indeed, these fruiting trees will be considered worth growing for the encouragement they give to bird-life. It may be well to remind planters that a considerable number of these fruiting trees and shrubs bear male flowers on one plant, female on another. People are often at a loss to understand why their Sea Buckthorns or Aucubas or Skimmias do not fruit, when the simple reason is that the plants are all male (or pollen- bearing), or that the female ones have no males to fertilise them. As a general rule, if these shrubs are grouped, one male to eight or ten females is a proper proportion. As plants raised from seeds come in about equal proportions of both 70 TREES AND SHRUBS sexes, it is necessary to select the females and keep just sufficient males to pollenise them, in order that the full beauty of the species as a fruit-bearer may be obtained. With Skimmias and Aucubas the proper proportions can be obtained by means of cuttings. The following hardy trees and shrubs are the most conspicuous for the beauty of their fruits : — Arbutus Unedo. — A native of Western Ireland, has strawberry-like fruits of a bright-scarlet colour. AiLANTUS GLANDULOSA, a fine tree over 50 feet high, is very beautiful when covered with its red and yellow-winged fruits ; there are male and female plants. Aucubas, grown at first for their ornamental foliage merely, have latterly come into prominence as fruit-bearers ; the female plants bear clusters of bright-red berries which remain long on the branches and are very attractive in winter. Berberis. — The fruits of the Berberries are mostly covered with a plum-coloured bloom as in B. Aquifolium and B. Darwinii, but none of them is handsomer than our native B. vulgaris and its varieties. These have pendent racemes of fruits, varying in colour from the typical orange scarlet to white, purple, and black. B. Thtmbergi coral-red, very beautiful. Crat^GUS. — The finest of all the Thorns is C. Pyracantha, well named by the French " Buisson ardent." This shrub or small tree is valuable as a graceful evergreen, and when clothed (as it nearly TREES WITH FINE FRUITS 71 always is in autumn) with its brilliant clusters of orange-red haws, it is one of the most beautiful objects in the garden. It is quite hardy in the open, but bears fruits more abundantly when planted against a wall. In that position also it is more easily protected from birds, which soon destroy the beauty of plants in the open. The Cockspur Thorn (C. Cms Gallt) has several varieties, all producing pendent clusters of scarlet haws. The varieties like pyracantliifolia, with narrow leaves and Hat-topped habit, are the best in this respect ; they retain the fruits well into the winter, and are not eaten by birds so freely as many are. The haws of C. cordata, the Washington Thorn, are small, but a brilliant orange. C. punctata, C. Azarolits, and C. pinnatifida have the largest haws of any, and they are of a deep red, but fall early ; the two first, however, are variable, and forms with yellow and other coloured haws belong to them. Those of C. macracantlia are bright red, and in favour- able years are so plentiful as to make the tree wondrously beautiful. C. coccinca and C. mollis have also red haws, larger than those of C. macracantlia, but they fall soon after they are ripe. The Common Hawthorn is pretty, but more noteworthy is its variety aurea, with bright - yellow haws. In C. oliveriana they are black. The Tansy-leaved Thorn (C. tanacctifolia) has large yellow fruits, not badly flavoured, and with the fragrance of Apples. C. orknlalis has haws of a bright sealing-wax red, but in its variety sanguinea they are of a deeper shade. 72 TREES AND SHRUBS COTONEASTERS. — Not eiiough use is made of Cotoneasters in gardens. They grow well in almost any soil, and are all marked by elegant or neat habit. They are very pretty when in flower, but it is in autumn, when laden with fruits, that they attain their greatest beauty. One of the tallest of them is C. frigt'da, and this bears a great abundance of rich scarlet-red berries in flat clusters. In the nearly allied C. bacillaris they are almost black. C rotun- difolia is a dwarfer shrub, but the finest of all the Cotoneasters for its fruit ; it grows about 4 feet high, and has small, very dark green, persistent leaves ; the fruits are about the size and shape of the haws of the Common Hawthorn, and are bril- liant scarlet red ; they are ripe in October, and from then till March make one of the most beautiful of winter pictures. In C. hiixifolia the fruit is very abundant, but the red colour is not so bright as in the preceding. C. horizontalis, now getting to be a well-known shrub, has very pretty, globose, bright- red fruits, small but freely borne. C. Sintonsii, of medium height, has brilliant red berries, as has C. acuminata, a near ally, but taller. The dwarfest section of Cotoneaster, viz., thymifolia, microphylla and its variety glacialis (or congesta), which are so useful for rockeries, have all scarlet berries. Celastrus articulatus is a vigorous climber from Eastern Asia, remarkable for the great beauty of its fruits, which are golden yellow within, and when ripe split open and reveal the shining scarlet- coated seeds. C scandens has orange-coloured seeds. TREES WITH FINE FRUITS 73 CORIARIA JAPONICA is very beautiful in autumn, when it succeeds as well as it does with Canon Ella- combe at Bitton, the fruits being covered then with the persistent petals which are of a lovely coral red. CORNUS CAPITATA {Benthamia fragifera) only suc- ceeds to perfection in the south-western counties ; its strawberry-like red fruits are very handsome. COPROSMA ACEROSA is a dwarf New Zealand shrub suitable for the rockery ; it has variously-shaded, transparent, blue-green berries. El^AGNUS MULTIFLORA (or E. longipes) is the most ornamental in the genus wijth regard to its fruits. They are remarkably abundant, orange-coloured, and specked with reddish scales. EuONYMUS europ.eus, our native " Spindle tree," is most beautiful in autumn, when, after a favourable season, it is covered with its open red fruits revealing the orange-coloured seeds within. Fraxinl'S mariesii is one of Messrs. Veitch's in- troductions from Japan, and is a dwarf tree, one of the " Manna " Ashes ; the thin keys are of a bronzy- red colour and pretty. Gleditschia triacanthos is the " Honey Locust." The pods are not brightly coloured, being at first green, then brown, but they are long, thin, and wavy, like crooked scimitars, and hanging in numbers on the tree ; have a very curious and (in this country) uncommon aspect. Hedera (Ivy).— Some of the ''tree" forms of Ivy produce berries freely ; the most ornamental of them 74 TREES AND SHRUBS are the red, yellow, and orange-coloured varieties of H. Helix arborescens. Hymenanthera crassifolia, from New Zealand, is a dense-growing, stiff-branched, dwarf shrub, chiefly noteworthy for the white berries it bears. Hypericums. — H. Androscemum and H. datum pro- duce rather handsome clusters of black fruits. HiPPOPHAE rhamnoides, the Sea Buckthorn, is one of the most brilliantly coloured of all berry-bearing shrubs. It produces them in marvellous profusion, and they are bright-orange coloured. Birds do not molest the berries, and unless caught by severe frosts (which turn them grey) they lighten the garden wonderfully up to, and sometimes after, the New Year. The necessity of growing both sexes of plants has already been noted, but isolated females may be artificially impregnated by shaking pollen over them when in flower. Ilex (Holly). — The berries of the Holly are so well known that we need only mention the yellow- berried one (Jructu-luieo), which is not common, but very effective in winter. LiGUSTRUM. — The Privets are of little consequence as fruit-bearing shrubs, and only L. swense need be mentioned ; it is frequently very striking in early winter, being covered then with great clusters of purple-black, shot-like berries. Lycium chinense. — Nearly all the Box Thorns in this country belong to this species. As for L. europceum and L. barbarum, the names are very common, but the plants themselves very rare. L. chinense is very TREES WITH FINE FRUITS 75 ornamental in the fall of the year, its long graceful branches being well furnished with rich red berries. L. rhombifolium is one of its forms. Magnolia tripetala is often very striking in the fall of the year because of its large upright fruits of a reddish-purple colour. Maclura aurantiaca, the " Osage Orange," bears a remarkable orange-coloured fruit 2 to 3 inches in diameter. The tree is quite hardy, but we have not heard of its bearing fruit in this country. This is perhaps because male and female flowers occur on different plants. Pernettya MUCRONATA. — First among ericaceous plants for beauty in fruit is this Magellanic plant and its varieties. It is dwarf and bushy, with small white flowers followed by enormous quantities of berries about the size of peas. These vary in colour from white to deep crimson, and are undoubtedly some of the most valuable of all hardy berry-bearing shrubs. Paliurus australis (Christ's Thorn) has fiat, disk-like fruits, freely borne in suitable years ; they are green, and if not particularly ornamental, are very quaint and interesting. Ptelea trifoliata. — The same may be said of the abundant clusters of hop-like fruits seen in this tree. Pyrus. — In this genus, which includes the Mountain Ash, the Crabs, and the White Beam trees, there is a great wealth of beautiful fruiting trees. The Mountain Ash or Kowan tree (P. Aucuparia), 76 TREES AND SHRUBS when laden with its hanging corymbs of rich scarlet berries is a delightful picture, and it reaches its full beauty in August. Not so well known is the variety fructu-luteo, with yellow fruits. A near relative of the Rowan tree is P. americana, its New World re- presentative, but it is not so beautiful. The fruit is almost identical, but the tree is of a stiff and less graceful aspect. The new P. thianschanica, which also belongs to the Rowan tree group, has bright- red, globose berries. Perhaps of all the genus Pyrus, none on the whole are so beautiful in autumn as the Crabs. P. haccata, the Siberian Crab, with its bright-red, cherry-like fruits, and P. Rtngo from Japan, with bright-yellow ones, are the best of the true species. The hybrid " John Downie " Crab is also very beautiful in autumn. The flowering Quinces are not particularly at- tractive in regard to the colour of their fruits, but some of them — notably those of the dwarf Pyrus Maulei — are very sweetly scented. Some very handsome fruits are borne by the various White Beam trees {Pyrus Aria and its allies). Perhaps the best of them is P. lanata (or Sorbus majesticd), which has flat clusters of bright-red berries. But many of the varieties of P. Aria itself are very attractive. One of the latest additions to this group is P. alnifolia, a neat-habited small tree from Japan and China. It has oblong coral-red fruits. Rosa. — Beauty at fruiting time is an almost proverbial attribute of the Roses. None is more TREES WITH FINE FRUITS 77 beautiful than our native Dog Rose (R. canina). Though in many an Enghsh hedgerow, an out- of-the-way corner in many a garden might be given up to the Dog Rose and its varieties for the sake of their wealth of scarlet hips in autumn. R. tomeulosa and R. mollis are other red-fruited natives of Britain. Al! the members of the Scotch Rose group {pwtpinellifolia) have black fruits. Of exotic species, one of the most valuable is R. rtigosa; its fiat, orange-shaped hips are so abundant and brightly coloured that they make a brilliant picture. R. micro- phylla has yellow prickly fruits, whilst those of R. macrophylla are pear-shaped and scarlet. The deep- crimson hips of R. potnijera, covered with bristly hairs like large gooseberries, are as remarkable as any. Some of the American species, although the fruits are usually small, are handsome, such as R. nulkana and R. Carolina. The elongated, pear-shaped fruits of R. alpina and its variety pyrenaica are bright red, and have a pleasant, resinous odour when rubbed. Rhaphithamnus cyanocarpus can only be grown outside against a wall, or in Cornwall or similar localities, but where it will succeed it is well worth growing, not only for its pale-blue flowers, but for the bright-blue fruits that follow them. Some of the Rhamnus, such as the native R. catharticus and R. Frangula, bear abundant crops of purple-black berries. The dense pyramidal fruit-clusters of the Stag- horn Sumach {Rhus typhina) are often attractive, 78 TREES AND SHRUBS being covered with crimson hairs. Those of R. glabra are similarly coloured. RUBUS PHCENICOLASIUS has Spread in cultivation recently, and has beautiful scarlet berries. It is hardy enough, but birds are so attracted by the bright colour, that it requires protection from them when in fruit. Sambucus. — The scarlet-berried Elder, S. race- mosits, is by far the handsomest of the genus, but although it flowers freely enough, it is very uncertain in producing its fruits. S. glanca, from the West United States, produces large, flat clusters of blue-white berries, and there is a striking white-fruited variety of S. nigra called leiicocarpa. The Snowberry {Symphorkarpus racemosus) should always have a place in the garden for the sake of its clusters of large pure white berries, which remain long on the plants. Viburnum. — There are several very handsome fruiting species in this genus, no finer, however, than the native V. Opiihis, or Guelder Rose, with red fruits, and its variety fructii-htteo with yellow ones. In the other native species, V. Lantana, they are at first red, ultimately black. Several of the Viburnums are noteworthy for the blue or blue-black fruits ; of these are dentatum, mollef cassinoides, and midiim. Those of the evergreen V. Tinus are also dark blue, but, as with the other blue-fruited species, they are not frequently borne in profusion in the average climate of Britain. TREES WITH FINE FRUITS 79 VlTIS HETEROPHYLLA and its variety humulifoliaf bear singularly beautiful clusters of pale china-blue berries. To induce them to fruit freely, however, the plants require a warm, sunny wall, and rather restricted root-room. WEEPING TREES AND THEIR USES It is not at all easy to define special uses for trees of weeping habit, but it is safe to use them nearly singly and not in immediate connexion with trees of quite upright form. The point in the weeping tree is a certain grace of drooping line, such as one enjoys in the drooping racemes of many of the papilionaceous flowers such as Wistaria, Laburnum, and Robinia. Nothing is gained by accentuating the peculiarity by a direct association with trees of an opposite way of growth. It is better rather to place the weeping trees near rounded masses of shrub and small tree — for example, a Weeping Birch would group well with a clump of Rhododendrons. Near water weeping trees seem to be specially effective. An instance of this is shown in the familiar Weeping Willow, but one at a time seems as much as is wanted. As a general rule, we strongly advocate planting in groups, whether in the case of trees, shrubs, or flowering plants, but the weeping trees are less suited for grouping than any others. One Weeping Willow is all very well, but a whole grove of them would be monotonous and tiresome. The habit of some of the weeping trees can be directly turned to account in the making of arbours WEEPING ASH; PALACE GAh'DIiXS. DALKEITH. WEEPING TREES AND THEIR USES 8i and pergolas ; for by planting the large-leaved Weeping Elm or the Weeping Ash at the back and on each side in the case of an arbour, or alternately on each side of the walk for a pergola, a living shelter may be made in a very few years. The trees in this case are standards pollarded at about 8 feet from the ground, the form in which they are generally sent out from the nursery. (i.) Naturally Pendulous Species and Varieties, i.e. Coming True from Seed Asterisk denotes those to choose first. Tilia (Lime or Linden) petiolaris. Genista aethnensis (shrubby). * Prunus pendula (Weeping Japanese Cherry). Forsythia suspensa (shrubby). * Salix (Willow) alba caerulea pendula. vitellina pendula. babylonica. „ annularis. „ Salamoni. elegantissima. (ii.) Pendulous Varieties that have originated as " Sports," propagated by Grafts, Cuttings, or Layers * Ilex (Holly) Aquifolium (green and variegated). Acer (Maple) Negundo pendula. Rhus Cotinus pendula. Laburnum vulgare pendulum (Weeping Laburnum). Cytisus scoparius pendulus. Caragana (Pea tree) arborescens pendula. Sophora japonica pendula. F 82 TREES AND SHRUBS * Prunus Amygdalus pendula (Weeping Almond). * ,, Avium pendula (Weeping Wild Cherry). „ acida semperflorens. * „ Mahaleb pendula (Weeping Mahaleb Cherry). „ Padus pendula (Weeping Bird Cherry). * Crataegus Oxycantha (Hawthorn), red and white flowered. Sambucus nigra pendula (Weeping Elder). * Fraxinus excelsior pendula (Weeping Ash). „ ,, aurea (golden-leaved) pendula. „ „ pendula wentworthii. „ parviflora pendula. Ulmus (Elm) americana pendula. campestris pendula. „ antarctica pendula. „ suberosa pendula. fulva pendula. montana pendula. ,, Pitteursii pendula. Zelkowa crenata pendula. Morus (Mulberry) alba pendula. * Betula (Birch) alba pendula. * „ „ „ Youngi. „ ,, „ purpurea pendula. Alnus (Alder) incana pendula. Carpinus (Hornbeam) Betulus pendula. Coryllus Avellana (Common Hazel) pendula. Quercus (Oak) pedunculata pendula. ,, ,, rubra pendula. * Fagus (Beech) sylvatica pendula. „ „ „ miltonensis. „ „ „ remillyensis. * Salix (Willow) Caprea pendula. ■* „ ,, purpurea pendula. „ „ „ Scharfenbergensis. ,, „ repens argentea. * Populus tremula (Aspen) pendula. * „ tremuloides pendula. WEEPING TREES AND THEIR USES 83 (iii.) Conifers Cupressus lawsoniana glauca pendula. ,, „ gracilis pendula. ,, ,, pendula vera. „ „ gracillima. ,, nootkatensis pendula. Cedrus atlantica pendula. Gingko biloba pendula. Juniperus (Juniper) virginiana pendula. Larix europsa (Common Larch) pendula. Thuya orientalis pendula. „ flagelliformis. Taxodium distichum (Deciduous Cypress) pendulum. Tsuga canadensis pendula. Taxus (Yew) baccata pendula. „ ,, „ gracilis pendula. „ „ „ Dovastoni. There is a fine specimen of this in Barron's nursery at Bor- rowash. THE USE OF VARIEGATED TREES AND SHRUBS The best use of trees and shrubs with coloured or variegated foliage is not very easy to determine, though it may be possible to give a few useful suggestions. The usual way of planting them here and there among mixed masses of evergreen and deciduous growths is perhaps the worst way of all. All good planting must be done with much thought and care, and these plants of coloured foliage, that are necessarily more conspicuous than others, want the most careful placing of any. One excellent use of evergreen trees and shrubs with golden colouring, such as the Gold Hollies, Cypresses, Yews, and Privets is to make them into a cheerful bit of outdoor winter garden. The Gold- leaved Privet is a delightful thing in early winter, and though Wild Privet, untouched by the knife, is a deciduous shrub, the clipped Privets of our gardens usually hold their leaves throughout the winter. With these the variegated Japan Honeysuckle might be freely used, much of its yellow veining turning to a bright red in winter. Cassinia fulvida is another good winter shrub with its tiny gold-backed leaves. The pretty bushes of this neat New Zealander are THE USE OF VARIEGATED TREES 85 apt to grow somewhat straggling, but the crowded httle branches are the very thing that is wanted through the winter as cut greenery to go with winter flowers, whether hardy or from under glass. If these are cut a foot long the bush is kept in shape, and a valuable supply of stuff for house decoration is provided. A half or even quarter acre of well-arranged planting of these gold-variegated shrubs has a sur- prisingly cheery effect in winter, making a kind of sunlight of its own when skies are grey, and a com- fortable shelter when winds are keen. In summer, too, it will be beautiful if the spaces between the shrubs are cleverly planted, for pre- ference, with plants of white or pale-yellow flowers, such as White Foxglove, (Enothera laniarckiana, white and pale-yellow Hibiscus ficifolius, Liliiims awatum, gigantcum, speciosum, and longifolium ; White Everlast- ing Pea trained loosely through any near branches ; Nicotiana affinis and N. sylvestris ; and close to the path hardy Ferns of pale-green frondage, such as the Lady Fern ; with clumps of plants of golden foliage like the Gold Valerian and Gold Nettle. A shrub of variegated foliage, planted without special attention, and coming suddenly in a grouping of others of an average green colour is made unduly conspicuous. It should be led up to by neighbours whose colouring gradually assimilates with its own. The sudden effect of colouring is all very well in the nurseryman's show borders, where the object is to attract attention to showy individuals, but in 86 TREES AND SHRUBS our gardens we want the effect of well-arranged pictures rather than that of shop windows. A variegated plant to be of real value in the garden must have clear, bright, and abundant red and yellow or white markings, not dotted or merely margined with colour. So many worthless shrubs with poor variegation have been named and offered for sale that it is unwise to buy them from a catalogue. We may repeat the advice already given, which is to see them first. Trees and shrubs with coloured foliage are of several kinds. Most common of all are those which have leaves blotched or edged with golden or creamy yellow and white, such as the variegated Hollies and Elaeagnuses. Then there are those which are only coloured at a certain season, like Neillia opulifolia aurea. This has leaves of a beautiful self yellow colour when they unfold in spring, but become green as the summer advances ; or the variegated Plane {Platanus acerifolia Suttneri), which is only variegated in late summer and autumn. Finally, there are those, like the Purple Hazel or Purple Beech, which have leaves of one colour and remain almost of the same shade whilst they are on the tree. On the whole the plants that retain their colour till late summer and autumn, or acquire it then, are most valuable, because very few trees and shrubs are then in flower. Variegated trees and shrubs must not be planted too plentifully, and studiously avoid all spotty effects. THE USE OF VARIEGATED TREES 87 Many a garden would be improved by bringing the variegated shrubs it contains together so as to pro- duce a few broad masses of colour. Some of these shrubs, like Spath's Cornel, or the Golden Elder, may, in large gardens especially, be planted alone in large beds or groups. The large trees, like the Purple Beech, can stand by themselves. The following list contains one hundred of the finest of variegated trees and shrubs : — Trees Acer Negundo variegatum, creamy white. „ Negundo aureutn, golden entirely. „ platanoides Schwedleri, soft red in spring. „ Pseudo-platanus flavo-marginatum, the " Corstorphine " Sycamore, one of the largest of variegated trees. Alnus glutinosa aurea, wholly yellow. Betula alba purpurea, wholly purple. Castanea sativa aureo-marginata, the variegated Sweet Chest- nut, perhaps the best of all large trees, with parti-coloured leaves. Catalpa bignonioides aurea, wholly golden, and most effective in summer and autumn. Fagus sylvatica purpurea. Of the Purple Beeches there are now numerous forms, such as atropurpurea, cuprea, purpurea, pendula (weeping), and "Swat Magret" (the darkest of all). „ sylvatica variegata, white. „ sylvatica tricolor, various shades of red and purple ; beautifully coloured, but not vigorous. „ sylvatica var. Zlatia, entirely pale golden green in spring, but for a short time only. Fraxinus americana aucubsfolia, richly mottled with yellow. Ilex Aquifolium. The variegated Hollies, both silver and 88 TREES AND SHRUBS golden, are now very numerous ; among the best are argentea marginata, argentea pendula, Golden Queen, Silver Queen, Golden King, flavescens, latifolia aureo- marginata, maderensis variegata, Watereriana, aureo- medio picta, aureo-pendula, handsworthensis. Laburnum vulgare foliis aureis, all yellow, Platanus acerifolia Siittneri, very pure white with scarcely any green on late growth. Populus deltoidea aurea, all yellow. Prunus cerasifera atropurpurea (P. Pissardi), lovely claret red when young, becoming dull purple in summer. Pyrus Malus neidwetzkyanus. In this Apple not only the leaves, but the wood and fruit are purplish red. ,, Aria chrysophylla, yellow. Quercus Cerris variegata, the white variegated Turkey Oak. „ pedunculata Concordia, a lovely clear yellow, but apt to burn. „ pedunculata purpurea, wholly red purple. „ rubra, crimson. Robinia Pseudacacia aurea, yellow. Ulmus campestris, " Louis Van Houtte," the best Golden Elm. ,, campestris viminalis variegata, a charming white-varie- gated, small-leaved Elm. Conifers Abies concolor violacea, glaucous blue. Cedrus atlantica glauca, glaucous blue. Cupressus lawsoniana ; numerous varieties, of which gracilis pendula aurea, lutea (very hardy), Silver Queen, and albo-variegata may be mentioned, nootkatensis lutea, yellow-tipped twigs, obtusa aurea, yellow, obtusa nana aurea, dwarf yellow, pisifera plumosa aurea, yellow, macrocarpa lutea, the best yellow Conifer in mild districts. ELM AGNUS PUNGENS {Kew). THE USE OF VARIEGATED TREES 89 Juniperus chinensis aurea, gold-tipped. Picea orientalis argenteo-spica, young shoots pale yellow. „ pungens glauca, the best " blue " Conifer. Pinus sylvestris aurea, golden in winter, green in spring and summer. Taxus baccata aurea, " Golden Yew " ; a Barronii. ,, baccata fastigiata aurea, "Golden Irish Yew." „ baccata semper-aurea, golden more or less throughout the winter. Thuya (Biota) orientalis aurea, yellow in summer. Shrubs or Small Trees Acerpalmatum atropurpureum, purple. There are many forms of this Japanese Maple— cut-leaved, purple, and golden — but this is the hardiest. Aralia chinensis albo-variegata. This is one of the most promis- ing new variegated shrubs. It is sold as Dimorphanthus mandschuricus var. variegatus. Atriplex Halimus, silvery grey entirely. Aucuba japonica, many forms, yellow or creamy white. Berberis vulgaris foliis purpureis, one of the best purple shrubs. Buxus sempervirens aurea, "Golden Box." Corylus maxima atropurpurea, a dark-purple, very effective variety of the Cob-nut. Cornus Mas aurea elegantissima, yellow. „ Mas variegata, white. Elaeagnus pungens aurea, one of the most beautiful variegated evergreens. „ pungens variegata, white. Euonymus japonicus albo-marginatus, very good for the south coast. ,, japonicus ovatus aureus, same as preceding, but yellow. Ligustrum (Privet) ovalifolium foliis aureis, the best variegated shrub for hedges and for rough usage. Neillia opulifolia lutea, yellow in spring only. 90 TREES AND SHRUBS Philadelphus coronaiius foliis aureis, yellow in the spring and early summer and very bright then, gradually gets green afterwards. Ptelea trifoliata aurea, yellow. Rhamnus Alaternus variegatus, white. Rhus Cotinus atropurpureus, purple. Symphoricarpus orbiculatus variegatus, yellow. Sambucus nigra foUis aureis, yellow, retaining its colour well till autumn. ,, racemosa plumosa aurea, a beautiful cut-leaved Golden Elder. Dwarf Shrubs and Climbers Acanthopanax spinosum variegatum, pretty, white-variegated, dwarf, and slow-growing., Arundinaria auricoma, the best yellow- variegated hardy Bamboo. „ Fortunei, the best white -variegated hardy Bamboo. Cornus alba Spaethii, probably the finest of all yellow-varie- gated dwarf shrubs, never "scorching" in the hottest summers. Euonymus radicans, the white-variegated form of this plant is useful as a carpet in shady positions where grass will not grow. Hedera Helix (Ivy), numerous varieties, both shrubby and climbing — arborescens variegata, chrysophylla, discolor, maderensis variegata, sulphurea, canariensis argentea. Jasminum nudiflorum foliis aureis and ,, officinale foliis aureis, variegated climbers with yellow leaves ; the latter is the more ornamental, but is delicate in constitution. Kerria japonica foliis variegatis, white. Lonicera japonica aureo-reticulata. The veins of this climber are beautifully "picked out" in gold. Osmanthus Aquifolium ilicifolius variegatus, a holly-like, white-variegated shrub useful in the milder parts of the kingdom. THE USE OF VARIEGATED TREES 91 Osmanthus Aquifolium purpureus, the hardiest of the Osmanthus. Pieris japonica variegata, white. Ribes alpinum pumilum aureum, gi^lden in spring. Rubus ulmifolius variegatus, veins of the later leaves golden. Salix repens argentea, a prostate silvery-leaved Willow, makes a pretty weeping shrub if trained up at first. Santolina Charaoecyparissus, silvery white entirely. Vitis heterophylla variegata, a pretty, blue-berried climber, but tender ; the variegation is rosy white. „ inconstans purpurea, a purplish form of the popular " Ampelopsis Veitchii." ,, vinifera purpurea, deep purple. Vinca minor, white and yellow-marked forms. TREES AND SHRUBS FOR SEA-COAST In planting trees and shrubs near the sea, two im- portant matters must be considered — (i) fierce gales; (2) salt spray. As a protection against storms much may be done by planting quick-growing things, such as Poplars and Willows, and in this sheltered area more permanent trees and shrubs may be put. This way of planting for shelter where bleak places are to be clothed with trees and shrubs is universally adopted in some form or other, sometimes in the shape of hedges or belts, and in the other cases the plants are all placed much thicker together than they are to permanently remain, thus forming a compact mass against which the wind makes little or no impression. In this last-named case continual thinning will be necessary as they grow up, for if left too long the plants become weak, and the advantage gained by the thicker planting is then completely lost. A beautiful seaside shrub, and the best, too, for forming shelter hedges of low or medium height is the Tamarisk, which retains its freshness throughout the season till the autumn, however much exposed to the sea. It is difficult to make a list of trees and shrubs suitable for seaside planting around the British Isles, as the coast-line is so varied, and the action TREES FOR SEA-COAST 93 of the Gulf Stream has great influence on the vegetation of many parts of our western coasts. As no hard and fast line can be drawn, the first list contains those trees and shrubs that may be regarded as thoroughly hardy, unless otherwise specified, and the second list those that are avail- able for planting in the Isle of Wight, in the south and west of England, and in some parts of Ireland. Trees Acer platanoides (Norway Maple). ,, Pseudo-platanus (Sycamore). Alnus (Alder) of sorts. Will thrive only in damp places. Ash, Mountain. Betula alba (Birch) and varieties. Carpinus Betulus (Hornbeam). Cerasus (Cherry), particularly C. Avium and C. Mahaleb. Crataegus (Thorn) of sorts. Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress). Of rapid growth. Fagus sylvatica (Beech) and varieties. Fraxinus excelsior (Common Ash). F. Ornus (Flowering Ash). Ilex Aquifolium (Holly) and varieties. Laburnum. Pinus austriaca (Austrian Pine). One of the best Firs for bleak seaside places, contorta (Twisted Pine). A small tree, insignis (Grass-green Pine). More tender than the others. Laricio (Corsican Pine). Equal to the Austrian Pine for seaside, muricata (Prickly-coned Pine). A dwarf tree. Pinaster (Cluster Pine). Delights in the neighbour- hood of the sea. montana (Mountain Pine). A shrub or small tree. 94 TREES AND SHRUBS Populus alba (Abele or White Poplar). All the Poplars grow quickly. „ deltoidea (Canadian Poplar). ,, fastigiata (Lombardy Poplar). ,, nigra (Black Poplar). Prunus cerasifera (Cherry Plum). Padus (Bird Cherry). ,, Piss^rdi (Purple-leaved Plum). Pyrus Aria (White Beam tree). „ Aucuparia (Mountain Ash). „ prunifolia (Siberian Crab). „ Sorbus (Service tree). Quercus Cerris (Turkey Oak). Good loam suits this best. ,, Ilex (Evergreen or Holm Oak). Salix (Willow) of sorts. Prefer a moist soil. Ulmus (Elm) of sorts, particularly Wych Elm. Shrubs Atriplex Halimus (Sea Purslane). Will grow close to the water. Aucuba japonica (Aucuba). Few evergreens equal this. Berberis (Barberry), Aquifolium, Darwinii, dulcis, and steno- phylla. Buxus (Box) and its varieties. Cerasus Laurocerasus (Common Laurel) and C. lusitanica (Portugal Laurel). Cistus Gum. Does well at Felixstowe, Suffolk. Colutea arborescens (Bladder Senna). Will grow in very sandy soil. Corylus Avellana (Hazel) and varieties. Cotoneaster of sorts. All these are good for the purpose. Cytisus (Broom) of sorts. Daphne Laureola (Spurge Laurel). Will grow in shade. Deutzia crenata, D. crenata flore-pleno, D. gracilis, D. Lemoinei. Elseagnus of sorts. All of these are good. TREES FOR SEA-COAST 95 Euonymus europaeus and E. latifolius (Spindle trees), and the evergreen E. japonicus and its varieties. This last is one of the most valuable evergreens, but it is rather tender. Ficus Carica (Common Fig). Forsythia suspensa. A charming rambling shrub. Halimodendron argenteum (Siberian Salt tree). Hippophse rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn). The finest seaside shrub or small tree that we have; grows well in damp sands. Leycesteria formosa. Ligustrum (Privet) of sorts. Lycium barbarum, L. europaeum (Box Thorn). Olearia Haastii (Daisy bush). Osmanthus ilicifolius and varieties. Philadelphus (Mock Orange) of sorts. Phillyraea angustifolia, latifolia, media, and vilmoriniana. Prunus spinosa flore-pleno (Double-flowered Sloe). Pyrus japonica (Japan Quince). Ribes aureum (Golden-flowered Currant). „ sanguineum (Flowering Currant) and varieties. Rosa. The different wild Roses and Rosa rugosa. Rubus (Bramble). The double-flowered and cut-leaved forms are very ornamental. Salix (Willow) of sorts. All prefer moist soil. Sambucus (Elder) of sorts. Skimmia japonica. Valuable for its bright-red berries. Spartium junceum (Spanish Broom). Will grow almost any- where. Spiraea of sorts. There is a great variety of these beautiful flowering shrubs. Symphoricarpus racemosus (Snowberry). Syringa (Lilac) of sorts. Tamarix gallica and T. tetrandra. Delightful shrubs for sea- side. Ulex europaeus (Furze or Gorse), with the double-flowered and dwarf kinds. 96 TREES AND SHRUBS Viburnum Opulus and V. Opulus sterile (Snowball tree). Weigelas of sorts, particularly Abel Carriere, Candida, and Eva Rathke. For the west of England and other very mild districts the following may be added : — Arbutus Unedo (Strawberry tree). Aralia Sieboldii. Azara microphylla. Benthamia fragifera. Buddleia globosa. Ceanothus of sorts. Choisya ternata. Desfontainea spinosa. Escallonias of sorts. Fabiana imbricata. Fuchsias, hardy kinds. Garrya elliptica. Griselinia littoralis. Grevillea rosmarinifolia, G. sulphurea. Hydrangea Hortensia. Laurus nobilis (Sweet Bay). Myrtus communis (Myrtle). Pittosporum crassifolium. Rhamnus Alaternus and varieties. Veronicas of sorts. Viburnum Tinus (Lauriistinus). TREES AND SHRUBS FOR WIND-SWEPT GARDENS Few trees and shrubs are happy in bleak and ex- posed gardens. The hardiest should be used to form a shelter belt, as every leaf and twig helps to break the force of the wind, whereas solid obstacles, such as walls, merely serve to divert its course. In plant- ing spots much exposed to the wind, put the trees much closer than it is intended they should remain permanently, as the young plants serve to shelter one another, and encourage, therefore, a quicker growth. When they get crowded, gradually thin them out. The trees and shrubs should always come from exposed nurseries, as the growth is stout and sturdy. Growth made in warm valleys is more sappy. The following trees and shrubs can be depended upon in most windy places : — Trees Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) and Acer Pseudo-platanus (Sycamore). While not equal to some of the trees men- tioned, these Maples do well in many places and form a distinct feature. Betula alba (Common Birch). An extremely graceful tree and a universal favourite. Crataegus Oxyacantha (Hawthorn). The principal effect of 98 TREES AND SHRUBS exposure is to make the growth more stunted than would otherwise be the case. Fagus sylvatica (Beech). Long recognised as a good shelter tree, its value in this respect is increased by the fact that many leaves often shrivel on the branches instead of dropping, thus giving additional protection in winter. Fraxinus excelsior (Ash). The wide-spreading roots of this anchor it securely in position, and the leaves do not weigh down the branches to any great extent. Ilex Aquifolium (Holly). Though of slow growth when young, this, when once established, grows away freely and is indifferent to wind. Larix europsea (Larch). This is well known as a nurse tree for bleak places. Picea (Abies) excelsa (Norway Spruce). One of our com- monest Conifers, hence it is often used as a nurse tree for choicer subjects. Pinus austriaca (Austrian Fir). The best of all evergreens for bleak places ; Pinus Cembra (Swiss Stone Pine), of slow growth, but very ornamental, and does not mind the wind. Pinus Laricio (Corsican Pine, or Black Pine). As indifferent to exposure as P. austriaca, P. montana (dwarf), and P. sylvestris (Scotch Fir), a well-known native, which often crowns high hill-tops. Populus alba (Abele), P. fastigiata (Lombardy Poplar), P. deltoidea (Canadian Poplar), P. nigra (Black Poplar), and P. tremula (Aspen). In low-lying districts all these Poplars are of rapid growth, but in exposed places they make much slower progress. Even then they grow quicker than most shelter plants, and are valuable for making an effective display more quickly than some of the more permanent subjects. These can all be readily cut back within reasonable limits if desired. Quercus Robur (Oak). Robinia Pseudacacia. The false Acacia is one of the best THE LOMBARDY POPLAR. TREES FOR WIND-SWEPT GARDENS 99 town trees we have ; indeed, it does well almost every- where. Salix alba (White Willow). This will pass unscathed through fierce storms. In fairly dry spots the rate of progress is much slower than in moister soil, but, as a set-ofT, the silvery hue of the foliage is more pronounced. Ulmus (Elm). The best of the Elms for this purpose is the Wych Elm. Shrubs A triplex Halimus (Sea Purslane). A silvery-leaved, free-grow- ing shrub, indifferent to soil or situation. Berberis (the Barberry). The best of these are the strong- growing Berberis aristata, and the common Berberis vulgaris, with its several varieties. Cerasus Laurocerasus rotundifolia. One of the hardiest forms of our Common Laurel. Colutea arborescens (Bladder Senna). The golden flowers in early summer and the large inflated seed-pods in autumn are both attractive. Cotoneaster buxifolia, Nummularia, and Simonsii. These are all pretty berry-bearing shrubs. Cytisus albus (White Broom), Cytisus scoparius (Yellow Broom), and its varieties. Deutzia crenata flore-pleno. A handsome flowering shrub and the most robust of its class. Euonymus europaius (Spindle tree). The fruits of this are very ornamental in the autumn. Halimodendron argenteum (Siberian Salt Bush). A pretty rambling shrub, with silvery leaves. Juniperus communis and J. Sabina (Savin). The fact that these Junipers are evergreen is a point in their favour. Ligustrum ovalifolium, ovalifolium elegantissimum, and vul- gare. These Privets are well known for planting where the conditions are none too favourable. Lycium europaeum (Box Thorn). A rambling shrub holding its own almost anywhere. loo TREES AND SHRUBS Osmanthus of sorts. Holly-like evergreen shrubs. Philadelphus coronarius (Mock Orange). Though less showy than some others, this is decidedly the hardiest. Phillyraea vilmoriniana. A valuable evergreen with deep-green, leathery leaves. Pinus (Mountain Pine). This member of the Fir family is but a shrub in stature. It is at home in bleak spots. Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil). A low shrub that produces its golden blossoms in July and August. Rosa canina (Dog Rose) and Rosa rubiginosa (Sweetbriar) are general favourites. Rubus (Bramble). The cut-leaved, the double white, and double pink are ornamental. Spartium junceum (Spanish Broom). However bleak, this will produce its comparatively large pea-shaped blossoms throughout the summer. Staphylea pinnata (Bladder Nut). The bladder-like seed-cap- sules are striking in the autumn. Symphoricarpus racemosus (Snowberry). Grows anywhere, and produces its large white berries in great profusion. Viburnum Opulus (Guelder Rose). A pretty native shrub. Ulex europsea (Common Furze). The double form of this is remarkably showy. CORSICAN PINE THEE WALK. 35 YEARS OLD. l|i^,;^_ i 1 f\. \ 1 CONIFERS (INCLUDING PINES) IN ORNAMENTAL PLANTING. Those who take a serious interest in their gardens and other planted grounds are so rapidly acquiring a better comprehension of the art in its wider aspects, and are so willingly receptive of further suggestion, that we emphasise a lesson that we have often tried to teach, namely, the importance of planting in large groups of one thing at a time, and of a right choice. There is no more common mistake made than that of planting just the wrong things in the wrong places. Thus we see plantations of Spruce on dry, sandy hill-tops, from whence the poor trees must look with longing eyes to their true home in the moist, alluvial soil of the valley-bottom below. In mixed plantations we see Conifers from many climes and all altitudes, all expected to do equally well in perhaps one small space of garden ground. If in a projected plantation there is space for only fifty trees, how much better it would be first to ascertain which out of a few kinds would be best suited to the soil and general conditions of the place, and then out of this selection to choose the one that best fits the planter's own liking and will be most in harmony with the further planting scheme that he has in view. In this way he will obtain that unity of effect that alone can I02 TREES AND SHRUBS make a garden or piece of planted ground pictorial and restful, and enable to serve as a becoming setting to the brightly-coloured flowering plants that will then show their proper value as jewels of the garden. In this restrained and sober use of trees, and especially of Conifers, it is well to plant them of several ages, the youngest to the outer edges of the groups. If there is plenty of space it will be all the better to plant the trees in hundreds rather than in fifties, or in any case in spaces large enough to see one whole picture of one good tree at a time. Where such a planting was wisely made from forty to sixty years ago how fine the effect is to-day, as in the case of the grand growth of Douglas Firs at Murthly. No one seeing so fine an example of the use of one tree at a time could wish that the planta- tion had been mixed, or could be otherwise than deeply impressed with the desirability of the plan. One such large group can always be made to merge into another by intergrouping at the edges, beginning by an isolated tree of group B in the further portion of group A, then a group of two or three of B, until the process is reversed and the group is all of B, with single ones of A giving place to all B. There is no reason why the same principle should not be used with two or three kinds of combined grouping, but then it should be of trees harmonious among themselves, as of Spruce and Silver Fir, or of such things as represent the natural mixture of indigenous growth. Thus the Yew, Box, Viburnum, Dogwood, Privet, and Thorn of a wild MAlDtL.MiAiH IREE [Ginki^o biloha, syn Salisbuna adiantifolia) ; FROG MORE. MAIDENHAIR TREE AT KEW. CONIFERS AND PINES 103 chalky waste might be taken as a guide to planting some of these with nearly allied foreign kinds. But the important thing in all such planting is to have the satisfactory restfulness and beauty of harmony that can only be obtained by the right and limited choice of material. Although a few Conifers are deciduous, such as the Maidenhair tree {Ginkgo biloba), Taxodium distichuvi, the Golden Larch [Pscudolarix Kampfert)^ and the true Larches, the great bulk of the family consists of evergreens. It is to the Coniferje, indeed, that bek)ng the only hardy evergreen trees which in stature and size rival the large deciduous trees of cool temperate latitudes. Although our only native Conifers are the Yew, the Scotch Pine, and the Juniper, there is a sufficient variety of soil and climate within the limits of the British Isles to provide suitable conditions for nearly the whole of the family. It is only a few subtropical species that cannot be accommodated. This does not imply that the whole of the hardy Conifers can be grown satis- factorily in any one place. In even the best Conifer localities there are some species that will not reach perfection, and in the general run of gardens there is a considerable proportion of species about which the same must be said. This fact, however, has often been overlooked. The extreme popularity of Conifers, which was at its height from forty to fifty years ago, undoubtedly led to the enriching of the parks and gardens of this country with what are now, in many instances. I04 TREES AND SHRUBS magnificent specimens. To realise how great that enrichment was, one has only to mention such places as Dropmore, Murthly Castle, Ochtertyre. But Conifer planting, from both artistic and merely cultural points of view, was overdone. Conifers began to fall an undue proportion of space in gardens, and displaced to a large extent the beautiful flower- bearing deciduous vegetation whose seasonable varia- tions give such charm and interest. With all their symmetry and richness of hue, the popular species of Abies and Picea often have a heavy, even sombre, aspect. Heavy masses of Pine, Spruce, and Fir can never give that changing aspect in the landscape that comes with deciduous vegetation. The tender tints of spring, the flowers, the gold and purple of autum.n, it is to these that the seasons of our northern latitudes owe their greatest delights. Perhaps the worst of all the uses to which Conifers have been put is that of forming long avenues across parks. It is difficult to understand the frame of mind that would prefer rows of Araucaria, Abies nobilts, or other similar things — however well grown and pyramidal they might be — to a noble vista of Chestnut, Oak, or Lime, with its canopy of branch and foliage overhead. Conifers can, however, be used effectively for forming short avenues within the garden itself, especially in the more trimly-kept parts. The practice that is frequently adopted of forming a pinetum and bringing together the members of this family in one part of the grounds is a very good CONIFERS AND PINES 105 one. It is far better than sprinkling them indis- criminately over the whole garden. At the same time, where sufficient space is not available for the formation of a pinetum they may be used in their proper proportion with other evergreens in various parts of the garden. Single specimens on lawns of Abies, Picea, and of many other genera are always effective, and nothing in the whole range of native or foreign trees is more stately and picturesque than the Cedar of Lebanon. How much do we of the present day owe to those who a century or more ago planted this tree so abundantly in this country ! Before planting Conifers largely in any garden where they are to be grown for their purely ornamental qualities, a study should be made of the species planted in other gardens where the conditions as to soil, moisture, and altitude are similar. On the peaty formations in Surrey and Hampshire where Rhododendrons succeed so well, many Conifers thrive exceedingly well also. The Common Spruce and its allies are nearly all failures on light dry soil, especially where the subsoil is gravel. In places, however, where the Spruces fail, the Common Larch and the Lawson Cypress succeed well. In chalk districts many Conifers refuse to grow, but the following are among those that thrive : Abt'es magytifica, A. nobilis, A. uordmamiiana, and A. Pwsapo, the Cedars, Cupressus lawsouiana, C. rnacro- carpa, and C. nooikatmsis, the Maidenhair tree, the Junipers, the Thuyas, the Yews, and the following Pines : Pinus Laricio and P. austriaca, the Scotch io6 TREES AND SHRUBS Pine, P. excelsa, and P. Pinaster. Most of the Pines, too, are happy on gravelly or stony ground. None of the Silver Firs (Abies) or Spruces (Picea) are good trees for planting at the seaside, unless there is sufficient shelter to break the force of the wind, and even then there are very few that will succeed. The species most suitable for planting where there is a thick outer belt are Abies nobilis, A. lasiocarpa, A. nordmamiiana, and A. pectinata, the Common Silver Fir. Of the Spruces, Picea nigra and /'. alba, the North American Spruces, succeed better than the Norway Spruce, P. excelsa, but these, like the Silver Firs, must have the shelter of a good wind break ; Picea parryana, P. pungens, and P. Engelmanni will not succeed in exposed places, even in inland localities, and fail entirely by the sea. The Conifers that will thrive by the sea are very few, and probably not more than half-a-dozen kinds can be trusted. The finest of all is undoubtedly Pinus Pinaster, which is essentially a sea-coast Pine, revelling in storms and sprays. P. maritima, closely allied, is equally suitable. Then, for warmer parts, is the Aleppo Pine {P. halepensis), but is only for southern and warm coasts. P. insignis is somewhat hardier, and stands the sea gales fairly well, and P. austriaca, and its relative, P. Laricio, are both excellent, specially for making the first barrier against the winds. The hardy Scotch Pine [P. sylvestris), if planted in large masses grows well, but does not luxuriate close to the sea, and is especially liable to be browned in foliage by the salt spray. VARIETY TENUIFOLIA OF CORSICAN PINE (Pinus Laricio). CONIFERS AND PINES 107 Besides the Pines the finest of all Conifers is the Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa), which one sees hardy everywhere on the coast in these islands ; it grows finer than it does in its home on the Pacific coast. It makes a fine front barrier against the wind, especially when mixed with the foregoing Pines. The variety C. lamhertiana is also excellent. There are two other Conifers which, though not much planted by the sea-coast, will, we believe, prove reliable ; these are Ccdrus atlantica and Thuja giganlca (sometimes called T. Lobbii). A third Conifer that we have seen doing well by the sea is Abies Piusapo, but it must have a temporary shelter in its small state. This subject of seaside planting — the most difficult in a tree planter's practice — is an important one, and it is only possible to treat the matter generally. The Conifer family is especially noteworthy for the way many of its species vary. Not only is this propensity evidenced in such characters as the colour of the leaf and the differences in habit ; it shows itself more remarkably sometimes in the form and texture of the leaf and mode of branching. So great is the difference between some forms of certain species of Conifers that they have been placed in different genera. What are generally known as Retinosporas, for instance, are really nothing more than forms, " states " the botanists term them, assumed by various species of Thuya and Cupressus. Strictly speaking, Rcliuospora has no separate existence as a genus. This, however, io8 TREES AND SHRUBS is a botanical phase of the matter. Horticulturally we are more concerned with such variations as adapt the plants to various garden purposes. Many quaint and dainty forms of large trees are very suitable for the rock-garden in association with other alpine plants. The Common Spruce, for instance, has given birth to many pigmy forms. The Yew, the Scotch Pine, and various others have '' sported " in a similar way. But no hardy tree varies so much, perhaps, as the Lawson Cypress when raised from seed. The species has assumed almost every shade of colour that Conifers do assume, and every form of growth. Beautiful golden, variegated, pen- dulous, and erect varieties have been raised, and not only from the Lawson Cypress, but from many other Conifers also. The Golden Yews, the yellow form of the Monterey Cypress, and the golden variety of the Scotch Pine, may be recommended to those who require this colour, although in the Pine it only shows itself in winter. The blue-white or glaucous hue that is more or less present in most Conifers, shows itself most conspicuously in the Blue Spruce {Picea pungens glauca), in Cedrus atlantica glauca, in the new Cork Fir from Arizona [Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica), and in Abies concolor violacea. The Propagation of Conifers Many mistakes have been made in propagating the Coniferae, and to make matters still worse, the old erroneous doctrines are still preached and practised. The unpopularity of certain species of Cy o to ?; C3 ^ ^ ? b. -S O 5 bj ^ ^ -2 SI CONIFERS AND PINES 109 Abies, Picea, and Pinus is due to