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rnamental shrubs for garden, lawn, and

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ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS

*2901G81]UOLT “LYOdMAN SLIIGHSQNVA SNITANHOO 4O VITIA—SSNUHS BNONY MIVM VW

ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS

FOR

GARDEN, LAWN, AND PARK
PLANTING

WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN, CAPABILITIES, AND
ADAPTATIONS OF THE NUMEROUS SPECIES AND VARIE-
TIES, NATIVE AND FOREIGN, AND ESPECIALLY
OF THE NEW AND RARE SORTS, SUITED
TO CULTIVATION IN THE
UNITED STATES

BY

LUCIUS D. DAVIS

FULLY ILLUSTRATED

G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS
NEW YORK AND LONDON
The Knickerbocker Press

1899

COPYRIGHT, 1899
BY
LUCIUS D. DAVIS

Entered at Stationers’ Hall, London

@ ALA Loo

The Rnickerbocker Press, Rew Work

PREFACE

S this is not designed to be a scientific treatise, no
attempt is made at strictly botanical. classification
or description. What is written is more especially

for the large number of people who, though interested in
plants and flowers, have little or no knowledge of botany,
and neither time nor inclination to acquire it. It is not
intended by this statement, however, to give support to a
somewhat common opinion that the lessons of botany are
useless or uninviting, for few studies can be, to a genuine
lover of nature, more attractive or even fascinating. In
nearly all cases the popular names of plants are given in
connection with those by which they are scientifically
known throughout the civilized world. Botanical terms
and phrases are employed in description only when it is
believed they will interest and assist the ordinary reader,
rather than tend to his embarrassment. It is certainly
worth something to those who admire trees, shrubs, and
flowers to know their scientific as well as their common
names, and, to some extent, their origin and history.

It is as a help to such knowledge, the want of which is
sorely felt by many, that these pages have been written
and are now given to the public. Much that is contained
herein is gathered from the writings of those who have

ili

iv Preface.

gone before, including recognized authorities whose works
are valuable chiefly to those who, like their authors, are
learned in botanical studies. But dependence has not
been made on these alone. The volume has been pre-
pared in Newport, R. I., America’s great summer resort,
which in its magnificent villa and cottage grounds is
almost literally a city of gardens and flowers. Here per-
haps more than anywhere else in America are to be found
in practical use the combined horticultural treasures of
the world.

These famous gardens derive their chief beauty and
glory from what are known as hardy plants. In almost
every instance the chief reliance for both flowers and
foliage is upon shrubs and herbaceous perennials. The
author has improved the opportunity of studying the pro-
cesses of growth and cultivation on most of these estates
from their inception to their present proportions, and is
thus able to write largely from personal observation and
study of the living specimens in all stages of their growth.
Here are to be found the newer as well as the older hardy
exotics from all parts of the world, where such have been
grown alongside our native plants and their relative merits
fully determined. All those which have withstood the
tests of experience are here brought under review, and
their especial characteristics noted so far as practicable in
the space allotted; it being the purpose to cover the
whole field especially of the hardy shrubs, old or new,
adapted to useful and ornamental planting.

It is well understood that botany deals chiefly with
fixed forms, as represented by orders, genera, and species,

Preface. Vv

and that it takes little or no note of such varieties as
are constantly making their appearance throughout the
world. For this there is good reason from a scientific
standpoint, but when it comes to the practical use of
plants in general cultivation it is found that many of the
species thus treated have given forth varieties, through
processes well understood, that are far more valuable for
the work in hand than the originals, and such as are com-
ing, in a large measure, to displace them. A very large
proportion of the plants in the best gardens of Europe
and America belong to the latter class, many of which are
not even named by the scientists—much less described.
To these especial attention is given, as for horticultural
purposes they are of great value. It is true that much
has been written in a fragmentary way concerning these
varietal forms, but this is believed to be the first attempt
to gather and publish in a single volume an account of the
wonderful evolutions in connection with the several types
so far as they are of practical use in our gardens and
parks. There are also many excellent books in the hands
of the people, or at their command, treating of the plants
of certain sections of the world, each complete in itself,
but regardless of their value in horticulture or of the uses
to which they may be put. All this is in the direct line
of scientific inquiry, and such books are of the highest
possible value, but fail to meet the call for information
which comes from the man with grounds to plant, and
who is neither a botanist nor versed in horticulture.
Though the attempt is here made to describe in brief
the desirable forms indigenous to other countries as well

vi Preface.

as our own, so far as they are in use among us and appli-
cable to the wants of American horticulture, there will
still be left large possibilities for the future. New varie-
ties are springing up and new forms appearing every year,
both by natural processes and through the skilful work of
the hybridizers and gardeners, who are ever on the look-
out for new things in this line. These processes will go
on in the future as they have in the past, and it may well
be believed that the possibilities are limitless in this
direction.

Acknowledgments are due to Messrs. Elwanger & Barry
of Rochester, N. Y.; The Gardening Company, and the
publishers of Park and Cemetery of Chicago; E. L. Beard
of Boston, and W. C. Egan of Highland Park, for several
valuable plates and photographs used in illustrating this
volume.

be De:

Newport, R. L,
February, 1899.

ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS.

KALMIA—Mountain Laurel.

HE kalmias, or laurels, are among the most beauti-
ful plants in cultivation. They constitute a small
genus of the order Erzcacee, which was named by

Linnzus in honor of Peter Kalm, who was at one time his
favorite pupil, and, later, a traveller and distinguished
botanist. They are all of American origin, and may be
found over a large extent of territory ranging from Canada
to Florida. But five or six species are known, and not
many established varieties, though there are some forms
so near the border between the two as to make it difficult
to draw the line with certainty.

K. lattfolia—Calico Bush.—This is the well-known
mountain laurel, which is indigenous to New England and
even much farther north, and may therefore be put down
as perfectly hardy and easily grown throughout the north
and northwestern States and Territories. It is found
high up among the New Hampshire mountains and often
in most inhospitable situations, as well as upon the Alle-
ghany ranges and Georgia hillsides. In protected situa-
tions, it sometimes grows to a height of fifteen to twenty

I

2 Ornamental Shrubs.

feet, but as usually seen, its proportions are very much
less. It has a slender stem, with branches in twos or
threes in imperfect whorls. The leaves are scattered,
though often in tufts, from two to four inches long, rather
narrow, acute at each extremity, glossy green, coriaceous,
and continuing during the winter even in the coldest cli-
mates. Few or no plants produce more lovely blossoms,
which appear in June and
July, and in thus follow-
ing the rhododendrons and
most of the azaleas, are of
the most effective service
in keeping up a succession.
They are in terminal heads
on flower stalks an inch or
more long. The color of
the corolla varies from a
pure white to a rich rose,

with numerous shadings be-

BROAD-LEAVED LAUREL.
(kALMIA LATIFOLIA. ) tween the two. The border

of the tube is painted with a waving, rosy line, and the pen-
cilling is as delicate as can well be conceived. The wonder
is that a shrub of so great hardiness and such charming
flower is not planted much more largely than it is. It is
more easily grown than the rhododendron and is in no-
wise less desirable. It is suggested that the difficulty ex-
perienced in removing plants from the woods to private
grounds, and the many failures in that direction, have
created the impression that it is unusually fickle and cannot
be depended upon. But, asa matter of fact, it is no more so

Kalmia—Mountain Laurel. 3

than numerous others of the best and most common plants
in our gardens. If one will go to the nurseryman instead
of the woods, he will find very little difficulty in this direc-
tion. Kalmias properly grown and trained yield as kindly
to removal as do most other plants, and can be handled as
safely. Nicholson pronounces this “one of the most
useful, elegant, and attractive of dwarf flowering shrubs.”