a great extent to the practice of grafting them on unsuitable stocks. For instance, the species of Abies are worked on A. pedinata, of Picea on P. excelsa, and of Pinus on P. sylvestris or P. Laricio. In addition to this, such methods and stocks are still spoken of as the correct ones to use ; though, to take one genus alone, what kind of a specimen Abies bradeata, A. nobiiis, or A. concolor would make in twenty year's time if worked on A. pedinata we should not like to say — certainly very poor, even if they lived, which is doubtful. It may be laid down as a law that species of Coniferae should never be grafted but raised from seed, which can always be obtained through English firms. With varietal forms of Coniferae that will not come true from seed or that cannot be struck as cuttings, grafting must be resorted to, and if young plants of the type species are used as stocks the results will be fairly satisfactory. In the case of some of the more highly variegated Cupressus, &c., grafting is really the best method of propagation, as these forms are mostly of weak constitution and are not satisfactory from cuttings. In the following list the best methods of propagation are given with each genus, together with special mention of those forms which are of indifferent growth though not difficult to propagate: — JUNIPERUS, — The Junipers should be raised from seeds, though some of them do fairly well if propa- gated by cuttings. The green and glaucous varieties of /. chinensis, J. excelsa, J. virginiana, and /. communis no TREES AND SHRUBS root easily from cuttings, or can be layered with success. The variegated forms are best grafted on stocks of the species they belong to, and /. Sabina (the Savin) and its varieties are easily raised from cuttings or layers, the latter being a very easy way of propagating them. CUPRESSUS. — This genus is divided into two sections, viz., the true Cypresses, represented by C. macrocarpa, C. sempervirens, &c., and Chamaecy- paris, of which Cupresstis lawsoniana is the best known species. With the former section seeds are the best means of reproducing the species, while the few varieties should be grafted on stocks of the parent species. The handsome C. macrocarpa var. lutea especially should be worked on the type, as it is practically a failure from cuttings, and if grafted on C lawsoniana^ as is sometimes done, it makes a short, stumpy bush instead of a typically tall colum- nar tree. In the Chamsecyparis section Cupressus lawsoniana, C. nootkatensis, C. obtusa, C. pisifera, and C. ihyoides are the only species, though there are a host of varieties attached to them, the forms of the three latter species, in fact, including all the various plants more commonly known under the generic title of Retinospora. The species should be raised from seed, which is easily obtainable and germinates readily, or in default they will root from cuttings. The varieties, with a few exceptions, are quickly propagated by cuttings, those that require to be grafted being C. lawsoniana var. lutea, the variegated forms of C. nootkatensis, and C obtusa :DRUS DECUKRENS at FRGGMORE {about 65 feet IngJi). CONIFERS AND PINES in vars. nana, nana attrea, and filifera aurea. The forms of C. thyoides also do well when raised from layers. Thuya. — These are propagated in much the same way as the Cupressus, viz., the species by seeds, and the varieties by cuttings or by grafting in the case of the one or two highly variegated forms. Some of the green or glaucous varieties of both Cupressus and Thuya will come fairly true from seed, from 40 per cent, to 70 per cent, being the usual quantity of seedlings true to name. Variegated forms from seed either come green or a mongrel mixture of green and variegated. LiBOCEDRUS. — This should be raised from seed, as when grafted on Thuja orientalis — a too common method of propagation — it makes a miserable speci- men. The middle pair of scales in the cone of Libocedrus alone contain fertile seeds. SciADOPiTYS and Taxodium. — These can only be propagated by seeds, and the young plants should have a fairly moist position with plenty of leaf- mould or peat to grow in afterwards. Sequoia. — The two species of Sequoia should be raised from seed, and the three or four varieties be grafted on the type species. Cryptomeria. — This only contains one species, viz., C. japonica, which can only be obtained from seed, or by cuttings ; and the varieties root readily as cuttings, though one or two of the weaklier ones do better if grafted on C. japonica. Araucaria. — Propagate by seeds, which, though 112 TREES AND SHRUBS sometimes difficult to obtain, germinate freely and quickly. TsuGA. — The Hemlock Spruces are easily and quickly obtained from seeds, and one or two will strike from cuttings ; the varieties do best when grafted on the species they belong to, though T. pattoniana var. glauca, more commonly known as Abies hookeriana, will come fairly true from seed, about 75 per cent, being the usual quantity if the seed is obtained from good plants. PiCEA. — This genus has been mentioned before as being commonly grafted on P. excelsa (the Common Spruce), which is an easy way of obtain- ing young plants, which, however, cannot be recom- mended to form good specimens in after years. The species of Picea should all be raised from seed, and the many named varieties of P. excelsa should be grafted on the parent species. At least one-half the plants of P. Engelmanni var, glauca and P, pungens var. glauca (the Californian Blue Spruce) will be found true to name when raised from seeds, while their superiority afterwards over grafted plants is evident. Cedrus, Larix, and Pseudolarix. — It should always be remembered that these three are quite distinct genera, and for purposes of propagation should never be used in conjunction with each other, the first being evergreen and the two latter deciduous. The species of all three should be raised from seed ; the varieties of Cedrus should be grafted on that genus, the forms of Larix on the Larch, though the geographical forms of the Common CONIFERS AND PINES 113 Larch, such as var. rossica and var. sibt'n'ca, usually come true from seed. Pseudolarix Kcempferi, the only representative of the genus, must be raised from seed, as if grafted on the Larch they will not thrive for long. Abies. — In this genus some of the most handsome Conifers are found, and also some of the most difficult to grow. All the Abies should be propa- gated by seeds, but if seed of the varieties cannot be obtained then they must be grafted on the parent species. PsEUDOTSUGA. — This genus only contains one species, viz., P. Douglasii (the Douglas Fir), which is propagated readily by seed, the seedlings being of rapid growth and soon form good plants. The few varieties are grafted on the type, though the majority will come fairly true from seed, which, however, is not always to be obtained. PiNUS. — Perhaps no Conifer adds so much to the beauty of the landscape in winter as the Pine. All the species should be raised from seeds, and any green or glaucous varieties can also be propagated in the same way if seeds can be obtained. The golden, dwarf, and variegated Pines must be grafted on the species they are varieties of. Taxace^ is usually associated with Coniferae, from which it differs chiefly by the seed being nearly or quite enclosed in a fleshy envelope in- stead of in a cone, the fruit of some resembling a small Plum, but a typical fruit is seen in that of the Common Yew. The hardy genera are Ginkgo H 114 TREES AND SHRUBS biloba (the Maidenhair tree), which is propagated from seed — the plant is deciduous and slow grow- ing ; Cephalotaxus and Torreya are propagated by seeds, cuttings, or layers. Taxus (the Yew). — There are only three or four species of Taxus, but there are a great many varieties of the Common Yew, many being very handsome. The species are easily raised from seeds, layers, or cuttings. The first two methods are the best, cuttings being very slow in growth, but as seed is very plentiful in most years this is the quickest and best means of propagation. Some of the varieties will come true from seed ; the Irish Yew, however, must be struck from cuttings, as seedlings never come true. The more highly variegated Yews grow quickest when grafted on the Common Yew, and as they always keep good in after years this method can for once be recommended. Propagate Prumnopitys and Saxegothea by seeds, cuttings, or layers. Conifers at Murthly Castle, Perthshire The following account of a great Conifer garden in Scotland is important, as showing how certain of the better-known species have behaved during the last fifty years or so. It is taken from the Garden of May 19, 1900 : — The second quarter of the present century saw the introduction of a large number of Conifers hitherto unknown to English gardens. Their culti- vation was eagerly taken up, and especially in Scot- JlLAL'ii' Ul- A.\CILNT iLll'^ AT MURH1LY. CONIFERS AND PINES 115 land, a land whose general conditions seem highly favourable to a considerable number of species, much success has been attained. It may still be premature to state with any degree of assurance what may be the ultimate suitability of many of these Conifers for growth in our islands. The lifetime of a tree is not comprised within its first sixty years, and such a length of time is all too short to prove the ultimate success of any new tree, though within that space it may come to a magnificent size and apparent promise. Such a state is shown by the splendid Douglas Firs in the grounds of Murthly Castle, Perthshire, where also many another exotic Conifer is grown in quantity. These words of Sir William Thiselton-Dyer, that formed part of his opening address on the second day of the Conifer conference of the Royal Horti- cultural Society in 1891, may here be quoted : — " Any one who had not travelled in Scotland could form no idea of the extent to which rare Conifers were cultivated in that country, and the splendid development which they attained. The chairman, by way of illustrating these remarks, directed the attention of the audience to some large photographs representing specimens of Coniferae to be seen at Murthly Castle, Perthshire, where they flourished, and where stately and magnificent examples 70 feet, 80 feet, and 100 feet high were to be met with. Such trees could only be seen in Scotland, and were the result of a peculiar association of physical condi- tions. In the south-west of England it was impos- ii6 TREES AND SHRUBS sible to find a parallel, though even on the sunburnt soil of Kew good specimens of the Pines proper were occasionally to be seen. With regard to the Abies, however — that section of Conifers of which the Spruces may be taken as a type — a state of things prevailed in Scotland which could not be rivalled in England. On the other hand, the climate in the south-west of the latter country was fairly suitable for some other Conifers, and many of the fine Mexican Pines could be grown there." Of the remarkable Douglas Fir at Dropmore, Mr. Charles Herrin on the same occasion says : " The monarch Douglas Fir, planted in 1830, has attained a height of 120 feet, girth of trunk 11 feet 9 inches, with beautiful spreading branches sweeping the ground, covering a diameter of 64 feet. The leaves are also of a glaucous hue, equalling in that respect many of the plants now sold from nurseries under the name of Douglasi glauca. . . . Many trees have since been raised from its seeds and planted out on the estate; one, planted in 1843, is now 78 feet high, with a girth of trunk of 8 feet 2 inches, spreading 39 feet in diameter at base ; a perfect specimen." By comparing the growth of the latter tree with the Murthly table, it will be seen that the trees make their growth much more rapidly in Scotland. The Murthly Conifers were all planted by Sir William and Sir Douglas Stewart. The present owner, Mr. Steuart Fothringham, who measured the trees in 1 89 1 in anticipation of the visit of the Scottish CONIFERS AND PINES 117 Arboricultural Society, on learning that we should be glad to know their increase of growth since that date, has been so good as to have the same trees measured again, the increase being shown by the subjoined table on p. 118. Mr. Fothringham also furnishes the following remarks : " The measurements were all carefully taken by sending men or boys up the trees, not by dendrometers, and are, I believe, correct. There are something like eighty or a hundred different varieties growing at Murthly, but some of them are young and only experiments. Those measured and noted are the most striking ; they are nearly all gowing in large numbers. The remarks appended to the table are made by Mr. James Laurie, the gardener, who knows Conifers well. The only addi- tional notes I have made are the following : Abies Menzicsi will never, in my opinion, supplant the Spruce. Abies orientalis is not as free-growing as the Spruce, but quite as hardy. Araucaria imbricata. — Many of these were damaged by severe frost. Cedrus Dcodara will not, in my opinion, live to great age in our climate. Cuprcssus thyoides. — This particular tree was so much broken by branches blown off its neighbour that I cut it down. Pinus monticola has been attacked by a parasitic growth that is likely to destroy all the young growth and probably the trees. Jiinipcnis rccurva was severely injured by the hard frost. By the hard frost I mean the winter of 1894-5. In February 1895, the thermometer was for several days below o F'ahr., and on one night ii8 TREES AND SHRUBS 1 i 1 m ' "o 1 -0 1 1 .s ^ ^fj'^ ^S5^S^ • -J^ • -^ • • ... vorsoioo • • ■t^dcf>dds-^o ■ '■ '■ '■ '■ _l ely. (.ONMciM :h ^M^-d^co:^ •5 I-I - '■B.^^^i'i'i^ -fc? -{^ are six others about the same size, and all are growing fre r some were killed by frost in 1894-5. They cone freely - (/) A beautiful tree quite distinct from the others ; lo wn but probably not less than 150 years. (/) Probably thi %uJu"ll^}^'' tree measures 29 feet. (/) Inclined to g either by birds or wind. Coned last year. (0) Very old • wer branches being quite table-form. V v ery 01a , 1 1 3 3 < 1 i ^^<2--^1c^^ ^-- ^-0. ;;;:::::::;::::: •s CO two >Ot^>-OOUlH OOOONVOO . dv d> uS ^vd N 00 Tf lA.^D re M-vd H ri- CO CO : : : : : : i : i ; : : ;^ ; ; VO CT> >OCO OVVO N -^VO cow COCO 1 r ^ ' -^ V- ground this tree measures 16.9 ; cones freely. (6) There ungoid disease, viz pendendrum. (^ Many of these lost braVche,s U) A great niany others about the same size, and all perfectly healthv trees growing in the grounds averaging 50 cubic feet.^ (i) Age unkno trees, recently taken out, measured 12 cubic feet and 14 cubilfeet ^ tree. Loned last year. Some fertile. («) Very apt to lose its leader same age and sue. (/) Quite a different form from the others, the lo Wellingtonia, planted 1857 (a) Abies Menziesi, planted 1845 {d\ Pinus monticola, planted 1850 (c) . [ Araucaria imbricata, planted 1847 (d) Abies Pinsapo, planted 1847 . magnifica, planted 1867 . „ Douglasi, planted 1847 {e) grandis, planted 1852 albertiana, planted i860 . ,, nobilis, planted 1847 nordmanniana, planted 1854 . ,, hookeriana, planted 1862 (/) . Cedrus Deodara, planted 1842 ( p-) . Libani {h) Cryptomeria japonica, planted 1852 Libocedrus decurrens (?) . Thuja gigantea, planted 1862 . Cupressus lawsoniana, planted 1859 (/) . Spanish Chestnut . . . . Silver Fir (/) . . . . . [ Cupressus lawsoniana erecta viridis . [ Abies ajanensis, planted 1885 . ,, brachyphylla, planned 1885 (/«) .. Veitchii, planted 1885 {») ,, amabilis, planted 1885 . ,, concolor violacea, planted 18815 ! English Yew (0) English Yew .....'.' Abies albertiana (at Roman Bridge)'(;>) ,, orientalis, planted 1852 . . [ ,, smithiana, planted 1857 . Pinus Jeffreyi CONIFERS AND PINES 119 went to 11' below o. This shows that all these trees will stand great cold at the time of year that it is likely to come, but late frosts in spring, when the sap has begun to rise, are detrimental to the young shoots of those that start their growth early in the season. There are at Murthly, besides Conifera^, fine specimens of Yews, Oaks, Beech, Spanish Chest- nut, Horse Chestnut, and Sycamore." CARE OF OLD TREES The charm of many an estate is not the garden or the woodland, but the monarchs that for years have weathered the winter storm and stand out as noble specimens of their family. The trees may have some historic associations, but whether this is so or not, when they begin to decay efforts are made to save them from absolute death. Decay is harmful and objectionable in park and garden, and we are not sure that this matter of decay in trees has been so well considered as it might be, as bearing upon the health of other trees and of mankind also. A tree may be picturesque in decay, but we prefer it in health and beauty. Experts are frequently asked for remedies to arrest decay in old trees. The two principal causes of decay are starvation at the root and injury by storms and disease. Such trees as the Beech and Horse Chestnut, that root close to the surface of the soil — quite different to the Oak — may often be invigorated by covering the ground with a few inches of good soil or short manure. Artificial watering, during prolonged drought, when thoroughly done, is also very helpful to the tree. Trees with large crowns of branches are frequently seen thinly furnished with foliage, and altogether sickly owing to unhealthy or insufficient CARE OF OLD TREES 121 roots. The balance between top and bottom has been destroyed. To restore it in some degree the top-growth may be reduced by pruning out and shortening back branches here and there, wherever it can be done without spoihng the appearance of the tree. This demands careful judgment, but some old and sickly trees may certainly be restored in a measure by this help. It is of no value in the case of trees with decayed trunks, nor with those like our Common Oak, which will not break from old wood. But Elms, Robinias, and Red Oaks are among those that respond to this treatment. Old trees with insecure branches can often be saved from destruction by fastening the niain branches together on to the trunk. The common practice of putting an iron collar round the branch is a mistake. The iron prevents the branch expand- ing naturally and ultimately chokes it. A better way is to use a strong iron rod with a plate at the end, and instead of supporting the branch by encircling it, a hole is bored right through the centre of it, through which the rod is pushed from the outer side. In this way the weight is borne by the iron plate, which should, by removing sufficient bark, be allowed to fit close in to the wood. New bark will gradually close over and hide the plate, and instead of an ugly collar cutting into the wood, the only evidence of artificial aid is the rod coming from the inner side of the branch. Branches or snags that have to be removed should be sawn off quite close to the trunk or larger branch 122 TREES AND SHRUBS from which they spring. When a stump, even not more than a few inches long, is left, the new bark and wood are unable to close over it, and the wood ultimately decays and acts as a medium for mois- ture and fungoid diseases. A coating of liquid tar over the wound, renewed once or twice until the new bark has closed over, is a sure protection against these evils. Trees decayed in the centre, with only an outer layer of healthy wood, are, of course, doomed, but by filling up all holes in the earlier stages of decay, and thus keeping out moisture, their term of hfe can be lengthened by many years. Holes made by woodpeckers can sometimes be plugged up with a piece of Oak. This, if left on a level with the bark, will often enable the latter to close over the hole. Large holes may be filled with cement, or even built up with bricks, the surface being made water-tight and tarred over. ALDERS SEAR WATER {Catkin time). WHITE WILLOW (SaUx alba) nv WATERSIDE. TREES AND SHRUBS FOR WATERSIDE Many of the brightest garden pictures at the present day are by the well-planted pond or lakeside, where shrubs of large growth are grouped to give colour through summer and winter. The wild plants of the riverside are in themselves for the most part large of stature and important of appearance. When one sees the upright growth and large leaves of the Great Water Dock (Rumex) and the broad round ones (2 feet or more across) of the Butter-Bur (Petasites), and the beds of the Common Reed (Phragmites), 8 to lo feet high, with its great brown-black plumes, and the curious bright- green Horsetail (Equisetum), and the rosy banks of Willow-herb and Loose-strife, and the calm wide breadths of the white Water Lily in the still back- waters ; when we see all these lessons that Nature teaches by the riverside we perceive that for the best of good effect of waterside gardening we need not be afraid of planting things of bold growth largely. When we come to garden plants there are many families that are never so happy as when close to water, or in soil that always feels the cool, moistening influence of water within a few feet below them. Such are the whole range of the larger herbaceous 124 TREES AND SHRUBS Spiraeas, some of them plants of great size. Then we have the Thalictrums, the autumn - flowering Phloxes, the stately Heracleum ; Telekia, Bamboos, Arundo Donax, the Swamp and Meadow Lilies of the northern states of America ; and coming to smaller though scarcely less important plants, the Scarlet Lobelias, Oriental Poppies, many Irises, the Michaelmas Daisies, and Day Lilies ; all these thrive by the waterside. There are many shrubs that prefer a moist place, such as the Guelder Rose and the beautiful North American Halesia, Quinces, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Kalmias, while the lovely Fritillaries, Globe- flowers, and the double Cuckoo-flowers love damp grassy spaces. We think we may safely advise those who are making gardens by river or lake to go forward and plant with confidence, only selecting such things as are mentioned below. As the things named are described elsewhere in this book a list only is given. Trees and Shrubs for Swampy Places Willows (Salix) in great variety : S. alba (White Willow), S. babylonica (Babylonian Weeping Willow), S. purpurea, S. p. pendula (American Weeping Willow), S.Caprea, S. C./'^«^?«!* ^* 5«" ^ .. THE HEATHS 221 E. ciliaris. The flowers are rich crimson and in large racemes. E. Watsoni. — This is a supposed natural hybrid between E. ciliaris and E. Tetralixy and was first discovered near Truro by Mr. H. C. Watson. It has rosy-crimson flowers produced in a flatter raceme than that of E. ciliaris. In this character and in other ways it is intermediate between the parents. E. Tctralix (the Cross-leaved Heath or Bell Heather). — This beautiful Heath grows on most of the moors and mountain-sides throughout the British Isles, being perhaps the most widely spread of all the true Ericas in this country. It is called the " Cross-leaved Heath " because of the arrange- ment of the leaves, which are in whorls of four. It is not very distinct in general appearance from E. ciliaris, being downy and hairy on its young slender leaves, &c. It differs, however, in the arrangement of the flowers, which are in a terminal umbel. The leaves of E. ciliaris are usually in threes at each node, and, of course, its distribution in Britain is much more restricted than that of E. Tetralix. There are other minor points of differ- ence that need not be referred to here. The "Cross-leaved Heath" grows i to i^ feet high, and has bright rose-coloured flowers. There is a white-flowered variety {alba), and a very pubescent one named mollis. E. Mackaii, — This is so closely allied to E. Tetralix that it is regarded merely as a variety by some 222 TREES AND SHRUBS authorities. It was first found in Galway in Ireland, between Roundstone Bay and Clifden. It has since proved to be a native also of Spain. It is a charming garden plant flowering from July to September. The leaves have the same right-angled arrangement as those of E. Tetralix, but the flower is shorter, broader, and of a paler rose. E. vagans (Cornish Heath). — This Heath is one of the the most useful of dwarf evergreens, growing vigorously, especially when planted in good soil. I think, however, it flowers better and has more of the typical Heath character when in somewhat poor, sandy soil. In England it is almost or quite confined to Cornwall, but occurs also in Ireland and South-West Europe. It is especially valuable in the garden because it flowers late, beginning in July and keeping on until October. Its flowers are crowded in racemes 4 to 6 inches long, and they are pinkish purple in colour. The plants may be kept neater and more compact by removing the flowering portion of the shoots before growth recommences in the following spring. Left to themselves, especially in soil that is at all rich, the plants are apt to get straggling and un- kempt. E. multiflora. — This belongs to the same type of Heath as E. vagans, the Cornish Heath, but differs in its more compact growth and shorter racemes of flowers. Although not so vigorous and showy, it may still be preferred for some situations. It is a neater plant, and its lower branches have not the THE HEATHS 223 same tendency to get sprawling and ungainly as E. vagans. In other respects it is much like that species, the leaves being of similar shape and arrangement, and the flowers of a paler purple ; the raceme, however, is only 2 inches or so long. E. multijlora is not found in Britain, but is a native of the country to the north of the Mediterranean Sea from France to Greece. E. vulgaris. — This is now classed as Calluna vulgaris, but the word Erica is used to include it in this chapter. It is the Common Heath of mountain and moor, is very closely allied to the true Heaths, and has given rise to many varieties. It likes a peaty or sandy soil, and is longer-lived and more profuse flowering under cultivation in poor rather than rich soil. It is very charming when grown in natural masses in the wilder parts of the garden, and its value is all the greater because it flowers when almost all other shrubs are out of bloom, viz., from July to October. Numerous varieties are offered by the trade, amongst which the following are the most noteworthy, either for their beauty or for their dis- tinctness : Alba (white), Alporti (crimson), aurca (golden leaved), tenuis (red), pygmaa, and hypnoidcs (both dwarf). Dabaxia polifolia (St. Dabcec's Heath) is a lovely little shrub, a close relative of the Heaths, and found wild in the west of Ireland. It grows a little over I foot high, and bears bell-shaped flowers rather abundantly on erect terminal spikes. They are purple or white, and sometimes have both colours 224 TREES AND SHRUBS in one flower, and the plants continue to produce them from July or August till the frosts come. It is quite as plentiful as the dwarf Heaths. Alba is a white variety. Menztesia polifolia is its former name, and is still found under that title in books. NATIVE AND OTHER HARDY EVERGREENS Rambling about the country in winter, one becomes more and more impressed with the beauty of our native evergreen trees and shrubs. Six names com- prise them all — Yew, Holly, Scotch Fir, Spruce, Juniper, Box, and Ivy. Even of these the Scotch and Spruce Firs (commonly so-called, though the Scotch is a Pine) are doubtful natives, though so long acclimatised that they may be classed with our own. Those who are laying out new grounds on a large scale would do well to plant these grand things in plenty ; indeed, in the case of any new planting that is taken in hand, unless the owner has a good knowledge of shrubs and some taste in their choice and disposition, a planting of these alone would save him from many a regrettable mistake, and from the prospect of the usual senseless jumble of mixed shrubbery that has hopelessly spoilt thousands of gardens. No foreign shrubs can compare with or take the place of our Yews and Hollies. However large a collection of exotics may be in a well-stocked arboretum, a winter walk among them only shows that there is nothing more cheerfully handsome than our Hollies, or more solemnly dignified than our 225 P 226 TREES AND SHRUBS Yews. On dry, sandy soils no Conifer is better for England than the Scotch Fir ; or for moist, loamy regions and valley bottoms none is better than the Spruce. Exception is sometimes taken to the Spruce ; and when planted in other than the place it likes it is, indeed, a wretched object, as on dry and hilly grounds. But a mass of Common Spruce in a cool, alluvial bottom is a picture of well-being, and no one can deny their majesty on alpine hill- sides. The Douglas Fir is sometimes recommended in its stead, but this beautiful and quick-growing tree must still be regarded as an experiment. There is not as yet a single old Douglas Fir, and there are some among our botanical experts who are yet in doubt whether, for all its young vigour, it will be a lasting tree for our country. For dry uplands in light soil there is the lovely Juniper, best of all its kind (though often in nurseries foreign ones only are offered to its exclusion), and for chalky soils and loams the Box luxuriates, and can be used as a small tree, as well as in its usual bush form. The use of Common Ivy should not be forgotten. How important it is in winter may be perceived by any one during a country drive, when it will be seen under many conditions. In Ireland we have the Arbutus {A. Unedo), that is found at the Lakes of Killarney, where it attains to the height of a small tree. Importance of a Suitable Climate. — Ever- green shrubs luxuriate generally in the climate NATIVE AND HARDY EVERGREENS 227 of the British Isles, especially in the southern and western counties, and constitute one of the great glories of the English garden, delighting in these sea-bound islands, with their cool and moist atmo- sphere. It has been established, therefore, that the ever- green seeks an equable climate, free from extremes of cold and heat, and with an even supply of mois- ture to both leaf and root, favouring in a marked degree the sea-coast with its salt-laden winds. As we travel south, so opportunities for growing an increasing variety of evergreen trees and shrubs become more apparent, until, in the south of Corn- wall and the south-west of Ireland, things may be planted out with safety which towards the midlands and north would scarcely exist. But latitude is not everything, and easily proved so by the rude vigour of plants from New Zealand and the Himalayas that are happy in the north of Scotland, but failures in the midlands and further south of England, requiring the protection of glass to develop their characteristic beauty. The place for the tender evergreens must be pro- tected from dry north and east winds. Mr. Bean writes me : " One of the most striking examples I have met with of the importance of having a situa- tion such as is described is the Duchess' garden at Belvoir Castle. Belvoir is in the eastern midlands, a district where the average temperature is certainly not high, and where, during my stay there, the ther- mometer fell on more than one occasion to zero 22 8 TREES AND SHRUBS (Fahr.). Yet in this particular spot (known as the Duchess' garden) there were fine specimens of Himalayan Rhododendrons — one of R. Falconeri being especially noteworthy for the way it grew and flowered — an Azara microphylla, i6 feet high, and other similar examples. The explanation of these successes, I believe, is entirely in the situation and exposure of the garden. It was formed on the slope of a rather steep hill, and is in the shape of an amphitheatre opening freely to the south. The bitter ' north-easter ' loses much of its sting before it reaches the plants in this garden. In most gardens it is, of course, impossible to obtain sites so favour- able as this. One has to make the best of what exists. But at the same time it shows the desira- bility, often the necessity, of choosing positions for the tenderer evergreens in which this need of shelter is satisfactorily met. Bamboos, Camellias, many Rhododendrons, Elaeagnus, all afford striking ex- amples of the value of a shelter belt on the north and east sides." A cool, moist soil is generally necessary for evergreen shrubs, and we know this to be true from the distress shown by many kinds during a dry and parching summer. The Time to Transplant. — A question frequently asked is, " When is the time to plant or transplant evergreens ? " To this the reply is, early autumn. When planting is impossible at that season, then postpone it until late spring, avoiding winter and February and March. An evergreen should be disturbed whilst the roots are active, and by doing NATIVE AND HARDY EVERGREENS 229 this in September the shrub can establish itself before winter — hence the object of waiting until late spring, when autumn has been missed, as root growth has again, begun. Autumn is a season generally of much atmospheric moisture, grateful dews, and welcome rains. It is the season for planting in general, and seldom is the work seriously disturbed until Christmas is past. We have shifted many evergreens without one failure in April and quite late in May, but our anxieties are great when the life-giving rains refuse to refresh the earth. The spring of 1901 will never be forgotten as a season of dry winds and brilliant sunshine, without rain to temper the unfortunate conditions, and the result was a great loss amongst newly planted evergreens. Mr. Bean says : " Some evergreens can with reason- able care be moved with perfect safety at any time, except perhaps from July to September. Rhodo- dendrons are an example. During the last ten years I have transplanted them in every month of the year, except July and August. Indeed, in the case of Rho- dodendror^s and most evergreen ericaceous plants, the problems of transplanting scarcely arise, simply because the fine fibres hold the soil so completely that the root system can, with due care, be removed practically intact. For the same reasons, very careful transplanting, such as is practised with a transplanting machine, may also be done at almost any season. " When the roots of large evergreen shrubs have been unavoidably damaged, it is often a good plan 230 TREES AND SHRUBS to remove a portion of the leafy branches. This helps to restore, in some measure, the balance between root and top. The shrub will frequently do this itself. Hollies, for instance, often lose a large proportion of their leaves after transplanting in spring ; it is one of the surest signs of success, just as the shrivelling of the leaves on the branches is the worst. Evergreen oaks also furnish other examples. I remember a good proof of the value of late planting of evergreens being furnished here (Kew) by the Holm Oak [Quercus Ilex). A gap in an avenue of these trees had to be filled up, and a specimen was planted from the nursery at the end of April. The weather that followed was not un- favourable ; but by the beginning of June I saw it was not going to live. However, it was then replaced by a similar plant, the young shoots on which were already 2 or 3 inches long. The young growth flagged a little at first, but the roots soon got hold of the soil, and the tree is now one of the healthiest in the avenue. The Holm Oak is notoriously bad to transplant." Pruning. — This is quite simple ; but pruning, whether of the Rose, the deciduous tree or shrub, or the evergreen, seems to be regarded as a mysterious and wonderful operation. Many gardeners delight in using the knife apparently as a physical exercise, and the wise man is he who allows his shrubs to develop their natural beauty of form and flower. An evergreen shrub requires practically no pruning, as we understand the term generally, unless some NATIVE AND HARDY EVERGREENS 231 shape is desired foreign to its nature, or its allotted space has been outgrown. Evergreens differ from deciduous plants in regard to time of pruning. Most deciduous things may be pruned at any time between the fall of the leaf and the recommencement of growth in spring. But ever- greens should never be pruned in late autumn or winter. For plants that are grown merely for foliage sake and not for the flowers, pruning should be done just as new growth is commencing. In the case of flowering shrubs like Rhododendron or Berberis it should be done as soon as the flowering season is past. As a matter of routine cultivation, however, and as an aid to improved health or freedom of flower- ing, pruning is not so necessary for evergreens as with many deciduous plants. A Rhododendron, a Pieris, a Berberis stenophylla, and all similar things never want pruning in the sense that a Spiraea or a Rose does. Climbing Evergreens. — One of the peculiar- ities of the evergreen class of plants is the marked absence of climbing species in cool temperate coun- tries — that is, true climbers, not, the numerous things that are made to do duty as such on walls. If one takes up a tree and shrub catalogue of even the best nurserymen, one is struck by the few evergreen climbers offered. In spite of the fact that the cool, temperate regions of the earth have been so thoroughly ransacked during the last century, no plant has ever been found that equals 232 TREES AND SHRUBS or even approaches in value the Common Ivy and its varieties for the special purposes for which they are adapted. The best that are available are the Jasmine, Ercilla volubilis {Bridgesia spicafd), Smilax, Qlematis calycina, and tenderer things like Lardizabala and Passiflora ccerulea. Evergreens as a whole are much neglected in ordinary gardens. Instead of drawing upon the great wealth of shrubs available, so many go on using the same old things over and over again, generally Aucuba, Portugal and Cherry Laurels, Rhododendron ponticum, and such like. The Best Evergreens. — The following is a representative list of the hardier species of evergreens which are considered most deserving of attention, and I have roughly grouped them according to their size. Conifers are not included. There is, of course, considerable difference in the sizes to which ever- greens attain, according to the cHmate in which they are growing. The grouping here is merely intended to give an approximate idea of their habit. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are the more tender ones, and although valuable in the southern and warmer parts of the country, have not been grown in the colder localities, or if so, against a wall. Probably several quite as good as those mentioned are omitted, and there are always some beautiful plants that do well in certain places, but fail in the majority of gardens. Such evergreens, for instance, as Fremontia californica, Embothrium coccincum, Carpenteria californica, and many other things like the New Zealand Veroni- NATIVE AND HARDY EVERGREENS 233 cas, Himalayan Rhododendrons, Escallonias, &c. But on the whole these hardier evergreens, with the varieties that belong to them, adequately re- present the best of those that can be grown in the average climate of Great Britain and Ireland. A garden that contains them all is rich in ever- greens. (i.) Trees * Magnolia grandiflora. Quercus Ilex (Holm Oak). Yews. Common Box and varieties. Common Holly and varieties (especially such superb varie- ties as I. Wilsoni, with large dark green leaves and crim- son berries a laurifolia nova). (ii.) Tall Shrubs (say Arbutus hybrida and varieties. „ Menziesi. „ Unedo (Strawberry tree). * Azara microphylla. Camellia japonica varieties. Cotoneaster buxifolia. Crataegus Pyracantha (Fiery Thorn). Lauras nobilis (Sweet Bay). Ligustrum lucidum. Prunus lusitanica (Portugal Laurel). 8 feet or more high) Prunus Laurocerasus (Com- mon or Cherry Laurel). Quercus acuta. „ coccifera (Kermes Oak). „ phillyraeoides. Rhododendrons, garden varieties. „ catawbiense. Fortunei. (iii.) Medium Sized Shrubs (3 feet or more) I Berberis Darwinii. * „ japonica. Aucuba japonica vars. * Azalea Icdifolia. Berberis Aquifolium and vars ,, buxifolia. stenophylla. wallichiana. 234 TREES AND SHRUBS (iii.) Medium Sized Shrubs Ceanothus Gloire de Ver- sailles. * Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Flower. Cistus laurifolius. Elseagnus macrophyllus. ,, pungens and vars * Erica arborea. * ,, australis. * ,, lusitanica. „ mediterranea and vars. Escallonia philippiana. „ rubra. * Eucryphia pinnatifolia. Euonymus japonicus. * Garrya elliptica. * Hydrangea Hortensia. Ilex cornuta. Kalmia latifolia. Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese Privet). (3 feet or more) — continued Olearia Haastii. Osmanthus ilicifolius. Phillyrsea decora. „ latifolia. Pieris floribunda. „ japonica. Rhamnus Alaternus and vars. Rhododendron azaleoides. ,, ponticum. ,, myrtifolium. Rosmarinus officinalis (Rose- mary). Skimmia japonica. Ulex europseus flore pleno (Double Gorse, Furze, or Whin). Veronica Traversii. Viburnum Tinus and vars. (Laurustinus). Yucca augustifolia. „ gloriosa. recurvifolia. (iv.) Dwarf Shrubs (under 3 feet) Andromeda polifolia. Azalea amoena. Bruckenthalia spiculifolia. Bryanthus empetriformis. Calluna vulgaris and vars. (Heather, Common Ling). Cotoneaster microphylla. „ rotundifolia. „ thymifolia. Daboecia polifolia. Daphne Cneorum (Garland Flower). ,, oleoides. Erica carnea. „ ciliaris (Dorset Heath). „ cinerea (Scotch Heather). ,, mediterranea hybrida- NATIVE AND HARDY EVERGREENS 235 (iv.) Dwarf Shruds (under 3 feet) — continued Erica Tetralix (Bell Heather). „ vagans (Cornish Heather). Euonymus radicans and vars. Gaultheria procumbens (Partridge Berry). Gaultheria Shallon. Genista hispanica (Spanish Broom). Hypericum calycinum (Rose of Sharon). Kalmia angustifolia. ,, glauca. Ledum latifolium. Leiophyllum buxifolium. Pernettya mucronata and vars. Rhododendron ferrugineum (Alpine Rose). Rhod()den(iron racemosum. Vaccinium Vitis- idcea. (v.) Climbers and Trailers Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi. Hedera Helix and vars. (Ivy). Vinca major (Common Peri- winkle). Vinca minor (Lesser Peri- winkle). SHRUBS FOR SMALL GARDENS It is possible in small gardens to grow many beautiful shrubs without constant cutting of the branches to keep them within set bounds. Those mentioned in the following list will grow in ordinary soil. Transplant during late autumn and early winter ; and one golden rule to observe in the case of shrubs obtained from nurseries is to plant them in their permanent position as soon as possible after they are received, but should anything occur to prevent this, the roots must be well covered with soil till planting takes place. In winter large numbers of plants are sold at auction rooms, but though they may appear cheap, this is not always so, as there is no guide to the length of time they have been out of the ground, and in a dry atmosphere many of the smaller roots may have perished. Such plants take a long time to recover from the check. If trees or shrubs are bought at a local nursery, there is the great advantage of getting them in the ground again as soon as possible. The shrubs named are fully described elsewhere in the book. Aucubas, 3 to 6 feet. Evergreen shrubs, some with variegated, others with plain green leaves. The 236 SHRUBS FOR SMALL GARDENS 237 male and female forms are separate. If the latter are fertilised, bright-red berries result. Azaleas, 3 to 6 feet. For moist and peaty soil. Berberis Aquifolium, 4 feet ; B. Darwinii, 6 to 8 feet ; B. stenophylla, 6 to 8 feet ; B. Thunbergi, 2 to 3 feet ; B. vulgaris purpurea, 5 to 6 feet (a purple - leaved variety of the Common Barberry). Conms Spcelliit, 4 feet. This has rich golden foliage. Cotoueaster frigida, 12 to 15 feet. A sturdy tree, with scarlet berries in autumn. C. horizoutalis, 2 feet ; C. microphylla, 3 feet ; C. Simofisii, 5 to 8 feet. Cratcegus Oxyacantha (Common Hawthorn). As a small tree this is delightful in small gardens, especially the double-flowered forms, of which the richest in colour is Paul's double scarlet. As a contrast to this there is the double white. Cyiisus albus (White Broom), 6 feet ; C. mgricans, 4 feet ; C. prcecox (Sulphur Broom), C. scoparius (Common Broom), 6 feet ; C. s. andreanus. Daphne Cneorum (Garland Flower), i foot ; D. Meze- reum (the Mezereon), and the white variety alba. DeiUzia creiiata Jl, pL, 6 to 8 feet ; D. gracilis, D. hybrida. Elceagnus pungens, 6 feet. This is not so much planted as it should be ; it is a rounded evergreen bush of great charm. There is a good variegated variety. Eiionymus japonicus, 4 to 8 feet ; E. radicans, i| feet. The variegated variety is very popular. Forsythia suspensa, 6 to 8 feet. A climbing shrub, but may be kept in bush form if pruned back hard 238 TREES AND SHRUBS after flowering. A mass of golden-yellow flowers in March or April. Genista hispanica (Spanish Furze), 2 feet ; G. sagit- talis. Hamamelis arborea (Japanese Witch Hazel), 6 to 10 feet ; H. zuccanniana. Hedera (Ivy). It must not be forgotten that several varieties form bushes. These are known as Tree Ivies, and are invaluable in shady spots. Hibiscus syriacus, 6 to 7 feet. Hydrangea Hortensia (Common Hydrangea), 4 to 8 feet ; H. paniculata grandiflora, 4 to 8 feet. Pruned back hard before starting into growth in spring, this can be kept dwarf, and if liquid manure is given the heads of creamy-white flowers in early autumn are very fine. Hypericum calycimim (Rose of Sharon), i foot. Grows well under trees. H. moserianum, 2 feet. Ilex Aquifolium (Common Holly). A familiar and handsome evergreen tree. The best variegated varieties are Golden Queen and Silver Queen. /. crenata (Japanese Holly). Jasminum nudijlorum (Winter -flowered Jasmine), Common White Jasmine. Both for walls or to ramble over some support. Kerria japonica, 5 feet. This little-known shrub should be more grown ; its yellow flowers are small but pretty. Flore-pleno is a popular variety. Laburnum. Ligiistrum ovalifolium aureum (Golden-leaved Privet), L. sincnse (Chinese Privet). HIBISCUS SYRIACUS {Althaa Jnitex), VAR. CMRULEUS. SHRUBS FOR SMALL GARDENS 239 Magnolia conspicua (Yulan), 10 to 30 feet ; M. Lennei, 6 to I 2 feet ; M. soulangeana, 6 to 1 5 feet ; M. stellata, 3 to 6 feet. Osmanthus ilicifolius. Philadelphus coronarius (Mock Orange), 8 to 12 feet ; P. grandijlorus, 10 to 15 feet ; P. hybrids. Pniniis. This genus includes the Ahnonds, Apri- cots, Cherries, Peaches, Plums, and Laurels. The best are the Almond, Double-flowered Gean {P. Avium jl. pL)y P. davidiana, P.japonica {P. sinensis), P. Lauro- cerasns (Common Laurel), P. lusiianica (Portugal Laurel), P. persica (the Peach), P. pscudo-cerasus, P. triloba, 6 to 12 feet. Pyrtis Ancttparia (Mountain Ash or Rowan tree). P. Jloribunda, P.japonica {Cydonia japonica), P. Maulei, P. spectabilis fl. pi. Rhododendrons. Excellent where soil and sur- roundings are suitable. Rhodotypiis kcrrioides, 4 to 6 feet. Rhus Cotinus (Venetian Sumach, Wig Tree, Smoke Bush), 5 to 8 feet ; R. glabra, 6 to 1 2 feet ; R. typhina, 8 to 15 feet. Ribes aureitm (Golden-flowered Currant), 4 to 6 feet ; R. sanguineus, 4 to 6 feet. Robinia hispida (Rose Acacia), 8 to 12 feet. A delightful tree ; rosy flower clusters in early summer, but very brittle. Must not be in wind-swept corners. R. Pseudacacia elegans (False Acacia), 20 feet ; the Common False Acacia is too large for small gardens. Rubus deliciosus, 5 to 6 feet. Skimmia Forlunei and S. japonica, 2 to 4 feet. Two 240 TREES AND SHRUBS neat little evergreen shrubs, with bright - crimson berries in winter. Cool, moist soil. Spariium jiinceum (Spanish Broom). Spircea arguta, 4 to 5 feet ; S. aricefoliay 8 to i o feet, very beautiful ; S. Douglasi, 6 feet ; 5. japonica (S. callosa) and varieties (see tables) ; 5. media, 4 feet ; S, prunifolia fl. pL, 6 to 8 feet ; S. Thunbergi, 4 to 5 feet. Symphoricarpus racemosus (Snowberry), 5 to 6 feet. The variegated variety of the Common Snowberry is pretty. Syringa vulgaris (Lilac), 8 to 1 2 feet. Described. Ulex europceus fl. pi. (Double-flowered Furze or Gorse), 4 to 6 feet. Beautiful in hot and dry soil. Viburnum Opulus sterile (Guelder Rose or Snowball tree), V. plicatum, 5 to 6 feet. Vtnca major (Periwinkle), 6 inches to i foot. A little creeping shrub, delightful for a rough bank, and will thrive under trees better than most shrubby plants. The pretty blue flowers appear for a long time. There is a variety with prettily variegated leaves. V. minor, another species, is smaller alto- gether. There are deep-blue and white varieties. Weigelas, 6 to 8 feet. Excellent shrubs for small gardens. Shrubs for Town Gardens From the preceding list of shrubs for small gardens a selection suitable for towns is appended. Many things refuse to live in the smoky and confined air of towns. This is particularly noticeable in the case SHRUBS FOR SMALL GARDENS 241 of evergreens ; the pores become choked with sooty deposit, and the plant consequently soon fails, whereas many of those whose leaves are removed annually are not so seriously affected. Conifers are generally a failure. This is a small list, but only small gardens are under consideration. Aucubas. Berberis Aquifolium. Berberis stenophylla. Cotoneasters, especially C. frigida, which is, however, a small tree. Cratasgus Oxyacantha (Haw- thorn) and varieties. Crataegus Pyracantha (Tree Thorn). Daphne Mezereum. Euonymus japonicus. Forsythia. Genista hispanica. Hedera (Ivy). Hibiscus syriacus. Jasminum officinale. Kerria japonica. Laburnum. Ligustrum ovalifolium aureum (Golden-leaved Privet). Magnolia stellata, M. cunspi- cua. Osmanthus ilicifolius. Philadelphus (Mock Orange). All the species and varieties. Privet. Prunus Amygdalus (Almond). Prunus Avium flore-pleno (Double-flowered Gean). Prunus Laurocerasus (Lau- rel). Prunus Persica (Peach). Prunus pseudo-cerasus. Pyrus Aucuparia (Mountain Ash). Pyrus floribunda. Pyrus japonica and varieties. Rhus typhina (Sumach). Ribes aureum. Ribes sanguineum and varie- ties. Robinia Pseudacacia and varieties. Spartium junceum. Spiraea arguta. Spiraea japonica and varieties. Symphoricarpus racemosus (Snowberry). Symphoricarpus vulgaris. Syringa vulgaris (Lilac) and varieties. Viburnum plicatum (Chinese Guelder Rose). Weigela rosea and varieties. SHRUB AND FLOWER BORDERS Where there are wide lawn spaces and fine trees in garden ground much of the effect is often lost or spoiled by the presence of unworthy trivialities where there should be distinct and bold features. The most frequent offender is a narrow strip of flower border, edging shrubbery and coming between the shrubs and the grass. Nothing is more useless than such a border. The shrubs would look much better coming right down to the grass, while if bright or distinct colour is absolutely required, it is easy to make a place here and there where some patch of Lily or other flower of bold form may be well seen. These narrow borders are undesirable, not only for their poor effect — we think not of one, but of many a fine place where there are furlongs of such futility — but because the plan is destructive to both shrubs and flowers. If the ground is not dug for a year the roots of the shrubs invade it ; if it is dug and enriched for the flowers, the feeding roots of the shrubs are mutilated. In the case of a place where lawn comes up to shrub plantation, which, again, is backed by wood- land, the better way is to have, in just the right places, a bold planting of something fairly large, whose flower shall endure for a good while, to let the large TALL EVERGREliX SUliUBS IN A I'lOWIR hOHDER. SHRUB AND FLOWER BORDERS 243 group of it come right through to the lawn, and also stretch away back into the woodland. In our southern counties, in sheltered places, where the ground is cool and moist, and at the same time well drained, nothing can be better than Hydrangeas. Other softer plants for the same treatment would be the fine Ntcotiaua syivcstn's, and for earlier in the year White Foxglove, and even before that Verbascum olympicum. Liliunt auratiim is also superb in such places, and Polygonum Sieboldi and others of this fine race of autumn-blooming plants. If some of the shrubs at the edge of the grass, such as Azaleas, have beautiful colour at more than one time of the year, both at the flowering time and in autumn blaze of foliage, two seasons of beauty are secured. Hardy Ferns are undeservedly neglected as plants to group about the feet of shrubs ; some of the bolder kinds, as the Male Fern and the Lady Fern, are charming as a setting to the Lilies that love cool, shady wood edges. If shrubbery edges were planned with a view to good effect both far and near, what capital com- panies of plants could be put together. As one such example, let us suppose a cool spot, with peaty or light vegetable soil, planted in the front with Skimmia and hardy Ferns, Funkia grandijlora, and Lilium ritbellum. A little farther back would come Lilinm Broivuii, then a group of Kalmias and Lilium auratum. One carefully-planted scheme such as this would lead to others of the same class, so that the quantities of grand shrubs and plants that are only 244 TREES AND SHRUBS waiting to be well used would be made into lovely pictures, instead of being planted in the usual un- thinking fashion, which is without definite aim, and therefore