&. angustifolia, or narrow-leaved laurel, is a low ever-
green plant, usually from one to three feet high, and
is often found growing in bunches or paths in moist or
low grounds, where it is deemed especially undesirable by
the farmer or herdsman who considers it poisonous to
calves or lambs. So common is this impression that in
many sections it is known as the lamb-kill or sheep-kill
plant. It is claimed by some good authorities that the
foliage is not poisonous at all, and that the ill effects
ascribed to it come from the fact that the foliage is quite
indigestible, and thus fatal at times to young and tender
animals. This is all the more probable from the fact that
we seldom or never hear complaints of fatalities in the
case of cattle or sheep of mature years, which, it is to be
presumed, feed on the leaves as freely as do their young.
In this little shrub the flowers are in lateral corymbs, and
in from three to twelve whorls to each spike. They are
purple and crimson, and appear in early summer. The
London Garden says that K. angustzfolia should always
be planted in rhododendron beds so as to keep up a suc-
cession of flowers, and mentions three sorts which may
well be used for such a purpose. There are several pretty
varieties, one of which, the zaza, makes an excellent pot

4 Ornamental Shrubs.

plant. 1t grows but six to eight inches high. A. glauca
is another dwarf of from one to two feet, having lilac-pur-
ple flowers, and leaves with revolute edges, long and
narrow, green on the upper side and glaucous white be-
neath. It is a handsome little shrub, and can be used to
advantage in many situations. A. Azrsufa is an extreme
southern species, ranging from South Virginia to Florida,
and is said to be found also on the island of Cuba. The
flowers are rose-colored, and appear later than the others.
It is not of much worth, however, for garden purposes.

* ‘

DEUTZIA.

HE deutzias constitute a genus of the order Saxz-
frage@, and are mostly natives of Japan and the
Himalaya Mountains, though it is believed that

they are also indigenous to northern China and perhaps
other portions of Asia. None of the species is found in
Europe or America as native of the soil. They received
their name in honor of Johann Deutz, a Dutch naturalist,
whose memory as a botanist is thereby carried to succeed-
ing generations. Nearly all are hardy shrubs, with rough
bark, axillary flowers, and leaves mostly ovate, acuminate,
serrate, and more or less scabrous. Though hardy, some
of the smaller members of the group are suited to forcing
under glass, by which process they are made to produce
beautiful flowers at any season of the year desired, and in
great abundance. When introduced to Europe they were
received with much favor and were soon widely dis-
tributed, as was also the case in our own country, where
they still occupy an important place in garden and park

Deutzia. 5

planting. The genus is not large, but the number of
varieties is constantly increasing, some of which are in
marked distinction from the type.

D. crenata is now described as the type from which
several others, heretofore classed as distinct species, are
recognized simply as varieties. It is a fine shrub six to
eight feet high, and often throwing

up several stems from the same root,
the whole forming a well-proportioned
head quite as broad as its height.
The leaves are ovate-lanceolate,

iit 7g
Ry AF) 9

serrulate, somewhat rigid or stiff,
and rough to the touch. The

flowers are white, in racemes or

hI
SER SZ

MT)
DET
os

TK
opus

panicles, and very pretty. It was
at one time largely planted, but
in later years has given way to
some of its varieties which have
been found to possess all its good
qualities with some others in
addition LD. ¢. candidissima

DEUTZIA CRENATA.

plena is one of these, of which

scarcely too much can be said in praise. The white
blossoms are double and so numerous that the bush in
its flowering season has the appearance of a mass of
small rosettes. LD. scabra has long been spoken of as
a species, but is now counted as another variety of the
crenata. It, too, is a good plant, having single flowers,
white within, and marked with pink or purple on the out-
side of the calix. D. waterzz has also been claimed as

6

Ornamental Shrubs.

a species, but is now generally held to be a varietal form.
The flowers are double, pinkish-white, opening nearly flat

like a rose, and of larger size than in most of the other

forms. As it is still rare the full value of the shrub in its

adaptations to various localities is not yet determined,

but the promise is good. All these forms are hardy as

well as desirable.

D. gracilzs is one of the smallest members of the fam-

ily, and is widely known in cultivation. It usually grows

DEUTZIA GRA-
CILIS.

from two to four feet, with numerous slender
branches, which combine in the formation of
a symmetrical and well-rounded head. The
flowers are small, pure white, and produced in
the most luxurious abundance, ranging along
the whole length of the stems, and giving the
low bush much the appearance of a large bou-
quet. They appear in May or early June,
leading in this respect most members of the
family. There are few plants better adapted
to forcing in pots, under glass, or even in a
well-warmed and light cellar. For growing in
small grounds or fitting into vacancies among
larger specimens these low shrubs serve a most
valuable purpose. They require but little
space, and need only to be cut back to pre-
serve a well-balanced head. The plant is a
native of Japan.

D. parvifiora.—This is as yet so little known as to be

still classed among the novelties. It is a native of north-

ern China, and was carried from the valley of the Amoor

Deutzia. ’]

to the Imperial Botanic Garden of St. Petersburg, from
which point it has, within a few years, been distributed
throughout Europe and America. It grows in clumps,
consisting of numerous erect stems or branches from four
to six feet in length, which are clothed with dark green
leaves, lanceolate, toothed, somewhat wrinkled, and of
good substance. The flowers are creamy-white, com-
posed of five petals, and without any splashes of color, the
bunches somewhat resembling in size and arrangement
those of the lilac. They appear a week or two before
those of D. graczlis, which has heretofore been supposed
to be the earliest as well as most floriferous of all the
deutzias, and about a month in advance of most other
varieties.

D. lemoinez is a hybrid between the gracz/zs and the
parviflora, and was brought out by Monsieur Lemoine,
the noted hybridist, who has done so much to add to the
pleasures of horticulture and the brilliancy of our gardens.
The plant is described as having stouter and more up-
right branches than the gvacz/zs, and shorter and more
numerous than those of the farvzflora. The blossoms are
about three quarters of an inch in diameter, and are borne
in loose, many-flowered terminal panicles on axillary leafy
shoots, with pure white, broadly ovate-rounded, spreading
petals and reddish-yellow stamens. This is believed to
be an improvement on the almost universally popular
D. gractlts, and destined to largely supersede it as it
becomes better known.

D. discolor, var. purpurascens, is, perhaps, the latest
hopeful introduction among the deutzias to our country.

8 Ornamental Shrubs.

According to Garden and Forest the seeds of this plant
were sent to the museum in Paris in 1888, by a French
missionary who had discovered it in the Chinese province

of Yun-nan. A specimen was secured by the Arnold

DEUTZIA—PRIDE OF ROCHESTER.

Arboretum at Cambridge, where it has flowered two or

oc

three years. It is described as “a shrub of neat, compact
habit, two or three feet tall, with slender stems, thin, ovate
leaves scabrous on the upper surface, and compact panicles
of pale pink flowers.” It is not yet known that it will

endure our northern winters. The place of its nativity

Clethra—Sweet Pepper-Bush. 9

has a semi-tropical climate, and whether suited to New
England and the Northwest or not, there appears to
be little doubt that it will thrive in the southern and
southwestern States, and prove a valuable acquisition.

One of the best of the older varieties, known as the
Pride of Rochester, was originated and sent out by the
well-known firm of nurserymen, Messrs. Ellwanger and
Barry, as an offshoot of D. crenata flore pleno. Though
but a comparatively recent introduction, its merits are
such that it has already become widely and highly appre-
ciated. It carries large, double, white flowers, some parts
of the petals being slightly tinted with scarlet or rose, and
is said to excel all the older sorts in size of flower, length
of panicle, profuseness of bloom, and vigorous habit. It
comes into flower soon after the gracz/zs and a week or two
in advance of most of the other forms of deutzia.

CLETHRA—Sweet Pepper-Bush.

HE clethras are highly ornamental shrubs, though
until quite recently they have not received the
attention which their merits demand. So far as

known, they are all American plants, and most of them
suitable for use in our best gardens, where they are now
becoming better known and more largely planted than
heretofore. The species capable of the best service in the
northern States and Canada is C. aluzfolza, a small shrub
two to four feet high, but in cultivation sometimes reach-
ing double those proportions. It is often found in masses,
growing in low or wet places, or along the banks of
streams, and sometimes in swamps, where the roots are

10 Ornamental Shrubs.

submerged in early spring or after heavy rains. But it is
known that the plant does equally well, even if not better,
in garden soils such as are suitable to the rhododendrons

and other peat-loving plants. It grows with a slender,

CLETHRA ALNIFOLIA.

straight stem, not much branched, the bark being at first
light green and downy, but afterward becoming a dark
purple and often striped with gray. The leaves are in-
versely egg-shaped and slightly pubescent, while the blos-
soms are borne in terminal racemes and from the axils of
the upper leaves and side shoots. They are large, white,

and very showy, and when present in masses never fail to

Clethra—Sweet Pepper-Bush. 11

attract attention. The racemes, which stand erect above
the bright, glossy leaves, begin to open in July and con-
tinue until October, thus supplying the dullest period of
the summer, so far as hardy shrubs are concerned, with
abundant blossoms of the highest value. They are withal
exceedingly sweet-scented, giving forth an odor not at all
disagreeable, but such as makes the plant popularly known
as the sweet pepper-bush. It does well in half-shady
situations, and cannot be too highly praised for use in
landscape work, whether grown in masses or as single
specimens.

C. acuminata is also a native of the United States,
and is often seen growing on the mountains of North
Carolina and other similar locations, where it usually
appears as a small shrub of from four to six feet. It is
not much known to cultivation in this country, though
planted in English gardens and on the continent, where
it is quite a favorite. It is there spoken of as a plant
growing in tree form, and from ten to fifteen feet high.
The leaves are more oval than those of the preceding, and
more sharply pointed, having a bluish cast above and be-
ing slightly glaucous beneath. The flower spikes are large
and conspicuous, though not superior to those of alzzfolca.
C. paniculata is also a good plant, but in nowise superior
to those already described, the chief distinction being in
the form of the flowers, which are gathered in panicles
not quite so compact, and slight differences in the shape
of the leaves. C. arborea is a more tender species, and
has been long grown in English greenhouses, though it
usually thrives when planted outside, if afforded ample

12 Ornamental Shrubs.

protection. As it, too, is indigenous to the Carolinas, it
is altogether probable that it would be a popular open-
garden plant farther south, and it is possibly already more
or less in use in that section. It is said it has the disad-
vantage of requiring considerable age before coming to
perfection as a flowering plant. But, like all the others,
it blooms nearly all summer. There are other tender
sorts, some of which are prized for cultivation under glass,
but none superior to those already named.

CALYCANTHUS.

HE members of the calycanthus family constitute
a small genus of North American plants, mostly
confined to the United States, where in their
native haunts they are popularly known as Carolina all-
spice from the fragrance of their flowers as well as of their
foliage. Indeed the whole shrub emits a spicy perfume
somewhat resembling camphor, including the stem and
more especially the smaller branches when bruised or
broken. They are more frequently found along the shady
banks of streams where there is plenty of moisture, and
in situations protected from severe winds, but prove suf-
ficiently robust to maintain themselves in all parts of the
temperate zones ; though varying in size and attractiveness
according to the positions occupied. They are all interest-
ing plants and worthy a place in every considerable
collection of shrubs and trees. As under-shrubs they
do good service whether planted singly or in masses.
C. floridus.—T his is the longest- and best-known species
and was described by Loudon in his copious notes on the

Calycanthus. 13

American sylva. It was introduced to English gardens as
early as 1826, where it has since held its own and is still a
favorite. The plant forms a small compact bush four to
six feet in height, though it is oc- ;
casionally much taller. The foliage
is composed of oblong-shaped
leaves, deep green, inclined to be
coriaceous, and slightly downy.
The blossoms are deep blue shad-
ing to purple, one and a half inches
across, with petals somewhat fleshy.
They appear early in spring, remain
well into summer, and are quite
numerous. Their long continu-

ance is very much in their favor.

z ‘ SWEET-SCENTED SHRUB.
Taken all in all, this calycanthus (caLycaNTHUS FLORIDUS.)

may be accepted as one of the best of our native shrubs,

c; glaucus is, it may be, a less valuable plant, but is
possessed of some interesting features that are worthy of
notice. It isnotso strongly impregnated with the peculiar
odor referred to when its leaves or branches are bruised or
crushed, but it is still fragrant to a remarkable degree,
The flowers are much the same, lurid blue, and of equally
long continuance. The leaves are longer, more sharply
pointed, and with more marked pubescence. C. devigatus
is found growing freely on some of the Pennsylvania
mountains, with taper-pointed leaves, bright green and
glabrous. The flowers are intense purple and quite showy.
Each of these has given off varieties more or less distinct,
but scarcely of increased value.