cannot possibly make any good effect. We do not, as a rule, plant upright-growing Conifers of the Juniper and Cypress class in our flower borders, and yet the illustration shows how this may be done with the very happiest effect. Pro- bably in this case the trees were there already, and the flower border was wanted, and therefore was made in circumstances that would not have been specially arranged at the outset. But it has been done with rare intelligence and sympathy, and the result is excellent. Here also is seen the best kind of edge treatment, for the grass is either cut with the scythe or the plants at the edge are lifted with a stick as the machine runs along, so that the usual pitiless machine edge is not seen, and the plants at the side bush out over the grass just as they should do. This is a thing that is rarely seen well done in gardens. SHRUBS UNDER TREES It is often a vexed question what to plant under trees when the space is bare, and sometimes there is an ugly view seen beneath the branches to shut out. Evergreens are the sheet anchor, relieved with a few deciduous shrubs grouped amongst them. Much depends upon the tree, whether a Beech or an Oak, a Maple or a Chestnut, and so on, as trees vary considerably in their method of rooting, as well as in the shade they give during the summer months. This affects the welfare of the plants under- neath. Such trees as Oak, Ash, Plane, Birch, and Horse Chestnut are inclined to root deeply when they have grown to a fair size, and do not interfere directly with anything underneath them, although the roots extract much moisture from the soil. On the other hand. Beech, Elm, Lime, and Sycamore are more surface-rooting, and their roots often get entangled with and gradually kill plants growing near them. Beech and Elm are the greatest offenders, and grass frequently perishes under these trees. A few liberal soakings of water in dry weather are beneficial to shrubs or anything else under trees, but the soakings must be thorough, as mere sprinkles are more harmful than otherwise. The spread of large tree branches should also be noticed in summer, 246 TREES AND SHRUBS as sometimes one or two of the lower ones may be removed with benefit to the shrubs, judicious cutting away letting in Hght and air. The best of the larger growing evergreens to use under trees are Laurels, both common and Portugal, Yews, Box, Osmanthus, Aucubas, Phillyrccas, com- mon and oval-leaved Privet, Ligustrum sinense, and Rhododendron ponticum. Of these Yews, Box, and Osmanthus are perhaps as successful as any. The Osmanthus is not usually considered suitable for this purpose, but it succeeds well in the shade, and keeps a good dark-green colour. Hollies are sometimes recommended, but, though they may occasionally thrive under trees, it is not advisable to use many of them, as they are more often a failure, becoming thin and straggling in the course of a year or two. Of dwarf-growing evergreens Berberis Aquifolium, Butcher's Broom {Ruscus aculeatus), Cotoneaster micro- phylla, Euonymus japonicus, and E. radicans, with their respective varieties, Skimmias, Gaultheria Shallon, Ivies, Pernettya mucronata, St. John's Wort {Hypericum calyctnum)y and Vincas can all be recommended, as they all do well in the shade, and most of them will flower freely. For a very dry spot where nothing else will grow the Butcher's Broom and St. John's Wort should be planted, as both will grow and thrive where other plants die. With deciduous shrubs under trees the difficulty is not so much in getting them to live as in coaxing them to flower, but a few of them will do well in the shade, and, as a rule, bloom freely. SHRUBS UNDER TREES 247 Of these the best are the common and White Brooms, Azalea ponlica, Genista virgata, Philadelphus, Forsythias, and Daphne Mczerenm. The shrubby Spiraeas may also be used sparingly in a fairly light and open place, though plenty of sun is required as a rule to enable them to flower properly. In addition, though their flowers are insignificant, Cornus alba, with its red stems in winter, the Snowberry {Symphori- carpus raccntosus), which is laden every year with white berries long after the leaves have fallen. The question about shrubs growing under trees is so frequently asked that the names of those most successful are given, but generally the beauty of the tree is lost when smothered up with evergreens and other shrubs beneath its spreading branches. A tree is a picture in itself, and it is pleasant to see the grass creep to the branch edge and then cease, leaving a brown earth patch under the canopy of foliage. HARDY SHRUBS IN THE GREENHOUSE Hardy shrubs have for many years brought colour and fragrance to the greenhouse in the depth of winter, but we think it is only within recent years that they have been used in such beautiful variety as at the present time. The great show of the Royal Horticultural Society in the Temple Gardens, and many of the delightful fortnightly displays, have been responsible for much of their present popularity, and the picture of a group of Plums, Peaches, Almonds, Wistarias, and many other things in flower long before their natural season is refresh- ingly pleasant when perhaps winter still lingers. So many shrub families may be used for gently forcing into bloom before their time that it is im- possible to lay down hard and fast rules with regard to culture. In some cases the plants may be lifted in the autumn, then potted, and placed out of doors until they are removed under glass, when the flowers will open in profusion ; but the shrubs that can be treated in this way make dense, fibrous masses of roots, therefore scarcely feel the check of removal. Some shrubs, however, transplant so badly that it is needful to grow them entirely in pots. Shrubs for flowering under glass are grown in large quantities by some English nurserymen, and 248 HARDY SHRUBS IN GREENHOUSE 249 there is a considerable trade in them between this country and Holland. The Dutch cultivators in particular grow a great many of their plants in pots, the general method being what may be re- garded as a modification of pot culture and planting out, that is to say, although the plants are potted, and that in fairly large pots, they are plunged in the open ground over the rim of the pot, and in a position fully exposed to air and sunshine. Al- though a few roots may be pushed out over the rim, and also through the hole in the bottom, this treat- ment has the effect of keeping them far more compact than would otherwise be the case, hence the check of removal is not so great as if they have unlimited room. This partial confinement of the roots checks a too luxuriant growth and promotes flower-bud formation. In the cultivation of shrubs for this purpose, whether they are confined in pots or planted out, choose an open, well-exposed position, carefully guarding against overcrowding, as this tends to leaves instead of flowers. With the same object, they must be kept free from weeds, and not allowed to suffer from drought. With few exceptions, the best time to lift and pot the plants is as soon as possible after the leaves have fallen in the autumn. When done at this time the young roots recover from the check, and get hold of the new soil before the flowering season. The pots must be plunged in leaves, spent hops, or cocoa-nut refuse, to keep them in an even condition 2 so TREES AND SHRUBS of moisture, and after potting never allow the roots to suffer through dryness. Whether intended for very early flowering or later on, the plants should at first only be taken into a comparatively cool structure, and, if necessary, brought to a greater heat by degrees, and the lower the temperature, say about 5 5 degrees, the more beautiful the flower colouring ; while, when they are only required in bloom a little before the natural season, mere protection from sharp frosts and keen winds is alone essential. The advantage of early potting is shown conspicuously in the case of Azaleas. The flowers produced by plants that have been potted soon after the leaves have fallen will remain twice as long in beauty as on those not potted until after Christmas. In a general way, plants that have been forced hard to get them into flower early cannot be de- pended upon to bloom satisfactorily the following season, no matter how carefully they may have been treated, but those merely brought into bloom a little in advance of those out of doors will undergo the same ordeal next year. Too often, when the flowers are over, the shrubs are put away in some corner and forgotten, and the result is injured leaves and general upset. Shrubs so treated cannot perform their duties in the year following. Shrubs that have finished flowering under glass before the time of frost and cold winds is past should be at first carefully protected and gradually hardened off. Where a cool house is not available, a frame in a HARDY SHRUBS IN GREENHOUSE 251 sheltered position is suitable, but even then avoid overcrowding. By the middle of May this precaution is not so necessary, although keen frosts and winds are experienced that would injure foliage developed under glass. Where potting is necessary, that is, in the case of plants grown permanently in this way, it should be done before they are placed in their summer quarters. For this the pots should, if possible, be placed on a firm bed of ashes and planged in some moisture-holding material, such as partially decayed leaves, spent hops, or cocoa-nut fibre refuse. Occasional doses of liquid manure during the growing season are beneficial, particularly in the case of shrubs that have not been re-potted, as the limited amount of nourishment in the soil will have gone by that time. The following is a list of the best shrubs for flowering under glass : — Andromeda (known also as Pieris and Zenobia). — The Andromedas are beautiful shrubs, with lily- of-the-valley-like flowers, and form such a mass of fibrous roots that they can be lifted from the open ground and potted without receiving any check. When placed in a cool house they flower profusely. The best are A. floribunda, which has crowded, some- what stifif spikes ; A. japonica, known by its drooping racemes ; and A. speciosa ptilverulcnta, which has hoary leaves and waxy-white bells. The first two may be had in flower by the end of March, but the other is later. Azalea. — One of the useful classes of shrubs that 2 52 TREES AND SHRUBS we have for this purpose, quite as valuable for hard forcing as for flowering later in spring. Although the formation of the roots is dense and wig-like, they are, as already stated, all the better for being potted early, while they may be permanently grow^n in pots in a satisfactory way. The Chinese A. sinemsis, or mollis, as it is more popularly called, is of close and compact growth, with massive clusters of large flowers, varying in colour from pale yellow to deep orange salmon, and innumerable tints and shades. Among the most beautiful are Alphonse Lavalle, bright orange ; Anthony Koster, deep yellow ; Dr. Pasteur, orange red ; General Vetten, orange ; Hugo Koster, salmon red ; and J. J. de Vink, soft rose. The varieties grouped under the head of Ghent Azaleas are very beautiful, and quite as suitable for forcing as the preceding. The individual flowers are smaller, but they are borne in such profusion that the whole plant is a mound of blossom. The colour varies from white, through all shades of yellow, orange, pink, rose, and scarlet, to bright crimson, so that plenty of variety is available, and some forms have double flowers. These are not so showy as the single Azaleas. Azaleas, when planted out, re- quire a certain amount of peat or other vegetable matter in the soil, ?nd this is even more important when they are grown in pots. A suitable compost consists of equal parts of loam, leaf-mould, and peat, with half a part of sand. Very little pruning is needful, and this to only consist of shortening an occasional shoot that threatens to upset the balance HARDY SHRUBS IN GREENHOUSE 253 / of the plant, and thinning wiry and exhausted growths, but remove seed pods directly the flowers are over, as these are a drain upon the plant's strength. Berberis. — Few Berberises are of much account for greenhouse decoration, the best being the orange- flowered B. Darwinii and the rich yellow B. stenophylla. They will not flower well if forced hard, but in a cool house, with very little heat, they are very charm- ing. A successful grower of shrubs under glass writes : " I knew of some bushes of B. stenophylla that had been treated in this way for five years, and little trouble was taken with them, yet they were so beautiful as to be much admired every year. After flowering, the weakly growths were cut out and the pots plunged in the open ground. Manure water was occasionally given, and with this treatment they did well." Carpenteria CALIFORNICA. — This evergreen shrub, even in the south of England, is all the better for slight protection, and it is delightful in the almost cold house, the white flowers, reminding one of those of the Japanese anemone, appearing about May. It is a very beautiful shrub. Caryopteris Mastacanthus. — This Chinese shrub will bloom freely in light and warm soils, bearing lavender blue flowers in profusion during the autumn ; indeed, so late that when cold and wet weather occurs they often fail to expand at all. This difficulty is overcome when the plants are grown in pots and taken into the greenhouse for the flowers to open ; it is then very pretty and much liked. After 2 54 TREES AND SHRUBS flowering, the shoots generally die back almost to the ground, but break up with renewed vigour in spring. Ceanothus, — Some of the early-flowering Ceano- thuses are very valuable ; they may be grown in pots, and their flowers are of pleasing blue colouring, which is unusual and therefore welcome. Among the best for this purpose are C. dentatus, C. papillosus, and C. veitchiamis. Ceanothuses do not transplant very well, and if intended for flowering in pots should be lifted in the autumn, potted carefully, and wintered in a cool house. They may be kept altogether in pots, giving them much the same attention during summer as Berberis stenophylla. Cercis Siliquastrum. — This is the Judas tree, and as many know, while the leaves are still absent the stems bear clusters of rosy-purple flowers. It may be lifted and potted in the autumn or kept altogether in pots, but on no account indulge in hard forcing, as it resents this treatment. Well-grown specimens are very pretty when in flower in late March. Chionanthus. — There are two species of Chio- nanthus, viz. the North American Fringe tree (C. virginica) and its Japanese representative C. retusus. They resemble each other very much, but the American form is the better of the two. The Fringe trees are very charming when in pots. Prune back hard after flowering and fully expose to the sun to ensure plenty of flower buds. A moist soil is essential. HARDY SHRUBS IN GREENHOUSE 255 Mexican Orange Flower {Clwisya temata). This will bear its white fragrant flower clusters in March in a greenhouse, and a succession is maintained for some time. It is most satisfactory when grown altogether in pots and plunged outside during the summer. Clematises. — Of late years the various forms of Clematis have been grown largely under glass and used for various purposes, not only in the shape of large specimens, but in pots five inches in diameter, the plant being secured to a single stake and carry- ing several big showy flowers. Two somewhat new continental varieties, Marcel Moser and Nelly Moser, have proved very useful for this treatment. The plants flowered in small pots are those that are propagated in the preceding spring and plunged out of doors during the summer. The Himalayan C montana that flowers naturally so early in the season readily responds to a little heat, and in the green- house in spring it is almost as welcome as the New Zealand C. indivisa. Clethra. — Although C. alnifolia does not flower until the autumn it may be had in bloom in spring. Of course, it will not be so early as shrubs that are naturally in beauty in the spring, but in May its white, fragrant flowers should be seen. It requires a cool, moist soil and sunshine, while prune moder- ately immediately after flowering. Lifted in the autumn soon after the leaves drop, it will succeed well. Corylopsis spicata. — This reminds one of a 256 TREES AND SHRUBS small Hazel bush, and in early spring before the leaves appear, the drooping clusters of fragrant yellow flowers appear in profusion, simple protection is all that is needed to get flowers quite early in the year, when it is very pretty in the greenhouse. It thrives well kept permanently in pots, or it may be lifted and potted in the autumn. No pruning is neces- sary. Cytisus (Broom). — The various Brooms are much admired, whether in the open ground or under glass, and for the latter purpose they must be established in pots, for their roots are few, descend deeply, and therefore transplanting is difficult. They will not bear hard forcing, but in a greenhouse may be had in flower by the end of March, or soon after. If kept altogether in pots, cut them hard back after flowering to encourage vigorous shoots for another year. Numerous sorts may be grown in pots, par- ticularly the Spanish Broom (C. a/bus), the common Broom (C. scoparius), with the hybrid Andreanus and the sulphur-coloured C. prcecox. Deutzia. — The pretty D. gmcilis is well known as one of the best of all shrubs for early forcing. The Dutch cultivators grow it in pots and plunge it in the open ground. Of these smaller Deutzias some beautiful hybrids have been raised, particularly D. Lemoinei, D. hybrida venusta, and D. kalmceflora, all of which may be forced almost, if not quite, as readily as D. gracilis. The old and exhausted shoots of these Deutzias should, if the shrubs are kept in pots, be cut away to allow young and vigorous ones to / HARDY SHRUBS IN GREENHOUSE 257 develop. Though they may be had in flower early, they are much appreciated in the greenhouse, even as late as the month of May. The larger growing D, crenata, with its numerous varieties, Candidissima /lore pleno, IVellsii, and JVatererii will not bear hard forcing, but can be had in flower with little trouble in April and May. Good, well-ripened bushes may be lifted in the autumn, and if potted and carefully attended to they will flower well the following spring. Heaths. — EHca camea is very pretty in a cool house in midwinter, all that is needed being to lift the clumps from the open ground, pot, and keep watered ; while the large-growing Portuguese Heath (£". codo- nodes), which flowers naturally in February in the open ground, when the weather is not too severe, well repays glass protection at that season. FORSYTHIA. — The Forsythias flower in the open ground by the month of March, and indoors, of course, much earlier. The most effective is F. suspensa, which is naturally a climber, or, at all events, of loose and rambling growth. When needed for pots, tie the principal shoots to a|stout stake, and let the smaller branches grow at will, the result being a fountain of yellow flowers. After flowering in the greenhouse, cut back the shoots hard, leaving only an eye or two at the base. These eyes will break up and produce flowering shoots for another year. By this method of treatment the same plants may be kept for many years, provided they are carefully attended to and given occasional doses of liquid manure during the summer. R 258 TREES AND SHRUBS Hydrangea. — The many varieties of the common Hydrangea are all valuable for the greenhouse, particularly Cyanocladay Mariesit, Rosea, Stc/laia, and Thomas Hogg. To obtain small flowering plants the cuttings are struck in spring or early summer, grown on freely for a time, and well ripened by full exposure to air and sunshine before autumn. Plants grown in this way readily respond to a little heat in the spring. Larger specimens, too, may be brought on in the same way. The Japanese H. paniculata grandiflora needs quite different treatment, the plants being generally grown in the open ground, from whence they are lifted and potted in the autumn. Before potting prune the long, wand-like shoots back hard, leaving only about two eyes at the base. By so doing the plants are kept dwarfer, and the flower heads are larger than if no pruning were done. By some the Hydrangea is grown as a standard, and is very effective when in beauty. Itea virginica. — A neat little bush, about a yard high, with dense spikes of white flowers. It needs a sunny spot in a cool and moist soil, and under these conditions will flower freely if carefully lifted in the autumn and potted. It must not suffer from dryness afterwards. No pruning is necessary. Jamesia AMERICANA. — A pretty Httle white-flowered shrub from the Rocky Mountains. It will bloom freely under glass, but must not be forced hard ; it may be treated in the same way as the Itea. Kalmia All the Kalmias are good pot shrubs. The roots are dense and wig-like, reminding one of / HARDY SHRUBS IN GREENHOUSE 259 those of a Rhododendron, so that well-budded plants can be lifted in the autumn and potted without risk. They must be brought on gradually in a cool house, and never suffer from want of water. The earliest to bloom is K. glauca, followed by K. augustifolia, while later on there is the largest and best-known species, K. latifolia, the Mountain Laurel of the United States, which has pretty pink flower clusters. Kerria japonica (the Jews' Mallow). — The single Kerria is a twiggy bush, with bright yellow flowers, like those of a single Rose, and expand quickly in spring. The ordinary double Kerria is very bright amongst forced shrubs ; they can be potted in autumn or grown permanently in pots. After the flowering season is over the double variety can be spurred back hard to prevent a tall weakly growth. Laburnum. — This has long been used for the greenhouse, and very effective it is when well flowered. It is as a rule most successful when in large pots, in the shape of a standard. Prune back moderately after flowering. LONICERA (Honeysuckle). — As L. fragrantissima flowers naturally out of doors soon after Christmas when the weather is mild, it is evident that no forcing is needed to obtain it at that season, and in a cool greenhouse the little white flowers are remark- able for their delicious perfume. As spring advances the early Dutch may be flowered under glass, while the scarlet Honeysuckle (Z,. sempervircus minor) is a delightful greenhouse plant, not used so much as it 26o TREES AND SHRUBS deserves to be for rafters and similar purposes in the greenhouse. LOROPETALUM CHINENSE. — This Chinese shrub, with its long, pure white, strap-shaped petals, bears much resemblance to the Chionanthus, and is quite as desirable for flowering in pots. It may be either lifted in the autumn or grown altogether in pots. Magnolia. — The Magnolias can be grown under glass. If allowed to come gradually into bloom in a greenhouse the large flowers will open freely. As a rule they transplant badly, and for that reason, at least the choicer ones, are kept in pots for conve- nience in removal. From this it will be understood that as a rule it is more satisfactory to keep them permanently in pots than to lift them in the autumn. M. purpurea can be grown more easily than any of the others in this form. When grown in pots for the greenhouse, if they get too large for that structure they may be planted permanently out of doors and their place taken by smaller plants. Of those par- ticularly valuable for this treatment are the little M. stcllata, a charming shrub ; M. Lenne, which has massive chalice-like flowers, rosy-purple outside ; M. conspicua, M. soulangeana, and M. purpurea among the early Magnolias ; and of those that flower later the Japanese M. parviflora and M. Watsoni do well in pots. Olearia. — The best known of the Daisy trees of New Zealand is O. Haastii, which flowers freely in August. Two at least of the species bloom naturally much earlier, namely O. Gtinnii and O. stellulata, and very pretty they are under cover and with their daisy- HARDY SHRUBS IN GREENHOUSE 261 like blossom. To be seen at their best, grow them altogether in pots and give the protection of a cool house in winter. Tree P^eonies. — The magnificent varieties of the Tree Paeony 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 estab- lished plants. Pernettyamucronata. — 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. 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 con- fined space. This objection cannot, however, be urged against M. Lemoine's hybrids between this species and the pretty little Mexican r. miuvpliyllus, which has 262 TREES AND SHRUBS a fragrance like that of ripe apples. These newer hybrids — Avalanche, Boule d' Argent, Gerbe de Neige, Manteau d H ermine, 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 {Amygdalus) flower early naturally, and under glass, of course, earlier still ; the variety purpurea is one of the best, while a distinct species, A. 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 HARDY SHRUBS IN GREENHOUSE 263 as single. One of the finest forms is magnifica, a Japanese variety, semi-double, and brilliant carmine crimson in colour. Of the true Plums, special mention must be made of the dark-leaved variety of the Cherry Plum, known as Prumis Pissardi, of the pretty Httle P. sinensis alba plena, and Rosa plena, which has slender shoots, wreathed for the greater part of their length with double rosette-like flowers, and the charming pink semi-double P. triloba. AH these forms of Prunus will, if they have been regularly transplanted, lift well in the autumn and flower without a check. They are also quite satisfactory if kept altogether in pots when spurred back after flowering and en- couraged to make free and well-ripened growth during the summer months, when they should be plunged out of doors in a sunny spot. Pyrus. — The beautiful P. Malus floribunda is quite happy under this treatment, and P. or Cydonia japonica (the Japanese Quince) that flowers early in the year is pretty under glass, especially the distinct P. Maulei, which is of dense and compact growth, and bears salmon-red flowers in profusion. Grow the Pyruses in a similar way to the Prunuses. Raphiolepis japonica {R. ovotus). — An evergreen of sturdy growth, and about 3 feet high, with terminal spikes of pure white hawthorn-like flowers. It is decidedly uncommon and ornamental when in bloom. Out of doors its season is June, but, of course, is earlier under glass. Rhododendron. — These are the most gorgeous 264 TREES AND SHRUBS of shrubs, and largely used for flowering in pots or tubs. They form a dense mat of fibres, and can therefore be lifted with little check. Owing to this they can, when ordinary care is used, be transferred to new quarters without losing a leaf, not only when potted, but also when planted out in the open ground. Hard forcing must be avoided, but the Rhododen- drons may be brought on gradually in gentle heat. Under this treatment they must be well supplied with water, and liberal syringing is also beneficial. The wide range of colouring in the Rhododendron family gives an opportunity for getting almost any shade desired. Rhodotypus kerrioides. — A beautiful Japanese shrub, reminding one of a Kerria, but the fiowers are white. It will succeed with the same treatment as the Kerria requires. RiBES (Flowering Currant). — Both the yellow- flowered R. aureuni and the curious forms of R. sanguima can be brought into flower early under glass, but the flowers do not last long, and for this reason the shrubs are little used for the purpose. Spir^aS. — An extensive family, some of which bloom delightfully when lifted and potted in the autumn and brought into flower in gentle heat. They may also be grown permanently in pots, but as a rule autumn potting is preferable. The most popular is S. confusa or media, but also very charming are S. arguta, one of the most beautiful of all Spiraeas, S. Van Houttei, S. Thunbergi, and 5. prunifolia fl. pi., HARDY SHRUBS IN GREENHOUSE 265 which all bear white flowers, those of the last men- tioned being double. Staphylea (Bladder Nut). — S. colchica is most used for forcing, and is a charming shrub for the purpose. It quickly responds to heat and moisture. Brought on in a gentle greenhouse temperature, it gives a wealth of drooping clusters of white fragrant flowers. Keep the shrubs in pots, as the buds are pro- duced more freely than when planting out is done, and after the flowers are over prune hard back. Syringa (Lilac). — The Lilac is one of the most popular of shrubs for forcing, and may be had in bloom by Christmas or soon after, its flowers being welcome from then until they appear out of doors. Thousands of plants for flowering under glass are sent to this country from Holland every year, the neat bushes, about 2 feet high, having been grown in pots 7 or 8 inches across and plunged in the open ground. This treatment results in close and compact balls of soil, which, when turned out of the pots, retain their shape and bear the journey well. These plants are pruned hard back after flowering to keep them dwarf. Lilacs that have been frequently moved may be lifted and flowered without risk. Most of those sent from Holland consist of the white- flowered variety, Marie Legratige, but the dark-coloured Charles X. is also grown. The many double-flowered Lilacs are not so popular as the singles. Although it has been mentioned that considerable quantities of plants are received from Holland, excellent dwarf specimens may be obtained here by plunging out. 266 TREES AND SHRUBS Viburnum. — When the plants are well budded the Laurestinus (V. Turns) will flower throughout the winter in a greenhouse. Of those that are amenable to slight forcing the best are the common Guelder Rose ( V. Opulus sterile), the Chinese V. plicatuntf and V. macrocephalum. Treat them in the same way as the Lilac. The Guelder Rose is a delightful shrub under glass, with its wealth of ivory-white balls. It is one of the most interesting of all the things that can be brought into bloom in a greenhouse. Treat the Viburnums in the same way as recommended for the Lilacs. Weigela. — Many of the Bush Honeysuckles, as the Weigelas are called, will flower well in a cool house, but they do not last sufficiently long in bloom to make them of great value for this purpose. The best is the dark-coloured Eva Rathke, which grows naturally into a neat bush ; the flowers are of claret colouring. Wistaria. — It is only within the past few years that the Wistaria has been used to any extent for flowering in this way, but now it is universally admired. At the exhibitions early in the year it always attracts more attention than any other shrub grown in a greenhouse ; the soft lilac colouring of the flowers is very beautiful against the tender green of the expanding leaves. The best and general way is to grow it as a standard, as the racemes hang down in graceful profusion. W. sinensis is the Wistaria planted so freely against houses and per- golas, and for flowering under glass the variety alba HARDY SHRUBS IN GREENHOUSE 267 may be mentioned ; it is more satisfactory than in the open garden. IV. multijttga, which has racemes of great length, may also be tried, but IV. sinensis is as charming as any, and the most likely to give satisfaction. Wistarias transplant badly, hence in nurseries are usually kept in pots ; therefore, fbr flowering under glass, permanent pot culture is the proper treatment. To obtain standards train up a single shoot till the required height is reached, then stop it, and encourage the formation of branches. When the head has reached flowering size, after the flowers are over, spur the shoots back to good eyes to keep the growth fairly compact. Japanese Maples [Acer palmatum and varieties). — The handsome foliage of the Japanese Maples forms their chief charm. When grown under glass they are very beautiful, the leaves varying greatly both in colour and shape ; some almost plain, others deeply cut and almost fringe-like. SHRUB GROUPS FOR WINTER AND SUMMER EFFECT In the gardens of Lord Aldenham at Elstree an interesting feature is the grouping of shrubs for summer and winter effect, and some valuable notes contributed to the Garden by the gardener there, Mr. Beckett, may be helpful to those desirous of getting the best results from both tree and shrub : — The grouping of suitable subjects, either in the pleasure-ground proper, on the margin of wood, lake, and stream, and especially so in the half-wild garden, when carefully carried out, has such a good effect at all seasons that it is difficult to understand why it is not more generally done, for only when massed together is it possible to see the true beauty of many of the commoner hardy shrubs. For some years we have practised this way of planting to a considerable extent, and I will endeavour to give my experience as a possible help to others. The chief desire here has been to create autumn and winter effect, and I may mention that Nature has assisted us but little, as the land is not un- dulating but generally flat and uninteresting, con- sequently much thought and attention have been devoted to attaining the desired object. No two shrubs grown either for the beauty of their leaves 268 WINTER AND SUMMER EFFECT 269 or bark should be mixed together ; the display is more pleasurable when they are kept apart. Having determined on the sites to be planted, use white stakes for marking the outline, and plant boldly. The ground should be thoroughly trenched, and poor land well enriched with farmyard manure, and the planting proceeded with either in spring or early autumn. This planting will apply to dwarf- growing subjects. I will first of all deal with the deciduous section. Aronia floribunda. — A delightful plant when grown as a bush, bearing sweetly-scented Hawthorn- like flowers in May, very effective, and succeeded by a wealth of deep-purple berries in autumn. This should also receive an annual pruning during winter or early spring. Allow a distance of 2 feet 6 inches between the plants, which are well suited for any purpose. The ground should be kept clean under- neath it. Pyrus arbutifolia is a synonym. Berberis Thunbergi. — Few deciduous shrubs can excel this for its beautiful foliage during autumn, and it deserves to be planted more extensively. In no position is it seen to better advantage than when in large masses over bold pieces of rock. The shrub should not be pruned, but allowed to retain its natural habit, and will succeed in almost any soil. No plant is better adapted for such positions. Berberis vulgaris purpureis. — This has deep- purple foliage of a very pleasing shade, and it bears bright-scarlet berries in autumn, succeeds best on 270 TREES AND SHRUBS chalky soils, should be cut close to the ground every third winter, and the soil left undisturbed about the roots. COLUTEA ARBORESCENS. — The Bladder Senna may be planted in the half-wild garden, and will succeed in almost any position and in any soil. Its yellow flowers in July are pretty, but the seed- vessels during winter are most effective ; it should be pruned back hard annually. There are several varieties, each of which are equally well adapted for this purpose. Plant 3 feet apart. CORNUS SANGUINEA (Dogwood). — Few deciduous shrubs are more easily grown or more effective during winter than the Scarlet Dogwood. It may be grouped in any position either in the gardens or outside when of any extent, and when space is no object the beds or groups can hardly be too large. The foliage attains a beautiful bronze tint during autumn, but unfortunately soon falls. The position should be open, and it is absolutely essential that the growths be cut to the ground annually the first week in April, bearing in mind that it is only the young wood which puts on its brightly-coloured robe in winter, and the more intense the cold the better colour will be the wood. Plant 3 feet apart. Cornus sanguinea variegata is a beautiful silver variegated form of the above, but not so vigorous. It is very fine for summer decorations ; the ground requires to be well manured. Plant at a distance of 18 inches and prune annually. The scarlet wood, though small, is very pretty in winter, but WINTER AND SUMMER EFFECT 271 not showy enough in the distance. Comus alba Spathi has beautiful golden foliage in the summer, but is too scarce and not vigorous enough to plant to any extent. Requires the same treatment as the above. CORYLUS AVELLANA PURPUREA. One of Our best purple-leaved plants, especially so in early summer. Arrange to plant this near Acer negundo varicgata, Sambiicits nigra aurea, or both, and the effect will be good. It will succeed on almost any kind of well-trenched ground. Plant the shrubs 3 feet apart, and they will require little attention, but every fifth year the shoots should be cut clean to the ground, when the growth and foliage will be much more robust and telling. COTONEASTER SiMONSii. — A strong-growing shrub, and suitable for making large groups ; it is very effective during autumn and winter when studded with its red berries. It should be planted 3 feet apart and not pruned, but about every fifth year it should be cut close to the ground. Cydoxia japonica. — This well - known early- flowering shrub may be grouped in almost any position, but is seen to the best advantage when on raised ground or overhanging masses of rock. It should not be pruned, but allowed to retain its natural habit. Plant at a distance of 4 feet apart. The variety caniea is equally good, but bears more freely ; the fruits make excellent preserve, while the flowers are a beautiful flesh colour. C. Manlci is quite distinct from the above, but quite as valuable, and flowers and fruits freely. 272 TREES AND SHRUBS Cytisus albus multiflorus, the Common White Broom ; C. scoparius, Common Yellow Broom ; and the effective although newer variety, C. scoparius andrcanus, are all delightful plants when extensively planted, not only when in flower, but their fresh- looking green wood is pleasing at all seasons. Plant early in April 'i,\ feet apart, using small plants. None of the Brooms like being cut back to the hard wood, but the young growths may be shor- tened back after flowering, C. s. prcecox is perhaps the best of the whole family, flowering profusely, and is of good habit. It should be planted 4 feet apart, Spartium junceum (the Spanish Broom). — Flowers in early autumn and lasts a considerable time. Its bright-yellow blooms are very telling in the distance. Plant 4 feet apart, and prune after flowering. Daphne mezereum and the white variety album are among our earliest and most beautiful flowering shrubs. They should be planted 4 feet apart, either immediately after flowering or in very early autumn, both flourishing best on light soils. DiMORPHANTHUS MANDSCHURICUS (syn. aralia mandschurica). — This fine tropical-looking plant, when planted in large beds, forms a magnificent feature during the summer months, and in the winter the stems when bare are both curious and interesting. It enjoys a deep rich soil, and is easily propagated from root suckers. Plant at a distance of 5 feet apart. EuONYMUSES. — The true variety of Euonymtis alatus WINTER AND SUMMER EFFECT 273 aniericatiHS must rank as one of the best plants for autumn effect. Words can hardly describe its beautiful tints. It is a slow grower, but will succeed on almost any kind of soil. Plant 3 feet apart, E. etiropceus (the Spindle tree) should be planted in large beds or masses at a distance of 4 feet apart, and pruned annually. It deserves a place by any woodland walk or in the half- wild garden. Thus treated it will fruit most freely, and its pretty pink berries hanging in thick bunches are sure to attract attention. The white variety, though as pretty, does not fruit so freely. FORSYTHIA SUSPENSA. — This is most effective when planted in any position in the gardens or grounds. It makes a delightful bed when planted at a distance of 4 feet apart, and should not be pruned. F.viridissima, though not such a pretty kind as the above, is equally well suited; it flowers profusely. Both of these flower during March and April. The surface-soil should be pricked over every spring. Fuchsia Riccartoni. — This charming old shrub makes magnificent beds in any part of the grounds. It should be cut down close to the ground every spring and receive a mulching of half-decayed man- ure. Thisis not planted half so largely as it deserves to be. Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora. — This is perfectly hardy, and few flowering shrubs are more admired during autumn when in large beds. They should be planted in a deep rich soil, in a moist position, 3 feet apart, and pruned back hard annually at the end of March. We have some which were s 274 TREES AND SHRUBS planted sixteen years ago and have never once failed to make a splendid display. The surface-soil should be pricked over early in spring. HiPPOPH^ RHAMNOIDES (the Sea Buckthorn). — This will succeed well in any deep moist soil. Its beautiful grey foliage shows up well during summer, and when the male and female plants are mixed together the branches will be wreathed with clusters of beautiful orange-coloured berries during autumn and winter. Plant 5 feet apart and somewhat in the background. Very little pruning will be required, except to regulate the growths. Prick over the surface- soil annually. The Sea Buckthorn also lends itself admirably for planting by the sides of lakes and streams or at the back of rock-work. Hypericums. — H. androsemum grows to the height of 2 feet 6 inches, and is sure to be appreciated. Its flowers appear profusely during summer, and are fol- lowed by clusters of dark-brown berries. Plant 2 feet apart and prune close to the ground annually early in April. H. calycinum (the Common St. John's Wort) is partly evergreen and admirably suited for clothing banks or making beds where low-growing subjects are required ; it will flourish anywhere, and should be cut close to the ground with the shears annually. H. moserianum is one of the best of this class of plants, but needs some protection in cold districts. H, patu- lum is also an excellent variety, and not so extensively planted as it deserves. Kerria japonica. — A charming compact-growing shrub, with single bright-yellow flowers. It is suit- WINTER AND SUMMER EFFECT 275 able for small beds or grouping in the front of shrubberies. There is a variegated variety which is liable to revert back to the green form, but such shoots should be kept cut out. Very little if any other pruning is required ; a poor, light, sandy soil suits it best. Leycesteria f-ormosa. — A delightful shrub for massing in the wilderness or wild garden ; requires a deep rich soil. Its large purple and white flowers in August and September are very pleasing, and during autumn and winter the wood is very con- spicuous, being bright green. It should be pruned back annually, and the ground pricked over in spring. Plant at a distance of 4 feet apart. LoNicERA (Honeysuckle), Large Dutch. — To see this beautiful climbing plant at its best, make a mound of tree roots, fill in with soil, and plant at a distance of 4 feet apart. At first the growths will require to be trained and nailed over the roots, and when once covered they will need little other attention. Large beds planted in this way will be sure to be highly appreciated, if for nothing else, for the fragrance of the flowers. Lycium barbarum. — Commonly called Box Thorn or Tea Tree ; should be planted in large groups where it can ramble away near the water or overhang large roots of trees or boulders. Except to regulate the growths once a year, it will give no further trouble. There are several other varieties well suited for the same purpose. Rhus cotinus (Venetian Sumach), the Smoke Plant 276 TREES AND SHRUBS or Wig Tree, is one of the most effective shrubs for this purpose. A large mass of this, with its dehght- fully-tinted foliage in autumn, is a pleasing picture, and is well adapted for any position or any part of the garden. It should be planted in deep but poor soil, at a distance of 5 feet apart, and slightly pruned annually early in April ; it requires no other atten- tion. R. typhina (the Stag's Horn Sumach) is one of the commonest plants grown, with not much beauty, except when planted in large beds and cut close to the ground annually. When treated in this way few things are more attractive ; it then throws up strong, vigorous shoots, with fine tropical-looking foliage, which is highly attractive during summer, and the colouring of the foliage during autumn is most conspicuous, also of the wood during winter. When stripped of its foliage it is distinct and pleasing ; it will flourish in any soil. Plant 3 feet apart, and it is easily propagated by root suckers. Rosa rugosa. — This charming Rose, when planted in the wilderness, wild garden, or around the lake, in large beds or masses, is always seen to advan- tage ; it has fragrant flowers in summer, and large, highly-coloured fruit in autumn. Place it in the fore- front of flowering plants. Plant in deep, well-enriched soil, at a distance of 4 feet apart, and prune, like other Roses, annually. The white variety is equally well adapted, and may be mixed with the above. Rosa Bengale Hermosa, belonging to the monthly or China section, is the freest flowering of all Roses that I am acquainted with. In mild autumns it flowers WINTER AND SUMMER EFFECT 277 treely until Christmas when planted in sheltered posi- tions. It enjoys a rich soil, and should be pegged down annually, merely thinning out the growths in spring. May go in any part of the garden or grounds, and it is perhaps unequalled for covering southern slopes. RuBUS. — Nearly the whole of these may be freely grouped. I will mention those only which I have found do best : R. bijlorus (the white-washed Bramble) is one of the most distinct and effective of the whole class. During winter it looks as if it had been painted white, and when planted close to the Scarlet Dogwood is exceedingly attractive in the distance. It succeeds best on a good deep loam, and the old growths should be cut out every winter. Plant at a distance of 4 feet apart. R. canadensis rosea (the tiowering Raspberry) is invaluable for making large beds. It continues to produce its highly-coloured flowers freely all through the summer and autumn. Plant 3 feet apart and thin out the old growths annually. R. fruticosus roseo Jlore-plcno, also the white form alba{ihe double-flowered Blackberry), may be grouped on slopes. The old growths should be cut out annually, and plant 4 feet apart. R. laciniata (American Blackberry) is the best of the fruiting kinds for this purpose ; it produces large crops of valuable fruit every year. Treat in the same way as advised for the above. R. phoenicolasitis (the Japanese Wineberry). This somewhat new form of Rubus is one of the best plants for this kind of planting. It bears freely, and the fruits are much appreciated by many, and its bright canes during 278 TREES AND SHRUBS winter produce a most pleasing effect. It is a strong grower when planted in good soil at a distance of 5 feet apart. Remove all the old canes during winter. The ordinary garden forms of Raspberry also make fine groups in the unkept parts of the grounds. The old growths should be pruned out each autumn, when the young canes have a warm and pleasing appearance. Salix. — Many of the Willows form splendid features during the winter months. Perhaps on a fine winter's day large masses of the highly- coloured barked Willows can hardly be excelled for their beauty and rich colouring, but, of course, are only adapted for water-side planting or low, wet, marshy land. Nothing is more readily propagated from cuttings than these. They should be planted 3 feet apart, and the young growths pruned hard to the ground annually the last week in March, for it must be borne in mind that any wood more than twelve months old has very little, if any, beauty in it. The three best kinds I know for the beauty of their wood are Salix vitellina, the golden-barked Willow, S. cardinalis (which has bright-red bark), and 5. pur- pureuy as its name implies, is purple. Though not so effective in the distance as the foregoing, it is well worthy of cultivation. I will mention one other Willow only which should be planted for its summer beauty, that is S. rosmarinifoUa. Its beautiful grey foliage much resembles that of Rosemary. It is not so robust a grower as many of the family, and there is no beauty in the wood during winter, consequently WINTER AND SUMMER EFFECT 279 the growths should only be shortened back to within three eyes of the base annually. Sambucus. — The Elder family, like the preceding, is a large one, and fortunately adapts itself to almost any soil and situation. First and foremost must be mentioned Sambucus nig^a aurea, a bold and beautiful tall-growing Elder, and its rich golden foilage pro- duces a marvellous effect in the landscape. Large bold masses of this should always be used where practical in a half-open position. Hard pruning in this case must be carried out, cutting the summer's growth close to the ground annually in the last week of March. The effect of the greenish-grey wood in winter when treated in this way is pleasing ; the silvery variegated form, though not so showy, is worthy of a place where the grounds are extensive. Should be planted on poor soil in an open position, and pruned hard annually. S. n. laciniata (the Parsley-leaved Elder) is a beautiful and distinct form of the cut-leaved Elder, which attains its true character and makes splendid beds ; it requires the same kind of treatment as to pruning as the above. S. racemosa scrratifolia aurcis is unquestionably the finest variety in cultivation ; but unfortunately is not so robust as many of the others, and it is far too rare and expensive at present to plant to any extent. It does best on a deep rich soil in a fully-exposed position, and prune back hard early in April. The cuttings should be propagated in pots in a cold frame. The whole of the Elders should be planted 3 feet apart. 2 8o TREES AND SHRUBS Spir^as. — Another beautiful and interesting class for effect either in summer or winter, when suffi- ciently large plantations are made and properly treated. The whole of these should be planted at a distance of 2 feet apart, on deeply-trenched and well-manured ground. The North-West American Spircea Douglasi, though one of the most common, is unsurpassed for its distinct and beautiful wood during autumn and winter, but the only way to see it at its best is to cut it clean to the ground every year during the last week in March. It will then produce young strong growths from 4 to 5 feet in height, each of which will furnish fine heads of deep-pink flowers during summer, and its beautiful, warm-looking, nut-brown wood in winter is among the most richly toned of all the barks which are used to produce effect, and yet when grown in the ordinary way, and partially pruned down, as we in nearly all cases see it, it produces miserable flowers, and the wood is uninteresting. About every third or fourth year after pruning give a surface dressing of half-decayed manure and loam in equal proportions. The prunings should be tied up and saved for staking purposes ; I know of nothing to equal them for all kinds of slender-growing plants. S. callosa also makes a fine bed, and is very effective during late summer ; its large heads of deep-pink flowers render it most conspicuous ; they are produced when the others are past their best. It should be cut to the ground every third year. S. prunifolia flore-pleno is a very beautiful form, flowers freely in March and April, "^ WINTER AND SUMMER EFFECT 281 and its foliage assumes lovely tints in the autumn. It is of very graceful habit, and well suited for banks or overhanging rocks. It should be moderately pruned each year, and when it attains to a leggy appearance cut hard back. S.canescens (syn. hyperici- folid) makes splendid beds owing to the pretty arrangement of the foliage. This should be pruned to the ground annually. Symphoricarpus RACEMOSUS (the Common Snow- berry) is generally regarded as an almost worthless plant, but when in a sunny open position on well- trenched land and cut close to the ground each year, large beds are most attractive in autumn and winter, as by such treatment the growths will become thickly studded with pure white fruits. S. variegatus is a very pretty, somewhat slow-growing golden-leaved shrub, and should be planted in an open position. It has a tendency to revert back to the green form. Shoots of the type should be kept cut away. This should be slightly pruned in spring, and when leggy cut to the ground. Rosa kubiginosa (the Sweet Briar). — Every woodland walk, wilderness, or wild garden should have one bed or more of this fragrant plant. The delicious scent emitted from its foliage in spring after showers is very welcome, and the bushes, when heavily laden with the bright-red fruits in autumn and winter, are most effective. This should be planted at a distance of 3 feet apart in well-trenched and heavily-manured ground, and clipped over every spring. 282 TREES AND SHRUBS Evergreens Berberis (syn. mahonia) aquifolium, or Holly- leaved Barberry, is too well known to need much description. It is one of the most useful and accommodating of shrubs, and will succeed in almost any soil, and either in the open or under the shade of trees is quite at home. For clothing banks few things can equal it. It should be planted when in a small state i8 inches apart, choosing the beginning of April for the purpose. It may be allowed to take care of itself when once established. Box. — The entire Box family is excellent for grouping when the soil is suitable, but it is waste of time to attempt planting it in large quantities unless the position and soil agree with it. A light surface, with a chalky sub-soil, is what it enjoys. Laurels. — The two best Laurels are Cerasus Laurocerasus caucasica, the hardiest of the whole family, and rotundifolia. The former may be severely pruned and is excellent for clothing large bare places, mounds, or banks. Rotundifolia is a splendid variety with larger foliage, but not so hardy. The ground in which these Laurels are to be planted should be trenched or bastard trenched, and small plants be planted 3 feet apart all ways. To keep them in condition, prune hard down during the grow- ing season twice, if not three times, when they will remain in good health for many years. Cerasus lusi- tanica (Portugal Laurel) is happy in heavy soils, and its beautiful dark-green leaves are very telling. This WINTER AND SUMMER EFFECT 283 should also be planted in trenched ground at a distance of 5 feet apart, and pruned once only during the year. So treated, splendid beds are formed when suitable positions are chosen. COTONEASTER BUXIFOLIA and Wheeleri, very nearly allied to each other, are fine strong-growing evergreens for almost any soil. They are well adapted for making beds, covering large boulders or the old roots of trees. C. buxifolia is a graceful and pleasing plant when covered with its bright berries, and allowed to assume its natural habit. Plant 3 feet apart, merely thinning out the growths occasionally. COTONEASTER MiCROPHYLLA. — A very charming shrub, and when planted on a raised position, or on overhanging rocks, tree roots, and such like, forms beautiful masses, especially when thickly studded with its crimson berries. It sometimes becomes badly infested with brown scale, but this is easily got rid of by applying a strong solution of soft soap and water with a syringe. Ilex aquifolium (the Common Holly). — The Holly is one of the very finest of our evergreens for bold planting. Fortunately, it is one of the few evergreens that will succeed and grow luxuriantly under the drip of trees, where many other things fail. Large breadths of Holly in good health are a pleasure to look at at all seasons of the year, particularly when well laden with bright - scarlet berries. The Holly is seen at its best on light, well- drained soils, that of a stiff clayey nature (especially 2 84 TREES AND SHRUBS so when water- logged) being the most unfavourable to its growth. Fortunately, it will adapt itself to any mode of pruning, but unquestionably the best way to treat it is to plant in large bold clumps, allowing it to grow away at its own sweet will. Many of the more uncommon varieties, both green and variegated, make highly attractive groups and beds, and where expense is of little object should most certainly be planted. Rhododendrons. — Of course, one must possess a suitable soil to plant the more beautiful varieties in any quantity ; nevertheless, the common R. ponticum and hybrid seedlings, of which there are now for- tunately a great variety, will succeed in nearly all soils free from lime. The ground should be thoroughly broken up during autumn, and the planting done 4 feet apart in the spring. The seed- vessels should be picked off after flowering, and the plants are much benefited by an occasional top- dressing of road grit and leaf soil. Even here on a cold London clay, where the ground has been well drained and treated as above, they succeed very well. Ruscus ACULEATUS (Butcher's Broom), a native of this country, is invaluable for planting in masses in shady spots. It appears to enjoy the drip from other trees, and is very accommodating as to soil and position, but likes to remain undisturbed. Ruscus raceniosus, which is a native of Portugal, and commonly called the Alexandrian Laurel, is un- questionably the best of the Ruscus family, and its WINTER AND SUMMER EFFECT 285 growth very much resembles that of the Bamboo. It is rarer than the commoner kinds, but it deserves extended cuhivation, being worth a good position in any part of the gardens or grounds. It berries freely in some seasons. It lasts remarkably well, and is very handsome in a cut state. It enjoys a deep rich loam, but will not fail to give a good account of itself on any soil. JUNIPERUS SABINA TAMARISCIFOLIA is a beautiful shrub for the fringe of a plantation, it is of robust growth, and the best of the Junipers for this planting. Taxus baccata aurea (the Golden Yew) is a most effective evergreen shrub. It should be planted in open sunny positions. Without doubt it has no rival, being the most useful and telling golden evergreen shrub we have. It is of some- what slow growth, consequently should be planted fairly thick. Like the Common Green Yew, it succeeds in almost any kind of soil, but it colours best on a deep yellow loam in a thoroughly exposed position. Ulex EUROPiEUS (Common Gorse or Whin). — This common British plant needs little description here. When seen in its wild state, where it is thoroughly naturalised, it presents a most charming sight. Half-wild patches of land may easily be made suitable for it at little expense. During winter the land should either be ploughed or dug, and the seed sown during April, either in drills or broad- cast, and the seedlings thinned to a fair distance 2 86 TREES AND SHRUBS apart during the following spring. When once thoroughly established, little trouble will be ex- perienced in keeping the ground well stocked. Occasionally, when the old plants become leggy, they should be cut close to the ground immediately after flowering, and in a short time these will break away freely from the bottom. Ulex europceus flore- pleno, an invaluable plant for all kinds of ornamental planting, is, unfortunately, very expensive, as it has to be struck from cuttings and distributed in pots ; nevertheless, it is a most important plant to have. The flower is a much brighter yellow than the common form, is produced more freely, and lasts a considerable time in beauty. It is very suitable for either making beds or forming large patches of colour behind rocks and among the fissures of the rock garden. It should be planted about 3 feet apart, in fairly good ground, and about every fifth year pruned down close to the ground. Viburnum Tinus {Laurustinus).—A beautiful ever- green flowering shrub, and generally well known, but unfortunately it is not sufficiently hardy to plant in many parts of the country, especially in exposed positions. It will grow and flower profusely in very shallow and, indeed, in almost any soil. It makes a handsome bed, and should be planted 4 feet apart. The Hon. Vicary Gibbs has taken keen interest in the tree and shrub planting in the gardens of Aldenham House. .'riSiB .. 'O* •• -■■ ., .' P m ••• wm^ rm mm ■ • ■ \ ! ^p'v# « « \^- - '%■ ^^ V.-. !&.. VI -tL fcSK"^* ^ a""- i » ^' • ^9 v««. ^B ,>^ ^^ 3 m ■I ^fl H w -irv^'fl^^M r»"',- r v^ K. V-C7 i4 ■ 'i< L ilyi-^* "^ ^^^H ^r*'>*/Hr«*'^; ^ m ^^BB^^^^^^^V •*?v «;"■ - - ij^ THE USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS The best and best known of our good hardy climbing shrubs are by no means neglected, but yet they are not nearly as much or as well used as they might be. Such a fine thing as the easily-grown Clematis montana will not only cover house and garden walls with its sheets of lovely bloom, but it is willing to grow in wilder ways among trees and shrubs where its natural way of making graceful garlands and hanging ropes of bloom show its truest and best uses much better than when it is trained straight along the joints of walls or tied in more stiffly and closely. Even if there are only a few stiff bushes such as Gorse or low Thorns to support and guide it, it gladly covers them just as does the Traveller's Joy {Clematis Vitalba) of our chalkland hedges. This also is a climber that, though a native plant and very common in calcareous soils, is worthy of a place in any garden. Clematis Flammula is another of the family that should be more often treated in a free way, and grown partly trained through the branches of a Yew or an Ilex. The less-known Clematis graveolens, with yellow flowers and feathery seeds, and the fine October-blooming C. paniculata, make up five members of one family, apart from the large-flowered Clematises, that all 288 TREES AND SHRUBS lend themselves willingly to this class of pictorial treatment. One of the most important of our climbing shrubs, the Wistaria, makes grand growth in all the south of England. This also can be used to excellent effect trained into some rather thinly-furnished tree such as an old Acacia. Its grey snake-like stems and masses of bloom high up in the supporting tree are shown to excellent effect. This is also a fine plant for a pergola. A few plants growing free and rambling full length would, after the first few years, when they are getting old, cover a pergola from end to end. The piers or posts could also be covered with the same, for though the nature of the plant is to ramble, yet if kept to one stem and closely pruned it readily adapts itself to pillar form, and bears a wonderful quantity of bloom. Among the Grape Vines there is a great variety of ways of use other than the stiff wall training they generally receive. If they are wanted for fruit they must be pruned, but most outdoor Vines are grown for the beauty of their foliage. Here is another first- class pergola plant, making dense leafy shade, and growing in a way that is delightfully pictorial. Nothing looks better rambling over old buildings. Now that so many once prosperous farms are farms no longer, and that their dwelling-houses are being converted to the use of another class of occupier, the rough out-buildings, turned into stabling, and adapted for garden sheds, often abut upon the new- made pleasure-garden. This is the place where the USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS 289 Vines may be so well planted. If the main stem only is trained or guided it is well to leave the long branches to shift for themselves, for they will ramble and dispose themselves in so pictorial a way that the whole garden is bettered by their rioting grandeur of leaf mass. Aristolochia Sipho, with its twining stems and hand- some leaves, will, like the Vine and the Virginian Creeper, answer to all these uses of jungle-like growth among trees and shrubs and free climbing in hedge, over pergola or rough building. The employment of the climbing and rambling Roses is also now understood for all such uses, and the illustration shows the value of the Dutch Honey- suckle for this purpose. A rough hedge containing perhaps only a few Thorns and Hollies and stub Oaks, and a filling of Wild Brambles, may be made glorious with the free hardy climbers just guided into the bushes and then left to ramble as they will. In the growth of the rarer and most distinct and beautiful of climbing shrubs one must in the main be guided by the natural surroundings of soil and shelter or by climatic conditions. In the cold mid- land and northern districts of England we have seen common Laurels and many Roses killed to the ground during severe winters. In Hampshire, Devon, and Cornwall, and in many other isolated and sheltered nooks near the sea in England south of the Thames, many so-called cool greenhouse plants often grow and thrive luxuriantly 290 TREES AND SHRUBS in the open air. This is also true of many locaHties in the south and west of Ireland, such as Fota, Cork, Bantry, and Tralee, where New Zealand, Japanese, Californian, and many Chilian shrubs are quite happy in the open air. Nearly all visitors to Glengarriff notice the luxuriance of the Fuchsias, which, not being cut down there every winter by severe frosts, assume more or less of a tree-like aspect, and are literally one mass of brilliant coral- red fiowers during summer and autumn. But it is even more wonderful to see there growing up the front of the hotels and elsewhere such plants as Maurandya, Lophospemium, Mikania, and Cape Pelargoniums year after year. But, apart from mild climates, aspect has an enormous effect on many climbing shrubs, and especially on light dry soils. LapageriUf for example, prefers a northern exposure, and the same is true of Berberidopsis and in the case of the familiar Fatsia {Aralia) japonica. Many climbers and trailers, again, are hardy on north or north-western walls that are ruined by bright sunshine after frost, which is often ex- perienced on south and especially south-western exposures. Even when climbers like Wistaria, Jasminum nudi/lorum, Ceanothus, Cydonia, and many others are perfectly hardy on sunny walls it is often a great advantage to train a few branches over the top of the wall to the shady side, as in these cases there is a week or ten days or more difference in the time of blooming, and so an agreeable succession is obtained. USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS 291 In planting both walls and pergolas there is danger in planting too thickly, and in planting too hurriedly or without sufficient preparation. We all must perforce often do the best we can rather than the best we know. Large - growing, permanent shrubs, such as Cydonia japonica^ Wistaria^ and Mag- nolias, which may remain in the same spot for twenty years or more, often fail through starvation, and in any case never attain their full luxuriance and beauty if cramped and stunted during the first few years after planting. Again, it must be re- membered that both wall and pergola creepers often suffer from dryness during the summer and autumn months, and provision should be made for necessary mulching and watering. There is one important point that must be at- tended to in the planting of anything of which the general hardiness is not fully assured, and that is, never plant late in autumn. The golden rule with all half-hardy things is to plant well in April or May, after all danger from severe frost, &c., is over, so as to allow the plants a long summer and autumn season of root and top-growth before the stress and strain of winter weather come upon them. In this way many plants will succeed perfectly in establish- ing themselves that would at once die off if planted out in October or November. Abelia. — A. floribunda is a Mexican plant. Mr. Burbidge writes in the Garden, April 14, 1900, p. 272 : "I have seen it very handsome in flower on a low wall at Mount Usher, county Wicklow. Its 292 TREES AND SHRUBS pendent flowers in axillary clusters are of a rich purple red, and remind one of some Fuchsias." A. rupestris, a Chinese plant, is very pretty, as also is A. triflora from North India. Abutilon. — Several of the Abutilons are suffi- ciently hardy to thrive on walls or in borders near to heated plant-houses. Mr. Burbidge writes m the Garden: "I h3,\e seen A. siriaiumj A. vexiliarmm, and A. vitifolhim grow and bloom for years outside. The last-named forms a spreading bush lo to 13 feet high in South, West, and Eastern Ireland. It has leaves somewhat resembling those of the Grape Vine, and clusters of pale-lilac, mauve, or lavender- tinted flowers that remind one of those of Mecon- opsis WallicJn in shape, size, and colour. A. vitifolium comes from Chili, and enjoys shelter and ample root moisture, being apt to suffer from drought near walls, otherwise it grows well thereon." Abu- tilon vexillarium, when afforded the protection of a south wall, blooms for eight months out of the twelve, bearing on slender, curving shoots its hand- some, bell-shaped flowers with their crimson sepals, yellow petals, and protruding dark-brown stamens well into the month of December should no severe frost occur. Florist's varieties of the Abutilon, such as Boule de Neige, also do well on sheltered walls. Adlumia CIRRHOSA. — This grows quickly, and the fern-like leaves, covering almost the twining stems, possess much beauty ; the flowers are white. A biennial, but sows itself freely. North America. Akebia quinata. — A most distinct Japanese USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS 293 creeper with jfive-lobed leaves and twining stems ; although generally grown in a greenhouse, where it flowers in January or February, it is quite hardy in mild sea-shore places, and bears its monoecious flowers in April or May. The rich wine-purple flowers are borne in axillary grape-like clusters, and their translucent petals are very beautiful as seen between the eye and the light. It likes a rich, deep, loamy soil, and is increased by suckers or layers. Although introduced to our gardens from Chusan in 1845, it has never become very abundant, but it deserves a place for its distinctive character. Aloysia citriodoka (Sweet Verbena).— Another popular name for the Aloysia is Lemon plant ; it is a fragrant pale-green leaved bush, not very hardy, and therefore best placed when against a sunny wall. Except in quite the south of England and Ireland, it is generally wise to cover over the stems with a straw mat and heap ashes over the roots. It is often seen as a large bush against the sea. We have seen it thus on the Carnarvon coast. Chili. Ampelopsis.— Now included with the Vines {Vitis). Apios tuberosa. — This has pea-shaped violet- scented flowers. It is sometimes pretty rambling over a shrub. North America. Aristolochia Sipho (Dutchman's Pipe). — Fre- quently planted against a wall ; its leaves are very large and handsome, and the dull-coloured flowers, owing to their shape, have given rise to the popular name. Atragene alpina. — A hardy wall climber, and 294 TREES AND SHRUBS known under the names of Clematis ccemlca and C alpina. It enjoys a lime soil. A native of Europe. AzARA. — The best known of these is A. microphylla; it is not one of the hardiest of shrubs, but in many gardens, especially where sheltered and by the sea, it covers much space with dense glossy leaves ; the flowers are white, small, and give place to orange- coloured berries in autumn. It is quite a shrubby wall plant. Benthamia fragifera. — Now known as Cornus capitaia, but in gardens its old name will long be retained. In Devon, Cornwall, and in Wicklow, Cork, and Kerry, and elsewhere in Ireland, this fine shrub flowers and fruits luxuriantly as a bush on the border or lawn, but in less favoured places it needs the warmth and shelter of a wall. It is a native of Nepaul, and is readily increased from home-grown seeds, and the plant, like all its allies, is a rapid grower in any deep, rich, loamy soil. Quite small bushes of this plant and the common Arbutus Unedo are often very handsome as seen laden with fruit in South and Western Ireland. Berberidopsis corallina. — Mr. Burbidge writes in the Garden : " The finest specimen of this beau- tiful and distinct evergreen climber I ever saw was on the stable wall at Lakelands, Cork, when that noble place was in the hands of the late Mr. William Crawford, a great lover of garden vegetation. It is a native of the Chilian Andes, introduced in 1862. It likes a deep peaty soil or loam and leaf-mould on a moist bottom, and, like the Lapageria and its dwarf USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS 295 cousin Philesia, it enjoys a northern or shaded aspect, rarely thriving for long together in full sunshine. Its fiowers resemble those of the Berberis, but are much larger, have pendent stalks, and are of the brightest coral-red or blood colour. It grows and flowers here in a shaded corner under an ivy-topped wall." BiLLARDIERA LONGIFLORA. — This is the Apple Berry of Tasmania, and is of elegant twining habit, its greenish-yellow fiowers, which are not very showy, being succeeded by handsome blue berries that are very ornamental, and are similar in shape and size to Fuchsia fruits. The plant is closely related to the Pittosporiims of New Zealand, and grows 2 or 3 feet in height. There are two or three other kinds, but none prettier than B. longiflora. It grows best in moist peat and sandstone, at the foot of a half-shaded wall. BiGNONiA RADICANS. — This is the hardiest of the Bignonias. It clings to walls, and there is much beauty in the orange-scarlet, trumpet-shaped flowers, which are in clusters. It grows to a considerable height. North America. Calystegia. — Also known as Convolvulus. C. piibcscens fl. pi., the double Birdweed, is more useful for rough stumps than walls, but may be included ; the tiowers are double, of rosy colouring, and large, and appear during the summer and into the autumn. It is best in warm, well-drained soil. Camellia. — Mr. Scrase-Dickins writes in the Garden, March 30, 1901, p. 227, as follows about 296 TREES AND SHRUBS these little-understood hardy shrubs : " The best Camellias for planting out of doors in the open air are those which bloom late and start late into growth, such, for instance, as Chandleri elegans or Anemoncejlora ; the varieties with broad roundish leaves appear to grow in more robust fashion than those having narrow pointed ones with a serrated edge, though the latter will make sometimes very compact bushes. It is possible that the sorts with dark-red fiowers are hardier than those with pink. The old double white seems to stand the cold well enough, but it hides its flowers rather too much among the foliage to make any effective display of them, though in this way they are often secured from frost or bad weather and made serviceable for cutting. To train against a trellis or wall Doncklaani is very good, and next to reticulata one of the most beautiful when well grown, blooming so freely. Camellias appear to grow in almost any aspect, but are naturally sun lovers ; and though preferring peat, they will do in most other soils, provided that there is no lime present. The points of the young roots are very sensitive to drought, so should be protected until well established, by light mulching or a surrounding growth, from the risk of being withered up by a fierce sun striking the ground in which they are starting. Unlike many other shrubs, they seem to have the advantage of being exempt from the destructive attention of rabbits ; perhaps when snow is on the ground they might be barked, USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS 297 but I do not remember to have noticed it. Apart from the question of varieties, it may be well to draw attention to the fact that only strong healthy plants should be turned out, for sickly specimens from a conservatory or greenhouse are very slow indeed to make a start, and will remain sometimes for an astonishing number of years in almost the same pitiable state." Ckanothus. — Beautiful wall shrubs. They cannot be regarded as quite hardy, but C. azureus in a garden near London has mounted almost to the chimney stacks ; a surface of foliage, and in the appointed season pale-blue flower clusters. The soil is light and the aspect due south ; and in cold, sunless places the Ceanothuses, it is well to remember, utterly fail. A warm soil and sunny place suit the shrubs well. Gloire des Versailles, Lucie Simon, and pallidus are amongst the best of the others. Of other species, C. vcUcliianus, deep blue, is very beautiful ; and C. dentatus and C. papillosus are also noteworthy. Chimonanthus fragrans (Winter-sweet). — The variety grandiflonis has larger flowers and of a clearer shade of citron yellow than those of the type, and though the plant is bare of leaf the blossoms make a brave show, and may be descried against a well-toned brick wall from some little distance. It is just as well to bear in mind that this is one of the shrubs which bloom on the young wood, and any pruning or cutting out of useless branches that may be necessary should be done in early spring when the flowers are over, for if it be delayed there will be 298 TREES AND SHRUBS no flowers next year. It may be raised from seed, but seedlings vary greatly. Choisya TERNATA(Mexican Orange Flower).— Very vigorous, shrubby, glossy, green-leaved plant ; rather tender, but quite happpy in northern gardens if not very exposed. Its clusters of flowers are very sweet and white. Clematis. cotoneaster. ECCREMOCARPUS. — Beautiful climber for wall, arch, or pergola, with reddish flowers. Protect the roots by coating the soil above them with ashes or some protective material. Edwardsia (Sophora) tetraptera. — This is called the New Zealand Laburnum. A tree in its own country, but a shrubby wall plant here. Grandi- flora is the best variety. ESCALLONIA. Fuchsia. — The hardy Fuchsias are almost un- known, though amongst the most beautiful of hardy shrubs. My favourite is F. Riccartoni, but this often makes a good hedge. Very charming also are F. coccinea, F. corymbiflora, F. globosa, F. macrostemma, F. microphylla, F. splendens, and F. thymifolia. Hablitzia tamnoides. — Better, perhaps, for arch, pergola, or tree stump than a wall, but in some cases it may be placed there. It is a vigorous climber, with misty masses of greenish flowers in summer and autumn. Not often seen. Hedera (Ivy). — The Common Ivy when growing in an exposed position will often acquire a rich bronzy USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS 299 hue during winter, but in this respect individual plants vary a good deal, the smaller-leaved forms being as a rule the richest in colour. The most marked in this respect, and one that from its neat, prettily-lobed leaves is well suited for use in making up button-holes, sprays, &c., is the variety atropurpureay whose distinctive character is far more marked in winter than in summer. Hedera Helix minima must not be confounded with H. H. conglovterata, though at a certain stage of growth there is some similarity. A three-year old specimen differs from the freer conglomerata form in that it grows more fiat both as regards the twigs and the leaves on the twigs. It has more shining foliage of a deeper and more sombre green, with pleasing clouded tints, and further, as the name would suggest, it is a smaller plant in all its parts. It is a beautiful creeper for positions on the rock garden, and is one of the best surface plants, as through it bulbs may spear their growth and flowers without injury. H.H. pedata and //. H. gracilis, both charming varieties of the small-leaxed Ivies, should be in every collection. The uses to which Ivy may be put are innumer- able, and with the many beautiful varieties that are now to be obtained their sphere of usefulness has considerably extended. One of the most picturesque methods of growing Ivy is to allow it to clamber over tree stumps placed here and there in suitable parts of the garden. Ivy banks also are very charm- ing, and for carpeting the bare ground beneath the spreading branches of large trees nothing could be 300 TREES AND SHRUBS more suitable. For the latter purpose the shoots should be pegged down and kept in position so that they may take root. Suitable varieties for this pur- pose are H. dentata, H. rcegneriana, rhonbea, obovata, himalaica, pedata, palmata, lobata, &c. Indigofera gerardiana, — During the late sum- mer and early autumn this leguminiferous shrub is one of the most attractive of those that are then in flower. Its finely divided pinnate leaves are of a rich deep green, and almost fern-like in grace and luxuriance. It is, indeed, worth growing for their sake alone. About the end of June it commences to flower, produces its flower-spikes in the leaf-axils, and continues to do so until the middle of September. The flowers are pea-shaped, and borne on spikes 4 to 5 inches long. The colour is a bright rosy purple. The species is a native of the Himalaya, and its stems do not survive winters of even moderate severity. The root -stock is, however, perfectly hardy, and it sends up a thicket of young growths every spring 2 to 4 feet long, which flower the same summer. It is not suited for growing in large masses by itself, because it starts rather slowly, and the season is advanced before the space the plants occupy becomes furnished. But it is very suitable for the herbaceous border, or, still better, as an undergrowth beneath groups of taller, thinly-planted shrubs. It is happy also against a wall. Also known as I. floribimda. JASMINUM.— The White Jasmine (/. officinale) is too well known to describe. It is one of the best of R^S,' USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS 301 the cheaper wall climbers. Affine is the best variety ; it has larger flowers. /. humile {revolutum\ although an Indian species, will succeed against a wall ; it has yellow flowers and is evergreen. J.fruticans^ another bushy species, may also be grown ; its flowers are yellow. Of course, the beautiful, fragrant, yellow- flowered J. nudiflorum will not be omitted ; it is bright with colour in winter. Kerria japonica. — Sometimes grown against a wall, but an excellent bush for grouping, except in very cold and exposed gardens. The flowers are yellow and produced abundantly. It should be more grown. The double variety, K. /. Jlorc-pleno, is frequently seen against cottage walls, and making a cloud of yellow from the double rosette-like flowers in early summer. LONICERA (Honeysuckle), — This is too well known to describe. The Honeysuckle of the hedgerow is as familiar as the Poppy of the cornfield. The common native Honeysuckle is Lonicera Pericylmenum, the best variety of which is serotina, or late Dutch ; it flowers into the autumn, and is of redder colouring. Belgica is the Dutch Honeysuckle and is of strong growth. L. Caprifolium is not a true native, but has become naturalised. Major is a distinct variety. Then there are the evergreen Trumpet Honeysuckles (Z.. sempervirens and varieties, minor being the best known ; the flowers are scarlet and yellow). Plantie- rensis is a good hybrid with larger flowers. The Trumpet Honeysuckles are not so robust and free as the late Dutch, for example. The well-known varie- 302 TREES AND SHRUBS gated Japan Honeysuckle, L. japontca aureo-reticulata, should not be planted much ; its small, green, yellow- netted leaves are pretty, but one quickly tires of their colouring. L. etrusca, orange yellow, and L. flava, which must have a warm place, may also be men- tioned. Certain species are quite bushy in growth. L. tomentella has small pink flowers in July. L. fragrantissima blooms in winter and is a delightful wall Honeysuckle ; its small white flowers are very fragrant. L. Standishii is also sweet scented. A plant or two of either kind near the windows is very pleasant on sunny winter days. L. tatarica, another bushy Honeysuckle, has rose-coloured flowers in early summer. LOPHOSPERMUM SCANDENS. — A slender, pink- flowered climber, but only for warm wall. Magnolia. — M. grandijlora is generally grown against a wall. The large, glossy, green leaves and big, creamy, fragrant flowers are very handsome. M. conspicua I have also seen very beautiful against a wall, a mass of white in late spring. The flowers in this position are less likely to get damaged by frost and rain. Its varieties may be used in the same way, but the type is the best. Olearia. Passiflora C.ERULEA. — Few climbing plants are more fascinating than the blue Passion Flower. It is, with its bluish flowers and orange, egg-shaped fruit, most happy against a warm wall, and is not the hardiest of climbers. The white variety, Constance Elliot, should be grown also. rOLYGuSUM L.ILDSCIW.IXICUM OVIiK IIR. USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS 303 PiPTANTHUS NEPALENSIS (Nepaul Laburnum). — This is a shrubby wall plant, and not a very im- portant one. Its yellow flowers remind one of those of the Laburnum, and are borne in clusters. Polygonum baldschuanicum. — A beautiful shrubby climber, with clouds of white, pink-tinted flowers in summer and autumn. An illustration shows it clambering into a Fir tree near the rock garden at Kew. I have seen many poor forms in gardens, seedlings, and therefore to keep the true type, it must be increased by cuttings. If frost cuts the stems down in winter, new growths spring up in the following year. Its graceful flower masses are useful in the house. P. molle is not unlike it, but there is considerable difference between them. PUNICA. Pyrus. — The Pyruses are described elsewhere in this book. P. {Cydonia) japonica and its many beautiful varieties and P. Maulei are, however, more frequently grown against walls than any other members of the same family. Primus triloba is an excellent wall shrub. Rosa (Rose). RUBUS. Smilax. — This group is not common in gardens, but is interesting. They are a change from the repetition of a few common things. S. rotiindifolia is a very handsome large-leaved Smilax with shiny foliage, now and then met with as S. laurifolia or 5. latifolia, from which, however, according to Mr. R. Irwin Lynch, of Cambridge, it is distinct. All the kinds of hardy Smilax form handsome leafy creepers 304 TREES AND SHRUBS for walls, but in our climate they rarely produce the rich clusters of red berries that often render them so attractive abroad. SOLANUM. — 5. jasminoides is the most popular flowering climber of the south-west, producing its white bloom-clusters for many months in succession. It is classed as deciduous in botanical dictionaries, but is rarely bare of leaves, except after severe frosts in the early months of the year. S. crispum and S. Wendlandi will also succeed in mild counties ; the latter has very large bluish flowers. SOLLYA HETEROPHYLLA. — This is the dainty little Australian Bluebell Creeper, and belongs to the shrubby Pittosporums, growing from 2 to 6 feet in height. It was formerly much valued as a greenhouse plant in the old days of the " balloon trellis " — surely a " false ideal," and one of the very ugliest ways in which graceful climbers could be grown. But even in that way this Sollya and the dainty little tuberous- rooted kinds of Tropaeolum used to be extremely fascinating to many in habit, such as S. parviflora (S. Drummondi), S, salicifolia (S. heterophylla) , and S. angnstifolia, or S. linearis, also a form of the last- named. Stauntonia LATIFOLIA (syn. Holbcellia latifolid). — This plant bears clusters of small greenish-white, highly-fragrant flowers in March, and often perfects seed-pods in the autumn. It is a rapid grower, and its leathery leaves are rarely affected by frost. Stuartia pseudo-Camellia. — A rare and very beautiful flowering shrub now seldom seen in even USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS 305 the best of gardens. It is a native of Japan, the flowers being ivory white and perfectly cup-shaped, somewhat like a single White Camellia. S. pentagyna comes from North America, as also S. virginica, but the first-named is the finest and is worth a good deal of trouble to grow well. Planted in loam and peat and sand at the foot of a sunny and sheltered wall, the flowering shoots may be preserved intact during the winter. Tricuspidaria hexapetala. — A very distinct and beautiful evergreen shrub, perhaps better known as Crinodevdron Hookeri. It is a native of Chili, and grows 5 or 6 feet high, its stiff branches set with dark, shiny ovate leaves. The flowers are nearly globular, very fleshy, and rich crimson-red or cherry colour. In both CO. Wicklow, at Mount Usher, and at Salerno, CO. Dublin, this rare shrub is very luxuriant and beautiful. It grows wellin deep, rich, moist loam or in peaty soils, and propagates readily by layers laid down under stones. Viburnum. — Some of the Viburnums are hand- some against walls, such as V. macrocephalum and the Chinese V. plicatnm. ViTis (Vine). — The Vines are the most graceful and beautiful of all climbers, and many of them are of glorious colour in autumn. The Virginian Creepers {Ampclopsis) are now grouped with the Vines. Of the American Vines, Vitis cesiivalis, V. californica, beautiful autumn colour; V. cordi/olia, the Northern Fox Grape {V. Labntsca), Southern Fox Grape {V.vulpwa). The Virginian Creeper {V. quinquefolia) is, as is generally U 3o6 TREES AND SHRUBS known, very showy in autumn. Of the Asiatic Vines, V. Coignetice is the most famous. It has very large leaves, which turn to a glowing crimson in autumn. It is a noble climber, V. heterophylla humulifolia has beautiful fruit, each berry about the size of a pea and turquoise blue ; it likes a warm, sunny wall. V. [Am- pelopsis) Veitchii is too well known to describe. V. Romaneti and V. vtnifera, the Common Grape Vine, also deserve notice. Of the last-mentioned there are many beautiful varieties, such as Purpurea, Miller's Burgundy, Teinturier, with claret-coloured foliage, and the Parsley-leaved Vine. V. Thunbergi has very fine leaves, which turn crimson in autumn. The Vines should be seen in greater variety in gardens. Weigela. — May be grown against fences and even walls, but are better against the former. I saw a fence covered with the crimson-flowered Eva Rathke in a London garden, and it flowered abundantly every year. Wistaria. — Wistaria time is a pleasant season of the year. A few noble examples may be seen in the suburbs of London, especially at Kew and Hampton Court, where the trees must be a great age, while quite a fine plant is in the Royal Gardens, Kew, also. What may be achieved with this plant if some atten- tion to its needs were forthcoming is not clear, for most of the Wistarias we see from time to time shift for themselves, and by the position they occupy must have large numbers of their roots in dusty, dry soil. In former days it was always the custom to plant this OLD WISTARIA AT HAMPTON COURT. WISTARIA RACEME: SHORT, W. SINENSIS IV. MULTIJUGA. LONG. USE OF HARDY CLIMBING SHRUBS 307 fine climber at the base of the dwelling-house wall, but now, with a fuller knowledge of its robust growth, its widely-extending branches, and equally its wide- rooting capacity, other positions may with advantage be secured for it. One example may be seen at Kew, where a fine plant covers a huge cage-like structure. Another good way would be to plant it to run over pergolas, and with Clematis to succeed the Wistaria, the effect would be distinctly good. W. chimnsis, the mauve-flowered species is the one usually planted. The variety alba is less robust, and does not flower so freely ; it wants a warm place. W. multijuga has very long racemes. The double variety is very beautiful when in perfection, but our experience is that it never flowers freely, and the raceme is often poor. FLOWERING AND OTHER HEDGES Of the more or less known 3000 species and varieties of trees and shrubs hardy in this country, only a small proportion are suitable for making good hedges. Every garden of any size has a hedge or two of untidy look through inattention at the proper time. A hedge must be kept in proper order, not a difficult business when clipping is done annually, when to do so depending upon the plants used. Hedges may be of two kinds — the neat trimmed hedge, which serves as an outside line to a garden, and also as a screen or wind-break to sm^ll or tender plants growing near it ; and the straggling rough hedge, varying from 10 to 20 feet in width, more properly a wide bank made up of all sorts of plants, rambling Roses, ornamental Vines, and other things which usually serve to brighten some spot where colour is desirable, or to shut out an undesirable view. The best plants comprise both evergreens and deciduous, but only one thing should be used, as mixed hedges are rarely a success, and of mingled evergreen and deciduous plants are generally quite a failure. The best evergreen plants in their order of merit are Holly, Yew, Arbor-vitae {Thuya occidentalis)^ Thuya gigantea, Lobbi, Common Box, Cupressus law- soniana, C. nootkaiensis {Thujopsis borealis), Privet [Ligus- 308 FLOWERING AND OTHER HEDGES 309 irum), Common Laurel, Portugal Laurel Pyramid Laurel [Primus lusitanica myrtifolia), Berberis Darwinii, and Ostnanthus ilicifolius. Holly. — The Common Holly makes one of the best evergreen hedges. Its growth, though some- what slow, is regular, and it does not mind the shears, but it is costly to use to any extent. It does not move readily, so that for the first year or two there will probably be a few gaps to fill up, but when the hedge is once established it is there practically for ever, and with proper attention will never become rough or unsightly. Before planting the site should be marked out, and the ground trenched 3 feet wide and deep, breaking the subsoil with a fork, and working some well-decayed manure about half-way down. This will tend to draw the roots down, and keep them from running out on either side to the injury of neighbouring plants. Plants should be obtained in the early autumn, as soon as it is safe to move them, and planted at once before the ground gets cool. If this be done they will make fresh roots and get established before winter. Some prefer to move Hollies in May, but much depends on whether artificial watering can be done. If it can. May is quite as good a time as September or October ; if not, then choose the autumn. The size of the plants used depends upon taste and the depth of the pocket, but good plants, i\ to 2 feet high, with a leading shoot or two on each, placed from 12 to 16 inches apart, can be recom- mended, as they move readily at that size, and are 3IO TREES AND SHRUBS not so costly as larger plants. Holly hedges should be clipped in late August or early September, when they will make a short growth before winter, and keep in good condition without further attention until the following autumn. The height of the hedge is entirely a matter for the owner to decide, one 30 or 40 feet high, properly feathered to the ground, being quite possible, as we know from some already in existence. When grown to this height, however, the top should be cut to a point to throw off snow. The flatness of the hedge can be broken by allowing a few leading shoots, 20 or 30 feet apart, to run up, budding them in August with some of the variegated varieties. Gold Queen, Waterer's Gold, Silver Queen, and Argcntea variegata are good sorts to use for this. When a Holly hedge has been neglected for some years cut it back to the old wood in March or April, and fork in a liberal dressing of manure around it. It may not make much growth the first year, but will practically re-establish itself the second. Yew. — The Common Yew is hard to kill, and easy to prune into various shapes, as topiary work suggests. Yew is generally used for the inside of a garden, such as terraces and hedges near the house. It should be treated in the same way as the Holly, with the im- portant exception of being clipped in May, as the Yew makes most of its growth in the early part of the year. In buying Yews, choose rather stunted- looking plants in preference to those of fresher look and freer growth. The former have been moved FLOWERING AND OTHER HEDGES 311 within the last year or two, the latter have stood for three or four, and become coarse rooted, suffering, therefore, after removal. Akbor-vit^. — For a hedge this and Thuya giganka can be placed together. The common Arbor-Vitae is sometimes not liked because it gets brown in winter, but this colouring is not so pronounced in Thuya gigantea. In preparing the ground little or no manure need be trenched in, but a dressing of spent manure may be added with advantage. The soil should be as good as possible, but not too heavy. They may be clipped at any season, and for the first two or three years twice annually will not be too often. It is wise to cut off from six inches to one foot of the leaders every year, otherwise the plants attain a great height without breadth. If a hedge of these conifers is allowed to become rough and ragged, it is almost impossible to restore it, as it will not, except in special cases break from the older wood. Box. — The dwarf edging so largely used for borders and paths needs no description, but the Common Box is not so largely used because it gets yellow, the result of sheer starvation, the Box being a gross feeder, requiring plenty of feeding at all times. It should have a dressing of manure annually, or at least biennially, to keep it in good health and colour. It should be clipped in the spring, April or May being the best months, and a top-dressing about the same time will be very beneficial to it. Box is a good shrub for an inside hedge, but should 312 TREES AND SHRUBS never become overgrown, as, in addition to the hard cutting necessary to bring it into shape, it is a terrible plant to cut, even the small wood being very hard and tough. Lawson Cypress. — Cupressus lawsoniana and C. nootkatensis {Thujopis horealis) can be treated together, as, in addition to their natural relationship, both require the same treatment as a hedge. Neither makes a good flat-topped hedge of the ordinary kind, as the growth is distinctly pyramidal, and unless kept to a point is apt to get injured by snow. They should be cut to a point, and a hedge 12 to 20 feet high of this shape is very handsome and effective in a garden, as well as forming a first-rate screen. They can be trimmed at any time preferably in the spring or early summer, care being taken not to cut the base too hard, and the leading shoots top annually. In planting no manure need be used, provided the ground is good, and it is not required later on unless the hedge shows signs of starva- tion, when a good top dressing may be given with advantage. Plants 2 or 3 feet in height, placed about 1 8 inches apart, are a good size to use, as they move readily and are not expensive. Privet. — The oval-leaved Privet [Ligustrum ovali- folium) is a native of Japan, and makes a fairly good hedge about 5 or 6 feet high. It grows readily, and moves without any trouble at almost any time. It can be bought cheaply. The ground should be well treated in the first place ; afterwards it will require little attention in the way of feeding. It can FLOWERING AND OTHER HEDGES 313 be clipped at almost any time, but for the tirst year or two should be cut hard back before growth begins in the spring. Neglect of this leads to a hedge that is leafy at the top but bare at the bottom. In this note the use of Privet is not wholly condemned, but it must be understood its use is not recommended. We have never seen a Privet hedge that ever looked respectable for any length of time. We have not a Privet hedge in the garden, and hope to be always free from such an affliction. Laurels. — Any of the various forms of the Common and Portugal Laurels with the types are suitable for what may be called second-rate hedges, the best being the Pyramid Portugal, which is a smaller- leaved and more upright-growing kind than any of the others. With the exception of the last-named, all the Laurels make hedges rather wide for their height, and all require much attention to keep them in proper shape. All should be clipped in June, after the first growth is made ; they will then make another short growth, which will keep the hedge in good condition until the following year. The Pyramid Portugal has leaves about half the size of those of the type and quickly makes a hedge. It is rather more expensive than the commoner Laurels, but it moves well, and does not become bare at the bottom. OSMANTHUS ILICIFOLIUS. — This plant has not been much used for hedges, but it makes a very good one if carefully looked after during the first year or two. It somewhat resembles the Common Holly, 314 TREES AND SHRUBS and requires much the same treatment. It is not very expensive to buy, and the hedge should be kept to a height of 3 or 4 feet. Deciduous Hedges Many deciduous plants can be used for hedges, but a good selection comprises Beech, Hornbeam, Quick, Myrobalan Plum, and Sweetbriar. The first two require practically the same treatment, the most important part of which is to procure good two or three years old transplanted plants, and to treat them liberally at first. Beyond an annual trimming they will not require any further attention, except to tie or peg down a branch or two where gaps may occur. Quick and the Myrobalan Plum should be planted in double rows to form a hedge, and be cut back hard at the time of planting to form a bottom to the hedge, which would otherwise become leggy and bare at the base. If they should happen to get into this state most of the growth should be cut away, and the main branches tied or pegged down in the direction of the hedge. In a year or two it will be practically as good as ever. For a dividing line between the flower and kitchen gardens, or for some spot where too much formality is not required, the Common Sweetbriar makes an excellent hedge, although it requires much attention for the first few years. If planted without support, such as a wooden railing, it should be kept tied or pegged down almost to the ground for the first two h^i^ '.. '^m?m i£i. . m^m ..Mk m ^.:^ ..j,j^' .w.-^M^i^ft^--:-:/^''*^ ■ • ' ^ . 