14 Ornamental Shrubs.

C. occtdentalis is a native of the Pacific coast, and
more especially of California, where it grows to a greater
size than either of the preceding and is often found
nearly or quite twelve feet high. It is there known as the
sweet-scented shrub, as in fragrance it is much the same
as C. floridus. The foliage is composed of larger leaves,
and the flowers are also of greater proportions, being some
three inches in diameter and of a deep crimson color. It
proves the most showy of all the species and a most
desirable plant for garden use.

EXOCHORDA—Pearl Bush.

HIS is a genus of but a few species belonging to
the Rosacee and closely related to the spireas. It
is a native of China and has long been known,

though not brought into general cultivation until more re-
cently. Its popular name comes from the fact that it is a
free bloomer, the flowers being pearly-white, and covering
the entire bush. It endures the New
England climate, though in the North
it usually grows but eight or ten feet,
while in the South it often becomes
a shrub or tree of twice these propor-
tions. Most of the specimens to be
foundin parks and gardens do not ap-
pear at their best, except in the flower-

ing season, as they are permitted to

EXOCHORDA GRANDIFLORA.

grow without proper pruning. The
exochorda is not seen to advantage when out of bloom, un-
less itis kept in the form of acompact bush. Left to itself

Sambucus—The Elder. 15

it inclines to naked stems and branches and such as are by
no means graceful. In fact, as ordinarily grown, its beauty
consists only in the numerous large white flowers in April or
May ; and these are not of long continuance. It has cer-
tainly been overpraised in some of the catalogues, but is well
worthy a place in the border or shrubbery. It has been
suggested that lower and more bushy plants be grown in
front and around it to hide its faults, while securing the
full benefit of its blossoms, which alone make it worthy of
planting.

SAMBUCUS—The Elder.

HE elders are closely related to the viburnums and
honeysuckles, which are among the most useful
and attractive ornamental plants. There are not

far from twenty species belonging to the family, and some
of them have done and are still doing good service to
mankind as useful plants, while a few, especially of the
varieties, are exceedingly beautiful in leaf and blossom.

S. nigra, or black elder, is a native of Britain, and is
found growing freely all over the continent, where its fruit
has long been much used in the manufacture of wines and
the preparation of medicines, and sometimes as an article
of food. The regard which was had for this shrub was
well expressed by Evelyn when he wrote: “If the
medicinal properties of the leaves, bark, berries, etc.,
were thoroughly known, I cannot tell what our country-
men would ail for which he might not fetch a remedy
from every hedge, either for sickness or wound.” This
high estimate of its virtues may not have continued to

16 Ornamental Shrubs.

our own times, but the good qualities are still recognized
in many directions. In extreme cases the European el-
der grows to a height of from twenty to twenty-five feet,
with a well-rounded, bushy head half as broad. The
flowers are small, white, and in flat cymes five or six inches
across, followed by small, black, berry-like fruit, in great
abundance.

There are several varieties of this species which are
especially ornamental in European as well as in American
gardens. One of these, S. x.
aurea, golden elder, is one
of the very best yellow-foli-
age plants in use for decora-
tive purposes. The color is
solid and far more perma-
nent than with many others

which start out well and
y then fade away. For best
=) effects it must occupy a
sunny position, and be well
pinched back, so as to com-

CUT-LEAVED ELDER. pel a dwarfish habit. Thus
planted and maintained, when grown in masses it is un-
excelled. Another sort, S. 2. dacznzata, or parsley-leaved
elder, has its leaflets curiously and finely cut into segments,
which retain their natural color, and produce a good
effect. It, too, is a fine shrub for massing or edging. S. x.
vartegata has its foliage in the typical form, but marked
with white, the contrasts being so sharp as to render the
plant a decided curiosity as well as a thing of beauty.

Sambucus—The Elder. 17

There are several other well-known varieties, but their
merits as ornamental shrubs are inferior to those already
named.

S. canadenses is the well-known common elder of
America, found everywhere from Canada to the Gulf
States, growing preferably in moist locations, but making
itself quite at home in the fence corners and by the road-
side, wherever given a chance to grow. Its pithy stems,
well bunched, are from five to ten feet high, having
compound leaves with from five to eleven leaflets, mostly
smooth and three-parted. The flowers are white, gathered
in flat cymes, and succeeded by dark purple or black fruit,
which is often used in the manufacture of domestic wine,
for which it has especial adaptations, and occasionally for
making tarts and pies where more desirable berries are not
to be obtained. This species appears to have a wider
range southward than most of the members of the tribe.
S. racemosa, another American species, runs wild over a
large extent of country, having red berries instead of
purple, but not differing essentially otherwise from the
preceding.

The value of the elder as a seaside plant can scarcely
be overestimated, both as a nurse tree and because of its
own merits as very ornamental. Says an English writer :
“Isolated specimens of it may be seen far out on the
dreary stretches of ever-shifting sand, and looking as
healthy and robust as we find them in their favored locality
—a damp, shady wood. There is not much beauty, some
will say, about the elder, though I hold a different opinion ;
but beauty alone, it should be kept in mind, is not what

18 Ornamental Shrubs.

we are at present in quest of; rather a tree or shrub that
can stand the first brunt of a sea storm, and by so doing
afford shelter to less favored kinds. Whenever a seaside
garden is to be formed, lift a few plants of an elder from
some waste or common, and plant them—in pure sand, if
you like—on the outer margin of the sea screen, and ina
short time a capital shelter for other choice things will be
formed.”

PAULOWNIA.

HE Paulownia tmperialis is a Japanese tree of
striking appearance and with many peculiarities.

It was named by Europeans, on becoming ac-
quainted with it, in honor of Anna Paulowna, Princess of
the Netherlands and daughter of Paul I., Emperor of
Russia. It is said that in its native country it grows to a
height of thirty feet, but it is not often seen in such pro-
portions in either Europe or America. When first brought
to France the tropical appearance of its foliage led to the
conclusion that it must be an exceedingly tender sort, and
so in the famous Garden of Plants in Paris it was treated
as a greenhouse shrub. But it was not long before it
proved itself sufficiently hardy to withstand the winters
of that locality. It was then regarded as a great acquisi-
tion, and young plants were sold in the English markets
at high prices, ranging from three to six guineas each.
But these figures did not rule long, for it was soon as-
certained that the newcomer was not only hardy, but of
the easiest possible propagation. It can be grown not
only from seed and from cuttings, but by a division of the

Paulownia. 1g

roots, small pieces of which will produce vigorous plants
the first season. Even the buds will grow, like those of

PAULOWNIA IMPERIALIS.

the mulberry, if taken off in the spring and planted in a
hotbed or under a hand-glass.