'V V SRiiaiin»:. ., ri_ FLOWERING AND OTHER HEDGES 315 or three years, using practically every growth that is made by the plants. By this means a good foundation is laid for the hedge, which will, when made, merely require an annual trimming. We plant Sweetbriars everywhere. Its leaves in the early morning, or after a warm summer rain, saturate the air with their fragrance. Hedges of Flowering Shrubs It often happens that some kind of hedge is wanted in a garden, either as a screen to hide vegetable ground, or as a wind-break, or some kind of partition. When this is the case, it is a good plan to plant hardy flowering shrubs about 4 feet apart, and 30 to train and trim them that they grow into a compact hedge, and yet have enough lateral play to allow them to flower. Two years ago we privately advised some friends who were planting new gardens where such dividing hedges were wanted, and the hedges are already coming into use and beauty. Such a hedge is not only ornamental, but it yields endless material for cutting. It should be allowed to grow quite 4 feet thick, and is best formed with a backbone of stiff woody shrubs, such as Guelder Roses, Ribes, and Lilac, while between the stiffer shrubs might be some that are weaker, such as Kerria, Rliodotypus, and Leycesteria. Plants of rank rambling growth, such as free Roses and double-flowered Brambles, Aristolochia, IVisiaria, Virginia Creeper, and the rambling Honeysuckles, are not in place in such a hedge ; they are more suitable for rough hedge 3i6 TREES AND SHRUBS banks, walls, or for arbour and pergola ; the flower hedge wants true shrubs. The bush Honeysuckles, such as Lonicera fragrantissima and L. iatarica, are just right, or any woody, twiggy bushes of moderate growth, or such as are amenable to pruning and thinning, such as Deutzia and Snowberry shrubs that so often get overgrown in a shrubbery. In the hedge these would do well, as they could easily be watched and thinned ; also many true shrubs that flower all the better for reasonable pruning. Any one would be surprised to see what a quantity of useful flowers such a hedge would yield, while, if there is another of foliage for winter use, it will be invaluable to the indoor decorator. We have just planted a hedge for this use, all of golden variegated or yellow-leaved shrubs, those chosen being the Scotch Gold Holly, Golden Euonymus, Golden Privet, the variegated Eiirya latifolia, yellow variegated Box, Cassinia fidvida and Golden Tree Ivy, all shrubs of the utmost value for winter cuttings. Though they are barely 2 feet high as yet, the slightly varied golden hedge is already a pleasant, cheering sight in the quickly-shortening November days. Other flower hedges are also delightful possessions. Hedges of China Rose, of Lavender, of Sweetbriar, of old garden Roses, or of climbing or rambling Roses trained down, of Honeysuckles, of Jasmine ; some of these are occasionally seen, but of a good selection of true shrubs hedges are rarely if ever made. Any of the shrubs recommended for the mixed flowering hedge could, of course, be used alone ; and FLOWERING AND OTHER HEDGES 317 excellent it would be to have a hedge of Guelder Rose or flowering Currant or Japan Quince, and how much more interesting than the usual hedge of Quick or Privet or Holly. Both sides of the flower hedge should be easily accessible, not neces- sarily by a hard path, but by a space just wide enough to go along comfortably. An additional advantage well worth considering would be that, supposing the direction of the hedge to be east and west, the south side would flower in advance of the north, and so prolong the supply of bloom. PLEACHED OR GREEN ALLEYS In the old days the pleached alley was as familiar in English gardens as the pergola of the present age. Both are interesting, and both provide grate- ful shadowed walks in the heat of summer. The trees most generally used in the fashioning of pleached alleys were the Hornbeam and Lime, both native of this country, but green alleys have been made of Yew, of Cotoneaster microphylla, of Holly, and other evergreens. There are flowering Cherries of weeping habit that would suit well for such treatment, and several other small trees of pendulous growth, such as Laburnum, Weeping Ash, and the large-leaved Weeping Elm. There is an important green alley at West Dean, near Chichester, of Laburnum only. The green alley differs from the pergola in that the pergola has solid and permanent supports, its original purpose, in addition to the giving of shade, being to support vines. The green alley, being made of stiffer and more woody growths, only needs a temporary framework to which to train the trees till they have filled the space and formed the shape. Hornbeam was the tree most used in former ages, and for a simple green alley nothing is better. Beech is also good. Several other of PLEACHED OR GREEN ALLEYS 319 the smaller trees of weeping growth should be more used for this and the allied uses of train- ing for arbours and other shelter places in the garden. The common Plane is much used on the conti- nent for green shelters ; the trees are pollarded at at about eight feet high, and the vigorous young growths trained down horizontally to a slight framework. It would be interesting to make a green alley with two or perhaps three kinds of plants whose leaf form was of the same structure. For instance, a groundwork of Weeping Ash could soon be trained into shape, and Wistaria would be best to grow all over and through it. The more stiff and woody Ash would supply the eventual solid frame- work, as by the time the Wistaria was making strong growth (for it is very slow to make a be- ginning) the whole would be well in shape, and might dispense with the framing of " carpenters' work " that is necessary for its first shaping. It would be best to plant the Ash zigzag across the path so that the main of the head of each tree might be trained across the path and down to the ground on the opposite side, when it would occupy the space between the two opposite trees. It is important to further maintain the distinc- tion between green alley and pergola by using in the green alley only things of a permanent and woody character ; no Roses or Clematis, or any other plants of which portions are apt to die or 320 TREES AND SHRUBS wear out. These are proper to the pergola, whose permanent substructure makes it easier to cut away and renew those of its coverings, whether struc- tural or growing, that are liable to partial decay. A great many delightful things may be done with these green alleys and green shelters. Much interest is already aroused in the pergola, and when thinking of this it is well to consider these other ways of adding to the comfort and charm of our gardens. One thing, however, should be care- fully considered. It should be remembered that where a path is made more important by passing under trained green growths it should have some definite reason for being so accentuated, certainly at one and desirably at both ends. It often occurs that in laying out ground the owner wishes to have a pergola, as it were, in the air, and when there is nothing to justify its presence. It should not be put at haphazard over any part of the garden walk. If of any length, it should distinctly lead from somewhere to somewhere of importance in the garden design, and should, at least at one end, finish in some distinct full-stop, such as a well-designed summer-house or tea-house. Another important matter is that a pergola or green alley, in the usual sense, should never wind or go uphill. It is not intended by this that shading coverings cannot be used in such places, but that they would want especial design, and it is altogether a matter of doubt if these could not be much better treated in other ways. PLEACHED OR GREEN ALLEYS 321 The circumstances of different gardens are so infinitely various that it is impossible to lay down hard rules ; only general rules can be given and exceptional circumstances dealt with by exceptional treatment. Green alleys require some attention. In winter the oldest of the wood must be cut out to make room for the young growth, and when this is lengthening vigorously it must be carefully laid in. If the alley has an iron framework, which is neces- sary when such strong growing things as Wistaria are used, this may be clothed during the first few years until the Wistaria is growing strongly with annual climbers such as Cobaa scaridcus, lophospermum, Mina lobala, and even varieties of the large-flowered Clematis, which must be removed when the Wistaria covers the alley. Very charming alleys are sometimes formed of fruit trees — Pear, Apple, Cherry, and Plum making delightful spring pictures, and almost as much so when in fruit in autumn. Where fruit and flower are desired every shoot must be exposed to sun and air. When densely shaded by other growths the wood does not ripen, and therefore flowers badly, if at all. THE GARDEN ORCHARD One's enjoyment of the garden would be greatly increased if the orchard, which is so often thrust away into a remote corner, were brought into direct communication with it. How easily the trimmer lawn spaces might lead through groups of flowering shrubs to the rather rougher grassy orchard. How naturally the garden Roses and masses of free-grow- ing Cluster Roses would lead to their near relations, the Pears and Apples and other fruiting trees of the great Rose order. There is no need to make a definite break between the two ; it is all the better not to know where the garden ends and the orchard begins. Towards the edge of the mown lawn there may already be trees of the Red Siberian Crab and the handsome Crab John Downie, and the pretty little Fairy Apple ; while the nearer orchard trees may well be wreathed with some of the free Cluster Roses, such as Bennett's Seedling or Dundee Rambler. If the orchard is of some extent its standard trees of Pear, Apple, Cherry, and Plum may be varied by three or four bush trees, or by some of the beautiful fruit trees of lower growth, such as Medlars and Quinces. There may also be breaks of cut-leaved Blackberry and a thicket of Crabs or Filberts, and THE GARDEN ORCHARD 323 on some one side, or perhaps more, a shady Nut alley. There is no need to be always moving the garden orchard. One wide, easy, grassy way might well be kept closely shorn, but much of the middle and side spaces had better not be cut until hay-time, for many would be the bulbs planted under the turf, great drifts of Daffodils and Spanish Scillas, and Fritillaries for the larger effects, and Colchicums and Saffron Crocus for the later months. If the grass were mown again in September, just before the Colchicums appear, it would allow of easy access to the fruit trees in the time of their harvest, and in those interesting weeks immediately before the Apples ripen. It must not be forgotten that the best use of many fruit-bearing trees is not restricted to the kitchen garden only, for many of them are beautiful things in the most dressed ground. Few small trees are more graceful in habit than the old English Quince that bears the smooth, roundish fruits. It is not only a pleasant object in leaf and flower in early summer, and in autumn glory of golden fruit, but even when bare of leaves in winter a fully matured tree is strikingly beautiful, and in boggy ground where no other tree would thrive it is just at its happiest and is most fruitful. Then many Apples are extremely ornamental, and there is a whole range of Crabs ; Siberian, Chinese, and home-raised hybrids that are delightful things both in flower and in fruit. Pyrns Maulei, vieing in beauty of bloom with its near neighbours, the Japanese Quinces, quite outdoes them 324 TREES AND SHRUBS in glory and bounty of fruit, which in October is one of the most briUiant things in the garden. There are no better garden ornaments for foHage than Figs and Vines, and though the needful pruning of a Vine for fruit takes off somewhat of its pictorial value, which depends in some measure on the wide-flung, luscious summer growth and groping tendril, yet in any shape the Grape Vine is a thing of beauty. Some of its garden kinds also show how, in distinct departures in colour and shape of leaf, it is always beautiful ; for the Parsley-leaved Vine, with its dainty and deeply-cut foliage, is a suitable accompaniment to the most refined architecture ; while the red-purple leaf of the Claret Vine and its close clusters of blue fruit are richly ornamental in the autumn garden. A Medlar tree, with its large white bloom and hand- some leaves, is desirable, and several of the Services are ornamental small trees. Every one knows the lovely pink bloom of the Almond in April, but few may have tried something that is not an experiment but a certainty — namely, the successful culture of the hardier Peaches, near relatives to the Almond, as standards in the south of England, A Peach of American origin, the Early Alexander, bears full or fair crops every year. The only danger is from leaf blister from sudden cold in May, but if its position is sheltered, or if it can be afforded the protection of a net, it will suffer but little, and perfectly ripened peaches, red all round, may be had at the end of July. The beauty of Cherry blossom is so well known that it needs no extolling ; and any great high THE GARDEN ORCHARD 325 wall looks the better at all seasons for a well-trained old Pear. A free planting of the cut-leaved Bramble is pleasant to see on the outskirts of the garden, and is beautiful in leaf, in flower, and in fruit. THE WORTHY USE OF ROSES For a full consideration of the Rose as a garden flower, one must look to such a work as " Roses for English Gardens," but as the Rose is a flowering shrub it cannot be omitted from the present volume. In these days of horticultural prosperity and rapid progress, when there would appear to be one or more specialists devoting themselves to every worthy flower, we need scarcely say that the Rose has not been forgotten. Indeed, within the memory of many who have watched its culture for the last forty years, the rapid advance is nothing less than astonishing. Our own veteran growers and some of the foreign firms seem to have vied with each other in produc- ing new forms in the Hybrid Perpetuals and in the Teas, but it has been almost within the last decade that growers have not only deepened the interest in the cultivation of the Rose, but have immensely widened it by striking out in new directions. It is now a good many years since the Bennett hybrids appeared and gave us many forms of note- worthy novelty, but the parents of these were still among the well-known H.P.'s and Teas and Chinas. But of late years hybridists have taken in hand some of the handsomer of the species, and by working them with well-established favourites have produced THE WORTHY USE OF ROSES 327 whole new ranges of fine Roses. Of these the most prominent have been products of R. polyantha, mgosa, ntbigi)iosa, and wichiriana. The striking success of many of these later hybrids is encouraging in the highest degree, and the field for future work is so immense that the imagination can hardly grasp the extent of the prospect that these earlier successes seem to open out. There are so many ways in which Roses may be beautiful. Even in the varied form and habit pos- sessed by the types some special kind of beauty is shown and some special garden utility is fore- shadowed. And then we think of the future pos- sibilities of the Rose garden ! Already — we say it with deliberation and a feeling of honest convic- tion — the Rose garden has never been developed to anything like its utmost possible beauty. The material already to hand even twenty years ago has never been worthily used. The Rose garden to be beautiful must be designed and planted and tended, not with money and labour and cultural skill only, but with brains and with love, and with all those best qualities of critical appreciation — the specially-cultured knowledge of what is beautiful, and why it is beautiful — besides the indispensable ability of the practical cultivator. There are in some places acres of Rose gardens, many of them only costly expositions of how a Rose garden had best not be made. The beautiful Rose garden, that shall be the living presentment of the poet's dream, and shall satisfy the artist's eye, and 32 8 TREES AND SHRUBS rejoice the gardener's heart, and give the restful happiness and kindle the reverent wonderment of delight, in such ways as should be the fulfilment of its best purpose, has yet to be made. It matters not whether it is in the quite free garden where Roses shall be in natural groups and great flowery masses and arching fountains, and where those of rambling growth on its outskirts shall clamber into half-distant surrounding trees and bushes, or whether it is in the garden of ordered formality that befits a palatial building ; there are the Roses for all these places, and for all these and many other uses. Indeed, for reducing the hard lines of the most formal gardens and for showing them at their best, for such enjoyment as they may give by the humanising of their rigid lines and the softening of their original intention as a display of pomp and state and the least sympathetic kind of greatness, the beneficent quality of age and accom- panying over-growth may be best shown by the wreathing and clambering cluster Roses, whose graceful growth and tender bloom are displayed all the better for their association with the hard lines and rough textures of masonry surfaces. Some Beautiful Wild Roses No family of hardy shrubs is more bewildering in the multiplicity and intricacy of its nomenclature than Rosa. There are only some seventy species now accepted by botantists, yet the pseudo-specific THE WORTHY USE OF ROSES 329 names may be counted by hundreds. Fortunately for those interested in their cultivation, a good many of these names refer to plants with very unimportant distinctions (many of them, indeed, are minor forms of our native Dog Rose), and the best of the wild species are mostly grown under the names applied to them in the following notes. Their cultivation is simple. They are like the Hybrid Perpetuals in their love for a rich loamy soil — one inclining to a clayey rather than to a sandy nature. Loving abundant sunlight, they are not happy in shady spots. The commonest mistake in their cultivation is m pruning. The notion that they have to be cut back like Hybrid Perpetuals and such-like Roses has often resulted in the loss of a season's fiowers, besides destroying for the time the peculiar beauty of habit that many species possess. The shoots, often long, sucker-like growths that push from the base in summer, supply the flowers of the following year, and until they have flowered should not be touched with a knife. Whatever pruning is necessary — and it is, as a rule, a mere matter of thinning out of old worn-out stems — is to give the young growths more air and freedom. No shorten- ing back is needed. It may always be remembered that some of the most beautiful specimens of Wild Roses in existence, especially those of rambling growth, have never been pruned at all. The chief thing is always to retain the free, unfettered grace natural to the plants. Pruning will help to do this, but it must be pruning of the proper kind. 330 TREES AND SHRUBS In the wilder parts of the garden the common Dog Rose (R. canina) and its numerous varieties are worth a place ; they flower well, and are always beautiful in fruit. The same may be said of the Sweet Briar {R. rubiginosa), the fragrance of whose young growths is always a delight, whether in garden or hedgerow. R. hibernica, a British Rose, thought to be a hybrid between the Scotch Rose and R. canina, comes in the same category. It flowers earher than the Dog Rose. For the wdld garden also there are several other Roses that may be mentioned, such as cin- namomea, with rosy-red flowers and crimson fruit ; nutkana, acicularis, pisocarpa, and californica. Only those are mentioned that from their greater beauty and distinctness deserve a more detailed notice. R. ALBA. — Although found wild in several parts of Europe, this, the " Common White Rose " of Lin- naeus, is supposed to be a hybrid between R. gallica and the Dog Rose. It is always found in places which lead to the belief that it is not truly indige- nous, but an escape from cultivated grounds. The typical plant has white flowers that are considerably larger than those of the Dog Rose, and the petals have more substance. There are now numerous double-flowered varieties in gardens, some beauti- fully tinged with rose. R. Alberti. — A native of Turkestan, where it was discovered by M. Albert Regel not many years ago. This is one of the rarest species of Rosa in cultiva- THE WORTHY USE OF ROSES 331 tion. The flowers are bright yellow, the leaves small and much divided. R. ALPINA. — This is the species from which the Boursault Roses have been derived. It is a native of the Alps and Pyrenees. The stems are 4 to 5 feet high,, and have few or no spines except when young. The flowers are rosy red ; the fruits red, often pear-shaped, and covered with bristles, which, when rubbed, have a turpentine-like odour. R. AKVEXSis (or R. repens). — From this species the Ayrshire Roses have been obtained. It is natur- ally a trailing or climbing plant, having long thin shoots and white flowers. When trained over tree stumps or rough stakes and ultimately allowed to grow at will, it forms tangled masses which are very pretty. But the double forms — even the common variety, Jlorc-peno — are to be preferred, being espe- cially useful in semi-wild spots. The type is wild in England, and frequently to be seen in hedges and thickets. R. CAROLINA — For certain positions this is a useful Rose. It has erect stems and forms dense thickets, spreading rapidly by means of the numerous under- ground rhizomes it sends out in all directions. The flowers are purplish rose. A later-flowering variety known as nuttalliana is a stronger grower and has larger flowers. This will flower up to September. R. hicida and R. nitida are, like R. Carolina, natives of North America, and are of similar habit, but they are dwarfer and the leaves are more glossy. All these arc apt to become crowded with old stems, and. 332 TREES AND SHRUBS besides an occasional thinning out, are much im- proved by dividing up every three or four years, R. FERRUGiNEA (R. rubrifolia). — This species, which comes from the Pyrenees and Alps, is re- markable for the reddish-purple colour of its leaves and young shoots. Groups of half-a-dozen or more plants give a striking colour effect. The flowers are similar to the Dog Rose, but red. R. L^viGATA (R. sinica). — Except in the south and south-west or in similarly favoured localities, this is not really hardy, but where it thrives it is a singu- larly beautiful Rose, perhaps unsurpassed among single Roses in the size of its pure white flowers. It is known as the Cherokee Rose, and is naturalised in some of the Southern United States. A lovely hybrid between it and R. indica has been raised and named Anemone. Its flowers are soft rose. R. LUTEA (Austrian Briar). — Of all the Wild Yellow Roses this is the most beautiful. The yellow-flowered species do not, as a rule, thrive so well as the others in gardens — one has only to mention such species as berberifolia, sulphurea, xanthina (or Ecce) to recall that. But R. lutea, in strong loam with plenty of lime added, generally thrives well. The copper-coloured varieties are more difficult to deal with in suburban districts. The flowers of the typical R. lutea are of the brightest rich yellow. When in good health it produces each year long arching shoots, wreathed from end to end with blossom. This species comes from the Orient. R. MICROPHYLLA This interesting species is closely allied to R. rugosa, and is a native of THE WORTHY USE OF ROSES 333 China. It has a sturdy bushy habit, few spines, and the curious habit of peeling its bark. Its foliage is very handsome, the leaflets being small and numerous. The flowers are rose coloured and very fragrant. The shrub is interesting for its fine fruits, which are of large size, very spiny, and of a yellowish colour when ripe. Although some other species surpass this in showiness, it is one of the most distinct. R. MOSCHATA (Musk Rose). — When seen at its best, few of the rambling species are more beautiful than this. It is not, however, so hardy as some, especially when young, in which state it makes long, succulent shoots during summer and autumn, which are apt to be killed back in winter. Old plants do not sufter in the same way, or not so severely. Its flowers are borne in great clusters, and are notable for their pure whiteness and conspicuous bunches of bright-yellow stamens. The best plants often of this species are in shrubberies, where, no doubt, the other shrubs afford it some protection. It is a native of the Orient and India. The name " Musk Rose " refers to a perfume which may occa- sionally be detected in its flowers after a shower, but is never very apparent. Nivea is a beautiful form. R. MULTIFLORA. — This, the Polyantha Rose, the wild type of the group so named and the progenitor of many graceful Roses, is a native of Japan and China. It is a shrub 8 feet or more high, forming a dense thicket of arching branches. Its flowers individually are small, but they come in large dense clusters and so abundantly as to transform the shrub 334 TREES AND SHRUBS into a mass of white. They are very fragrant. This is an admirable plant for putting at the top of a wall or steep bank which it is desirable to drape with vegetation. The Polyantha group of Roses can always be distinguished by the stipules at the base of the leaf-stalk being fringed. R. OCHROLEUCA. — In stature, foliage, and mode of growth this is like the Scotch Rose, but its flowers are of as bright and rich a yellow as those of the Austrian Yellow (R. lutea). Where R. liitca does not grow well, this will be an excellent substitute. A native of Siberia. R. POMIFERA (Apple Rose). — This is, perhaps, the most striking of Roses in regard to its fruit. The hips are i to li inches long, apple or pear-shaped, of a fine bright red, and covered with bristles. It is a species that requires generous conditions at the root to be seen at its best. R. mollis and R. tomentosa belong to the same group, and have also fine red fruits, but they are much smaller than those of R. pomifera. R. RUGOSA (Japanese Rose). — No plant has come to the front more rapidly in recent years than this Rose. It was introduced from Japan in 1845, but appears to have been neglected. It is one of the very hardiest of Roses, as well as one of the sturdiest and most robust. The leaves are very handsome, the leaflets being of a rich green and wrinkled. The flowers in the wild type are rosy crimson, but there is also a white variety, and seedlings give quite a variety of shades. It hybridises freely with other species and garden varieties, and has in this way THE WORTHY USE OF ROSES 335 enriched our gardens with many good hybrids, Mme. Georges Bruant and the Coubert Double White among them. The fruits of R. rngosa are orange-shaped, scarlet red, and of large size — alto- gether very ornamental. R. SEKICEA. — For some reason this Rose has never obtained the recognition it deserves. Perhaps its com- parative rarity may account for this. It is the earliest of all Roses to flower out of doors, its first blossoms opening as a rule towards the latter end of May ; the flowers are creamy white. In the cooler days of May and early June it lasts longer in bloom than many of the later flowering species do. It has one very dis- tinctive character, in the petals being nearly always four (instead of the usual five) to each flower. Some- times the bark of the young shoots is a bright red. A native of North India. R. SETIGERA. — Of the North American Roses none has proved more useful in this country than the Prairie Rose. A rambler in habit, it is valuable for its vig- orous growth and late flowering. The flowers are large, deep rose, and appear in July and August. R.spinosissima(R.pimpinellifolia). — The Scotch Rose is one of the earliest species to bloom ; it is also one of the prettiest and most distinct. The stems are dwarf and covered with bristles, the leaves small, and the flower white and cup-shaped. There are several wild varieties of it, the two most noteworthy being altaica (or gramUJlora) and hispida. Both these grow 6 feet or more high, and the flowers of both are larger than the typical Scotch Rose. Those of altaica are 336 TREES AND SHRUBS creamy white ; those of hispida a lovely cream yellow. The garden varieties of this Rose are numerous — some double, some single, and varying in colour from yellow to white and from pink to purple. The type is found wild in several parts of Britain. R. WEBBIANA. — Coming from some of the highest elevations on the Himalaya at which shrubby vegeta- tion exists, this species is the hardiest of the Indian Roses. It has a thin, graceful habit, and its spiny stems are blue white when young. This year it has been very pretty in the unusual profusion of its bluish- tinted flowers, each of which are about 2 inches across. The leaves are of a blue green, and are similar in size and division to those of the Scotch Roses. But it is quite distinct from them or any others, for which reason it is worth the notice of lovers of these wild types. R. WICHURIANA. — It is not many years since this Japanese Rose was first introduced, but it is now fairly well known. It is a perfectly prostrate plant, and is remarkable for the shiny, varnished appearance of the leaves. It is one of the latest species to come into bloom. The flowers are pure white, and appear during July and August in clusters resting on the carpet of glossy foliage. It makes an excellent cover- ing for sunny banks where the soil is good. Old tree stumps are also pretty when covered with this Rose. It has already been hybridised, and among its progeny are Pink Roamer, Manda's Triumph, South Orange Perfection, and Jersey Beauty. There is a very dis- tinct cross between it and R. rugosa at Kew. PLANTING AND STAKING TREES A FEW words of advice upon these important subjects will be helpful. When planting a tree, prepare the groimd beforehand, so that when the trees arrive they can be put at once into their proper places without having to be laid in. If tlie trees are to be planted thickly, trench tiie ground to a depth of at least 2 feet, keeping the top spit to the top all the while, merely burying the turf if there is any. If the soil is poor, enrich it during the trenching. If possible this trenching should be done the spring previous to the planting of the trees, and the ground cropped with Potatoes or Cabbages to keep down weeds during summer. If the trees are to be planted wide apart or as isolated specimens, make large holes, varying in diameter from 6 to lo feet, these being trenched 2 or 2 A feet deep and filled in again to within I foot of the surface. The shape of the hole is a small matter, round or square being equally good. In some instances, however, especially when a tree is being moved with a large mass of soil, a square hole will be found handier than a round one, on account of the additional room given by the corners. The time to plant is of much importance, for though deciduous trees may be transplanted through- 337 Y 338 TREES AND SHRUBS out winter, October, November, February, and March are preferable to December or January. October and November are the two best months, as then the ground is warm and root action begins before winter sets in. If the trees are simply to be transplanted from one position in the garden to another, the work may be begun in the case of deciduous trees as soon as the leaves turn colour and commence to fall. In lifting, take care not to injure the roots. When putting the spade into the ground the edge should be to the tree, not the face. Digging must begin at a reasonable distance from the tree, and if a ball of soil is not required, the soil should be forked from between the roots into a trench which has previously been made round the stem. If, while lifting, any of the main roots have suffered, cut the injured parts away with a sharp knife and tar over the wounds. When planting, the tree should be stood in the hole, and a stick laid across the top of the hole near the tree to ascertain whether the depth is right, sufficient space for an inch of soil over the uppermost root being allowed. The centre of the hole should be filled in slightly higher than the sides, and on the little mound the tree should be stood, laying the roots out carefully all round. When filling the soil in, some fine material should be worked in among the roots with the hand, and before the hole is fully filled in give a good watering ; this has the effect of settling the soil well about the roots. The amount of ramming necessary depends on the A^ PLANTING AND STAKING TREES 339 consistency of the soil. After a tree is planted in early autumn a mulching of rotten manure may be given, but if the planting is done in spring the mulching is better left until early summer when the ground has become warmed. After planting, staking, where necessary, should be attended to. It is not necessary to stake every tree that is planted. When it is sturdy, wnth a well- balanced head and set of roots, and the position is not exposed to rough winds, staking is needless. If, however, the stem is weak or the roots are mostly on one side, not spread round the tree, or the position is very exposed, staking for a time will be necessary. In the case of young trees little difficulty will be experienced, as good straight stakes can be easily got. As a rule, one stake is quite enough for a tree, and that should be driven in as close as possible to the trunk without injuring it or the roots. To the stake the tree should be secured with wire or stout tar string, using thin cushions of felt, leather, or old hose-pipe to keep the wire or string from cutting into the bark. Allow a little room between the stem and stake for growth. Two or three ties are usually sufficient, and these should be examined and loosened once or twice a year until the stakes can be dispensed with. The habit of putting in stakes in such a way that they cross the trunk, and that when the wind blows there is sufficient play for the stem and the stake to rub against each other, is a bad one, the chafing often causing serious wounds. In exposed situations, or 340 TREES AND SHRUBS when there is danger of the tree rocking about and becoming loose at the collar, put in three stakes in the form of a triangle, the stem fitting in the space left between the three stakes at the top, while the bottoms of the stakes extend some 2 or 3 feet from the tree. For this purpose wires fastened to stakes driven in the ground are useful, and neater than stout stakes. When wires are used, however, take care to provide a good soft pad between the tree and the wire. For trees with large heads, or those not well furnished with roots, this way of staking will be found very useful. When inserting stakes they should be properly sharpened for the sake of straight driving. The staking of trees which have the lower parts of their trunks straight and their leaders crooked differs from other staking, as the stakes should not be driven into the ground, but tied firmly to the trunk below the bend, the leader being then drawn to the stake. In all cases, however, where staking is done the stakes should be removed as soon as the trees are able to do without them. A stake is not beautiful. There is always the chance of the tying material being left a little too long without examination, and therefore it cuts into the bark. Ties also harbour insects. SOME HARDY FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS The following are tables of hardy tiowering trees and shrubs, and comprise only species and varieties suitable, unless other- wise stated, for almost all parts of the British Isles. An asterisk (*') denotes those of the first importance. This way has been adopted to compress as much information as possible into a small space. 1 Country or Colour Namk. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. ^SCULL'S (Pavia), Sapindaceae A well-known group repre- Horse Chestnut, sented most largely by the Buck-eye Horse Chestnut, which is the tallest of the species. The iEsculi generally are of medium size, and not very particular about soil or posi- tion, 'riic smaller growers were at one time placed in a distinct genus, Pavia, but now placed with /Esculus. The more shrubby species are welcome in the garden, where the Horse Chestnut would be out of place. *JE. carnea Hybrid between Bright red ; This is a handsome tree for M. Hippocas- late May the garden, and is generally tanum and .¥.. and early about 15 feet high in Britain. Pavia. Syno- June Its chief charm is in the profu- nymous with sion and brilliant red colour- ^. rubicunda ing of the flower-spikes. It is not of quick growth, but flowers when very young. It will be found in many lists under the name of /E. rubi- cunda, the red Horse Chest- nut. Rosea is a good variety recommenicd by Mr. An- thony Watorer as a "tree for planting in smoky dis- tricts." Another fine variety, peculiarly bright in flower colouring, is M. Brioti. M. flava A native of Caro- Pale yellow 'rhose who want a tree in this lina and Vir- family of distinct colour will ginia, and intro- find jileasurc probably in this. duced in 1764 but its colouring is dull, and on mountain the flowers are not plentiful. slopes 342 TREES AND SHRUBS Name. *AL. Hippocastanum (Common Horse Chestnut) Country or Origin and Natural Order. M. indica JE. (Pavia) parvi- flora Loudon, in his " Arboretum," says: " Accord- ing to M.Jaunie Sainte- Hilaire, and his account appears to us Colour and Season. White ; late May or early June. There is considerable variation the most prob- i as many of able, the Horse : the trees in Chestnut passed j parks and from the moun- | gardens tains of Thibet to England in 1550." Gerard mentions the Horse Chestnut in his "Her- bal " in 1579 as a rare foreign tree Nepaul, and other parts of Nor- thern India. On the Hima- laya the tree reaches a height of 70 feet, with a trunk 3 feet through have been raised from seed White, with yellow and red blotches at the base of the petals ; Summer General Remarks. North America. On river banks in Georgia. In- troduced to England by Mr. John Eraser in 1786 White fragrant flowers sometimes tinged with pink, and long stamens. The common Horse Chestnut is too well known to describe. It is not a tree for very ex- posed places, as its large leaves offer considerable re- sistance to the wind, and get torn and unsightly. The double variety (flore-pleno) is very distinct, having quite double flowers. Foliis aureis variegatis is a variegated variety, as the name sug- gests, with blotches of yellow on the leaves ; and laciniata has cut foliage. This distinct and beautiful tree is perhaps the rarest of the Horse Chestnuts in cultiva- tion, and probably neither so hardy nor so robust as the common species. It flowered in England as long ago as 1858 at Mildenhall in Suffolk, but has been little heard of. It is a tree doubtless for the Cornish and Devonshire and southern coast gardens where the Himalayan Rhododen- drons thrive well. Sir Joseph Hooker, during his Himalaya travels fifty years ago, saw it loaded with its white racemes, and equal in beauty to the common Horse Chestnut of English parks. Its foliage is quite distinct from that of the other species, the leaflets numbering seven or nine, and being of a dark glossy green. In the other Horse Chestnuts the leaflets are usually only five to each leaf, and never more than seven. The racemes of this Indian species are about 8 inches long, the flowers being white, with blotches of yellow and red at the base of the petals. This is better known as P. macrostachya, and is a low, spreading shrub 8 to 10 feet high ; the leaves consist of five to seven finely serrated leaflets, covered underneath with a whitish tomentum. Although introduced so long FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 343 Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour AND Season. *iE. (Pavia), parvi- flora ^E. californica North America and in long upright in lis native country, but not much more than a shrub here iE. Pavia (P. rubra) North America California. 4ofeet jErect spikes of white or delicate rose ; sweet smelling flowers ; May Red; early summer Al. turbinata Japan (introduced by Messrs. Veitch & Sons) Yellowish white, not so large as those of the common Horse Chestnut General Remarks. ago, this August flowering shrub is not common ; it is a good shrub for a small garden, and is not fastidious about soil or even situation if not too shady. It is increased by suckers thrown up around the plant. These, when de- tached with a portion of root, soon form good plants. This is not much known, but is a handsome shrub or tree. This is the Red Buckeye, and will grow 15 feet high, but is more often simply a big shrub. The flowers are very bright red in colour, and in loose clusters, unlike the dense spikes of the common Horse Chestnut. The varie- ties are even dwarfer. Hum- ilis, for instance, is only 4 feet. Atrosanguinea has very dark red flowers, and those of whitleyana are brighter than the type. As this has not yet flowered in this country, as far as we are aware, but will probably become popular here, the fol- lowing account of it by Pro- fessor Sargent in his " Forest and Flora of Japan " will be interesting : — " This, however, is a noble tree— one of the largest and stateliest of all the horse chestnuts. In the forests of the interior mountain regions of Central Hondo, at eleva- tions between 2000 and 3000 feet, horse chestnuts 80 to 100 feet tall, with trunks 3 or 4 feet in diameter, are not uncommon. These were, perhaps, the largest decidu- ous trees on the main island growing naturally in the forest — that is, which had not been planted by men — and their escape from destruction was probably due to their inaccessible position, and to the fact that the wood of the horse chestnut is not particu- larly valued by the Japanese. 344 TREES AND SHRUBS J&. turbinata Country or Colour Origin and and Natural Order. I Season. Japan Yellowish white Rosaceae North-West America White ; Spring GiiNERAL Remarks. In habit, and in the form, venation, and colouring of the leaves, the Japanese horse chestnut resembles the horse chestnut of our gardens, the Grecian /Esculus Hippocas- tanum, and at ilrst sight it might easily be mistaken for that tree, but the thjrsus of flowers of the Japanese species, which is lo or 12 inches long, and only 2^ to 3 inches broad, is more slender ; the flowers are smaller, and pale yellow, with short, nearly equal, petals, ciliate on the mar- gins ; and the fruit is that of the Pavias, being smooth, and showing no trace 01 the prickles which distinguish the true liorse chestnuts. The Japanese horse chestnut reaches Southern Yezo, find- ing its most northern home near Mororan, on the shores of Volcano Bay, at the level of the ocean ; it is gene- rally distributed through the mountainous parts of the three southern islands, some- times ascending in the south to an elevation of 4000 or 5000 feet. There seems no reason why this tree, which has already produced fruit in France, should not flourish in our northern states, where, as well as in Europe, it is still little known. In Northern Japan the fruits are exjiosed for sale in the shops, although they are probably used only as playthings for the chil- dren." A charming family of spring- flowering trees, graceful in growth, and of moderate sta- ture. There are four species, but dozens of names in cata- logues ; in fact, the genus is much mixed up in many books and lists. This is usually about 8 feet high ; it is very beautiful with its wealth of white flowers in compact clusters or racemes, followed by purple berries. In the Kew ".Arboretum" Hand-list no less than ten synonyms are given. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 345 Name. *A. canadensis A. oligocarpa A. vulgaris Andromeda polifolia (Moorwori) Country or Colour Origin and and Natural Orukr. Season. Canada Northern United States, and found in bogs and swamps Europe Ericaceaj ; North America and ; Northern Europe, I including Britain White ; April Berberis Aquifoliuni Berberideje ; (Ash Barberry, Western North Syn Mahonia America Aquifolium) B. buxifolia (Box- leaved Barberry, Syn B. dulcii) White ; April and May White ; April Pink; Summer Yellow; early Spring Yellow ; April and early May General Remarks. This flowers about a month before A. alnifolia, and is one of the first trees to greet us with its wealth of snow-white blossom in spring. It sliould be planted in a free group. Juneberry and Snowy Mes- pilus are its popular names. Eighteen synonyms are given in the list referred to, the most usual being A. Botrya- piuni. No small garden should be without this lovely small tree ; it is between 6 and 8 feet high, spreading, and has purplish fruits, whilst the leaves die off deep golden yellow, so that the Snowy Mespilus has many beautiful phases. There are several varieties, but the species is as beautiful as any. This is quite a dwarf shrub, 3 feet to 4 feet, and the indivi- dual flowers are j inch across. As it is found in moist places it should be tried in such posi- tions in Britain. This has been in English gar- dens about 300 years. It is like the Canadian June- berry or Snowy Mespilus, but not so beau'iful. If only one Mespilus is required, choose M. canadensis. A small shrub about a foot high, with pretty pink wax -like flowers borne throughout the summer months. A moist, peaty soil is necessary to its welldoing. A common, but handsome ever- green shrub, reachingaheight of 3 to 5 feet, and clothed with dark-green pinnate and leathery leaves. The flowers are bright golden ; they are succeeded by berries, purple when ripe, which add to the ornamental features of the plant. It is one of the best shrubs for growing under trees, and in many places is planted for game cover. .An upright evergreen bush 5 feet high, clothed with small box-like leaves, and bearing drooping blossoms borne on unusually long stalks. It is not so handsome as B. Dar- 346 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Colour Name. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. *B. buxifolia (Box- Cliili Yellow ; winii or B. stenophylla, but leaved Barberry, April and flowering before them is on Syn B. dulcis) early May that account valuable. A dwarf variety (nana) is a pretty rockwork plant. B. concinna Himalaya Pale A Httle deciduous shrub not yellow more than i8 inches high, and with silvery undersides to the leaves. It needs a sheltered spot in good soil. B. congestiflora var Chili Bright A large interesting bush, with hakeoides Yellow masses of flowers. Rare. B. aristata Himalaya Yellow A strong - growing deciduous shrub, somewhat after the style of the common Bar- berry, but chiefly remarkable from the bright red of the young bark, which thus forms a fine winter feature. *B. Darwinii (Dar- Chili Orange This ranks with B. stenophylla win's Barberry) yellow ; as the most handsome of all May Barberries ; and, indeed, it is in the very front rank of flowering shrubs. It is of bold, wide-spreading growth 6 to 8 feet high, and the masses of dark evergreen leaves serve admirably as a settmg to the clusters of orange - coloured blossoms, which are at their best in May. The purple berries are very attractive towards the end of the summer. This Barberry forms a delightful lawn shrub, particularly in a fairly moist soil. B. einpetrifolia Chili Yellow ; A little evergreen bush less than Spring 2 feet high, and flowering about the same time as B. Darwinii. With this just- named species it shares the parentage of B. stenophylla, which is unsurpassed in the entire genus. B. nepalensis, Syn Nepaul Yellow The statehest of the Ash Bar- Mahonia nepal- berries, forming a specimen ensis 6 feet high, and regularly furnished with long com- pound leaves. It is however tender, except in the West of England and Ireland, where, in a moist, fairly open soil, it does well. Even there a sheltered spot should be chosen for it. 1 B. repens, Syn Ma- North America Related to B. Aquifolium, and. 1 honia repens 1 ! like that, will do well in shady spots. It is dwarfer than the other just men- tioned. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 347 Country or Colour Name. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. •B. stenophylla Garden form YeUow : 1 This is a hybrid between B. 1 Spring Darwinii and B. empelrifolia, and a shrub of rare beauty. The slender arching shoots are very graceful, and during the flowering period are com- pletely wreathed with golden blossoms. Standing singly on a lawn, or near water, it is delightful. *B. Thunbergi China and Jaiian Pale yellow A spreading shrub 3 or 4 feet and red ; high, with flowers not par- Spring ticularly showy, and borne on the undersides of the shoots just as the young leaves are expanding. The brightl-red berries are very showy, but they are sur- passed by the brilliant scarlet of the decaying leaves. *B. vulgaris (Com- Europe Yellow ; The common Barberry is an mon Barberry) Spring ornamental deciduous shrub 8 to 10 feet high, and is valu- able from the fact that it will thrive in dry, stony soils. Apart from the pale-yellow flowers in spring, the scarlet berries are very showy, and by some are used for pre- serves. There are many varieties, the best being the purple - leaved (purpurea) and white-fruited (fructu albo). B. wallichiana (.Syn Hinialava ami 1 Sulphur A dense evergreen bush, with B. Jainesoni, B. China 1 Yellow ; dark green spiny leaves and Hookerii) June pale yellow blossoms. It grows 4 or 5 feet high. *Buddleia Colvillei Himalaya; , Rosy A beautiful tree, reaching a Loganiaceas ' crimson ; height of 30 feet in its native June country, but it is hardy only in the extreme West of Eng- land and South of Ireland. The blossoms, somewhat like a small Pentstemon, are in large pendulous racemes. •B. globosa (Oranp;. Li.ill OraD^c A deciduous shrub, 10 to 12 Ball tree) yellow ; feet high, with long, willow- Midsummer like hoary leaves, and flowers borne in globular clusters about midsummer. It is per- fectly hardy in warm soils in the South of England, and is much admired. B. japonica, Syn B. lapan Lilac; Ihis has several well - marked curviflora August features, forming as it does a deciduous shrub about 4 feet high, with curiously winged ' stems and long curved spikes | of blossoms. 348 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Colour 1 Name. Origin and and General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. B, variabilis China Rosy A free-growing shrub, 6 to 8 purple, feet high, with large pan- Yellowish icles of flowers borne about throat ; midsummer. As in the Midsummer case of B. globosa and B. japonica, a warm soil in the South of England is necessary. Csesalpinia japonica Japan ; Canary A very interesting shrub, ram- LeguminosEe yellow ; bling, and with long flexible Summer shoots with red prickles. The leaves are a foot long, and of a pleasing green ; the flowers, which are in partially erect racemes, are about i inch across, and bright canary yellow in colour, against which the reddish anthers are conspicuous. It must not be planted where it is likely to get smothered. It has stood out unharmed for many years in the Coombe- wood Nursery (Kingston). *Calycanlhus flori- North America ; Purplish A deciduous, much-branched dus (American Calycanthacese red ; shrub from 5 to 6 feet high, Allspice) July well worth growing for its highly fragrant flowers, about a couple of inches in dia- meter. It needs a fairly cool, moist soil. C.occidentalis(Cali- California Crimson Much like the preceding, but of fornian Allspice) more vigorous growth with larger flowers. Cassandra calycii- North America White ; An evergreen under - shrub. lata (Syn Andro- April and growing from i to 2 feet high. meda calyculata) 1 May The shoots are arching, and the wa.\y Lily-of-the- Valley- like flowers are suspended 1 from the undersides in con- siderable numbers. It is a pretty but by no means showy shrub, and needs moist, peaty soil. A pretty little erect growing Cassiope fastigiata Himalaya ; Pink; Ericaceae Summer shrub about a foot high, suggesting a Club Moss or a small Conifer, with tiny bell-shaped blossoms. It is suitable only as a rock- work shrub in moist, peaty soil. Even smaller than the preced- C. hypnoides Siberia White mg, and needs the same treat- ment. C. tetragona North America White The tiny scale-like leaves of this and are arranged infourrows,thus Northern Europe giving the branches a curious square appearance. Succeeds under the same conditions as the others. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 349 Catalpa Country or Colour Origin and and Natural Order. I Season. Bignoniaceae [•C. bignonioides (Syii C. syringjefolia) Introduced from North America in 1726 General Remarks. Creamy white blotched with yellow, and spotted with purple I in the 1 throat. I This genus of large deciduous trees is represented in both the eastern and western hemi- spheres, and contains about a dozen species. Only five of these are at present in culti- vation in Britain orare known to be hardy, two being natives of North America and three of China. The Catalpas are some of the most striking and beautiful of all hardy trees, both in regard to foliage and to flower. The leaves are large and bold in outline, and the (lowers borne in large terminal panicles towards the end of summer. Catalpas love a rich soil and abundant moisture. They are particu- larly well adapted for plant- ing on the margins of ponds and water-courses. All the species have this peculiarity : they never form a terminal winter bud. In consequence of this, every shoot branches at its apex into two or three every spring, with the result that the trees naturally ac- quire a broad, spreading habit. This is especially apparent in the case of iso- lated trees growing on lawns — a position, it may be mentioned, in which Catal|3as are seen to ex- ceptional advantage. In the forests of North America, where they are drawn up by other trees, the Cat- alpas occasionally attain to heights of 50 feet to loc feet. In gardens it may sometimes be advisable to j help them to reach a moder- i ate height, by keeping them to a single lead when young, j All the species can be in- creased by cuttings of the roots, or of the fairly matured ' leafy growths. This species is by far the com- monest and best known of the Catalpas in Britain. It does not often attain a stature of more than 30 feet, although I in its native woods it is met ! with twice as high. The j broadly ovate leaves are in healthy trees of mature age 350 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Colour \ Name. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season, Catalpa bignonioides Introduced from July and about 6 inches long and 4 (Syn C. syringse- North America August inches to five inches wide. folia) 1 1 1 in 1726 The flower panicles are erect, branching, and pyramidal, frequently i foot in diameter at the base. The flower is ij inches across, with a broad bell-shaped base, the reflexed limb being elaborately frilled. The thin, kidney-bean-like fruits are q inches to 12 inches long, but in most parts of the country are only produced after exceptionally sunny seasons. The following vari- eties are in cultivation: Aurea, with rich yellow foliage ; nana, a remarkable low shrub, 2 feet to 3 feet high, which never flowers, and can only be regarded as a curi- osity ; purpurea, with purple- tinged leaves and shoots. C. Bungei Northern China White, Whether the true C. Bungei is spotted in cultivation at the present with time is very doubtful. Cer- purple ; tainly the plants supplied by they, as well some nurserymen under this as the name are only the dwarf panicles, variety (nana) of C. bignoni- are larger oides. In any case the true than in C. Bungei has not flowered Ksempfer's in Britain. It is a tree 30 feet Catalpa high, with either entire or lobed leaves; they are 4 inches to 8 inches long, and about three-fourths as wide. C. cordifolia (Syn United States. It White, This is probably the finest species) inhabits a more with yellow species of Catalpa, but is not western region blotches in yet well known in Britain. In than C. big- the throat ; the United States it is often nonioides, and but the 50 feet high, and in excep- is found in the purple tional cases over 100 feet. States of Ken- spots are Owing to its having been tucky, Louisi- not so for a long time confounded ana, Tennes- abundant in with C. bignonioides, this see, Missouri, C. bignoni- species was probably intro- Texas, &c. oides, whilst duced unknowingly, and it the panicles may exist in some gardens are large. under the other name. It and appear is said to be somewhat the about a hardier of the two. fortnight before C. Fargesii China. Intro- duced to Franco by M. Maurice de Valmorin, and sent by him to Kew in Little known of this species yet 1899 FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 35: Country or Colour i i Namk. Origin and i AND ! General Remarks. ] 1 Natural Order.; Season. ; ! C. hybrida 1 A hybrid between 1 White, with In the United States this C. cordifolia : yellow and appears likely to prove the and C. Kc-emp- purple finest of all the Catalpas, ex- feri. Raised markings ceeding even C. cordifolia nearly thirty on the in the vigour of its growth years ago by throat and the size of its panicles. Mr. John C. Four hundred flowers have Teasin Indiana, been borne on a single pan icle. U.S.A. Generally, the plant is inter- mediate between the two | species that share its parent- age. Whilst this species- named in honour of Engelbert Kaemp- C. Knempferi China; Flowers introduced by I inch Siebold in 1849 across ; fer, who visited Japan in the reddish- seventeenth century -bears brown and a strong resemblance to the purple American C. bignonioides, markings It is neither so fine nor so ornamental a tree. It has naturally the same rounded habit, but is never so large. The leaves differ in frequently being more or less lobed. Kasnipfer noted this tree in Japan, and until a recent date it was regarded as in- digenous to that country. Recent travellers have, how- ever, concluded it to be (like many other popular trees in Japan) of Chinese origin solely. It is frequent in the grounds surrounding Bud- dhist temples in Japan. •Ce.inothiis ameri- Eastern United Whitish ; A deciduous shrub, 3 to 4 feet canus (New Jer- States ; July and high, thai dies partially back sey Tea) Rhamnear August during the winter. The flowers, which are borne in good-sized racemes, are at their best in July and August, and on that account are very valuable. It is one of the hardiest of the Ceanothuses. and in the South of England it will flower as a shrub in the open ground. •C. asureus Mexico Light blue; This is not quite so hardy as July and the preceding, and it cannot I August be regarded as a shrub for the open ground, except in particularly favoured dis- tricts. It is, however, a de- lightful wall shrub. There are many garden varieties of thi-, mostly of Continental origin, of which may be espe- cially mentioned Gloire de Versailles, blue ; Marie Simon, pink; and Indigo. 1 deep blue, very beautiful. 352 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Colour Name. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. Ceanothus divarica- California Pale blue ; Suitable only for a wall. With tus May and this amount of protection it June will reach a height of lo feet. C. papillosus California Blue; Like the last, it is, except in the May and extreme west, essentially a June wall plant ; it isoneofthebest. C. rigidus California Purplish The leaves of this are small blue; and neat, and its charming Spring and blossoms are on a wall borne early sometimes as soon as April, Summer and are kept up through May to June. It will reach a height of 6 to 8 feet. | 1 C. thyrsifloius California Bright In its native country this attains blue; to the dimensions of a small Summer tree, but here it is essentially a wall plant. The flowers are in large racemes. *C, veitchianus California Bright A species with neat dark-green blue; leaves. It forms a delightful May and June Rose wall plant. *Cercis Siliquastrum South Europe and Throughout May and early (Judas Tree) West Asia ; purple, but June the Judas Tiee is very Leguminosoe varies ; beautiful, being smothered May and with pretty pear-shaped red June blossoms. At Kew it flowers well in numerous places. It grows to a height of 20 feet or more in the Mediterranean region, though in gardens here it is more often repre- sented by bushes of less than half that height. It thrives in sandy loam, and likes plenty of sun and air. The flowers are produced from all parts 1 of the stems, much of the old | wood being often smothered with flowering spurs. A variety with white flowers is in cultivation, and this may also be seen in flower at Kew. In addition to this species, C. canadensis, from North America, and C. chinensis, a native of China and Japan, are also grown, whilst a fourth species, C. reniformis, from Western China, has lately put in an appearance, but it has, however, so far proved more tender than the others. *Chionanthus retusus Japan ; Pure white; This Chionanthus furnishes one (Fringe Tree) Oleaceos Early of the many illustrations of Summer the close affinity that exists between the flora of the United States and that of Japan, for it is very nearly related to the American FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 353 Country or Colour Name. Origin and and General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. Chionanthus retusus Oleace.-v Pure white ; Fringe Tree (Chionanthus (Fringe Tree) early virginicus), from which, how- Summer ever, it differs in being a a smaller and more slender plant, while the clusters of flowers are rather less dense. When in bloom there is no danger of confounding these Chionanthuses with any other tree or shrub, as the pure white drooping fringe-like in- florescence is totally distinct from anything else. They are quite hardy, and not particu- lar as to soil, though a fairly deep loam suits them best. C. virginica (Ameri- North America White, An interesting bush, but taller can Fringe Tree) narrow, fringe-like petals ; hence the name in its native country. •Choisya ternata Mexico ; White; This is a shrub for warm soils (Mexican Orange Rutaceje Summer, and sunny position, when it Flower) but much makes a big, leafy, glossy- depends leaved bush, smothered with upon clusters of white flowers that, position from their appearance and fragrance, have earned the shrub the name of Orange Flower. At Munstead in Surrey it grows so rampantly that it has to be cut away to keep it within reasonable bounds. In "Wood and Garden," p. 63, it is men- tioned, the month is May ; " The Mexican Orange Flower (Choisya ternata) has been smothered in its white bloom, so closely re- sembling orange blossom. With a slight winter protec- tion of fir boughs it seems quite at home on hot dry soil, grows fast, and is very easy to propagate by layers. When cut it lasts for more than a week in winter." Cistus albidus South-West Bright A shrub 4 to 5 feet high, with Europe ; rose; whitish leaves (hence the Cistineae June and name of albidus) and a pro- July fusion of blossoms 2 inches across. It needs a dry, warm soil, hence will succeed on sloping banks, but even then, in the South of England, it is apt to be killed by a very severe winter. This last paragraph will apply to the genus Cistus in general. 354 TREES AND SHRUBS Name. Cistus crispus ■C. ladaniferus (Gum Cistus) 'C. lauiifolius( Laurel- leaved Cistus) C. monspeliensis C. populifolius( Pop- lar-leaved Cistus) C. purpureus C. villosus Cladrastis amuren- sis (Amoor Yellow Wood) C. tinctoria (Vir- ginian Yellow Wood. Syn Vir- gilia lutea) Clethra alnifolia Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour and Season. Southern Europe South-West Europe South of Europe South of Europe Levant South-East Europe Mediterranean region Amoorland ; Leguminosce North America United States of America ; Ericaceoe Reddish purple ; Summer White ; Summer White ; July and August White ; Summer White ; Summer Reddish purple with a maroon blotch Reddish purple Whitish ; July White White ; August and early September General Remarks. Reaches a height of a couple of feet, and bears its saucer- shaped blossoms in great profusion. The individual fiowers are about 2^ inches in diameter. A bush 4 to 5 feet high, with large, white, solitary flowers. The variety maculatus has a crimson blotch at the base of each petal. A sub-evergreen shrub 5 to 6 feet high, and the hardiest of all the Cistus. Of this there is also a variety maculatus blotched at the base with purple crimson, which forms a delightful shrub. A compact bush 4 feet high, with flowers about an inch across. The leaves of this are very distinct, being heart-shaped and long-stalked, whilst the plant itself will attain a height of 6 feet. This is only suitable for plant- ing in the West of England, but where not injured by frost it is a delightful shrub, a little over a yard high. A compact shrub, whose red- dish-purple blossoms are about 2^ inches across. A very distinct shrub or small tree, which is perfectly hardy, and has peculiarly greyish- green leaves. The dense spikes of small, pea-shaped blossoms are showy when at their best. This has deep descending roots, and holds its own in sandy soils better than most shrubs. A tree, 30 feet high, clothed with large ornamental pin- nate leaves, which die off a rich yellow. The flowers are white, and in dense drooping racemes. A fairly moist soil is necessary for this. In the United States of America the White Alder or Pepper Bush, as Clethra alnifolia is called, occurs as a native over a considerable area ; hence several forms exist, but do not possess any strongly marked features, unless it be the variety tomentosa, whicli is certainly the most widely FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 355 Name. Clethra alnifoli Country ok Colour Origin and and Natural Order. Season. United States of America I White ; I August and early September C. canascens Colutea arborescens (Bladder Senna). Japan Mediterranean region ; Leguminosoe »C. cruenta, Syn C. orientalis, Syn C. sanguinea. Coronilla Emerus (the Scorpion Senna Coronilla) Orient Southern Europe ; Leguniinosre Milky white ; Summer Yellow ; May and June Yellow- tinged red ; May and lune General Remarks. removed of all from the typi- cal kind. Asarule the flower- ing period of the common White Alder extends through- out August and a little way into September, at which last-named period the variety tomentosa is just unfolding its earliest blossoms. As the number of flowering shrubs that are at their best during the latter part of September is very limited, the blooming of this variety of the Clethra at that time makes it valu- able. The varietal name of tomentosa is derived from the whitish down on the undersides of the leaves, which serves to readily dis- tinguish it from the other forms. The flower-spikes, too, are rather larger, while the blossoms are as in the others— white. TheClethras all form rather loose-growing bushes from 3 feet to 5 feet high, and delight in a moist soil of a peaty nature, such as that in which Rhododen- drons, Azaleas, and others of that class flourish. A very handsome species with dark-green leaves and panicles of blossom. Well worth attention, but is yet rare. A perfectly hardy, free grow- ing, deciduous shrub, reach- ing a height of 8 to 12 feet, clothed with pretty divided leaves, and with a profusion of pea-shaped flowers, suc- ceeded by large inflated seed- pods, whicli form a very noticeable feature. These pods are green, tinged with red. The Coluteas are very useful, as they will thrive in dry sandy soils where many shrubs would perish. After the manner of the last, from which it differs in its glaucous leaves, reddish flowers, and deeper - tinted seed-pods. It is also some- what dwarfer. A free-growing bush 6 feet high, with a profusion of pea- shaped blossoms. It needs a well-drained, warm soil. 356 TREES AND SHRUBS Coronilla juncea (the Rush-like Coron- illa) ^Corylopsis pauci- flora Country or Colour Origin and and Natural Order. Season. South of France Japan ; Hamanielide;Te C. spicata ^Cytisus albus (White Spanish or Portu- guese Broom) Bright yellow Primrose ; Spring, before the leaves General Remarks. Japan Spain and Portugal ; introduced in 1752; Leguminosae Also cowslip- coloured and scented. Before the leaves in Spring White ; May An erect shrub less than a yard high, with rush-like shoots, suggesting those of the Spanish Broom, and also almost devoid of leaves. W^hen in full bloom it is decidedly pretty. This delightful little shrub, when fully grown, makes a dense bush, with branches 6 feet high. The leaves are small, thin in texture, prettily tinted when young, and again in autumn. The j flowers are primrose-yellow j in colour and fragrant. They are arranged from two to four together in drooping catkins from every node on the previous season's wood. Though it is quite hardy in other respects the flowers are easily damaged by frost. A shrub between 3 and 4 feet high, and better known than C. pauciflora. A beautiful and popular Broom. It grows with great rapidity, and flowers bountifully and regulaily. A bush 6 or 7 feet high, in full flower is a delightful picture, and one never seems to tire of it. Group it with the common Broom. It is very cheap and easily raised from seed. Loudon says: "In good soil it is of very rapid growth, attaining the height of 5 feet or 6 feet in three or four years, and in six or eight years growing as high as 15 feet or even 20 feet if in a sheltered situation. Placed by itself on a lawn it forms a singularly ornamental plant, even when not in flower, by the varied disposition and tufting of its twiggy thread- like branches. When in flower it is one of the finest ornaments of the garden." Loudon also says that bees are fond of the flowers. I FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 357 1 Country or Colour 1 Name. 1 Origin anu AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season, Cytisus albus incar- Variety Pinkish 1 Rare, and not so beautiful as natus 1 the parent. *C. Ardoini Maritime Alps Pure 1 Quite a dwarf Broom, a few yellow ; 1 inches high. It is a charming April and Broom for the rock garden, May 1 placing it where it can spread j out its shoots on all sides. It is happiest in sun and dry soil as the other Brooms. •C. austriacus (Aus- Native of Austrian Yellow ; C. banaticus and C. serotinus trian Broom) woods, also of July and 1 are synonyms. The chief Italy and Sibe- August value of this Broom is in ria. Introduced its late flowering, when its in 1741 yellow flower clusters are very welcome. C. a. leucanthus Variety Very pale yellow, sometimes almost white Not important. C. biflorus Hungary Bright This is not so important as yellow ; the Moonlight Broom, An- May dreanus, and some others. It grows about 3 feet high, but even in a group it is not C. capitatus Found on wood Yellow ; imposing. This is also a dwarf and not edges in Austria June important Broom. and introduced in 1774 C. hirsutus Asia Minor and Yellow ; This is another dwarf and un- South of Europe. June important shrub. Introduced in 1739 *C. kewensis Hybrid between Creamy A most interesting and beau- C. albus and white ; tiful Broom, which, as it C. Ardoini May becomes better known, will be popular in gardens. It was raised in the Royal Gardens, Kew ; hence the name, C. Ardoini being the seed parent. It is only suit- able for the rock garden, where its slender shoots can ' spread out and form a mantle of soft colotu-ing, or to make a spreading group on the grass. There is little trace in it of C. albus, except in the flower colouring. This is a P.room for all good gardens. •C. nigricans .Austria Bright This is also a lovely Broom, so • yellow ; named because it turns black | July and when dried. It should be in j August the smallest list of beautiful 1 flowering shrubs, and it is ! singular that it is so seldom j seen. The growth is bushy and smothered with flowers in July and August, some- j times before, and lasts a long ! 358 TREES AND SHRUBS ■Cytisus nigricans C. praecox C. purgans 'C. purpureus Country or Origin and Natural Order. Hybrid between C. purgans and C. albus South and Central Europe Found in Eastern Europe in exposed situations. Colour and Season. General Remarks. Briglit yellow ; July and August Sulphur yellow ; April to May Purple while in beauty. Sunshine and poor soil bring out its finest qualities. One can scarcely say too much in its praise, especially as it blooms at a time few trees and shrubs are in flower. One of the most fascinating j of all flowering shrubs. It ! makes clouds of soft colour- ing, every shoot hidden with the wealth of bloom ; whilst when out of flower there is beauty in the brilliant green colouring of the long slender shoots. It is a shrub to make groups of in the flower garden, grows quickly, does not soon get "leggy," and is very dense. The big groups of it on the grass in the Royal Gardens, Kew, are one of the delights of the spring season there. The ordinary shrub- bery is the worst place for it, all its gracefulness is lost, there is no fountain of flowers from the slender shoots. It is best raised from cuttings, as seedlings are apt to reproduce C. albus only. Also well known as Genista praecox. Chiefly of note because it is one of the parents of C. prsecox, but is of little account for the English garden. It is neces- sary in a collection, but no- where else. A delightful shrub when pro- perly placed. Loudon's ad- vice to graft it "on the laburnum standard high" is bad, and has been followed in many gardens. This way of treating the shrub is utterly foreign to its nature ; it is a trailing Broom, and there- fore should be planted on the rough garden or some bank where it can spread in its own way. We have seen it falling over a boulder and making a trail of purple colouring in May. Rare varieties are albus, white, and one with flowers of rose tint. The famous Cytisus Adami is the outcome of grafting this species on the Scotch laburnum (L. al- pinum). This curious graft- FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 359 Country ok Colour Name. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. *Cytisus purpureus Found in Eastern Purple hybrid usually excites much Europe in exposed interest when in flower, both situations yellow and purple racemes appearing on the same tree. C. sessilifolius A native of the Yellow ; A Broom for a collection, but south of France May without the effectiveness of and Piedmont, C. proecox, Andreanus, and and was culti- others. vated in Britain by Parkinson in Introduced C. Schipkaensis White This is a charming little rock- garden shrub, and very rare as yet, but well worth noting for its distinctiveness and freedom. *C. scoparius (Com- Europe Yellow The hardy Cytisuses are popu- mon Broom) larly known as Brooms, and the Broom of the waste lands of the British Isles is Cytisus scoparius, which makes clouds of golden yellow in the early summer. Many a dryish bank now flowerless might be made beautiful with this glorious shrub. Where Broom is not plentiful as a wild plant, and therefore generally where the soil is not suitable for it, the soil should be made so ; it need only be well drained and open. *C. s. andreaiius Choice variety Brownish This varies considerably from found in Nor- crimson seed, and often reverts to the mandy by M. Ed. and yellow; typical yellow Broom. If Andr(5, after whom Spring possible get own root-plants from original stock. A beau- it is named. tiful shrub, which we can scarcely have too much of. but in some gardens it is used too freely. When in full bloom, and the variety is rich in colouring, it is superb. C. s. pen du his Variety Pale yellow Quite a pendulous variety. (Drooping but uncommon. It is appa- Broom) rently little known, though so charming when on a bank or rock garden. A group of it in either of these positions would hie a revelation to those who know not the value of this family for the English garden. •C. s. sulphureus Variety Pale yellow Described by Loudon in his (pallidus), (Moon- " Arboretum " as C. s. albus, light Broom). "the flowers white or of a very pale yellow." It is a rare shrub, but should not be so. Mr. Goldring writes of it in "The Garden" as 36o TREES AND SHRUBS Name. Country ok Colour Origin and and Natural Order. Season. General Remarks. Cytisus scoparius sulphureus (palli- dus), (Moonlight Broom) Variety C. s. flore-pleno Crataegus (Thorns) Variety Rosaceas Pale yellow i follows : ' ' The Moonlight Brown is a very old variety, as it was described by Loudon sixty years ago, but it is still a rare shrub, not easily ob- tainable, though it is grown in some of the largest nur- series. Its pale yellow flowers are in beautiful harmony with the rich yellow of the type Andreanus. The only private garden where I have seen it in established mass is in that of Mrs. Robb at Liphook, where all kinds of tree and shrub varieties are treasured. I do not know if it comes true from seed, but I fancy not." A so-called double variety in which some of the petals are duplicated, but it is not finer than the type, though it is interesting as one of the few double varieties in pea-shaped flowers. The Crataegus family comprises nearly loo species and vari- eties, contains some of the most beautiful of small gar- den trees, both with regard to the charm of tlieir white, pink, and scarlet flowers, and the scarlet, black, and yellow fruits. Most of the Thorns are either large shrubs or small trees, and are specially suitable for small gardens, whilst none of them require particular attention, as all will grow in almost any soil and situation. Old trees occasionally require to be relieved of small wood and decaying branches, and a good top-dressing of manure is beneficial sometimes to those which flower and fruit freely ; but beyond this thorns need no attention after they have been planted and become established. The species can be increased by seeds, which are obtained by gathering the fruits when ripe, and mixing them with sand. The mixture of fruits and sand should then be put in a heap in a sheltered place out-of-doors, and covered with a few turfs. By the FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 361 Country or Origin and Natural Order, Colour AND Season. General Remarks. Crataegus (Thorns) Rosacese C. Azarolus C. Carrierei South-East Europe and Asia Minor A reputed hybrid, but parentage unknown. Sup- posed to be C. mexicana and C. tomentosa *C. coccinea (the Scarlet Thorn) North America ; introduced in 1683 ] Pure white; late Spring Pure white; late Spring White ; late Spring following spring the fruits will have rotted, and the seeds can be separated and sown. A fair proportion will germinate the first year, and the remainder the second. Many of tlie thorns tan also be propiigated by root cuttings. For this purpose healthy, vigorous shoots, as thick as a man's finger, should be obtained in autumn or winter, and cut into pieces four inches to eight inches in length, cutting the end nearest the stem flat, and the other slanting, so that either end can be readily distin- guished. These should be in- serted upright in the ground, with the tops nearly or just covered ; they soon form roots, and grow into strong plants. The genus is found practically throughout the temperate region, from Europe throughout the East and Central Asia to China and Japan, and in North America. One species is found in Mexico— but this, and in fact all the Thorns are hardy in this country. Ihis grows to a height of about 20 feet. It is very showy, and has pure white flowers fol- lowed by large yellow fruits ; the leaves arc about twice the size of those of the Haw- thorn, and rather deeply cut. Crataegus Aronia is a synonym. A very handsome Thorn, 12 feet to IS feet, shapely, leaves large, bright glossy green above, whitish beneath. Flowers appear freely in large corymbs, followed by clusters of pear-shaped green fruits, which hang on the tree until the end of the year, changing finally to dull, yellowish red. This is one of the most striking of all the thorns ; it has large bright - green leaves, and flowers nearly an inch across, and in dense corymbs. These are followed by clusters of brilliant scarlet - coloured fruits. There are several varieties equal to or even 362 TREES AND SHRUBS Name. Country or Origin and Natural Order, Colour AND Season. General Remarks. Crataegus coccinea (the Scarlet Thorn) North America ; introduced in 1683 White ; late Spring ■C. cordata (Wash- ington Thorn). C. Crus-galli (the Cockspur Thorn) North America North America June ; white June ; white C. Douglasii Western side of North America White ; late Spring finer than the species. One is *Macracantha, which has spines sometimes 5 inches long, and bright scarlet haws, not so large as those of the species, but produced more abundantly. It should be more frequently seen in gar- dens, and is worthy to rank as a species. Indentata has deeply-cut leaves and bright- red fruits. This is a small tree with thin, glossy, heart-shaped leaves and small flowers, orange-red fruits, not unlike those of C. Pyracantha, and carried late in the year. Birds, how- ever, enjoy them. This is a handsome American Thorn, and one of the most striking of the whole family. It has stout, glossy leaves and formidable spines, these often being from 3 to 4 inches long, and gave rise to the popular name. The brick- red fruits hang on the tree long after the leaves have fal- len, and make a bright winter picture. There are several varieties. Arbutifolia has shorter spines and smaller fruits than the type ; the leaves are also narrower and duller in colour ; linearis has long linear leaves and bright- red fruits. Ovalifolia has large oval shining leaves and bright scarlet fruits, it is rather more upright than the type. *Splendens makes a handsome, shapely tree about 20 feet high, and flowers and fruits very freely ; the leaves are rounded, green, and shining, and the flowers pure white, in small corymbs, and followed by bright-scarlet fruits. This is a large irregular-shaped tree 20 feet to 30 feet, and has short stout spines about an inch long ; the flowers appear in small clusters, and the fruits are small and black. Wood and spines are brown and quite shiny. Rivularis has smaller and thicker leaves, and shorter and stouter wood. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 3^3 Country or Colour Name. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. Cratjegus hienialis Probably a hybrid. White ; A tree 15 feet to 20 feet high. but origin un- Spring round shining leaves, and known rather large black fruits, which are the first to ripen of the Thorns. *C. nielanocarpa Caucasus White ; A very handsome Thorn. It Spring is a small fiat-topped tree of medium height, the leaves somewhat like those of the Hawthorn in shape, and covered witl) a thick grey tomentum ; the fruits are small, black, and shining. C. mollis United States White. Like C. coccinea, but even with a handsomer. It is a small tree, small red 15 feet high, with spreading mark at head, and large firm leaves the base slightly woolly on the back ; of each the flowers are large, and petal succeeded by bright-crimson, medium-sized Iruit. C. nigra Eastern Europe White ; This makes a fair-sized tree. May and has small black fruit. The foliage is very abundant, deeply cut, and woolly on both sides. It almost hides tlowers and fruit. •C. orientalis Europe White; A handsome Thorn in fruit. May It is a small flat-topped tree, and has large clusters of flowers, the oval fruits being yellowish red. Sanguinea is a very showy variety, with deep ruby-red fruits, but the scarlet colour of the type is brighter. *C. Oxyacanlha Widely distril> White ; Too well known to describe. It (Hawthorn, While ted, Europe. May has been divided into two Thorn, May) Western Asia, sub-species, viz. C. mono- and North gyna, in which there is usually Africa only one style in the flowers and one seed in the fruit, and C. oxyacanthoides, where the numter of styles is usually three, and front two to four seeds in the fruit. These differences are generally de- cided. There are other dif- ferences also in growth diffi- cult to explain, but can be detected easily by an experi- enced eye. C. monogyna (sub- This is the Hawthorn of the species) hedgerows, and there are many varieties. Twenty- eight are recorded in the Kew Hand-list. The most beautiful are aurea, with golden-yellow haws, crispa pendula, a pretty weeping * tree ; Gumperi versicolor, 364 TREES AND SHRUBS Name. Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour and Season. General Remarks. Crataegus monogyna (sub-species) C. oxyacanthoides (sub-species) *C. pinnatifida China and Central Asia Pure white ; May very handsome deep -red, shading to pink in the centre ; laciniata, a handsome tree with deeply cut leaves, some- times called C. apiifolia, but must not be confounded with North American species of that name. Macrocarpa has larger fruits than the type, oxyphylla, large white flowers and handsome fruits, around- headed tree. Praecox is the Glastonbury Thorn, sup- posed to flower at Christmas, but rarely does so owing to frost. This is the Thorn which is associated with the famous legend. *Semper- florens is a good variety, a low - growing tree, which flowers for a much longer period than the other Thorns. Stricta makes a dense up- right-growing tree, 30 feet or more high ; it grows rapidly, and when in flower is strik- ingly distinct in appear- ance. This is distinguished from C. monogyna by the styles and seeds as stated above ; and also by the larger leaves, flowers, and fruit. All the double -flowered Thorns be- long to this section. Atro- fusca, a large, shapely tree, of weeping growth ; tlie flowers large, pure white, and the fruits fair sized and abundantly produced. *Flore- pleno albo, the double white Thorn, with purest white flowers. This, like the other double Thorns, larely fruit. *Flore-pleno coccineo, the double Scarlet Thorn, one of the most beautiful of trees when covered with its scarlet flowers. Very pleasing when grouped with the double white variety or the Labur- num ; ^Paul's double Scarlet, a well-known and beautiful Thorn. *Flore puniceo, a rich purplish pink, single, and fructu luteo, bright yellow fruits, effective in autumn. The variety ^major is the best to grow. It is stronger, and has very large, leaves, L. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 365 Crataegus pinnatifida Country or Origin and Natural Order. China and Central Asia C. punctata C. Pyracantha (Fiery Thorn) East and North America South Europe, in hedges and rough ground Colour and Season. Pure white ; May C. sanguinea C. tanacetifolia (Pansy - leaved Thorn) C. spathulata Siberia White White ; May Levant ; j White ; introduced 1789 May United States White ; May General Remarks. 4 to 6 inches long, thick and shining. It does not show its true beauty until of some age, but it is a hardy tree of great beauty. The flowers are in large corymbs, and the fruits are of an intense shining red, pear-shaped, and make a bright picture in autunm. This variety is often labelled C. Layi. A good garden tree ; it is vari- able, but the accepted type has white flowers and bright red fruits as large as a small Crab apple. Another form has smaller deep ruby -red fruits. Brevispina, striata, and xanthocarpa are varie- ties, the last mentioned with bright yellow fruits. An evergreen Thorn. Intro- duced in 1629, and a well known shrub. Its charms consists in its dense glossy leaves and brilliant masses of scarlet berries. It can be giown as a bush or trained up a wall or trellis. It is so brilliant when in fruit that the French call it buisson ardent, or Burning Bush. This Thorn should be more grown as a bush, and not confined as it usually is to a south wall. As the fruits are bitter they are not cared for by the birds, and thus make a display through the winter. Lselandi is a variety with larger and deeper coloured fruits. This is not of great garden value, but effective in winter owing to the red bark. Son- gorica is a variety also with reddish bark. This is rare, and can be recog- nised by bracts at the base of the fruits. The fruits are very large, yellow, and of good flavour, and eaten in the native coimtry of the tree. The specimen at Kew flowers regularly and abundantly every year. A very distinct Thorn, small, and the leaves are persistent, remaining on until the New Year. The fruits are very small and scarlet. 366 TREES AND SHRUBS Name. Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour AND Season. General Remarks. 'Crataegus tomen- tosa C. uniflora Cyrilla racemiflora Daboecia polifolia, St. Daboec'sHeath (Syn Andromeda Daboecia) Daphne alpina (Al- pine Daphne) D. blagayana *D. Cneorum (Gar- land Flower) D. Genkvva (Japan- ese Lilac) D. Laureola (Spurge Laurel) Eastern United States North America, and introduced by the famous tree bishop. Bishop Comp- ton, in 1713 Florida to North Carolina, &c. Cyrillea Western Europe and Ireland ; Ericacece Alps of Europe ; Thymelasacea; South Europe Japan White ; June Creamy white ; early June Rosy purple, bell-shaped ; May, and throughout Summer and Autumn White ; May and June Ivory white ; March and April Bright rose ; May to June South Europe 1 Yellowish and North Africa green A late flowering and handsome Thorn when its orange-yellow are in perfection, but the birds soon consume them. More curious than beautiful ; it is only 2 feet to 3 feet high and has greenish haws. Quite a shrub, 4 feet to 6 feet high, very rare, although introduced as long ago as 1765. The flowers are in drooping racemes on pre- vious season's growth. A pretty little Heath-like shrub growing about 18 inches high, and producing erect spikes of comparatively large bell- shaped blossoms. It is the most continuous blooming of its class. There is a beautiful pure white variety — alba. A spreading deciduous shrub, with white, sweet - scented flowers. It grows about a couple of feet high, and is essentially a shrub for the rockwork, as it is particularly happy when the roots are wedged between stones. Like the last, this forms a spreading bush, and is equ- ally at home under similar positions. It is, however, of an evergreen character ; the ivory white are very sweet-scented blossoms. It is worthy of a place among the most select Daphnes. A delightful little evergreen, with highly fragrant blos- soms. A good proportion of vegetable soil is necessary to its welldoing. In its flowers this Daphne close- ly resembles the Lilac, so that it is frequently mistaken for that well-known shrub. It needs the protection of a wall in most parts of Eng- land. The flowers of this are not par- ticularly showy, but as an evergreen bush some 3 or 4 feet high it is valuable from the fact that it will thrive under the drip of trees, and is one of the few evergreens absolutely rabbit proof. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 367 Country or Colour Name. Origin and AND General Remarks, Natural Order. Season, 'Daphne Mezereum Northern Europe Red; This is an upright deciduous (the Mezereon) early year bush that flowers in February or March according to the season. At that time the still leafless branches are packed for some distance with the pretty fragrant blossoms, so that it may be regarded as the most showy shrub at that time in bloom. There is a variety (alba) with white blos- soms, and another (autum- nalis or grandiflora) that blooms before Christmas. A cool, loamy soil suits this best. *1). oleoides (Syn D. South Europe Purplish A neat growing evergreen bush fioniana, Syn D. rose about a yard high, whose neapolitana) flowers are often borne throughout the gieater part of the year. It is less at- tractive than some of the others. D. pontica Asia Minor Yellow A good deal in the way of Daphne Laureola, but the flowers are of a brighter yellow, and are borne in April and May, whereas D. Laureola flowers in February and March. D. sericea (Syn D. Deep pink A compact evergreen 2 to 3 feet coUina) high, clothed with dark-green box-like leaves, while the terminal clusters of flowers are borne in early Spring. It prefers a cool, fairly moist, yet well-drained soil. A bold growing and handsome *Deutzia crenata(Syn Japan ; White ; D. scabra) Saxifrageae Midsummer deciduous shrub, with white blossoms. There is a double- flowered variety, tinged with purple on the outside, known as D. crenata flore-pleno purpurea. Both are beautiful shrubs that will thrive in most soils. •D. discolor purpur- China White. This has pretty purple-tinged ascens tinged blossoms borne in flattened purple ; corymbs, and not, when in late May the bud state, liable to be injured by late spring frosts. •D. gracilis Japan White; The best known of all the Spring Deutzias, forming a compact bush a couple of feet high, and bearing masses of its pretty white blossoms. *D. hybrida Hybrid White and There are now several beautiful pink hybrid Deutzias, viz., hybrida rosea, hybrida venusta, kal- maeflora, Lemoinei, Lemoi- 1 368 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Origin and Natural Order, Colour AND Season. General Remarks. ^Deutzia hybrida ^D. par vi flora Enkianthus campan- ulatus Epigrea repens (Trailing Arbutus, Ground Laurel, Mayflower) Erinacea pungens Hybrid China Japan ; Ericaceee Ericaceae. The most popular of wild flowers in New England Spain ; Leguminosae White and pink White ; end of April and early May Dark red Pale white, with pink tint ; very sweetly scented ; Spring Blue; May and June nei compacta, all of which merit a place in gardens. An upright shrub 5 feet high, with flattened clusters of white blossoms, very suggestive of those of the Hawthorn. A very charming and interest- ing shrub resembling one of the Andromeda. A tree in its native country. The flowers are pendent and in clusters. In Bailey's "Cyclopaedia of American Horticulture " it is mentioned : " The cul- tivation of the Trailing Arbutus, especially in dis- tricts where it has been exterminated by ruthless 'mayflower parties,' always attracts interest. . . . Occurs in sandy and rocky woods, especially under evergreen trees, in earliest Spring. Thrives only in humid soil and shady situations. Trans- planted with difficulty. Best on north side of a hill in bright, sandy soil, mixed with leafmould. Onceestablished, it spreads rapidly. Propa- gated by division of old plants, layers, or cuttings. Seeds are rarely found, but when found may be used, though slow to develop." My experience is that it likes a damp, shady ditch side in peaty soil. Mr. G. F. Wilson planted it near to Shortia j galacifolia, and the two were 1 quite happy together. i Somewhat resembling the i dwarf-growing Genistas is i this extremely rare and pretty little shrub. It grows i very slowly, and seldom attains a height of 9 inches, spreading out in a mat-Hke | mass rather than growing in an upward direction. The branches are short, stiff, and spiny, and what few leaves there are are small. The pea - shaped blossoms come from the axils of short, spiny branches, and are blue. This j plant has been in cultivation • for a great number of years, ; never, however, having be- j come at all common. This FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 369 Country or Colour Name. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. Erinacea pungens Spain; Blue; is no doubt due to the great LeguminosK May and difficulty there is in propa- June gating it. Seeds appear to be the only means of in- crease, and these are borne very sparingly even when the plant is growing under natural conditions. It has been said to be a tender plant, but it has withstood several winters out of doors at Kew without injury. Plants are to be seen there near the Temperate house, and they flower every year. Escallonia illinit.i Chili ; White ; A neat evergreen shrub 4 to 5 Saxifrageae ■ Summer feet higli, with pretty white flowers. It is only in mild districts, such as the South and West of England, that the Escallonias are seen at their best. *E. macrantha (Syii Chiloe Crimson The finest of all the Escallonias, E. Ingrami) red; and one of the hardiest. It Summer is a free-growing shrub over 6 fei't high, clothed with rich green shiny leaves, and the bright-coloured fuschia-likc flowers are freely borne. It is a good wall-plant, and stands the sea-breeze well. E. langleyensis Hybrid Rose Raised by Messrs. J. Veitch carmine between E. philippiana and E. macrantha. It has small, dark-green leaves, and an abundance of brightly col- oured flowers. A good shrub. E. montevidensis Montevideo White Grows from 8 to 10 feet high, (Syn E. floribunda) and bears its clusters of white flowers in great profusion. It is too tender for planting except in the extreme West of England and in Ireland. •E. philippiana V'aldivia White ; Will succeed as a bush in the Summer neighbourhood of London, where its small white flowers are borne in the greatest pro- fusion. .\ much -branched evergreen E. punctata Chili Deep red ; a, shrub s to 6 feet high. E. rubra Chili Differs from the last in the Summer absence of spots on the young and early leaves, in the flowers being Antumn rather lighter in colour, and | borne for a longer period. 1 •Forsythia (Golden Oleaceas ; hybrid Yellow ; This is a charming early shrub. Bell) intermedia between F. sus- Spring It may be either grouped or pensa and F. trained, but one has to be viridissima. careful not to make it too Represents the stiff. It is quite hardy, and two parents. a bush. 370 TREES AND SHRUBS Name, Torsythia suspensa (Syii F. Fortune! and F. Sieboldi) F. viridissima Fraxinus Ornus (Flowering Ash), (Syn Ornus euro- paea) Country or Origin and Natukal Order, China China Mediterranean region and Orient Himalaya Colour AND Season. Yellow ; Spring Yellow ; Spring Creamy white ; late May White ; Summer General Remarks. A graceful and beautiful rambling shrub, now well known. It succeeds well in London — that is, if given anything like favourable con- ditions. A fence fully ex- posed to the sun in a London backyard is clothed with it, and each recurring spring the Forsythia flowers profusely, and forms an object of great beauty. Immediately the season of blooming is past the plant is severely pruned, the old and exhausted wood being cut out and the vigor- ous shoots spurred back to within three or four eyes of the base. This results in the production of long, wand- like shoots, which are allowed to develop at will, hence they dispose themselves in a loose and informal way, and being from the position of the plant thoroughly ripened , the spring display is in every way satis- factory. When autumn prun- ing is done the best portion of the flowering wood gets cut away. Quite a bush, and very hand- some when in full bloom. Likes full sun and air. This is a very charming lawn tree with luxuriant panicles of flowers, and foliage like that of the common ash. Angustifolia, latifolia, and variegata are varieties. Rather tender, but very vigor- ous and handsome. F. floribunda (Syn Ornus floribunda) Fuchsia.— Though the genus Fuchsia is an extensive one, most of them are of more value in the greenhouse than outdoors— that is to sav, throughout the greater part of the country. Still there are a few quite hardy Fuchsias, for, even if cut to the ground during severe winters they soon recover, while in particularly favoured districts, such as in the West of England and the Isle of Wight, they grow un- checked into large bushes, and sometimes make delightful hedges. Few flower- ing shrubs are more beautiful than F. corallina and F. Riccartoni when in full bloom. The hardiest are : — •Fuchsia corallina (Syn F. exoniensis) Garden origin ; Onagracene Red; Summer and Autumn A plant of more vigorous growth, and with larger leaves and flowers than any of the other hardy Fuchsias. It is very popular in the West of England, but is not nearly so effective when cut to the ground each winter as some of the others are. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 37 Fuchsia globosa cointry or Origin and Natural Order. F. gracilis Fuchsia Riccartoni Garrya elliptica Garden Origin California ; Cornaceie Colour AND Season. Red; Summer and Autumn Red; Summer and Autumn General Remarks. Red; Summer and Autumn Greenish ; Winter and very early Spring *G. sethnensis Leguminosae I Slopes of Mount ' Ktna, in Sicily July and August ; Golden yellow A free-growing Fuchsia which, if cut to the ground, pushes up long, wand-like shoots that branch out freely, and towards the latter part of the summer are smothered with briglit-coloured flowers. In the bud state these are of a globose shape, hence its specific name. The name gracilis well ex- presses the prominent fea- tures of this Fuchsia, for, though as vigorous as glo- bosa, it is far more slender and graceful. Where not perfectly hardy the drooping flowers are seen to great advantage when the shrub is trained to a wall, and planted in a permanent bed the old stools will, even in the North of England, pass unscathed through the winter, if pro- tected by a mulch of decayed leaves. This has the reputation of being the hardiest of all the hardy Fuchsias. It is in appear- ance about midway between F. gracilis and F. globosa, and is as good as F. gracilis. A handsome evergreen shrub with very dark green, leathery, oval leaves, about 3 inches long. Its most not- able feature is the long, pen- dulous male catkins, with which the plant is freely draped during the early months of the year. This Garrya is all the better for the protection of a wall in most parts of the country. The male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, the male being, owing to its catkins, by far tlio most orna- mental. A popular group of shrubs, allied to the Cytisus, and de- lighting in dry sandy soils. A group of the finer species is very rich in colour when in flower. This Broom is perfectly hardy near London. It is one of the rarest of shrubs in gardens in spite of its } beauty, and it flowers in July and August, a season 172 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Colour Name. Origin and and General Remarks. Natural Order. Season, Genista aethnensis Slopes of Mount July and when even inferior flowering Etna in Sicily August ; shrubs are not plentiful. It golden has a rather gaunt, yet not yellow inelegant habit, and assumes a somewhat tree-like form when old, being often re- duced to a single stem at the base. It carries, however, a wide head of thin cord- like, arching or pendulous branches, with little or no foliage except when the wood is quite young. The flowers are of a rich golden-yellow, and during the series of hot summers we have experienced in recent years have been es- pecially abundant. It would, indeed, be difficult to find a shrub better adapted for hot, light soils than this, a fact that is amply proved by the way it succeeds at Kew. It is a good plant for associating with medium -sized ever- gi-eens, which hide its bare stems and render it more effective when in flower. It grows lo feet to 14 feet high, and is thus one of the tallest —if not the tallest— of the Brooms hardy in Britian. It ripens seed freely, and is best propagated by that means. G. cinerea South-West Yellow ; This is a shrubby plant for the Europe July rock-garden in sunny places. *G. hispanica South-West Yellow ; A dwarf and charming shrub. Europe July I foot to 2 feet high, and when in bloom covered with flowers. One of the best of its race. G. monosperma Sicily White Not well known but interesting. Sandy soil. G. pilosa Europe, England Rich A prostrate plant for the rock Yellow ; garden. Ordinary soil. May and June *G. radiata Central and Yellow ; Very beautiful when in full Southern Europe Summer flower on the rock garden, and will even succeed in a rough wall. G. sagittalis Europe Yellow ; Another dwarf species for rock May and garden. June G. tinctoiia Britain Yellow ; The double variety flore-pleno July and and elatior are finer than September the species. Elatior makes quite a bush and is very attractive when in full bloom. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 373 •Genista virgata Country or i Colour Origin and and Natural Order. Season. Yellow ; June and July General Remarks. Gordonia Lasian- thus (Loblolly Bay) G. pubescens Halesias (Silver Bell, or Snowdrop Virginia to Florida ; Ternstrccniiacea; Georgia and Florida .Styracese White ; July White This must attain a certain age and size before it displays its full beauty, small plants flowering sparsely or not at all, while older specimens are a glorious sight during the period of flowering. Thoroughly hardy in at least the southern half of Eng- land, self-sown seedlings of it having been known to spring up in considerable numbers under old plants in sheltered positions. In a shrubbery or wood it makes j a brilliant blaze of yellow. It succeeds in almost any soil or situation provided it is not too heavy or wet. Under favourable conditions It reaches a height of 16 feet to 20 feet, with rather straggling branches, every little twig of which is covered with flowers in season. The leaves are about half an inch in length, and covered with white, silky hairs on the un- der side and a few scattered ones on the upper surface. Easily raised from seed. .\ sub-evergreen shrub 6 to 8 feet high, bearing beautiful white flowers like single Ca- mellias. It needs a sheltered spot and a moist peaty soil. Of rather smaller growth than the preceding, while the leaves are pubescent under- neath. The flowers, too, have the tuft of yellow sta- mens more pronounced than in G. Lasianthus. Both need the same treatment. This is a beautiful family of flowering trees, named after Dr. Stephen Hales. The flowers are like the snowdrop in shape, hence the name, and there are two distinct sections. American and Asi- atic. The Halesias like a rich, moist, loamy or peaty soil. Although often trees of considerable size in their native homes, they mostly retain a somewhat shrubby character in this country. All the species, however, except H. parviflora, can, by pruning away the lower branches, be made to form small trees. 374 TREES AND SHRUBS Name. Country ok Colour Origin and I and Natural Order, i Season. General Remarks. Halesia corymbosa Japan, in the province of Higo H. diptera South-eastern United States H. hispida China and Japan. Introduced about 1870 White, tinted with pink or yellow ; Spring White ; late Spring Mr. Bean writes in The Garden, May 19, 1900, p. 361, about this species as follows : " I do not know if there is any authenticated instance of its having flourished in Britain or even in Europe, most plants so called being H. hispida. It was first found on the mountains of the most southern of the main islands of Japan, in the pro- vince of Higo, and may possibly not be quite so hardy as H. hispida. Judg- ing by pictures and dried specimens, its racemes, whilst having much the same general character as that species, are shorter, broader, and more branched, and the flowers are not so numerous on the branches of the ra- cemes, and the fruits are more downy than bristly. The flowers have the same one- sided arrangement on the racemes. Not a common species, and dwarfer than H. tetraptera. The flovi'ers are white, Snow- drop-like, and are borne on slender pendulous stalks as in H. tetraptera ; they differ, however, in having the corolla almost lobed to the base. Very distinctive is the seed-vessel, which has but two prominent wings, the other two being only rudimentary. Whilst not perhaps equal in merit to H. tetraptera this species ap- pears to have been undeserv- edly neglected. Its dwarf bushy habit will also render it more suitable for some positions ; it loves abundant moisture at the root. It blossoms rather later than H. tetraptera. This belongs to the Asiatic group of Halesias, and is very distinct from the Ameri- can species. It is a vigorous shrub, a small tree with large oblong leaves, and small flowers, which are very numerous on the raceme, which is 4 inches to 8 inches long. One striking pecu- GENISTA MONOSl'EKMA. [See p. 032) FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 375 Name. Country or Colour ! Origin and and [Natural Order. I Season. General Remarks. Halesias hispida China and Japan. Introduced about 1870 H. parviflora I South- eastern I White ' United States, end of May ' Introduced in H. tetraptera (Com- mon Snowdrop tree) H. t. Meehani South United States. Intro- duced by a Lon- don merchant named Ellis in 1756 This originated as a seedling in \ Meehan's Nur- j sery, Germans- j town, Philadel- phia White ; May White liarity oftheraceme is that the flowers are arranged on the upper side only of its branches (a somewhat similar arrange- ment is seen in Freesia flowers). The seed-vessels are covered with bristly hairs. Mr. Bean says, "Whilst per- fectly hardy at Kew in the open, it blossoms more freely on a wall. The finest speci- mens I have seen of this Halesia are growing near a carriage-road leading to Mr. Gumbleton's house and gar- den at Belgrove, Queens- town." It flowers in this country in June. This is invariably a shrub. It is represented in the Kew collection by a large bush, which flowers as a rule with great freedom towards the end of May each year. The arrangement of the flowers is more racemose than fasci- culate, and whilst they are very abundant they are not so large as in H. tetraptera or H. dipiera. Tliey are white and Snowdrop - like. The seed-vessels are only slightly and unequally winged. On the whole, therefore, the species is easily distinguished from its two fellow American species. The grace and abundance of its bloom make it well worthy of cultivation wherever a | variety of hardy shrubs is desired. | A beautiful tree. Whilst ac- i cording to Prof. Sargent it occasionally attains a height of 80 to 90 feet in its native country, it is seldom more than 20 feet high in the British Isles. Its flowers are like pure white Snowdrops, hence the popular name. The seed-vessels are i^ inches to 2 inches long, and have four prominent wings that transverse them lengthwise. A very handsome and distinct variety, with shorter flower- stalks, and thicker and more coarsely wrinkled leaves than the type. 376 TREES AND SHRUBS Name, Country ok Colouk Origin and | and Natural Order. Season. Hamamelis (Witch or Wych Hazel) Hamamelidese China Orange- yellow ; Winter H. japonica H. mollis H. virginica Japan Pale yellow ; Winter Japan Bright yellow Eastern North Pale America yellow ; Autumn ^Hibiscus syriacua (Tree Mallow, Syn Althaea frutex) China ; Malvaceje White ; blotched red General Remarks. A charming tree when in flower. It blooms early in the year, the precise time depending upon the weather. When the leafless shoots are studded with the golden- yellow, narrow - petalled flowers, with their crimson calyces, it is very pretty. It is also worth using with some shrub like Gaultheria pro- cumbens as a groundwork. It enjoys an open situation, and is not very particular about soil. An interesting shrub, of which *Zuccariniana is a well- known variety. This is a rare Witch-Hazel, with very broad and large leaves, and wavy brightly coloured floweri. For many years this species was the only Witch-Hazel in cultivation. Being spread over the eastern side of North America from Canada to the Southern United States, it naturally attracted the notice of the earlier colonists, and it was, in fact, introduced to Britain as long ago as 1736. During the last twenty or thirty years, however, new species have been discovered and brought home from China and Japan. They surpass this old Ameri- can species in garden value, and are, indeed, amongst the most interesting and attrac- tive of the shrubs that flower in the early part of the year. H. virginica, on the other hand, is at its best in autumn. It has the narrow, twisted, bright yellow petals which, with but little variation, are characteristic of all Hama- melis flowers. The flowers cover the younger branches in close, dense clusters. It is a sturdy shrub, almost a small tree, and has leaves very like those of the English Hazel (Corylus). .An upright growing deciduous shrub 6 feet higli, is particu- larly valuable from the fact that it flowers towards the later part of August, when FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 377 Name. Country ok Origin and ; Natural Order. Colour and Season. GicxKRAL Remarks. 