Few plants are of more rapid growth, the young shoots

20 Ornamental Shrubs.

often reaching eight feet the first season. These are
covered with immense foliage, the individual leaves being
somewhat heart-shaped and a foot and a half broad by
two feet long.

Though the paulownia does fairly well in New England
and New York, it should be planted there only in protected
situations, for its top is too large to withstand severe wind-
storms. The tree is more especially adapted to a warmer
climate, and should be entirely at home in the Southern
States. Says an English writer in one of the magazines :
“To see the paulownia to perfection in Europe one must go
to the sunny South, and I have a pleasing recollection of
the magnificent avenues I saw of it in full flower at the end
of April in the gardens of the Villa Borghese and the
Pincian Hill in Rome, where the climate exactly suits it.”
It should be borne in mind that it may be grown as a tree
or a shrub, as when it is cut back from year to year it sends
up numerous vigorous shoots, and as few or as many may
be preserved as are desired, and they are never more
beautiful than during the first season’s growth.

Except for their size, the leaves very much resemble
those of the Catalpa speciosa, but are of a darker green and
bettersubstance. It is for the foliage more than the flower
that the tree is prized by those who best know its worth.
On older trees the leaves are usually smaller, and so less
beautiful. For two reasons the tree to be at its best must
be sharply cut back every season—one the preservation of
good form, and the other of good foliage. An old and mis-
shapen paulownia with distorted and bare limbs is like a
plague spot in any garden, and those who are accustomed

Myrica. 21

to see it in that shape will certainly come to the conclusion
that the tree has been and is still much overpraised. There
is scarcely room for carrying this pruning process too far ;
for if the last year’s wood is cut to the ground in early
spring, new shoots will put forth and soon reach six to
ten feet, and thus become a thing of beauty scarcely
equalled on the lawn or in the border. When wished,
the trunk may be pollarded, and thus the head carried
as much higher as desired. The individual flowers are
about one and a half to two inches long, violet-purple,
with dark spots inside, and in terminal panicles of great
size. While not especially beautiful, these never fail to
attract attention. They appear in June, and are followed
by abundant fruit.

MYRICA.

HOUGH this is not one of the most beautiful of
American shrubs, it is for some purposes and in
some situations one of the most useful. The

family is a large one, though only a few species are known
in America. They grow in all sorts of soil and far to the
north, often taking possession of the hillsides and sandy
plains, and so fully occupying the ground as to be regarded
a nuisance, especially if the land is wanted for something
else. There is a common saying that the roots extend as
deeply into the ground as the stems and branches do into
the air. However this may be, they evidently come to
stay, and in their tenacity and indifference to situation is
found one of their virtues when they come to be utilized
as garden plants. The best of these, as well as the most

22 Ornamental Shrubs.

ae lyon eon
common, is IZ. cerifera. “Tt varies in height from one to
four feet, but responds quickly when afforded the advan-
tages of cultivation and the use of fertilizers. The plant
may be recognized at the proper season by its bluish
waxen fruit, found in the axils of the stems and along the
branches, which to some extent affords an article of com-
merce in the form of a valuable wax. This little shrub
when planted along the shore withstands the ocean winds
and storms perhaps better than any other plant known in
cultivation, and can be made to do good service in estab-
lishing plantations by the seaside. It is now coming
largely into use for that purpose, as it affords protection
to more attractive specimens which may be planted to the
leeward. Beginning with a hedge of these myricas, planta-
tions may often be established where without something
of this nature the task would be hopeless. Almost any
bleak and barren exposure can be covered in this way and
become comparatively beautiful. With this line of de-
fence other shrubs and flowers may be introduced and
made to thrive where without such protection nothing
desirable could be made to grow. Thus the wax-myrtle,
in itself unattractive and undesirable, is made of especial
service in the planting of exposed estates. In the Royal
Palm nurseries located forty miles south of Tampa it is
included among the native plants of that section, and
described as an evergreen producing “slate-colored ber-
ries,” and pronounced hardy throughout the entire South.
Such being the case, the myricas will doubtless be found of
service as nurse trees, or shrubs, on sandy and bleak bar-
rens, against tropical exposures as well as northern blasts.

“LYOdMIN LV N3GYVD GNV NMV71 V JO NOILO3S rd

24 Ornamental Shrubs.

M. asplentfolia, commonly known as the sweet-fern,
also thrives in poor soils and is a good seaside plant. It
has fern-like foliage, more attractive than that of the cerz-
era, while its flowers, which are freely produced, are really
beautiful. It grows about three feet high and is coming
to be planted for its own sake in the ordinary garden.
Af. gale is another form with cut-leaved foliage which is
fragrant. It rises about three or four feet and helps cover
many a New England hillside with verdure.

AZALEA.

HE azaleas are among the most beautiful and in-
teresting of all our flowering plants. They have
been long known in the Old World, and have

always been objects of admiration. The genus belongs
to the natural order ZAvzcacee, and in many of its char-
acteristics is allied to the rhododendrons, though mostly
having deciduous leaves, and flowers with five stamens
instead of ten. There are numerous species and varie-
ties, some hardy and others suited only to hothouse
culture.

A. pontica has been, perhaps, longer known to civil-
ization than any other, and it is certainly one of the most
attractive of the family. Its native habitat appears to
have been in the countries about the Black Sea and along
the northern shores of the Mediterranean. In later years
it has been carried to all parts of Europe, and largely
cultivated wherever the climate will allow. The plants
grow from three to five feet, often presenting a broad,
round head, with large, oblong, glossy leaves, and masses

Azalea. 25

of blossoms, with which the branches are so completely
covered as to be almost hidden from sight. The flowers
are somewhat funnel-shaped, with long stamens, and
among the numerous varieties are flowers of many colors.
They are very fragrant, appearing in May or early June.
Unfortunately, the species is not entirely hardy, and in
many situations needs winter protection. Almost every
part of the plant is narcotic, and to some degree poison-
ous. Honey gathered from its flowers is known to produce
stupefaction in the bees that gather it, and sometimes
death. It is believed to have been such honey that
caused the delirium among the soldiers of Xenophon’s
army, and compelled the famous retreat that has figured
so prominently in ancient history.

al. mdica is indigenous to the East Indies, and is
common to China and Japan. Since its introduction to
Europe and America it has been largely grown under
glass, as it is too tender for our northern winters, though it
may do well in the South. The flowers are mostly soli-
tary, and always very beautiful. Its chief value to us in
open-air cultivation has been the impartation of its splen-
did colors to the varieties produced by crossing with
hardier sorts, and there are enough such hybrids to meet
all the requirements in this direction.