'Hibiscus syriacus (Tree Mallow, Syn Althaea frutex) China ; Malvaceae White ; blotched red 'Hippophic rhaiu- A British shrub, Flowers noides (.Sea Buck- chiefly in the inconspi- thorn) southandsouth- cuous ; east coasts ; yellowish Eleagnaceae Hydrangea Hor- tensia (the Hy- drangea, Syn H. hortensis) China and Japan ; Saxifrageae Deep pink; Summer and Autumn so few hardy shrubs are in bloom. It needs a well- drained, loamy soil, that is, however, not parched up at any time, and a spot fully exposed to the sun. There are many varieties of this, ranging in colour from white to purple, both single and double tlowercd forms being represented. Totus albus, white, is the best. A beautiful somewhat spiny tree, or rather shrub, to plant by the side of a lake, pond, stream, moat, or anywhere a free spreading shrubby growth is desired. But it will suc- ceed as well inland as by water. A splendid group may be seen near the pond at Kew, and for many years has made a beautiful winter picture in the gardens. Every winter the wood made the previous year is thickly cased with the bright orange- coloured berries, which re- main on the branches all the winter, but later on, if hard frosts are experienced, they lose most of their brightness. It must not be forgotten that the flowers are unisexual, i.e. those of one sex only are borne on a tree. Male trees therefore do not produce berries, and to get fruit a female and male must be near. In each group, say of about half-a-dozen plants, one plant should be male and the rest female. This is of the ut- most importance, and see to it before the plants leave the nursery. The Sea Buck- thorn is a large shrub or small tree. A very pretty standard tree results from keeping it to a single stem and removing the lower branches. The leaves are very charming in colour, a silvery grey. The male plant is of more upright growth than the female. Better known throughout the greater part of England as a greenhouse plant than as an outdoor shrub, but in the extreme south and west 37' TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour AND Season. General Remarks. ^Hydrangea Hor- tensia (the Hy- drangea, Syn H. hortensis) China and Japan ; Deep red ; Saxifragese Summer ; and ; Autumn H. paniculata Japan Creamy white ; Autumn H. petiolaris (Climbing Hy- drangea, Syn Schi- zophragma hy- drangeoides) H. quercifolia Japan North America North America Creamy white ; June and July White White it is very handsome in the open ground. The huge heads of flowers make a great display. There are several varieties, some of them being often regarded as distinct species, the most notable of which are : Lindleyi, with the large sterile flowers lim- ited to a few around the out- side of the cluster. They are pink, tinged with blue. Mariesii is a very handsome Japanese variety, with large sterileflowers, pinkish mauve. Nigra or cyanoclada has purplish black stems, and is very notable on that account. Rosea has all the flowers sterile, and of rich rose colour. Stellata has the sterile flowers double and star-like. Thomas Hogg has white blossoms. A handsome shrub that may be grown as a dwarf bush or as a standard. The variety grandiflora is far more popu- lar than the type, and is grown largely for flowering under glass as well as in the open ground. In this the huge pyramidal-shaped heads are composed entirely of sterile blossoms. If to be kept dwarf it must be pruned back hard when dormant, and only three or four shoots allowed to develop. A free-growing climber, that attaches itself to a wall by means of aerial roots after the manner of ivy. It has flat- tened clusters of flowers. Being so distinct from all the rest, it at once attracts attention. A shrub about a yard high, with large lobed leaves. The flowers are less showy than some of the others. It needs a moist soil and a very shel- tered spot. The flowers of this are not at all showy, but the leaves are clothed on the under sides with a dense white felt-like substance, which renders it very noticeable when ruffled by the wind. iryt-^. '^^^^. l*^- ..-M- ^W^^'- KALMIA LATIFOLIA. A GOOD SHRUB bOR PEA T Y SOILS. {Sec p. U4U.) FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 379 Name. Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour and Season. Genkkal Remarks. Hypericum Andro- Europe; Yellow soemuin (Tutsan, Hypericinese Syn Androsje- mum officinale) North America j Yellow ; I July and ' August •H. calycinum (Rose Levant Yellow; of Sharon, St. July to John's Wort) , Autumn H.elatum (Tall St. I North America John's Wort) Yellow H. patulum Japan H. hircinum Europe Yellow ; -Autumn •H. hookerianum Himalayas jYellow ; (Syn H. oblongi- Autumn folium) H. moserianum Garden hybrid I Yellow ; early ; Autumn H. prolificum North America i Yellow H. uralum (Syn H. Himalayas | Yellow nepalense) I A free - growing deciduous shrub from 2 to 3 feet high, with a mass of small flowers, but not very showy. It will grow in the shade better than many other shrubs. Reaches a height of about 4 feet. The orange-yellow flowers, about li inches across, have a large and conspicuous mass of yellow stamens in the centre. Forms a dense mass a foot high, while the golden-yellow flowers are quite 3 inches j across. The long hair-like | stamens are very numerous and attractive. It will both j grow and flower well in shady j spots. I Grows 4 to 5 feet high, and is 1 very robust. The flowers, j however, though freely borne, ; are only about an inch in diameter. When roughly handled the : leaves of this species have I an unpleasant goat -like 1 odour, but it is decidedly ornamental, forming as it ! does a bush a yard high, \ while the flowers are bright ' yellow. I Rather more tender than ; some of the Hypericums, but a showy kind. It grows t over 4 feet high, and has I clusters of large golden flowers. ] A hybrid IjetweenH. calycinum | and H. patulum, and one I of the most desirable of all | the St. John's Worts. The slender branches are grace- ful, and terminated by clus- ' ters of rich golden-yellow I flowers a couple of inches I across. I A delightful little shrub, but even in the south of England it is liable to be killed by a severe winter. Grows 3 feet high, and bears ' its clusters of blossoms very freely. The individual flowers are about an inch across. Somewhat in the way of H. patulum , and like that species I rather tender. 38o TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Colour Origin and and Natural Order. i Season, General Remarks. Itea virginica Virginia ; White ; Saxifrageae July Jamesia americana Rocky Mountains ; Saxifrageae Kalmia angustifolia (Sheep Laurel) K. glauca K. latifolia (Moun- tain Laurel) Koelreuteria culata Laburnum (Cytisus) vulgare (Golden Rain or Chain) North America ; Ericaceae North America April and May Bright pur- plish red ; end of May Purplish pink North America \ Pink ; . \ May, through Summer China ; Sapindacese Loudon writes: "A native of Europe and the lower mountains of the South of Ger- many, and of Switzerland, where it grows to the height of 20 feet or upwards. It was introduced in 1596 " ; Le- guminosae Yellow ; June and July A freely branched rounded shrub, from 3 to 4 feet in height, and has small spikes arranged in much the same way as the shrubby Veronicas. It is a favourite of the Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa Atalanta). It is quite hardy, but needs a moist peaty soil. A somewhat upright shrub, 4 to 5 feet high, with oval- shaped leaves and a great profusion of terminal clusters of pure white blossoms. It is quite hardy and needs a cool moist soil. A delightful little evergreen shrub about a couple of feet high, with bright -coloured, saucer-shaped blossoms. All the Kalmias prefer cool damp soil, especially of a peaty nature — indeed, conditions favourable to Rhododen- drons suit them well. Flowers two or three weeks earlier than the preceding, and is somewhat dwarfer, but is equally desirable. This forms a large rounded bush from 6 to 8 feet high, clothed with handsome, bright-green foliage, while the flowers are pink and wax-like. It is a desirable subject to associate with Rhododendrons, which, ex- cept in flowers, it much re- sembles. A small picturesque tree 10 to 15 feet in height, with orna- mental pinnate leaves, and large terminal panicles of bright yellow (lowers, very distinct. There is no need to praise the laburnum ; it is one of the most beautiful of all trees, and its countless flowers make a shower of gold in early summer. It seems strange to read that the laburnum is not a native, for it is so general in gardens, and is even used in hedgerows in some parts of the country. We have in mind a hedge- row in Berkshire with labur- nums rising above the thorn, and a pleasant sight this is in late May and early June. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Origin and Natural Order. 'Laburnum (Cytisus) vulgare (Golden Rain or Chain) Colour AND Season. General Remarks. Laburnums grow so freely almost everywhere that they .ire somewhat overdoiif in gardens, but it is so beau- tiful a tree that many would say: "I don't mind how many laburnums I have in the garden." Mr. Goldring, writing in the " Gardeners' Magazine " about labur- nums, says :— " Besides the common way of growing the laburnum as a shrubbery or plantation tree, it may be put to various other uses. It is a l^auiiful covering for a wall on the north, east, or west sides. In some old gardens one meets with huge trees of it cover- ing large areas of wall, and affording a lovely sight at flower time. This is a com- mon way of growing it on the Continent, and in some of our old botanic gardens it may be seen trained against a wall .as a host for the wis- taria, whicii flowers about the same time, and produces a lovely contrast of colour. " I have pleasing recollec- tions of seeing it in some old gardens trained over a path as a covered way before per- golas were in vogue in this country. For several weeks such covered pathways are glowing with colour, and for the rest of the summer they afford a pleasant shade. In some of the old Sussex gar- dens laburnum ' tunnels ' are still to be seen, and they are worth imitating in new gardens. "Of the two commonly grown species of laburnum, L. vulgare and L. alpinum, there are numerous varieties, diflering more or less from the types, though the differ- ences in some cases are slight, even from a garden point of view. A laburnum is a laburnum to most people, and nothing more, but there is a great difference between a worthless seedling with short flower clusters of a poor yellow, and the varieties such 382 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Colour Origin and and Natural Order. Season. Laburnum (Cytisus) vulgare (Golden Rain or Chain) *L. alpinum (Cytisus Called the Scotch alpinus), Scotch laburnum I L. Watereri laburnum be- cause a supposed native of Scot- land, but this is not true. Loudon says : "It was introduced into Britain about the same time as the other species, 1596." The other species is Labur- num vulgare. Hybrid Yellow L. Adami (Purple laburnum) Graft-hybrid Purple, yellow, and buff General Remark.s. as Watereri and Parksii which bear racemes fully 16 ] inches in length, aud of a rich-toned yellow. There is, unhappily, in gardens, a pre- ponderance of inferior seed- ling trees, because they can be raised easily and sold cheaply, but it is better to have one grafted tree of a first-rate variety than a dozen inferior kinds. ' ' The number of named varieties of L. vulgare enume- rated in Continental and English nursery lists exceed a score, and most of them are mere monstrosities of leaf- form or colour, only appre- ciated by the collector of curiosities. The finest vari- eties are those named Al- chingerii , gigan teum , Carlieri, and grandiflorum. Any of these, if true to name, are the kinds to plant. They all bear very long racemes, pro- duced abundantly." This is a well-known tree. Some of its varieties are very beautiful, especially Watereri, which has very long racemes, and when in full beauty is a lovely picture. This should be made note of i as one of the most charming of all early summer flowering ! trees. Parksii is another j beautiful variety, whilst there I are also autunmalis (flowers | in autumn, hence the name), biferum, grandiflorum, and hirsutum. 1 We have given this special pro- j minence for the reason it is a hybrid. InBailey's" American ■ Cyclopaedia "occursthisnote: j "Watereri,Dipp.(L. Parksii, I Hort, C. alpinus and vulgaris j Wittst.) Hybrid of garden I origin, but found also wild. ... As hardy as L. alpinum and sometimes considered to be a variety of that species." This is a remarkable tree, and is named after M. Adam, who grafted Cytisus purpureus on the common laburnum. Loudon says the purple la- burnum "is a hybrid between Cytisus laburnum and C. pur- FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 383 Origin and Natl'kal Oruek. AND Season. GENERAL Remarks. Laburnum (Cytisus) vulgare (Golden Rain or Chain) 'Ledum latifolium (Labrador Tea) U palustre (Marsh Ledum) Leiophyllum buxi- folium (Sand Myrtle). (Syn L. thymirolium) Lespedeza bicolor *L. Sieboldi (Syn Desmodiuni pen- duliflonim) Leycesteria formosa Northern portion White; of North Ameri- late April ca ; liricacece Northern part of I White, Eastern Hemi- 1 tinged sphere ! pink New Jersey and j White; Virginia ; Eri- May Japan ; Lcgnminoss; Rosy red ; July Capri foliacerv ; Temperate Himalaya China and Japan ' Reddish purple ; September Purplish white, and purple bracts pureus, in which the flowers are of a reddish purple, slight- ly tinged with buff, and are produced in pendent spikes eight inches or more long. It was originated in Paris, m the nursery of M. Adam in 1828 ; it was introduced into England about 1829, and has been a good deal cultivated." We noticed a tree of it in a hedgerow near Burnham Common, Slough. It is a strange tree. Some branches will perhaps bear entirely yel- low flowers, like those of the common laburnum and others like Cytisus purpureus, varied by a flower that shows the characters of both parents, h is more curious than beautiful. A much-branched shrub 2 to 3 feet high, and when in bloom covered with its rounded clus- ters of white blossoms. It needs a cool moist peaty soil, and given this it is very attrac- tive when in bloom. Much like the last, except that it is rather smaller, and the blossoms tinged with pink. A compact little evergreen shrub about a foot high. Every twig, however small, bears a cluster of pretty blossoms, in colour white tinged with pink. It is a good rockwork shrub in a cool moist position. Sends up stiff annual shoots to a height of 4 feet. The leaves are trifoliate. It needs a warm soil, and is not particu- larly attractive. A deciduous sub-shrub that dies nearly to the ground in the winter. From the base are ])ushed up long wand-like arching shoots to a hci;,'ht of 6 feet, clothed with trifoliate leaves, and bearing large ter- minal panicles of pea-shaped blossoms. Should it escape the autumn frosts it is delightful. A very interesting shrub, 6 feet high in the milder parts of these isles, but hardy almost everywhere. These flowers are succeeded by purple berries which are relished by pheasants, hence it is planted for covert in some places, 384 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Colour Name. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. Ligustrum coria- China ; White A sturdy evergreen shrub, with ceum (Thick- Oleaceae very dark-green leaves, thick. leaved Privet) about li inches long and roundish" oval in shape. It reaches a height of about a yard, and is of extremely slow growth. A graceful shrub with long. L. Ibota (Syn L. Japan White ; amurense) June and slender, arching branches, July narrow leaves, and white flowers. L. japonicum (Japa- Japan White ; Reaches a height of 6 to 8 feet. nese Privet) earFy July and forms a freely branched bush clothed with bright shining green leaves from 2 to 3 inches, oval pointed in shape. *L. lucidum (Wax China White ; This is the most ornamental of Tree) July and all the Privets in foliage, the August leathery dark -green leaves being sometimes as much as 6 inches long, and over two inches wide. It reaches a height of 9 to 12 feet, and has large panicles of white flowers. There is a variety — tricolor, with leaves beauti- fully variegated, but. being tender it needs wall protec- tion. L. massalongianum Khasia Hills White The long narrow leaves of this (Syn L. rosmari- species make it distinct from nifolium) all other Privets. It is hardy only in the west of England and Ireland. i*L. ovalifolium(Oval- Japan White This sub-evergreen species is ' leaved Privet) 1 one of the hardiest of all Privets, being much used for hedges, and for planting where little else will thrive. Its small dense clusters of flowers are borne in great profusion, but they (in com- mon with most Privets) possess such a heavy and unpleasant odour as to unfit them for planting near dwel- ling - houses. The golden form of this Privet, known as Aureum or Elegan- tissimum, is met with nearly everywhere, particu- larly in the environs of London. ,*L. Quihoui China White ; A somewhat spreading shrub 1 late Sep- about 5 feet high, with tember small leaves and terminal panicles of flowers. For this reason it is worth growing as a flowering shrub. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 385 Nami:. Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour j AND \ Season. ! General Rkmarks. ^Ligiistrum sinense (Chinese Privet) L. vulgare (Com- mon Privet) •Liriodendron tulipi- fera (Tulip tree) Europe United States ; Magnoliaceae White White Yellow ; June The finest of all Privets as re- gards its flowers. It forms a sub-evergreen shrub from 12 to 15 feet high, with arch- ing branches, and frond-like arrangements of the smaller branchlets, which are clothed with leaves about the size of those of the Common Privet, and pale green in colour. The white flowers are borne in such profusion towards the end of July that the entire plant is quite a mass of that colour. It needs a well- drained soil. As a hedge plant this is to a great extent superseded I by L. ovalifolium, but it I is still a useful shrub for rough places. It is one of I the subjects that can be I clipped into all manner of shapes, hence it is very popu- lar for topiary work. The Tulip tree is one of the most beautiful and distinct of all our hardy trees, for the peculiarly shaped four-lobed leaves cannot be confounded with those of any other. It occurs over a considerable extent of country in North America, and when suitably situated attains a height of 130 to 140 feet. Though these dimensions are not reached in this country, speci- mens nearly 100 feet high are known, and its great value as a timber tree has been de- monstrated here as well as in the United States, where it is given the name of the White Wood. The yellow Tulip- like flowers, from whence its popular name in this country IS derived, are very pretty, but as a rule borne at such a height that their beauty cannot be seen. They, how- ever, add to the interest and charm of the tree, and with the handsome leafage and the rich yellow hue of the foliage in the Autumn, as well as its thorough hardi- ness and almost complete indifference to soil and situa- tion, make it one of the most desirable of our large grow- 2 B 386 TREES AND SHRUBS Name. Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour and Season. General Remarks. Liriodendron tulipi- fera (Tulip tree) United States ; Magnoliaceae Loropetalum chi nense Magnolia acuminata (Cucumber tree) M. conspicua (the Yulan) China ; Hamamelidese North America ; Magnoliaceoe Yellow ; June M. Fraseri (Fraser's Magnolia), (Syn auriculata) North America Pure white Winter Greenish yellow Pure white; early Spring Creamy white ; May ing trees. There are several varieties, notable among them being integrifolia, in which the distinctive lobes of the leaves are sup- pressed ; aurea maculata, whose leaves are blotched with yellow ; and fastigiata, which is of upright growth. These are all interesting, but not equal in beauty to the type. A very interesting shrub, with long petals, resembling one of the flowers of Hamame- lis ; they appear 6 to 8 together in clusters at the bract tips. From a flowering point of view this is one of the least showy of the Magnolias, but the tree has handsome foliage ; it reaches a height of many feet. The leaves are nearly a foot long, and half as much in width. There is a tree 6o feet high in Syon Park, Middlesex. Of all the Magnolias, and in- deed of all our deciduous trees, this is one of the finest, and also one of the earliest flowering. It blooms in some seasons as early as March, and the pure white flowers, like silver chalices, stand out boldly from the bare dark- coloured branches. Owing to the flowers expanding so early, they are sometimes in- jured by spring frosts, hence in the northern parts of the country this species is often given wall protection. This Magnolia succeeds best in a good, well-drained, loamy soil of not too heavy a nature, indeed, such will suit all the Magnolias per- fectly. A distinguishing feature of this Magnolia is the shape of the large leaves, which are broader towards the upper portion than at the base. It reaches a height of 30 feet or more, but needs a spot sheltered from strong winds. The sweet-scented flowers are nearly 6 inches across. YULAN {Miignohii conspiciia): IIS rSh:A^-> A WALL SHRUB, CROWSLEY PARK, HENLEY. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 387 COUNTKY OR Colour NAMt. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. Magnolia glauca North America White A shrub from 10 to 12 fett (the Swamp Mag- high, with flowers not borne nolia) all at once, as in most of the others, but scattered over two or three months, from June onwards. It makes a pretty lawn shrub for a damp spot. •M. grandiflora (the | Southern | White ; The evergreen Magnolia is Evergreen Mag- 1 United States late more generally grown as a nolia) Summer wall plant than in the open ground, though in the south and west of England it will thrive perfectly without pro- ! tection. As a wall covering j the handsome dark - green leaves render it eftective at ' all seasons, and they also . serve as an admirable setting for the large cup-shaped deliciously-scented flowers. M. hypoleuca Japan Creamy In Japan this is a tree 60 feet : white high, and is said to be a very desirable kind, but it has not been long introduced, and the plants of it in this country are small. •M. Lennei Garden origin Glowing The flowers of this are large. rjSe massive in texture, and de- lightfully coloured. They pinkish are a month or two later than within ; those of the Yulan, hence | late Spring they escape the frosts which 1 sometimes injure it. j M. obovata(Syn M. Japan Purple A spreading shrub 6 to 8 feet ; purpurea) i ! outside. high, with flowers much | 1 whitish smaller than those of M. ' within ; Lennei, and not of so late Spring pleasing a colour. It is, however, a handsome shrub, less particular in its require- ments than most Magnolias. M. parviflora lapan While; A neat bush. The centre of May and the flower is occupied by a June ring of bright-red filaments. It is rather tender. *M. soulangeana Garden origin White, A small tree more spreading in tinged character than M. conspicua, j purple and flowering also a little outside ; later. Very pretty, early ! Spring •M. stellata (Syn M. lapan Purewhite; flowering. The earliest of all the Mag- halleana) March nolias. It is a much branched shrub, seldom more than 4 feet high, and as much j through. 1 he flowers, which are borne in great profusion, are alxjut 3 inches in dia- meter, and composed of a dozen or so of strap shaped petals ; a lovely shrub. 388 TREES AND SHRUBS Name. Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour AND Season. General Remarks. Magnolia tripetala North .America (Umbrella tree), ! (Syn M. Umbrella) I Japan Notospartium Car- michaslife Nuttallia cerasifor- mis Olearia Haastii (Daisy Bush) New Zealand ; Leguminosae California ; Rosacea; Creamy white ; early Summer Ivory white inside, flushed with rose on the exterior ; May and June Rose; June White ; early Spring New Zealand ; Compositce White ; July and 1 August A tree remarkable for its large handsome leaves, which are arranged in a regular manner towards the upper parts of the branches. The flowers are creamy white. A shel- tered spot suits this best. .\ busli about 5 feet high. The flowers are remarkable for their central cluster of crim- son filaments. It needs a sheltered spot. This grows in New Zealand several feet high, but not here. It has graceful shoots, which are very pretty when smothered with the pink pea-shaped flowers. A cor- respondent to the Gai'deii, writing in July 1900 from Castle Douglas, N.B., says: " I am sure if my plant of Notospartium Carmichoeliae were to be seen by anyone who has not got it, there would be countless inquiries for it. It has always done well and flowered freely, but this year it is simply magni- ficent, with only the points of the twigs visible above the mass of bright pink blossoms." This is one of the prettiest and most interesting of March shrubs. It is of good habit, and produces a large quan- tity of dull white flowers in drooping racemes. Thefruits, too, are pretty, not unlike those of a small plum, of reddish-yellow colour, with a plum-like bloom. It must be noted that the flowers are liable to be dioecious, and so, therefore the sexes must be planted together, though we have obtained fruit by stick- ing branches of the male flowers among those of the female shrub. A valuable evergreen Box- like shrub, laden with small white Daisy-like blossoms with a yellow disc. Though a native of New Zealand, it is hardy in most parts of England. OLEARIA MACRODONTA. {Redruth.) FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 389 - COINTRY OR Colour \ Namk. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. 0. macrodonta(New New Zealand White ; This has large Holly-like leaves. Zealand Daisy July silvery on the undersides, and tree), (Syn O. heads of Uaisy-likc blossoms. dentata) Far more tender than O. Haastii, this needs a wall in most parts of the south of England, though it is hardy in the extreme west and in the south of Ireland. 0. stellulata (Syn. New Zealand White, An evergreen bush, with small 0. gunniana, yellow disc; narrow leaves, the undersides Eurybiagunniana) May and covered with whitish felt. June The Daisy-like flowers appear in profusion. Its require- ments are the same as the last. 0. 'Iraversii (Syn New Zealand White ; In its native country this is a Eurybia Traversii) June timber tree, but here it needs the same treatment as the last two. Tlie flowers are small and creamy white. Oxydendron arborea Eastern Pure This is a charming shrub, but United States ; white; in its native country grows Ericacea; June and to a height of 40 feet. The ! July leaves are dark green, but very richly coloured in autumn. The bell-shaped white flowers remind one of those of the Lily of the Valley, and appear in pretty racemes. Ozothamnus ros- South Australia White ; .A. neat shrub, 4 to 5 feet high. marinifolius and Tasmania ; July with narrow rosemary-like Compositcc leaves, and during the sum- mera profusion of white .Aster- like blossoms. It is hardy only in the West of England. *PernettyJorth America, Europe, and through temperate Asia as far south as the Malay Pen- insula, the headquarters of the genus being Western Asia and the temperate Himalaya. Rhododendrons also differ greatly in size, some very tall as R. arborea, which is sometimes said to grow to a height of 40 feet in the Sikkim forests, to the little alpine R. chamaecistus, which rarely exceeds 6 inches high. There is quite as marked variation in the size of the leaf, several species, of which R. Falconeri may be taken as a type, having large and handsome leaves, sometimes a foot high and 6 inches wide, whilst the quaint litile Japanese species R. serpyllifolium has tiny leaves not a third of an inch long and of corresponding width. The Rhododendron 2 D TREES AND SHRUBS Rhododendron Hardy Hybrid Country or Origin and Natural Order, Ericacece Colour AND Season. General Remarks. family may be divided into two great sections, deciduous and evergreen. The ever- green section consists of a large number of species, either quite hardy or tender, the tender ones being repre- sented by such beautiful flowers as R. grifiithianum, Edgeworthi, R. Dalhousia-, R. Nuttalli, the Malayan species, &c. With the ex- ception of R. ponticum true species are seldom met with outdoors, except in gardens where collections are formed, or in the south- west countries. The scarcity of species is doubtless due to many of the hybrids being much hardier, and begin to flower and grow at a later time of the year. Al- though some of them will stand severe frost in mid- winter without injury, growth beginning early in the year, the young leaves and shoots get considerably injured by the late spring frosts, and flowers when open in March are also destroyed or much spoilt. In Cornwall, South Wales, and parts of Ireland, huge specimens of R. arboreum, barbatum, grande, Falconeri, grifiith- ianum, and others may be seen in full vigour, but all have to receive protection from the north. Although these species cannot be grown successfully outdoors in most parts of the country, the hybridist knows their value. Through crossing them with hardier and later growing and flowering species many beautiful hybrids have been raised. Hardy evergreen hybrid Rhododendrons may be divided into several groups according to parentage. Of these groups by far the most familiar is the one that has originated through the cross- ing and intercrossing of the Himalayan R. arboreum with the American R. cataw- biense, the Caucasian species R. caucasicum, or the Euro- FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 419 Namk. Country or Origin and Natural Oruer Rhododendron Hardy Hybrid Colour AND Season. Gkneral Remarks. pean and Asiatic ponticum. This hybridising has been progressing for half a century or more, and thf parentage is plainly seen in the off- spring. Tims where R. arboreum asserts Itself most strongly we find rich red flowers and leaves with a silvery under-surface. Where R. catawbiense is most in evidence the leaves are large and handsome, deep green, and softer to the toucii than R. arboreum, while the clusters are often of great size, the llowers prettily spotted, and the plants of exceptionally good habit. For very cold districts the catawbiense hy- i>rids are tiie best, being h;irdier tlian the others. The flowers of many of the earliest of the R. catawbiense hybrids are of lilac or purple colour- ing. The influence of R. caucasicum is most plainly shown in the rose, white, and heavily spotted varieties, whilst it also imparts some of its sturdy habit to its pro- geny. R. ponticum shares with R. catawbiense the honour of producing many of the best lilacs and purples, but through so much inter- crossing it is diflicult to trace the influence of any particular species in many of the newer hybrids. In this group raisers are fastidious, re- garding the shape of the in- Horesence as of first import- ance, that is, a conical truss of symmetrical outline, the flowers on short stalks and held firmly in the truss. In the Rhododendron dell at Kew many of these hybrids are to be seen, and in a number of the older ones it is not difficult to trace the influence of the various species mentioned. Some of those which show much of the catawbiense character are album elegans, white with yellow spots, delicatissimum, blush, everestianum, lilac with darkerspots, fastuosum fl. pi., double lilac, and purpureum 420 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour AND Season. Rhododendron Hardy Hybrid Ericacere R. Luscomhei Blood red ; Tune Hybrid between R. Thomsoni and R. Fortunei Rich rosy red ; April General Remarks. R. F. Thiselton-Dyer Hybrid, same cross Deep rose, as Lusconibei with darker mark at the base of the | tube elegansand purpureum splen- dens, with dark -spotted flowers. R. arboreum blood is very noticeable in the early flowering, bright-red noble- anum, the rich red russelli- anum, and russellianuni superbum, the white dark- spotted Baron Osy, the blush or almost white Blanche superb, and many others, whilst R. ponticum is in evidence in a large number of hybrids. In addition to this group there are others which, though not so univer- sally grown, are quite as beautiful. For a number of years other species besides those worked on to pro- duce the last-named group have been taken in hand in several places, notably at Tremough by Mr. Gill, and all who are interested in shrubs know the great work accomplished by Messrs. Anthony Waterer of Knap- hill, John Waterer & Sons of Bagshot, Wm. Paul & Son of Waltham Cross, George Paul of Chesthunt, Fisher, Son & Sibray of Sheffield, Messrs. J. Veitch, and in the Royal Gardens, Kew. R. Thomsoni may be taken as a type of a group in which it has played a great part. This species is hardy even near Lon- don, and farther north, but flowers very early, so nmch so that frost frequently destroys its beauty. It grows from 6 feet to 15 feet, has broadly ovate leaves and loose trusses of six or eight waxy flowers. This was raised by Mr. Lus- combe about thirty years ago. It is finely represented in the Arboretum at Kew, the largest specimen being 8 feet high and as much through. The flowers are in loose trusses, tubular, 3 inches across, and very waxy ; a handsome hybrid. This is a Kew-raised hybrid, and very similar to Lus- comhei in growth. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 421 Country or Colour 1 Name. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order 1 Skason. 1 ♦Rhododendron Ascot Raised by Mr. Standish Rich This is a flower of wonderful Brilliant scarlet ; colour, and the whole shrub in mid and growth, size of caly.\, texture, late May ; and clusters reminds one a peculiarly strongly of R. Thomsoni. It brilliant is of dwarf and bushy growth, colour and flowers with great free- dom. •R. Shilsoni Raised by Mr. Gill. Crimson This beautiful hybrid combines gardener to Mr. H. 1 the good qualities of both parents. It resembles R. Shilston,Tremough i Penrhyn, Cornwall, barbatum in height and R. between R. Thoni- Thomsoni in foliage, and the soni and R. bar- flower truss is compact as in batum the former parent, with the larger, more fleshy leaves of the latter. It is an excep- tionally line Rhododendron for Cornwall, but at Kew is grown in a cold house, al- though a small plant with- stood the winter of 1901-2 outside without injury. R. Harrisii A hybrid raised by Red; This is a hybrid of much inte- Mr. Harris, at one early rest, and flowers freely when time gardener to Spring quite small. It is apparently Lord Swansea ; quite hardy, but would be the parents are happier in the south than R. Thomsoni and elsewhere. 1 R. arboreuni Grikfithianum 1 Group. •R. Auckland! Himalaya White: The group, in which the Hima- 1 1 May layan species griftithianum, better known as R. Auck- landi, is most marked, is composed of a number of large-flowered hybrids which vary considerably in size of flower and colouring. It is probably the finest species of Rhododendron in existence, and named in honour of Lord Auckland, a Governor- General of India, by Sir Joseph Hooker. It appears, however, to have previously b)een named after Griflith, the Indian botanist, whose name it ought now properly to bear. It carries its flowers in large, loose trusses, and individually they are fre- quently 6 inches across. This Rhododendron, we Ijelieve, ranks first in the genuS* in regard to the size of its bloom. Six or eight of these are borne in a truss, and they are pure while when once fullyexpanded, although pink 422 TREES AND SHRUBS Namk. I Country or I Origin and Natural Order. [*Rhododendroii ' Auckland! Himalaya Colour and Season. General Remarks. White ; May A hybrid between R. griffithianum and R. Hookeri Delicate j rose, passing to | white with i age; | April and May *R. M angles! i Hybrid sent out about 1880 by Messrs. Veitch & Sons, and the out- White, the I upper petal spotted with, I red or in the bud state. The hand- some leaves are smooth, narrow-oblong, 6 inches to 12 inches long, and of a deep lustrous green. When fully grown this becomes a small tree, the bark peeling from the trunk in large flakes. It is not, unfortunately, one of the Himalayan species that can be grown out of doors near London. In Cornwall and similar places it is mag- nificent. It only just escapes being hardy, and can be grown out of doors in tubs for the greater part of the year. Some of the best specimens in the country have, in fact, been giown in this way. Even when placed under glass little or no fire- heat is needed. We know plants that have stood 18° of frost without injury. It is remarkable that this Rhodo- dendron has not been used more for hybridising. Most people seem to have been slow in awakening to its value, and although, at the present time, there are doubt- less thousands of young hy- brids from it in existence, it will be some years before they flower. There are, however, a few iiybrids that are hardy and very beautiful. This was raised at Kew in 1875, but did not flower until four- teen years later. Since then it has flowered very freely every year. It makes a large bush 6 to 8 feet high, spread- ing, and with leaves resem- bling those of R. griffithi- anum, and the flowers as regards shape and size being also similar, whilst they are very sweetly scented. In addition to the true Kewense, there is a form in cultivation with red flowers. The bracts are light red. Kewense is a hybrid of charming colouring — so many shades of rose and deeper-tinted buds. This is a very beautiful hybrid, popular, and very free. Al- though the leaves are smaller, this Rhododendron— named FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 423 Name. Rhododendron Mangiesii Country ok i Colour Origin and and Natural Order. 1 Season. 'R. Pink Peail 'conrje of crossing R. griffithianum with the cataw- biense hybrid album elegans Raised by Messrs. J. Waterer & Sons of Bagshot reddish brown ; j April and May FORTUNlil GK(JUI R, Fortune! Delicate pink ; I May j White with deep pink suflusion, and very I fragrant ; \ May and early June, General Remarks. after one whose interest in the race was intense— resem- bles the Himalayan parent when not in bloom, but the influence of the American parent is seen in the flowers, which are about 4 inches across. A peculiarity ol the inflorescence is the long truss. There are several forms, that only differ slightly in size or density of the spotting from the type. This beautiful Rhododendron has rapidly become popular. The leaves and size of flowers point to the grifiithianiini in- fluence. The flower truss is very large, well formed, and the individual flowers 4 to 5 inches across. No doubt new hybrids with R. grifl'ithianum influence will be constantly occurring, but raisers must remember that hardy growth is of the great- est importance. R. giiffithi- anum has been much used by Ml. Mangles as a parent, in whose garden there are many beautiful hybrids, such as Liza Stillman, Dulcie Daf- fan, Mangiesii var delicatum. Daphne Daffan, Mrs. Mal- lard, and others. This species, when not in flower, bears a strong likeness to R. grifl^thianum, but the flowers are very distinct, about 3 inches across, and very fra- grant, whilst each one has seven petals. The hybrids are of good habit, flower with great freedom, are very fra- grant, and each bloom fre- quently has six petals, whilst the stamens are often imper- fect. The group displays a wide range of colouring, pink and deep rose predomina- ting, but a few are red, and many iare prettily spotted or blotched with red or choco- late. We hope this group will be better known, as many of the hybrids are very charm- ing, a few having names ; thus those raised at Kew were named respectively Mrs. Tbiselton-Dyer and George 424 TREES AND SHRUBS countky or Origin and Natural Order. Rhododendron Fortunei Colour AND Season. General Remarks. White, with! deep pink I suffusion, and very fragrant ; May and early June Native of Cauca- sus. Flowered for the first time in England at Kew in 1893 Bright rosy-lilac ; April and May. Thiselton-Dyer. Ihey bloom profusely, the flowers being very deep rose with dust- brownish blotchesat the base ; the chief difference is that the flowers of the former are paler than those of the latter. An interesting hybrid raised at Kew by crossing R. For- tunei with the variety Meteor has flowered well for the last four years. The cross was made in 1893, and the plants flowered when only a few inches high. Several plants have now grown to a height of 2J feet. The flowers are in compact, rounded trusses, and appear in May ; they are delicate pink, and fragrant. The great peculiarity of the hybrid is that no plant has perfect stamens, some being full size but barren, others reduced to mere specks, and occasionally they are quite absent. This is a handsome species, of compact growth, and 3 feet to 6 feet high, with large, deep-green leaves, covered on the underside with quite a dense, whitish, wool-like sub- stance. The flowers are from 2^ inches to 3 inches across, and in shapely trusses. Both at Kew and in the nursery of Mr. George Paul many hy- brids have been raised. The first raised at Kew resulted from crossing the species with the scarlet-flowered garden hybrid Johnsoni in 1893. It flowered when four years old, and was of dwarf growth, with rosy-red flower. Of nu- merous other hybrids raised since then three resulted from crosses made in May 1896; they flowered in May 1902, and are so far the best. One of these was raised by cross- ing with the variety pur- pureum splendens ; this has trusses of purplish flowers. Another claims R. Fortunei as its male parent ; it has large fragrant flowers with five or six petals, pink, and arranged in shapely trusses. In the third case kewense FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 425 ] COLNTKV OR I Origin and I Natlkai, Order. Colour AND Season. Rhododendron Smirnowi R. azaleoides 'R. Sniithi aureum praecox R. roseum odoratuin K. altaclarcn&e Native of Cauca- I Bright sus. Flowcivd rosy-lilac ; for the first time April and in England at May Kew in 1893 Cross between R. (Azalea) visco- sum and R. maximum Ihis is not new, but rare ; it is supposed to have been raised by a nurseyman named Smith of Norbiton, be- tween a variety of R. caucasi- cuni and a yel- low form of R. sinense, and is said to have been exhibited at Chiswick in 1841 Hybrid between the two sections. One a white- flowered deci- duous variety, and the other a red-flowered evergreen form Result of crossing R. catawbiense and R. ponti- cum. Flowered first iu 1835. Raised at High- clere A hybrid between R. ciliatum and R. dauricum White, lilac-tinted flowers ; June Buff inclining to apricot ; June Reddish ; June Bright scarlet Rose- purple ; late February and early March Gkneral Remarks. was selected as the male, and this is the prettiest of the three ; the flowers are on long stalks, droop, and have dain- tily fringed petals ; they are fragrant, rose colour, mottled with dark spots in the throat. The somewhat drooping cha- racter of the flowers is not an advantage. This grows about 3^ feet high, and, as the parentage shows, is a cross between the ever- green and deciduous sections. It has been known under the names of hybriduni, fragrans, odoratuin. t,)uite hardy. This is a very btautiful Rhodo- dendron, dwarf, not very compact in growth, but when its handsome flower clusters are out the bush is almost smothered with bloom. At Saltwood, near Hythe, in a Rhododendron glen Mr. Leney has several plants of it. A glaucous-leaved form is in cultivation, but the flowers are not so rich in colour as those of the plainer leaved one. Quite hardy. Quite hardy. A very charming, bright flowered hybrid. This hybrid is quite hardy, but must have a sheltered spot, if not grown in a cool house for the sake of its colour, as it blooms early in Spring, and therefore is apt to get spoilt by frost and rain. It makes a bush about 3 feet high, spreading, with a profasion of flowers, very rich in colour, but the variety rubrum is darker than the type. 426 TREES AND SHRUBS Rhododendrons (Azaleas) Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour AND Season. General Remarks. For many years the hardy, deciduous Rhododendrons were known only as Azaleas, and in many places the name Azalea is still maintained. When the two sections — deciduous and evergreen — are compared it will be at once seen that there is no real structural difference be- tween them. Although in the making of the two genera the number of stamens was considered one of the prin- cipal points, it has since been shown that it is a point un- worthy of notice, as the number of stamens varies considerably in both decidu- ous and evergreen species. It is doubtful whether the name of Azalea will disap- pear, but we are following here the latest classification, and therefore place the "Azalea" in its proper group. About 20 species have been known under the name of Azalea, 3 or 4 of which are evergreen, and the remainder deciduous. Of these about half-a-dozen are really well known in gardens, either by the type plants, hybrids, or garden forms. The majority of the species belong to China and Japan and North America, one species being found in the Caucasus. Several of the North American species, such as R. arborescens, calendulaceum, nudiflorum, &c., the Chinese and Japanese species R. sinense (better known as Azalea mollis), and the Caucasian flavum (Syn Azalea pontica), have proved splendid breeders, and in the hands of the hybridist a wonderful assortment of varieties has been obtained, which for delicate shades and rich self-colourings are unsurpassed among hardy shrubs. The colours range from white to pink and from pink to blood - red, from lemon to deep yellow and orange -scarlet, with all de- scriptions of intervening FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 427 Name. Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour and Season. 'Rhododendrons (Azaleas) General Remarks. shades and combinations of colour. From R. calcndu- laceiim most of the orange and orange-scarlet and red i forms have originated ; fla- I vum has been responsible for many of the yellows and terra-cottas ; arborescens, occidentale, and viscosum for the whites and pale rose varieties, also for the late Howering ones ; while R. nudifloruni has been respon- sible for a great number of hybrids of all shades. As a rule it is much easier to trace R. sinense blood among hybrids than that of other species, the flosvers in that case being larger and the leaves more closely resem- bling those of the species, but even in some of these repeated intercrossing has almost obliterated the special sinense characters. Many of these hybrids have been raised in the old-world city of Ghent, a fact which has given rise to the name " Ghent .Azaleas." In Eng- land Mr. Anthony Waterer has raised beautiful forms at Knaphill, such as the pure white Mrs. Anthony Waterer. Few are named, however, nowadays, this brilliant group being called the " Knaphill," and it is rich in beautiful colours, from white through yellow, orange, buff, crimson, scarlet, and other flaming tones, which create glorious pictures in the garden in late Spring and early Summer. The shrubs should be planted in groups in woodland and else- where when the rich colour- ing of the flowers is most effective, and in Autumn the foliage turns to warm tints, crimson, brown, purple, and other shades intermingling, making the bushes almost as beautiful in their Autumn dress as when covered with flowers in Spring and early Summer. Of late years these Rhododendrons, especi- ally the sinense group, have 428 TREES AND SHRUBS ^Rhododendrons (Azaleas) Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour AND Season. General Remarks. been much used for forcing, and they are extremely use- ful for that purpose, as has been so well demonstrated by the brilliant groups ex- hibited at various meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society by Messrs Cuthbert and other firms. When planting these hardy Azaleas, choose a sheltered position, not because they are tender, but to protect the flowers as much as possible from cold winds and late frosts. The majority of them are in bloom before the time of frosts has passed, and some- times the flowers get de- stroyed wholesale. Few shrubs are more suitable for planting in woodland or on the fringe of walks in single groups, as here the colours are fully brought out. A peat soil or a mixture of loam and peat will pro- vide quite suitable material. Mr. Anthony Waterer writes as follows: "In a general way all American plants may be said to delight in and to require what is called a peat soil ; it was at one time be lieved they would not grow in any other. Experience, however, proves the contrary, and it is now found that Rhododendrons and Azaleas, which are the most important of that class, as well as any other of the more vigorous plants, succeed in almost any soil that does not contain lime or chalk. In many sandy loams they grow with as much luxuriance as they do in peat ; in fact, almost any loamy soil, free from lime or chalk, may be rendered suitable for them by a liberal admixture of leaf mould or any fibrous material, such as parings of pasture lands. When the soil is poor, I thoroughly decayed cow dung is one of the best | manures for Azaleas." Seed ■ pods should be picked oH | immediately the flowers are j over. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 429 Country or Colour Name. Origin and AND Natural Order. Season. Rhododendron ar- Found by Pursh, and described White, borescens (Syn tinged with Azalea, arbores- in 1816 in his rose, the cens) "Flora of stamens North Ame- scarlet ; rica." It is a occasionally native of the the colour mountainous is rose regions from Pennsylvaniato South Carolina and Tennessee, especiallyabout the lower por- tions of the mountains of North Carolina, where it is said to grow along the borders of streams. It at- t.iins a height of from 15 feet to 20 feet R. calendulaceum Alleghany Forests. Great range lA. calendulacea) I ntroduced about of colour ; 100 years ago. yellow, red, orange and other shades ; May and June k. flas-um (Syn A. Native of Cau- Yellow, pontica) casus, and has fragrant ; been grown for early upwards of a Summer century, viz. , introduced in R. indicum (A. in- Widely distribu- Various ; dica) ted in the moun- early Uins of China Summer and Japan GiiNKKAL Remarks. I'his has fragrant flowers, and grows about 9 feet in the British Isles. It forms a large, handsome bush about 8 feet high, and is one of the most beautiful of the species. Few Rhododendrons are better known ; it grows from 6 feet to 8 feet, and has fairly large shining leaves. Excellent for forcing. This is the plant regarded as the "common ' Azalea. It has been improved consider- ably under cultivation, and there are several beautiful garden forms of it. The majority of these are unfor- tunately not hardy, and a few only can be planted out- side with safety. About ten years ago Professor Sargent, of the .Arnold Arboretum, collected seeds of this type in the mountains of Japan. The young plants have proved fairly hardy, but flower, as a rule, too early to be of any great garden value. The well-known Azalea amoena is the hardiest of the varie- ties ; it is easily recognised by its reddish hose-in-hose 430 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Colour Name. Origin and and General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. Rhododendron in- Widely distribu- Various ; flowers. Balsaminseflorum dicum (A. indica) ted in the moun- early is dwarf, and suitable for the tains of China Summer rock garden ; it has pretty, and Japan double, rose-like salmon flowers. In many southern gardens R. indicum is hardy ; we have seen borders of it in Mr. Leney's garden near Saltwood, Hythe, and of course in Devonshire and Cornwall. R. ledifoliuni (A. China and Japan Pure white ; This reminds one of the old ledifolia) March white A. indica of gardens, but the leaves are more hairy, and it is hardier. It is like the preceding, and ever- green. It grows well out of doors in the Royal Gardens, Kew. An extremely useful shrub, and R. nudiflornm (A. From Canada to Pinkish as nudiflora) Florida and a rule ; lias been of considerable Texas. On April and service to the hybridist. It side of hills. May grows about 6 feet high, and Introduced in makes a wide-spreading bush. 1734 It bears pinkish-coloured flowers, though many hues are to be found among its many forms. R. occidentale (A. California White ; This species flowers later than occidentalis) late June most of the others, and, through using it as a parent, hybrids have been produced between it and the earlier flowering species, thus the flowering period is prolonged. It makes a good-sized bush, and blooms freely ; the flowers are fragrant ; the leaves are very glossy. R. rliombicum (A. Japan Rose-lilac ; This is easily distinguished rhombica) April i from other Rhododendrons by its rhomboid leaves and large flowers. In the seed- ling stage it is somewhat tender, and until several years old its growth is not satisfactory. Of the lesser known species this A. Vaseyi Mountains of White North Carolina suffused is one of the most beautiful. pink ; April and should be in every col- lection. It makes a small bush here, though in its native country it grows more than 15 feet high, and is quite hardy in the Thames Valley. Album is a white variety, R. viscosum (A. vis- North America. White and i This does not usually flower cosa) In shady woods sometimes imtil most of the others are and swamps. pink ; July over. 1 1 is readily recognised Introduced in by its viscid leaves. 1734- i FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 431 Country or I Colour Origin ano , and Natural Oroer.I Season. General Remarks. 'Rhodotypos kerrio- [ China and Japan ides (White- Rosacene flowered Kerria) Ribes alpinum Norliiern (.Alpine (.'un.inl) Hemisphere; Saxifrage* White ; May and June R. aniericanuni Nortli .Amcriia Greenish ■R. anreiim North America (MissouriCurrnnt) Yellow ; early May R. gordonianum Garden hybrid Yellow and red R. multifloruni Carpathian Mountains Yellowish green R. sangninoum Western Bright ' (Flowering Cur- rant) North America rosy red ; April i 1 •R. speciosum (Fuchsia-flowered ' Gooseberry) j California Robinia hispida South United (Rose Acacia), States; (Syn Robinia Leguminosae rosea) Deep scarlet ; April and i May j Purplish rose ; June A very pretty shrub, 4 to 6 feet high, and bearing some re- semblance to the popular Kerria japonica, hence it is often called the wh ite-llowered Kerria, though it is really quite distinct. The white flowers .arc very much like those of a single Rose. A l)eautiful group of flowering shrubs. R. alpinum is a dwarf bush 3 feet high, and has a golden-leaved form, which in the Spring is one of the prettiest of shrubs with tliis leaf colouring. Has little claim to beauty, ex- cept the vivid autumn tints of till" decaying foliage. A shrub 4 to 6 feet high, with drooping clusters of golden- yellow blossoms. It forms a good companion to the flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum. A hybrid between the species immediately preceding and the flowering Currant ; it is in all respects about inter- mediate between the two. Grows 5 to 6 feet high, and is remarkable for the long, pen- dulous and graceful racemes of small yellowish blossoms A shrub 5 to 6 feet high, with bright coloured flowers. A deservedly popular shrub of easy culture. There are numerous varieties, all beau- tiful, viz. : album, near- ly white ; atrosanguineum, very deep coloured ; flore- pleno, with double flowers ; the last of all to bloom ; glutinosum, pale rose; mal- vaceum, dense clusters of rosy-lilac flowers. Shrub 6 to 8 feet, stems spiny, flowers very beautiful. A delightful wall plant, though quite hardy in south of Eng- land. From a flowering point of view this is the finest of all the Robinias. Though usually a small standard grafted on | the common False Acacia, this is naturally a rambling shrub some 6 feet in height, with wide-spreading branches clothed with dark-green pin- 432 TREES AND SHRUBS Robinia hispida (Rose Acacia), (Syn. Robinia rosea) R. neo-mexicana R. Pseudacacia (Common Locust or False Acacia) Country or Colour Origin and and Natural Order. | Season. General Remarks. South United States ; Leguminosse Colorado and New Mexico North America Purplish rose; June White ; late May and June R. viscosa (Clammy Locust Tree), Syn R. glutinosa North America Pale rose ; June and July *Romneya Coulteri (Californian Poppy) California (Papaveraceae) White. with golden stamens ; Summer nate leaves, and about June the pendulous racemes of large showy blossoms are at their best. In this species the stiff hairs that clothe the young shoots and flower stalks are very noticeable, but there is a variety (in- ermis) in which they are entirely absent. A small tree related to the common False Acacia, but it differs from that well-known tree ; the chief differences are — the glaucous green of its prettily divided leaves, the bright rose tint of its flowers, and the hairy flower stalks and seed pods. One of the handsomest of all hardy trees ; the elegant pinnate foliage retained in all its freshness throughout the entire Summer, however hot and dry, renders it a delightful object during the whole of that time, and its beauty is considerably in- creased when the racemes of white flowers are fully open. In Winter, when bare, the deeply fissured bark, and its somewhat rugged aspect, are picturesque. There are many distinct varieties, chief among them being aurea, in which the leaves are tinged with yellow ; bella rosea, a smaller tree with rose - coloured flowers ; bessoniana, around- headed thornless form ; de- caisneana, with pretty rose- tinted blossoms ; fastigiata, as upright as a Lombardy Poplar ; incrmis (Syn um- braculifera), a mop-headed small tree; pendula, of weep- ing growth ; and semper- florens, which continues to flower throughout the grow- ing season. A small tree, easily known by the sticky glands that cover the new wood and leafstalks. The leaves are larger than those of the others. Few flowers are more beautiful than those of the Californian Poppy. The flowers are so simp'e in form and delicate in substance. At first sight CALIFORNIA POPPY. {Romncya CouUcri.) FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 433 COL'NTRY OR | COLOUR Origin and j and I Natural Order. Season. Romneya Coulteri Californian Poppy) California (Papaveraceae) I White, with golden stamens; Summer Rubus biflorus (White- stemmed Bramble) R. deliciosus (Rocky Mountain Bramble) Himalaya; Rosacene Rocky Mountains White General Remarks ihey remind one of the finest white crOpc, and flutter in the slightest breeze, their purity enhanced by the great golden boss of stamens from which they radiate. Many of the flowers are si.x inches and more in diameter, and when a dozen or more are open at one time, form a beautiful picture, whilst the fragrance is delicate. The plant, although flourishing in the south-west of England, is not absolutely safe tliere ; several specimens were killed by the severe frost of a few winters ago. A certain amount of protection is desir- able, but undue coddling often leads to the plant rot- ting to the root stock and so perishing. The Romneya is very impatient of root dis- turbance. When once estab- '' lished in the open ground, however, it grows strongly. The seeds take a long while to germinate. The plants may also be raised from root cuttings and layers. When growing in the rock-garden I it often sends out shoois at I some distance from the parent stem. Probably the best I site for Romneya Coulteri is a sheltered one backed by a wall, which enables rough protection in the shape of a suspended mat or other ma- terial, to be more readily and temporarily supplied than j when the plant stands alto- I gether in the open. When I in full growth the Rom- I neya delights in plenty of water. I This Bramble forms an upright freely-branded specimen, lo feet high, and has whitened stems, which, especially in winter, are very conspicuous. .\ Currant-like shrub, with large white flowers (like single Roses) in great pro- fusion. It is one of the finest flowering shrubs we have, . has no spines, and is very ] graceful on the lawn, or may be grown against a wall. 2 E 434 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Colour Origin and | and Natural Order. Season. ■Rubus fruticosus, flore-pleno(Double Pink Bramble), Syn R. bellidi- folius R. laciniatus (Cut- leaved Bramble) R. mitkanus (Nootka Sound Raspberry) R. odoratus (Purple-flowered Raspberry) R. phoenicolasius (Japanese Wine Berry) R. spectabilis (Salmon Berry) R. tliyrsoideus flore- pleno (Double White Bramble) Sophora japonica Garden form Garden origin North America North America Pink; late Summer General Remarks. Japan North America Garden form China; Leguminosn? Purple ; early May White Creamy white panicles, which show up against the dark-green foliage White Rosy purple Whitish A double pink form of our common Bramble, and of a loose rambling nature, soon forming a tangled mass. The flowers consist of closely- packed petals like some of the double daisies, and the plant itself will thrive in dry sandy or stony soils. A strong - growing Bramble with elegantly cut leaves. It is essentially a plant for the wild garden, while the fruits are particularly good. A free upright species that pushes up annual shoots like the Raspberry, while tha lobed leaves are decidedly ornamental. The large white blossoms are borne in May and June. Somewhat like the last, but with rosy-purple blossoms that are rather later in ex- panding than those of R. nutkanus. It thrives best in partial shade. -A strong-growing Raspbeny- like plant, densely clothed with hairs. It is principally grown for its fruits, that are, when ripe, of a bright red tint, and appreciated by many. But this is a pictu resque spreading shrub worth growing for its colour- ing and rambling growth alone. It is a good bank shrub, or to spread about over the rougher parts of the rock garden. A shrub so aggressive that it must go into the wild garden. It forms a dense tuft 6 feet high, and when laden with its drooping purple flowers is decidedly ornamental. A semi-double white-flowered Bramble, less effective, how- ever, than the double pink. Excluding the plants formerly known as Edwardsia, now included in Sophora, this is the only well-known member of the genus, and it is the only one of our large-growing hardy trees that flowers in autumn. Regarded only from a foliage point of view, it forms a very handsome specimen, the elegant pinnate FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 435 NAlifE. I Country or I Origin anu ' Natural Order, Colour AND Season. Sophora japonica Creamy- white panicles, which show up ( against the dark-green foliage Spartium junceum (Spanisli Broon)) Europe ; l^guminosae Golden yellow *Spirrea arguta Garden origin ; S. multiflora and S. Thunljergi (Rosaceze) White ; late April Gf.nerai. Remarks leaves retaining their deep green tint long after most trees acquire their autumnal hue. Like ninny other 1 .egu- minosn?, the deep descendmg nature of its roots enables it lo resist a long period of drought during the summer months better than most trees. It is very quick in growth, and is therefore valuable where rapid results are desired. The Sophora has l)een grown in this country for the last century and a half, and though in its early days considered to be rather tender, it has long proved to be thoroughly hardy. Varieties are not numerous, there being one, variegata, which is but a poor thing, while another, pendula, is one of the most strikingof weeping trees. In winter the bright-green bark of this is a very noticeable feature. Owing to the deeply-descending nature of their roots, many of the Leguminos* resist drought better than the ma- jority of shrubs. A case in point is furnished by the Spanish Broom, which in summer is laden with its large golden-yellow blos- soms. Against a dark-tinted background it stands out conspicuously, while seen in a mass or clump it is particularly striking. The .Spanish Broom ripens seeds freely, from which young jjlanis can be readily raised, but as they make very few fibres and do not as a rule transplant well, they should i lie put into their jjermanent cjuarters while still young. The leaves are very few m number, their place being filled as in some of its allies by the young shoots, which are dark green and Rush- j like. There is a double i variety, flore-pleno. ' One of the best of the shrubby i Spirreas, forming a dense bush about 4 feet high, which towards the end of April is j 436 TREES AND SHRUBS Country or Colour Name. Origin and AND General Remarks. Natural Order. Season. •Spiraea arguta White; profusely laden with clusters late April of pure white blossoms, de- spite frosts or cold winds, which play havoc with some of the early kinds. S. bella Nepaul Deep pink A free-growing species, 5 feet May and high, with pretty flowers. June S. betulifolia (Syn Europe Clear A dwarf bush, 2 feet high, with S. splendens) cherry-pink; midsummer pretty cherry-pink flowers. S. brachybotrys Garden origin ; Pale pink ; A bold bush, 6 feet or more in (Syn S. luxuriosa) S. canescens and S. Douglasi June height. S. bracteata Japan White ; May Rosy Grows 5 or 6 feet high. S. bullata (Syn S. Japan A dwarf species suitable for crispifolia) carmine ; July White ; rockwork. *S. canescens (Syn Himalaya The shoots of this are slender S. flagelliformis, June and and arching so that it forms Syn S. nepalensis, July a graceful freely - branded Syn S. rotundi- shrub, some 5 to 8 feet in folia) height. It is one of the best Spiraeas. *S. discolor (Syn S. North-West Creamy A well-known shrub, far better arisefolia) America white ; known, however, under the j July name of Spiraea ari«;folia. It reaches a height of 10 to 12 feet or even more, with plume-like clusters of creamy white blossoms. This is a shrub for the smallest gar- den. *S. Douglasi North America Rosy red ; Forms a crowded cluster of July and erect shoots 6 feet or so in August height, with each shoot ter- minated by a dense spike of flowers. It succeeds best in damp soil. S. liypericifolia Europe White The slender arching shoots are clothed with clusters of pure white flowers in late May. *S. japonica (Syn S. Japan Rosy Far better known under the callosa) carmine ; name of S. callnsa than that June and of japonica ; it forms a July shrub 5 or 6 feet high with brightly coloured flowers in flattened clusters. There are many distinct varieties, all good, the best being alba, a dwarf form with white flowers ; Bumalda, also dwarf with pink blossoms ; Anthony Waterer, the richest tinted of all dwarf kinds ; superba, a deep tinted form of the type; and glabrata, with curiously broad leaves. An- thony Waterer is especially wortli growing. * 4 ^ > '^^^'W^ ^•..•^-# • :.. g. v^ «f^*. '"'■p^V SPIR.EA CAXESCENS. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 437 Country or Colour Namk. Origin and AND GbNKKAL Remarks. Natural Order. Season. •Spir«a lindleyana Himalaya White; Reaches a height of lo to 12 ! August feet, and is remarkable for its handsome pinnate leaves, while the large feathery (lower panicles are very striking. S. media (Syn S. Europe White ; Forms a dense rounded bush confusa) May from 5 to 8 feet high, and has clusters of pure white blossoms in profusion. S. opulifolia (Nine North America Whitish One of the largest of all the Bark of the United Spirasas, being of almost States), (Syn Neil- tree-like habit, but the lia opulifolia) Howers are not showy. There is a golden - leaved form (aurea) of dwarfer habit than the type, which is in the first half of the season very pretty. *S. prunifolia Hore- pleno Japan White ; The flowers of this are quite Spring double, like little rosettes, and in clusters along the arching shoots. Early in April as a rule they are very pretty. A variable kind, more or less S. salicifolia Europe Pinkish approaching S. Douglasi, but with light-tinted flowers. S. sorbifolia Northern Euro|x; White ; A pinnate-leaved species some- July what in the way of S. lind- leyana, but it does not grow more than half the iieight and flowers a month earlier. S. Thunixif;! Jap.in White ; The first of all the Spiraeas to very early i>loom, but its lieauty is often Spring marred by inclement weather. It forms a dense mass of slender twigs clothed with tiny leaves. S. Van Houttei (iarden form White A hybrid kind with pure white blossoms, which are as a rule more satisfactory under glass ' than in the open ground. | Staphylea colcliica Caucasus ; White ; .■\ sturdy upright deciduous Sapindacea; Spring shrub, 6 to 8 feet high, with drooping clusters of while flowers. Though decidedly ornamental it is ;ts a rule more efl'ectivc when flowered under gl.iss than in the open ground. N eds a fairly moist loamy soil. 1 *S. pinnata (Euro- Europe Greenish .A shrub from 8 to 10 feet high, ^ pean Bladder-Nut) white ; which has bladder-like cap- ' Spring sules in which the seeds are 1 contained. The capsules are | more attractive than the > flowers themselves. 1 S. trifolia (Ameri- North America Greenish In the way of the last, but a | can Bladder- Nut white ; stronger grower, while the •"" Spring leaves are pinnate. 438 TREES AND SHRUBS Country ok Colour Origin and and Natural Order. Season. Stuartia pentagyna j Syn(Malaclioden- ' dron ovatum) United States ; Ternstroemiaccse S. Pseudo-camellia S. virginica (Syn Stuartia Malacho- dendron) *Styrax japonicum (Japanese Storax) S. Obassia Japan White ; July and August Southern United States China and Japan Styraceae Japan White ; with golden stamens ; July and August White ; July and August White ; Mid- summer White General Remarks. In its native country this attains the dimensions of a small tree, Ijut in England it is from 5 to 8 feet high. The flowers, somewhat suggestive of those of a single white Camellia, have the edges of the petals wavy, while the reddish stamens are very conspicuous. Though very beautiful, this is not a shrub for every garden, as it needs a cool moist soil with a fair proportion of peat, a remark that applies equally to the other members of the genus. The finest of the Stuartias, bearing much general resem- blance in foliage, flowers, and habit of growth to a Camellia, hence its specific name. The flowers are about 3 inches in diameter. Beside its other ornamental qualities the leaves die off in Autumn brilliantly tinted with crimson and gold, being in this re- spect much superior to its American relatives. Much in the way of S. penta- gyna, but forms a smaller and le^s vigorous bush, while the leaves are more hairy. A shrub or small tree with flattened spreading branch- lets, thickly studded on the undersides with drooping pure white fragrant Snow- drop-like blossoms. It is a delightful shrub, and best in a fairly moist light loam. Height 8 to 12 feet. Messrs. Veitch mention it is occasion- ally a low tree, 20 to 25 feet high, and in its wild state on the hillsides in central Japan it flowers in May. It has proved quite hardy. A very beautiful but rare species, forming a more sturdy bush than the last, while the pure white flowers are borne in drooping ra- cemes. It succeeds under the same conditions as the pre- ceding. From 6 to 8 feet high, but more delicate in constitution than either of those above named. It needs the pro- STANDARD LILAC, MME. LEMOINE. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 439 Country ok Okigin anu Natural Order. Styrax officinale Syringa (lilac) Tamarix gallica (the Tamarisk) I Levant Oleaceaj Northern portion of the Old World ; i 'lamariscineae Colour AND Season. General Remarks. T. germanica (Ger- man Tamarisk), (Syn M>Ticaria Germanica) *Ulex europseus (the Furze, Gorse, or Whin) Europe Europe ; Leguniinos^e tection of a wall in many districts. Various j A lovely family described else- where. Pink ; May J A charming shrub, not half i enough grown, owing, in some respects at least, to a wide-spread idea that it will not flourish away from the sea-coast. True, it luxuri- ates there, but it may be depended upon to thrive any- where unless the soil is a stiff clay, chalky, or too much parched up in the summer. It is deciduous, but during the Summer the foliage is as delicate as any of the Coni- fers, and in May, when the branches are terminated by the waving plume - like panicles of pink blossoms, it is delightful. As a plant for the waterside it is most useful, and forms a pleasing picture if a score or so of plants are grouped on a lawn or open stretch of grass. In such a situation the long straggling shoots must be shortened back occasionally to keep the plants within bounds, as growing un- checked they will reach a height of 10 to is feet. There are several forms of Tama- risk, by some considered distinct species, and by others as forms of T. gallica, but a good deal of confusion pre- vails concerning them. One of the best (perhaps the very best Tamarisk) is that known as tetrandra or taurica, in which the feathery plumes are of a deeper pink than the type. Otiicr names that occur are parviflora.chinensis, and japonica, but given te- trandra, as a rule no other is wanted. Pinkish A smaller shrub than the last, more upright in growth, and with a glaucous tinge. The pinkish flowers are far less effective than those of the preceding. Yellow ' The common Furze is known to every one, but its great beauty as a flowering shrub is apt to be overlooked, for 440 TREES AND SHRUBS j Country or I Origin and 1 Natural Order. *Ulex europoeus (the Furze, Gorse, or Whin) Europe ; Leguminosas 'U. nanus Furze) (DNsarf Colour AND Season. Europe General Remarks. it luxuriates in dry, sandy, and stony soils, where little else will grow, and its golden blossoms are borne usually from February to May, though occasionally through- out the entire winter. The double - flowered variety — flore - pleno — is even more valuable from a flowering point of view than the type. Both transplant badly, hence the common kind is usually sown where it has to remain, and the double-flowered form struck from cuttings in a frame, and kept in pots till permanently planted. Of dwarfer and denser habit than the common Furze, but its most prominent feature consists in the fact that it often commences to flower in August, and continues till Christmas, after which the common Furze asserts itself. The cultural items appended to the preceding species apply with equal force to this. Veronica.— There aie a vast number of Veronicas, all natives of New Zealand, and garden forms raised from them, but many can only be regarded as hardy in the extreme west of England and Ireland, whereas some of the hardiest are from their diminutive growth suitable only for rockwork The best are — 'Veronica .\ndersonii Garden Origin Purple; (Scrophularinew) Summer and Autumn V. hulkeana New Zealand Pale lavender ; May and June A neat evergreen shrub with dense spikes of bluish- purple blossoms in great pro- fusion for a long period. Near the sea, in especially favoured spots, it is delight- ful, while in other districts it forms a valuable subject for greenhouse or conservatory. Of the numerous other garden forms belonging to this sec- tion the following are all good: Blue Gem, light blue ; Bolide, reddish ; Celestial, sky blue, light centre ; La Seduisante, rich reddish- purple ; Marie Antoinette, pink; Purple Queen, rich purple ; and Reine des Blanches, white. Very distinct ; it has large terminal panicles of pale lavender flowers. FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 441 Country ok ! Colour Origin and , and Natural Ordkr. I Skason. Gknkral Remarks. New Zealand Caprifoliacea; Pale mauve ; June and July V.dcntatum (Arrow - North Ani.r ta. W hue ; wood) Introduced in i7t>J June and July The hardiest of all the shrubby Veronica^ ; it is a dense lx)X- like busli, with a profusion I of dense spikes of flowers. I In the neighbourhood of London this is a thoroughly I good shrub of easy cul- j ture. The Viburnum family includes ! several beautiful shrubs, and of the thirty or forty species and varieties in cultivation at least six are indispensable, i.e. no good shrub garden is without them. Most of them are vigorous in growth and easily propagated ; they like a fairly rich soil and moisture at the root. Several of the American species grow natu- rally in damp, more or less shady woodlands. Taken collectively the Viburnums possess a variety of attrac- tions. Some species are evergreen, and thus useful Winter plants ; others are amongst the most Ijeauti- ful shrubs for their flowers, others again, like our native CJiielder Rose (V. Opulus), have showy fruits; finally the foliage of several of the deciduous species dies off rich red or yellow tints. The .American Viburnums are not apparently so valuable in the British Isles as in their native country. Most of them are handsome vigorous bushes, but without the same flower attractions as plica- tum, macrocephalum, and the Guelder Rose (V. Opu- lus var sterile). Many of them, however, bear very showy fruits in their own country, and the leaves turn to beautiful Autumn tints. V. dentatum is deciduous, free-growing, leaves bright green, deeply toothed and strongly veined. The trus.ses are 3 inches to 4 inches j across, the flowers white, and fertile. It is one of the hand- somest as regards flowers of I the American Viburnums. I The dark -blue fruit ripens j neither abundantly nor regu- larly in England. 442 TREES AND SHRUBS Name. Viburnum Lantana (Wayfaring tree) V. macrocephalur Country or Origin and Natural Order. Colour and Season. Britain, also Europe, White ; North and Western ] May and Asia, and N. Africa ' June China and Japan. Introduced from China in 1844 by Fortune Pure white General Remarks. A beautiful native shrub. Its chief beauty is in the colour of the flowers and the gorgeous Autumn leaf tints. Groups of this are pictures of colour in Autumn. The fruit, at first black and afterwards red, soon disappears before the birds. The tree grows rapidly and generally attains a height of about 12 or 15 feet ; the leaves are large and downy. The way-faring tree should be more planted in English gardens. It will grow almost anywhere. There are two variegated - leaved varieties, but these we know little about, and we care more for the type than any golden variegation. This must be included, but it is not very hardy. Mr. Bean, writing of it in The Garden, November 17, 1900, p. 361, says: "The shrub know n under this name is a cultivated form of a Chinese species, in which all the flowers have, under artificial influences, become sterile. The wild plant to which it belongs is also in cultivation, and is known as V. Kete- leeri. In this type plant the middle of the truss is piled with perfect flowers, tlie edges only being occupied with the large and showy sterile ones. V. macro- cephalum is by far the most striking plant, its large, rounded or pyramidal trusses of pure white flowers being unequalled among the Vibur- nums. The plant is, however, better adapted for growing in pots for greenhouse de- coration or as a wall plant than it is as a shrub in the open. In my experience it is scarcely hardy enough to assume its Viest character without some sort of protec- tion. Although hard winters may not kill it outright they seriously cripple it. It is only in recent years that it has attained popularity, but it has long been known." 1 •IK q i 1 o i C3 FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 443 Country ok Okigin and Natural Okdek. Colour AND Season. General Remark* V.Opulus (the Guel- der Rose) It is called in America the Cranberry bush or High Cranberry Britain, Europe and Northern hemisphere V. O. sterile (Snowball tree) Variety. Origin unknown V. tomentosum Mariesi Japan White ; May and June While ; early Jiuie Cream white Of the two species of Vibur- num this is the belter known, ; and is the more valuable as a garden shrub. It giowsto I a height of from to to 15 feet, and is easily known by the beautiful lobed Maple- like leaves, which die off brilliant crimson shades. Sterile as well as fertile flowers are produced on each truss, the flowers being white and three-quarters of an inch across. But the wild Guelder Rose is in its fullest beauty in Autumn when the fruits change to brilliant red, and the leaves gradually assume their gorgeous colouring. As this species appreciates mois- ture it is a noble shrub to make groups of in moist places, such as by stream, pond, river, or moist mar- gin. The beauty of the wild Guelder Rose is not realised by many planters of gardens. Its colour- ing is intense. In the "Cyclopedia of American j Horticulture" it is mentioned: " Handsome native shrub, very decorative in fruit, which begins to colour by the end of July, remains on the , branches, and keeps its j bright scarlet colour until 1 the following Spring. The lorries are not eaten by | birds." I This is too well known to need description. It is a graceful shrub, its branches bent with the weight of the rounded flower trusses. As in the case of V. macrocepbalum and of V. plicatum the small and insignificant fertileflowers have become transformed by cultivation into large barren ones, and the truss also loses its flattened shape and be- comes rounded or conical. It appreciates a somewhat moist soil, and is best seen by itself, unfettered by neigh- bouring twigs. It is not a shrub to crush into the com- mon shrubbery. A very graceful shrub but little known. The sterile flowers 444 TREES AND SHRUBS Country ok 1 Colour Origin and and Natural Order.! Skason. Viburnum tomento- I Japan sum Mariesi V. tomentosum var plicatum Cream white Japan. Introduced Ivory white by Fortune in 1844 V. Tinus South of Europe and North of Africa. Introduced in 1596 White ; flowers in Winter in the south, but much de- pends upon locality General Remarks. are on the outer edge of the flat cymes, and line the spreading shoots. We hope it will soon be plentiful. We have used the word tomen- tosum as plicatum is a variety of that species. V. tomento- sum itself is a handsome shrub with big, flattish cymes and creamy - white sterile flowers round the margin of the truss. That known as V. plicatum, a sterile form of V. tomentosum, is a beautiful shrub ; the most precious perhaps of the whole family. It makes a glorious group on the lawn, and in early June the spread- ing shoots are so thickly covered with flower clusters that scarcely a vestige of the dark-green, wrinkled leafage is visible. It is quite hardy, but in the north it will be wise to choose a sheltered position for it. As a wall shrub too it is valuable, and a specimen on a wall in the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Chiswick is quite a mass of bloom every year. Passers by who know not the shrub wonder what it is making so thick a mantle of white. It grows 4 to 5 feet high in the British Isles, taller in its native country; the trusses of flowers are erect on short branches, and each measure about 3 inches across. Being in pairs they make a striking double row on every branch. V. plicatum nmst come into the smallest list of flowering shrubs. This is a well-known evergreen shrub, and quite hardy in the south of these Isles, where it is planted as a hedge. Even when out of flower the bush has a certain beauty owing to its shining green leaves. Near London it succeeds. Many things considered har- dier get severely injured when theLaurustinusesca pes. North and easterly winds are harmful to it. There are several varieties. Lucidum FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 445 Diervilla florida (Syn Weigela am- abilis, W. rosea Country or Origin and Natural Order. South of Europe and North of Africa. Introduced in 1596 Japan ; Caprifoliaceae Colour | AND I W. middendorfiana Siberia •Xanlhoceras '.oilji- North CI folia White; flowers in Winter in the south, but much de- pends upon locality Rose; Summer White ; stained with red in the centre ; I Spring Gknerai, Rk.marks. is the finest ; the leaves and corymbs are larger than those of the type, the iVirmer lieing of a very glossy green and smooth. In lucidum the leaves and branches are woolly, whilst there are also purpureum, with purplish leaves, and a variegated variety, but neither is of value. A beautiful free-growing, free- flowering shrub, that will hold its own almost any- where. Its flowering time is in May or early June, but occasionally there is an Autumn display. Beside the original species there are many garden varieties, all of which are beautiful, but there are so many that a selection is necessary. Three of the best are: *candida, while; *Abel Carri^re, bright rose ; and * Eva Rathke, claret crimson, which lasts in flower more or less from May till the end of the Summer. Other good varie- ties are: Dr. Baillon, red; Groenewegenii, rose and white ; hortensis nivea, white, spreading habit ; Looyniansi aurea, golden leaves ; prae- cox, rose, earlier than any of the others ; and P. Dur- chartre, purplish red. In any selection of flowering shrubs some of the Weigelas must certainly have a place. Rem;u-kable among Weigelas for its distinct yellow flowers. Though pretty in itself, it is likely to prove of more value in the production of new varieties by crossing it with the older kinds. A beautiful tree, but seldom seen in English gardens. The following note appeared in TAe Garden about it : "This tree does not appear to be widely grown, and I have heard doubts expressed as to its being hardy enough to stand the winter in some districts. Not long ago I saw a line specimen in a Kentish rectory garden. The tree is 5 feet or 6 feet high, 446 TREES AND SHRUBS Name. Country or Origin and Natural Order. *Xanthoceras sorbi- folia North China Yuccas Liliacere Colour and Season. White ; j stained with] red in the t centre ; Spring General Remarks. and under the shelter of a thick hedge of Laumstinus it flowers freely every year, and also produces fruit. The long white and slightly tinted blooms, which change to purple, are very effective, but one rarely gets an opportu- nity of seeing this interesting tree in flower. Perhaps this is because it does not belong to the common order of things, or else it is not ac- commodating enough for general culture, but it is very beautiful." The Xantho- ceras is sometimes trained against a wall, but its growth is too stiff for the purpose. The flowers are in dense spikes about 6 inches long, reminding one of the Horse- chestnut, and are an inch across individually. The foliage is very ornamental, and each leaf-stalk has seven pinnate, serrated, bright- green leaves. Apt to get spoilt by frost, however. See pages 137, 234. iX'cC.i GLOIUOSA IN A SURREY GAUDLX. (llni^hl i^ fat.) HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS FOR BEAUTY OF FOLIAGE AND GROWTH The following is a table of hardy trees and shrubs more interesting for the beauty of their foliage and growth than for their flowers, with their popular names, approxi- mate heights, native country, and other particulars. All are deciduous unless otherwise specified. Those with an asterisk {*) are the most important. Some groups such as the Vitis, will be found elsewhere. 448 TREES AND SHRUBS 6S. S 6 Sn d E « 5§ •£ « o c5 ^ O C " oX! ^■§^.5 2 • 3 « g ° § ^■n. "O -a J o j: ,^ ^, rt rt .fa .55 »-. i_, rt ^ 000000*0 T) 1) 0) 1> dJ 1> HHHHH >^ :i^ii! c It p S i o :r?5 M r;^& s^ I/O O O VO HH g75 1/1 3 f t: u ♦; w *j ^ ^ ■§»dd|| E.S MJ3 T3 bi cisi ,-^ ^ rt^OO' £ i/i: o,o p- pj o s , FOR FOLIAGE AND GROWTH 45 •a S .S3S C JJ N «J ^ td<< •- •;; : O «■ O O !;• a. Q. ^'lu -a .-a . ^ ^ I . c £ '5 • ^ • !^ ^^ = - E -^ A-^' c ^ c " 4)-:: ,, — =•".£ M)rt X = — ES c h: •^. -^ 1^ ^ 1) I 3 2 S 2^ S CJQOo, f 2 .§ - "■ ■5=: P £ QC^ trt Z C C S dd£d- d d 5 d d 2- O O 60 o o o dR.5d 'H2hhS} i^ J5 HH en o o o ^ Md d d d d .8dd O O JO o u u io a< 11 S-S^ aar: 3 3-— ■O Crt lis. C 3 .ii •xcq" U r! r- 2 5 rt X :o rt 2 " s >.3-: c ^ -3 « a.- o 2 — r, rt rt 3 ■ E c?g ^|e I ao rt 3- I i * * * * 452 TREES AND SHRUBS irt P ^. S_ rt o c ■a rtc: S^s •5 Q. So W rt rt c c rt SI I" C 0) HJ „ U ^ g, 3 '"c^ ^ S&5 • "O 3 o £ o 3 JJ oj in 5 rt 3 3:3 3 b -c >>-3 uuO u "o 'C .5 x ■= J2 3 Si o .5 rs . -Si FOR FOLIAGE AND GROWTH 453 c d a 2 'c fc ° ^£ ■S Z o Z I I "^ Bi S 2 s. §^l c8 < 5 c«-o 2 is O 3 ^^ 3_o 3 i. 11: a=5 S i* ■ o 1^-P tiTS !5 is ^tn £.-= 2^ E c C ° d d d ° 5 cf ° d d d d d u .:? dd?i o^otof X2:^ ^ -- » > o o 5 OI2 2^5 &.3: ? 1) c R) e 456 TREES AND SHRUBS II rgreen shru 3 ft- Shrub 6 ft rgreen tree I Is ; feoM fe O O jj - »^ ^3 ii ^ 3 .y cj <^ -' ? .0 ^1 ^3-£--5g.f r FOR FOLIAGE AND GROWTH 457 „ •- t/v •- i ^ >— ■- g "= ri e c g< : c ^. -3 , ^5 11 2 = 3 O 6^ ^ •S-S a! E C 3 -3.E-S •:°? = §■2- "o S 5 'hii >.Ex!.E f3 « 3 £? •2 S5-S E 6z T3TJ M !i! e „• ^ ^ ^ o o o -0-^0 >i 000 1 tr.'-js.'- & = 4)CgD^Mn • -woe: J3 82 4) C O d£-= o a ^ 4j,i- O 00 PI C ; >N C i! 3^-S >E-o = :^2 ?,.c k i"- ^ : T^ JJ is .0.1' 2 g an = ^ •^ -3 £ Z E S3& c > c . -.2 * "is • ^1 1 5! ^uZ £ rt g 3 c 3 0-' £ 2 Efirt — 4< -a ss to -" tn "rt ^ h: O Ocu cu 458 TREES AND SHRUBS S -. S "la g .5 2 U ■ H C ^ •§ -^ ti" £2 2 Ji'oo C ^ .-g ^^^xi-2 o cso-S £^ ^ ^■^ o §o£ sees go h 001- P ^ ^ ^ u a W ^ i ^ S fe S^h W W W w ttj w O O o P Hhf^ t>« ^^ ;aE TJT3 2^ = ^ li •5 ° e"s fe-a- oo 2 o E -2 E £ o := 11 r 111 .■;£■ ■§ -li: s O •- >> ■fill J I'll ■ (U P'O ?s 18 EZOO ai .E^.E-a E 75 >o o t1 - Q fi fl -, - vis 0) 1) 3 C U f- r- t; Ect-' afc2g&t£|i oSoo|So •5 „..j o b q.-.-J- -£ o c o o C O U c S f S 5 -r' O o (u 1, U ;w l« ^ 15 .O . £ o 2 C> .3 2 • c rt g| S £ g u D. O ' J3 O a; 6 ■ ■ M 'a ^tSSa^ .2 "'^S ri •:? ^ . . . ?< . . B . %l l-e i: !^ FOR FOLIAGE AND GROWTH 461 1 SL i,^ 2 rt yria a tates ates If c 1 South Europe. Nc Africa South-west Euro Garden origin 2|l III 1 1.2 1-?.2^§1|S.-°.11S. c ^'ij [d -S .S n a ^ ^ -^ [d Hi £"2 -J 2. 1 ^1 c : c iii c < ll 9^^ 2g£ ^M 1 i 's" i 6 • It ■tJ I ■ • I" ■| :|ofc •o|> ?s g? c -vS.- ^ " rS - Qi 6 c c -1 = O <^ rt So SCO o i o ^1 C rj- '^ .0 7: ^ o d 2 d d <^' d . 7i ^"^o o 2 2 2^|22m H I .,.|.i :..:: ? 3 " — a ^S < B ^ S Mi5 c i S|d^ ; p o 3 ^r-c rt = 1 1 i >ffl 0^ c 'u o vr:<^ c; 3 Ci 3 II -- _ 3 5 es . — "M C 462 TREES AND SHRUBS rt CJ Rl cs n rt • -8 -s •^ ■§ -n • '& rt ol c4 ^ rt c. 0. ."Su ."S. ."a. . Q. . . : go : g2 : : : w : : m ^ M '^ M 60 60 ■ •^.•'§ 3^ •3 -^ •5 .S.s-S "o-S .5 .5 c •a 2 - ° - (/> rt m'^ m - : : -£ M - _M - 65 - : : : - - ^'- s — < S ^lll !l 11 oi t3 .1111 = .OX! . a-a - . . ca . . § 'Iz- is -15 ■ •J3 - tn . 3S SB IB > ° S S S J5 "5 S t:> ".^ s rt'o^'o 3'o 3 '0 'S 2 - - X! in « " " " §1 1 11^2 SS! feS^ wj? MJJ >z >Z • •-^1 • • • • a. 13 crS 73 . .Cfl^ • ! Ed« rt rt^ oO 00 lltiMI 1 E III 3 '5 >p s^ Eo Efl i2 3S Sec = 5.2 . . 3 3 rt = = - : Qj Qi'^ ^ FOR FOLIAGE AND GROWTH 463 ope and North Asia North America Tyrol ope and North Asia Garden form 1 " 1 II % a Zhina and Japan ' :diterranean region II •0 s 1° •2 be 3 iiijili! 1 : 1 rt 1 S 5 5 ^ ^ 2 •r. s 1 Cd w U u w Z •&; •Fin ■? • ■| u .^ .^ a. 2 .z ■— .5 » • ^ ■ ^ • ° ■ s 1) s bo 3 ^•o S ■=5 c '5 1 rS : : 1 .•0 s •b ll ii 1 -•-1 T3 c 1 -■0 -■ =il •t 2 rtT3 ^•5 ,0 fi : ■5 is ft -- « -•a rt •OT3 3^ il%" u ci I Si 2 5 II" d dd •^ F c da R 2 '^ g>dddd»d d >o^ . VO d-§ (nrfd X5 J jO iri g ? ? « ll. 2 -0 u « d in 10 1/50 2 "^ 10 "00 n <>s: .£.ao H?i2 lirub 8 irub 8 t Shrub inib 8 t hrub \\ IS I II ''^ ■^g c c >o ^■7i v.r. m _^(fl h C^ ^ H Sh . . . . - . • V rt 3 h . . .— -a ^ — c •^■11 1 •1 ^ WS2 ■ ■ ii ■J S. fuscata) S. fissa), (Purple ula (Syn S. americt 1:1 ii •i ■ ■ ■ ' ^~— ? 1.? I'll JJIJ 1 2 i it .2 ,, pentandra ,, petiolaris (.Syn ,. phylicifolia . ,, purpurea (Syn ,, pend (A ,, repens . ,, argente 1 ".3 ;o ll E l|.§-.iii-^ 1.... g - - - - " s C ■Jill * * * * « 1 464 TREES AND SHRUBS .3 E ^ < !^ S - >— 1 ni ■O o S^s' •n P ^w S"? :::::: -I U) 0) B .S o J=3 * ^ a^ . ^ ^^ .2 --° a go, -5 """ 5i - o co^ 255 O c : •5 ii O :3a b^^ b/) o Sdi 53 o 1* _ iJ h H h h H XI ^ X2 " j3 „ " 3 hn D tu} M t; C p o 0£ •^foSfuS"^ -oo 33gi:i:;3?imQ0. 7J 7} bi; < yjW ;72 bfl S !^ ¥ 6^ — ^ h5 "O -^ Uin ha . . _ D . E -^ <" !^ « ? ^ f^' [S ^ .'^ ~ h 8 i E 'JO ^t/3 E ^' •^ 1) , ■ ch- ^ E E a FOR FOLIAGE AND GROWTH 465 w'H'lw E C b ^ I ci! S.'S c-7 c <-S "u E B o •^ e u. o 11 el 00 'Sid 8 J5 jj a; &li «J^ H>Hh BE' 7; V; 5-2 2 o rt « -j^ " -:. e . w I . So .w 73 c •/i'-'' J1 o c i- S-5 - - - g rt E - X c 5 E 3 2h 2^E£ i; 3 3 3 C C Ci- i rt a.5 ii i ,S2 X t5j 2 G ta. H. HILL- l.\BRARY INDEX The Index may not appear at first so complete as the scope of the hook warrants : Imt as a/most all the various chapters contain lists, and the tabl s at the end of the book are in alphabetical order, anythin;^ more lenqthy wonli be needless repetition. The name of tree or shrub required may be easily found. Thus the vines are in the chapter ^'^ Hardy Climbing Shrubs" and so on. This arrangement has been followed throughout. Acacia, common or false, 4, 431, 432 .1'^sculiis parviflora, 4 Alders, the, 449 Alleys, pleached f>r };rcen, 318 Allspice, 348 Almonds, the, 393-394 Amelanchier, 3; in sandy woods, 16 Apples, the, 404 Apricots, the, 395 Arbor- vitK as a hedge, 311 Ash, flowering, 370 Ash, moimtain, the, 408 ; in orna- mental planting, 7 Aster, the, 454-455 Aspen, the, 458 Aucvilia, green-leaved, beauty of, 56 Autumn colours, 63-6S Azalea occidentalis, 5 Azaleas, hardy, 426-430 Ham BOO garden, place for, 204 llamboos, hardy, 203-210 ; planting, j 205 ; po])ularity of, 203 ' Harberries, the, 345-347 Heam tree, white, 407 l?eech as a hedge, 314 Heeches, the, 454 j Berberises, the, 60 ' Betula nigra, 60 ; papyrifera, for its hark, 59 Birch, canoe, for its bark, 59 ; river, the, 60; yellow, the. 60 467 Birches, the, 451 ; with beautiful bark, 59 Bladder nuts, 437 Bladder senna, 355 Borders, flower and shrub, 242- 244 Box as a hedge, 3 1 1 Brambles, the, 433-434 Broom, Spanish, 435 Brooms, the, 356-360 Buckthorn, sea, 377, 461 ; in winter, 54 Butcher's Broom, 461 Cassinka fulvida, 3 Cedar of Lebanon, the beauty of, 49 Chamasrops cxcelsa, 465 Cherries, the, 397-401 Cherry, bird, 401 Chestnut, sweet, 452 Chimonanthus fragrans, 55 Christ Thorn, 457 Cisluses, 353-354 ; on dry sunny banks, 134, 135 Clematis calycina, 54 Clethra alnifolia, 4 Climl^ers, variegated, 90, 91 ; with autumn colouring. 67 Climbing shrubs, hardy, use of, 2S7- 307 Coflee tree, Kentucky, 455 Colours, autumn, 63, 68 468 INDEX Comptonia asplenifolia, 5 Conifers, former popularity of, 103 ; for roclv garden, 137; in orna- mental planting, 101-119; propa- gation of, 108-114; small-grow- ing, value of, 129 ; variety of, 107; variegated, ;S8 ; weeping, 83 Cornels, the, in winter, 58 Cornus, in winter, 58 Crab, Chinese, the, 406 ; Siberian, 404 Crabs, the, 405 ; in ornamental planting, 7 Crataegus, in ornamental planting, 7 Cupressus macrocarpa lutea, 61 Currants, flowering, 431 Cypress, Lawson, as a hedge, 312 ; Monterey, for sea-coast, 107 Dab^cia poHfoUa, 223 Daisy bush, 388-389 Daphnes, the, 366 Dogwoods, the, 452, 453 El^agnuses, 61, 453 Elseagnus pungens, beauty of, 56 Elders, the, 463 Elms, the, 465 Euonymus, the large-fruited, 4 Evergreens, climbing, 231 ; for sum- mer and winter effect, 282-2S6 ; hardy, for rock garden, 136 ; im- portance of suitable climate for, 226 ; in the winter garden, 4S ; native and other hardy, 225-235 ; native and other, list of, 233- 235 ; native, beauty of, 47 ; prun- ing, 230; the best, 232 ; time to transplant, 228 Exochorda grandiflora, 2 Fig, the, 454 Fir, needles, path of, 14 Firs, silver, for sea-coast, 106 Flower and shrub borders, 242- Flower garden in winter, a, 60 Forsythia suspensa, 3 Fringe tree, the, 352, 353 F'uchsias, the, 370-371 Furzes, the, 439-440 I Garden spaces, outer, heathy I pathsin, 13-15; wild roses in, 330 I Gardening, wild, with things of larger growth, 6 Gardens, small, shrubs for, 236- 241 ; wind-swept, trees and shrubs for, 97-100 riaultheria Shallon, 5 Gorse, the, 439-440 Green alleys, 318-321 Greenhouse, hardy shrubs in, 248- 267 Group, how to, 9 Groups, planning out, 1 1 (juelder rose, 441-443 Halp:sia, North American, 3 Ilamamelis in winter, 54 Hazels, the, 453 ; witch, the, 376 Heath, St. Daboec's, 223 Heaths, the, 211-224 ! dwarfer, the, 218; hardy, in rock garden, 132, 133 ; taller or tree-like, 213 Heathy paths, 1 3- 1 5 Heather, common, as a path, 13 Hedge, arbor- vitre as a, 311 ; beech as a, 314 ; box as a, 31 1 ; guelder rose as a, 315 ; holly as a, 309, 310 ; hornbeam as a, 314 ; kerria as a, 315 ; laurels for, 313 ; Law- son cypress as a, 312 ; leycesteria as a, 315 ; lilac as a, 315 ; myro- bella plum as a, 314 ; osmanthus ilicifolius as a, 313; privet as a, 312; quick for, 314; rhodotypus as a, 315 ; ribes as a, 315 ; sweet- briar as a, 314 Hedges, deciduous, 314; flowering and other, 308-3 1 7 ; of flowering shrubs, 315 ; lavender, 316; rose, 316; two kinds of, 308 Hibiscus syriacus, 4 Hickories, the, 452 Hillside, chalky, grouping on, 11 Hippophae rhamnoides, 61 Hollies, the, 455, 456 ; and yews, importance of, 225 ; gold and silver, 56 Holly as a hedge, 309, 310 ; neglec- ted, treatment of, 310 Hornbeam as a hedge, 314 Hornbeams, 451 INDEX 469 Horse-chestnuts, the, 341-344 Hurry of the age, 49 Hydrangeas, 377-378 Ikon tree, 457 Ivy in winter, 46 Judas tree, the. 352 Kkkkia ja|)onica, in winter, 59; as a hedge, 315 Kew, lessons from, 10 Laburnums, 380-383 Laurel, cherry, evil of, 2, 401 ; Por- tugal, 402 ; mountain, 310 l-aurels for hedge, 313 Laurcstinus, 444 Lavender hedges, 316 Ledum buxifolium, 5 IvCycesteria fomiosa, 4 ; as a hedge, 315 Lilac as a hedge, 315 Lilacs, 439 Limes, the, 464 Locust trees, the, 455 Loquat, 454 MAr.NOi.iAS, 2, 3, 48, 386-388 Mallow tree, 37ti Maples, the, 448 Mayllower, the, 368 Medlar, wild, trees, eftect of, 128 Medlars in ornamental planting, 7 ; the, 411 Mespilus, snowy, 3, 344-345 Mezereon, 55, 367 Miscanlhus, grouped with bamboo, 207 Moths, goat and wood-leopard, and destructiveness of, 149-150 Mulberries, the, 4;7 Murthly, pines and conifers at, 118 Myrica cerifera, 5 Myrtle, wax, 457 Myrtles, bog, 5 Neillia in winter, 59 Nettle trees, 452 Nuts, the, 453 Oaks, 459 ; scarlet, in ornamental planting, 7 Oleaster, varigated, the beauty of, 56 Orange ball tree, 347 Orange flower, Mexican, the, 353 ; mock, the, 390-391 ; osage, 457 Orchard, garden, the, 322-325 Ornamental planting in woodland, 6-7 Osmanthus ilicifolius as a hedge, 313 Osier, golden, the, 57 Pai.m, Chusan, 465 Paths, common heather for, 13; heathy, in outer garden sjjaces, •3-15 Peach, the, 394 Pears, the, 403-404 Peaty garden, neglected shrubs fur, 5 Pines, 101-119 Pinelum, value of the, 104 Pinus sylvestris aurea, 61 Pitlosporum undulatum, 129 Planes, the, 458 Planting, ornamental, conifers and pines in, loi ; in woodland, 6-7 ; native growths for, 7 Plants, wall, tender, in south-west, 196-202 Pleached alleys, 318-321 Plum, Myrobalan, as a hedge, 314 Plums, the, 396 Poplars, the, 458 Poppy, Californian, 432-433 Propagation of trees and shrui>s, 36-44 Privet as a hedge, 312 Privets, the, 384-385 Quick for hedge, 314 tjuince, Japanese, 410 Quinces, the, 409-410; in orna- mental planting, 7 Reed, giant, 450 Rhododendron ponticum in wood- land, 7 Rhododendrons, 412-430; hybrid, 417-420; species, 412-417 Rhodotypus as a hedge, 315 470 INDEX Ribes as a hedge, 3 1 5 Rock garden, conifers for, 137 ; hardy flowering shrubs for, 137 ; shrubs for, 127 ; shrubs for moist peaty soil at foot of, 138 ; trees and shrubs for, 127-138 Rock roses on dry, sunny banks, 134 Rose, guelder, as a hedge, 315 ; hedges, 316 Roses in wild garden, 330 ; the wild, 328-336 ; worthy use of, 326-336 Rowan tree, the, 408 Rubus, beauty of, in winter, 59 Salix daphnoides, 58 Sassafras tree, the, 463 St. John's Wort, 379 Scilly Isles, trees and shrubs in, 176 Scotland, trees and shrubs in, 154- 174 Sea buckthorn, 61 Sea-coast, Monterey cypress for, 107; pines and spruces for, 106 ; trees and shrubs for, 91-96 Service trees, 409 Shelter, importance of, in winter garden, 50 Sheltered places, flowering and other shrubs for, 138 Shrub and flower borders, 242-244 ; beauty, individual, 9 ; groups for summer and winter effect, 268- 286 ; mixture, evil of, 8 ; varie- gation, 57 Shrubs, autumn colours on, 66 ; beautiful in winter, 60-62 ; dwarf, variegated, 90, 91 ; flow- ering, hedges of, 315 ; flowering in November and February, 61 ; for wild sea-coast line, 96 ; for moist soil, 125 ; for moist peaty soil at foot of rocks, 138 ; for small gardens, 236-241 ; for rock gardens, 127-138; for sea-coast, list of, 92-96 ; for swampy places, 124; for waterside, 123; for wind-swept gardens, 97-100 ; hardy flowering for rock garden, 137 ; for sheltered places and mild climate, 138 ; climbing, use of, 287-307 ; in the greenhouse, 248-267 ; in flower in December and January, 62 ; in flower in February and early March, 62 ; in flower in November, 62 ; pro- pagation of, 36-44 ; tender, in the south-west, 175-195 ; varie- gated, 84-91; their wise use, 56 ; and trees, grouping of, 8-12 ; hardy flowering, taller of, in poor soil, 16-17; removing large, 139-146 ; in Scotland, 154- 173 ; neglected, 5 ; pruning, 18- 35 ; with fine fruits, list of, 69- 79 ; with coloured bark, 57 ; with gold colouring, in winter garden, 84 ; with winter leaf colouring, 55 Sloe, the, 397 Smilax, 463-464 ; in bamboo garden at Kew, 210 Smoke tree, 461 Snowball tree, 443 Snowdrop tree, the, 3, 373-375 Soil, trees and shrubs for moist, 125 ; poor, trees and shrubs in, 16-17 Sorbus americana in ornamental planting, 7 Southernwood, 450 South-west, tender trees and shrubs in, 196-202 Spiritas, 2, 435 ; for sea-coast, 106 Storax, Japanese, 4j;8 Strawberry tree, Japanese, 453 Streets, shade trees for, 15-153 Sumachs, the, 461 Summer effects, shrub groups for, 268-286; evergreens for, 2S2-286 Swampy places, trees and shrubs for, 124 Sweet bay, 456 Sweetbriar as a hedge, 314 Sweet fern, 457 Sweet gum, 457 Sycamore, the, 449 Tamarisk, the, 439; by the sea, 92 Thorns, the, 360-306 Toothache tree, 465 Trees and shrubs, grouping of, 8-12; in poor soil, 16-17; in Scotland, 154-174; neglected, 1-5; pruning, 18-35; removing INDEX 471 large, 139-146; with fine fruits, 99-79; autumn colours on, 64; for moist soil, 125; for rock garden, 127-138; for sea-coast, list of, 92-96 ; for swampy places, 124; for waterside, 123-126; for wind-swept gardens, 97-100; old, care of, 120-122; on poor soil, 16; planting and staking, 337-340; propagation of, 36-44; service, the, 409; shade, for streets, 151-153; shruhs under, 245-247 ; tender, in the south- west, 175-195; variegated, 84, 87, 89, 91 Trees, young, and sunstroke, 147- 1 50 Tupelo tree, 457 Tulip tree, 385-386 Umbrella tree, 388 Vaccinium pennsylvanicum, 5 \'ariegated trees and shrubs, 84-91 Variety in trees, in gardens, want of, i-S Veronicas, 440; value of, 131 ; on rock gardens, 132 Viburnum plicatum and Iris pallida dalmatica, 4 Walks, grassy, 13; heath, 13; mossy, 15 Wall plants, tender, in the south- west, 196-202 Walnuts, the, 456 Winter garden, shrubs with good colouring for, 84 Waterside, trees and shrubs for, 123- 126 Wayfaring tree, 442 Weeping trees and their uses, 80- 81 ; list of, 80 Whin, the, 439 Wig tree, 461 Wild garden, roses in, 330 Willows, the, 462 ; coloured bark, by water, 58 ; golden and red- barked, 57 Wind - swejjt gardens, trees and shrubs for, 97-100 Winter, a flower garden in, 60 Winter garden, a, 46-62 Winter and summer i-fiect, ever- greens for, 282-286 ; shrub groups for, 268-286 Winter garden, evergreens in, 48 ; imi)ortance of shelter, 50 Winter sweet, 55 Winter, leaf colouring, shrubs with, 53 ; shruljs and trees, l>eauly of, in, 60, 61, 62 Witch hazels, the, 376; in winter, 54 Woodland, ornamental planting in, 6-7 ; rhododendron ponticum in, 7 ; shrubs in, 7 Woods, sandy, amelanchier in, 16 Yellow wood, the, 354 Vcws and hollies, importance of, 225 Yuccas, 446 ; on rock garden, 135 Yulan, the, 3S9 THE END l; i N- MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962