A, moll’s is a somewhat recent introduction from
Japan, which has been received with much favor. It
proves to be adapted to forcing under glass, but, as it is
hardy, its chief cultivation is in the open air. It is of
low, spreading growth, so that its diameter is often
greater than its height. It is sometimes grafted so as to

26 Ornamental Shrubs.

appear in tree form, thus affording a round, well-shaped
head on an upright stem, at such height as may be de-
sired. Withthe Japanese it is said
to be the favorite among azaleas,
and is largely grown. It rises toa
height of three to four feet, having
deciduous leaves, elliptic in form,
with ciliated margins, green above
and almost silvery-gray beneath.
The flowers of the type are cam-
panulate, somewhat downy, and
flame-colored. But some of the
varieties produced from seedlings
. and by hybridization furnish gor-
, .geous blossoms of white, yellow,

and orange, each in some cases

AZALEA MOLLIS.

more or less tinted. They appear
early and, being large, are very showy. The A. mollzs
needs only to be known to
be appreciated as among the
best of the class.

A. nudiflora, known as
the wood-honeysuckle, is an
excellent little shrub for
planting in the border or in
groups. It is of American
origin, and is quite common

in most parts of the United
States. In some respects it AZALEA NUDIFLORA.
resembles the fontcca and its hybrids, but is quite inferior

Azalea. 27

in brilliancy and tone. Its numerous flowers are large
and very showy, presenting a beautiful appearance in
early spring. The shrub is taller than the preceding and
much more hardy, as it endures the climate as far north
as Canada. It grows well in any good soil, and needs
but little care. The flowers are light pink, and appear
about the middle of May. The shrub grows to a height
of six to ten feet.

A. calendulacea is a native of the high mountains of
North Carolina and other Southern States, where it often
grows in such profusion as to make the mountainsides
appear, from alittle distance, as though covered with a robe
of scarlet. It is of larger growth than most other species,
either native or foreign, and has the peculiarity of blossom-
ing late in the summer, after all the others have ceased to
show color. It is popularly known, from the gorgeousness
of its hues, as the great flame azalea—a name not at
all inappropriate, in view of its crowded mass of scarlet
blossoms. Many regard it as the most beautiful of all the
native American plants, and not wholly without reason.
In England and continental Europe it awakened great
enthusiasm when first introduced, and it is still regarded
as one of the very best of the flowering shrubs.

A. arborescens, or the tree-like azalea, grows from twelve
to twenty feet high, and is supposed to be the largest
member of the family. It also is of American origin, and pro-
duces reddish flowers, in themselves attractive but less bril-
liant than those of most of the species already mentioned.
It is, however, worthy of cultivation in the border, which
it greatly helps to enliven with color in early springtime.

28 Ornamental Shrubs.

A. viscosa is another native species, popularly known
as the swamp-honeysuckle, or the pinxter, having highly
fragrant, white, clammy flowers. It is too familiar
to need detailed description, and, though not equal to
many of the others, is in itself an interesting shrub. A
variety designated as A. v. xzt7da has its white flowers
tinged with red, and is worthy of cultivation. It is smaller
than the type, and, like it, is found mostly in swamps,
though thriving in any good garden soil.

The so-called Ghent azaleas are probably now in more
general cultivation than any others. They are hybrids of
the pontzca and zndica
with A. calendulacea,
and perhaps other
hardy species, and so
combine the beauty of
the one type with the
strength and vigor of
the other. This work
of crossing has been car-
ried on to such an ex-
tent and with such skill
that anew class has been
established of the most
beautiful plants to be found in the gardens of the world.

HYBRID AZALEA.

Most of them are perfectly hardy, and are grown in the
vicinity of Boston and Chicago, without especial protection
from the hot sun in summer or the intense cold of winter.
Of course those offered in the market are grafted or
budded, and the varieties are so many that it is impracti-

Azalea. 29

cable to describe them, and the more so as new forms are
constantly appearing. It will be sufficient to name some
of the most desirable sorts, indicating their colors and
such other peculiarities as may be of importance: Admiral
de Ruyten, dark rose ; Alba Lutea Grandiflora, large, white
and yellow; Amabilis, rose-orange; Aurantiaca, orange
scarlet; Aurore de Royghem, large, orange and pink;
Bicolor, orange-yellow and white; Bouquet de Flore,
pink and white; Bronze Unique, dark rose, orange;
Comble de Gloire, fine, rose, light orange ; Concinna, dark
orange; Conspicua Grandiflora, rose-orange; Cruenta,
fine, scarlet ; Cymodocee, scarlet-crimson ; Dr. Gray, Flush-
ing seedling, large, scarlet-orange ; Emilie, splendid dark
crimson ; Flushing Queen, Flushing seedling, deep salmon ;
Gloria Mundi, scarlet-orange ; Grand Duc de Luxemburg,
fine, rose and orange; Jules Cesar, dark rose and orange ;
La Superba, rose-orange; L’ Intéressante, rose-orange ;
Macrantha, large, yellow; Mirabilis, rose-pink; Ne Plus
Ultra, extra, orange; Othello, splendid, rose; Penicellata
Stellata, straw and salmon, late ; Plumosa, light pink-orange,
early; Punicea, crimson-scarlet; Quadricolor, light rose
and yellow; Reine des Pays-Bas, extra, crimson-scarlet ;
Richardii, light pink and yellow; Rosea Rotundifolia,
large, rose-orange ; Triomphans, buff, rose and orange;
Vandyck, dark crimson and scarlet; Vesuvius, splendid
rose-orange ; Viscocephalum, white, very fragrant; W. C.
Bryant, Flushing seedling, deep pink.

A. amena.—This beautiful plant heads another group
of azaleas, with, as a rule, smaller but not less choice flow-
ers, that are coming into especial prominence. Though

30 Ornamental Shrubs.

not widely known, it is highly esteemed in the best gardens
of Newport, where it may be seen in considerable num-
bers and always in effective combinations. It is a low,
bushy shrub from China, from two to four feet high and
of a spreading habit, so that its diameter is, or can be
made, almost equal to its height. The evergreen foliage
is composed of a multitude of small leaves, which become
bronzy-lilac or purple in winter, and lose none of their
beauty, even under the severest climatic tests. In April
or May the bush is covered with masses of rich crimson
and purple blossoms, about one to one and a half inches
across, and exceedingly attractive. Planted in groups or
in rows by the pathway, it is effective the year round, and
all the more valuable because of its winter garb. There
is a variety known as Ca/dwellz, held to be of freer growth
than the original, whose blossoms are nearly twice as
large. It is not much known in America, but in England
and on the continent is said to be crowding the typical
form for the supremacy. Either of these makes ex-
cellent borders for rhododendron beds or the larger
azaleas, and is an acquisition for the conservatory as well
as for garden cultivation.

An English writer through the London Garden speaks
of some of the newer forms of the azalea, most of which
are scarcely known in this country, if at all, and his account
of these is made the basis of the descriptions and charac-
terizations which follow. 4. cayc¢flora resembles the
amena in the hose-in-hose conformation of the flower,
but differs totally from it in the color of the blossoms,
which are bright salmon-red with a distinct orange shade.

Azalea. 31

It is an introduction from Japan, a decided acquisition to
the azalea family, and certain to be more extensively
grown when better known. A. oé¢usa is another of these
low-growing forms, without the enlarged segments: so
noticeable in the case of the preceding. The color is

AZALEA ROSAEFLORA.

much the same, and may be characterized as an orange-
red. A variety of this species has blossoms which are
pure white, or occasionally striped with red. The flowers
are brought forth in great profusion. It is said to have
come from China and not to be entirely hardy in exposed
situations. A. roseflora is quite distinct from any other
azalea, but may not prove to be entirely hardy in northern

32 Ornamental Shrubs.

localities. The flowers are of a pleasing shade of salmon-
pink, larger than is usual with this class of shrubs, very
double, and imbricated. Its specific name comes from the
fact that its buds resemble those of the rose when beginning
to expand. For forcing and in southern latitudes it must
prove a distinct gain. It is best grown in partial shade.
It is known also as A. balsameneflora.

In addition to these there is a numerous progeny of
crosses and hybrids, mostly between the amena and some
of the zzdzca section, and, as might be expected, some of
these are of a striking character. In habit they are mostly
midway between the two parents, the awena affording
the elements of strength and endurance, and the zxdzca
brilliancy and charm of color. Among the best of the
early sorts thus produced and brought to the attention of
the public are Mrs. Carmichael, named in honor of the
wife of the hybridizer, with purple flowers; Duke of Con-
naught, dark rose; Princess Beatrice, pale mauve; Wil-
liam Carmichael, carmine suffused with magenta; and Miss
Buist, pure white. Later on other experimenters have
brought forward the Duchess of Albany, pure white and
semi-double; Illuminator, rose-magenta, with vermilion
centre; Fosterianum, white and very large, with lemon
tint in centre; Hexe, a free-flowering sort and said to be
one of the best of all. But it is of little use to continue
the list of varieties, which are every year increasing in
numbers, though not always in character. Enough have
been named to show the possibilities in this direction, and
they are certainly full of promise.

Forsythia. a3

FORSYTHIA.

HE forsythias, coming from China and Japan, be-
T_T long to the order Oleacee, and have long been in
cultivation in English gardens, the name of the

genus having been applied in the last century, in honor of
William Forsyth, the king’s gardener at Kensington for
many years. There are but few species or varieties known
to us in cultivation, but all that are thus employed prove
to be charming plants, and of especial worth because of
their season of flowering and the situations which they
may be made to occupy to advantage. The flowers are
solitary, bright yellow, and very numerous, and so dis-
tributed along the branches as to often cover the entire
bush. These are produced on the wood of the previous
year’s growth, and it sometimes occurs that people who do
not appreciate this fact prune their plants in winter, thus
removing nearly all the flowering wood, and then complain
that their forsythias do not meet their anticipations.
These plants need to be severely cut back each year, but
it should be done at the close of their flowering season,
which is before the foliage fully puts out rather than after.
Nearly all the wood of the year preceding should be cut
away, and the knife may be used without fear of doing
harm, as new branches will quickly take the places of
those removed. All the forsythias are rapid growers, and
the long, slender branches, newly formed, carry foliage suf-
ficiently attractive to justify the highest expectations in
seeking a desirable plant of its proportions. When occa-
sion requires, the shrub may be trained on a wall or fence

and made to cover a considerable space. It is equally
3

34 Ornamental Shrubs.

fitted to be formed into a round, compact head, as is often
done in the best gardens.

F. veridissima takes its specific name from the bright
green leaves which it carries, rather than from the color of
its flowers, which are golden-yellow and among the first to
appear in spring. This is the plant longest and best
known in our gardens, and. the species

which drew so many praises from
. Y flower-loversa hundred years ago and
f{ _. which were by no means unmerited.
an It is of erect, spreading habit, and
entirely hardy. /. susfensa differs
but little from the other form, except
that its long, slender branches are
slightly pendant at their terminals,
and so are by many esteemed more
graceful. The blossoms may not be
quite so numerous, but the plant as a
whole is fully as good, though not
especially to be preferred except for
training on walls or trellises where it

WEEPING GOLDEN BELL. i.
Dosen ane will have a wider spread. A corre-

spondent in AZechan’s Monthly gave an account, some time
since, of an instance where a plant was kept to a single
stem for ten feet, and then allowed to spread on the trellis,
where it did good service by way of affording shade to a
doorway which was too sunny an exposure. This illustrates
its capabilities in that direction. The plant is sometimes
catalogued under the names /. fortune? and F. szeboldz,
but these are to be regarded merely as synonyms.

Desfontainea. 35
DIRCA—Leathepwood,

HE popular name for the Dzrca palustris is leather-
wood. This usually grows in the form of a small
tree and to a height of but from three to five

feet. It is a native of America and though originally
found in moist, peaty soils, can be successfully cultivated
under ordinary conditions. The flowers appear early in
the season in advance of the foliage. They are yellow
with a greenish cast, in terminal bunches, and quite pretty.
The leaves are lanceolate in shape, and of a yellowish-
green color. The leatherwood is especially interesting
from the peculiarities of the thick, porous bark, which is
so soft as to yield to the touch like so much putty, though
resuming its shape when the pressure is removed. But,
while being thus pliant and porous, it has such great strength
that a strip half an inch in width is said to be too much
for an ordinary man to break. It was formerly used by
the Indians for strings to their bows, and for fish-lines.
The miniature tree is more valuable as a curiosity than

anything else.
DESFONTAINEA.

HERE is but one species known in cultivation,

D. spinosa, which is a native of South America,

having been first discovered on the mountains of

Chili, whence it was carried to Europe and received with
considerable favor. It belongs to the natural order Lo-
ganiacee and in many respects bears close resemblance
to certain members of the holly family. The shrub is a
low grower, much branched, and in the milder districts

36 Ornamental Shrubs.

very much at home, though it cannot be safely planted in
New England unless especial protection is afforded in
winter. The foliage is thick and glossy like that of the
English holly, the leaves being entire and armed with
spines of considerable prominence. The flowers are at
the ends of the branches, solitary, and appearing as late
as August. They are bright scarlet, shaded with yellow,
and in tubular form, often covering the entire bush, which
grows to the height of from two to three feet. As seen
in English gardens, Nicholson pronounces it “a very
beautiful, hardy evergreen shrub of easy cultivation.” It
will thrive in any good garden soil, and its presence in the
border in winter helps enliven one’s home surroundings.
Too many of this class of plants cannot well be employed
where a favorable outlook is desired in winter as well as

summer,

HYDRANGEA.

HE hydrangeas are among our best ornamental
| shrubs and are widely distributed. They are of
the order Saxzfrageez, and the genus includes
between thirty and forty species, natives of the Hima-
layas, the island of Java, China, Japan, the United States,
and perhaps other countries. Some are evergreens and
some deciduous, and nearly all are beautiful and interest-
ing. In our Northern States only a few are sufficiently
hardy to be grown freely in the open ground; but farther
south the very best sorts can be cultivated in ordinary gar-
dens without difficulty. As a rule the American species
are hardier, but not of so good flowers or foliage as some

Hydrangea. of

that come from China and Japan, though they seem to
be about all that can be desired. Nearly all have large
and broadly ovate leaves, pointed and slightly serrated,
and would prove valuable plants if grown for their foliage
alone. The blossoms are disposed in cymes, corymbs,
and panicles, and are distinguished for their size as well
as beauty. The forms with sterile flowers, with an en-
larged calyx, are to be preferred, and these are almost
the only ones in use, their propagation being chiefly from
cuttings or by division of roots.

Ff, hortensta.—This is a species most freely planted
in gardens, and popularly known as the changeable hy-
drangea. It is a native of eastern Asia, and was intro-
duced from China to England late in the last century,
where it was mostly cultivated under glass and given
special protection, as it was found too tender for that try-
ing climate. There are now said to be a few localities
where it can be depended upon outside in ordinary
winters with proper care, but it is still looked upon as
suited chiefly to conservatory cultivation. In the north-
ern United States it requires much the same treatment,
and for the same reason. And so it is mostly seen in
tubs or pots as it appears on the lawns or in borders,
where it is always showy, and in readiness, when autumn
comes, for removal to the pit or cellar. It is thus grown
in New England even more freely than in the South,
where less care and attention are required in its use. It
has large, ovate leaves, acute at both ends, serrated, and
of good substance. The flowers are collected in nearly
round balls four to six inches through, appearing in July

38 Ornamental Shrubs.

and continuing a month or more. The color is not only
variable, but changeable as the season advances. It
ranges through mild shades of creamy-white to pink and
blue, and is always beautiful. It is coming to be quite
the custom, where large plants are standing in the open

HYDRANGEA HORTENSIA.

garden, to prepare and protect them for winter without
removal, which in such cases is somewhat difficult. This
is done by bending the branches to the ground as nearly as
possible, and covering with earth in the form of a mound.
Some of the largest and finest plants in Newport have
been treated in this way for a succession of years, and it
is seldom that losses occur through this process. There

Hydrangea. 39

are numerous varieties of HY. hortensza which are worthy
of special notice, and some of which are largely in use.
Among these is the well-known H. ofaksa, with opposite,
deeply serrated leaves and beautiful rose- or flesh-colored
flowers. It is held to be one of the best forms of the
whole group. The Zhomas Hogg has pure white blos-
soms, very large and compact and very showy for a long
time, and is one of the very best. A. aszzda has varie-
gated foliage, which lends variety in grouping, but supplies
no additional flower charms. HY. Empress Eugente has
good foliage and very large corymbs of blue.and pale rose-
colored flowers, and should not be overlooked. A. rosalba
has its blossoms in. smaller heads, but they usually cover
the whole bush. They are white and pale rose, coming
to perfection in advance of most of the others.

FT. ramulis coccine’s, known as the red-stemmed hy-
drangea, proves a very valuable acquisition, as it produces
large trusses of well-formed blossoms, rich pink or deep
rose in color, and in great profusion. It is comparatively
new, having originated in western New York within a few
years. 7. rosea is much the same as Thomas Hogg, ex-
cept that its blossoms are red instead of white. Alda
vartegata and speczosa are forms with silvery-white marks
on the foliage, especially in early spring, when the effect
is very striking.

H. vestita, var. pubescens.—This is one of the most hardy
forms, and is not so well known as it should be. It is
a native of northern China and perhaps other Asiatic
countries of that latitude. It is but little known in Amer-
ican or English gardens, and is described as a shrub four

40 Ornamental Shrubs.

or five feet high and often from five to eight feet across,
the numerous slender branches being clothed with light
green, ovate leaves, pointed at both ends, and retaining the
color throughout the summer. The flowers, appearing in
June, are in cymes five to six inches in diameter. The
ray-flowers are numerous, and as they first come out are
pure white, but later change to rose or pink, and hold
on until late in autumn. It is pronounced by good au-
thorities the most beautiful of all the hydrangeas that are
absolutely hardy as far north as New York and New
England, and the earliest to blossom in summer.

H, thunbergit is a species from Japan, with blue or
rose flowers arranged in clusters with the sterile ones
on the outer rim of the cymes and the fertile ones in the
centre. It is a small sort of two or three feet in height,
and not as hardy as some other sorts. //. xzvea is distin-
guished by having nearly white leaves on the under side,
and thus affording valuable contrasts when planted in
groups. 7. “ndleyana is of Japanese origin, with long
leaves and comparatively small heads of bright pink blos-
soms. 7. stellata flore pleno is new and rare, with its
merits not yet fully tested. There are numerous other
varieties of more or less value, in most of which the differ-
ences are so slight and unimportant that to describe them
would seem a useless task.

fT, querctfolva is an American species, a native of the
Alleghany Mountains, though not much planted. It is
a hardy shrub four to six feet high, and of sturdy growth,
with white flowers disposed in the form of panicles rather
than the customary cymes. The leaves are about six

WLVINSINYVd VADNVYCAH

42 Ornamental Shrubs.

inches long, obtusely lobed, resembling some of the oaks,
and are richly tinted in autumn, giving an especial value
in producing good foliage effects.

FT, paniculata.—This is probably the most hardy of all
the hydrangeas known to cultivation. Its good qualities
are intensified in its variety, 7. ~. grandzflora, which has
now almost superseded the typical form in our ordinary
gardens. It produces immense heads of sterile flowers,
often measuring ten to fifteen inches in length and half as
many in diameter. These come out in July and continue
until frost, being creamy-white at the opening and chang-
ing to red lateron. The shrub is much branched, and
every stem carries one of these immense cones, so that the
bush appears as a huge bouquet, arranged with care and
precision. If cut back almost to the ground in autumn
new shoots arise in considerable numbers, every one of
which later during the same season produces a cluster of
blossoms. If the shrub is not properly cut in there will
soon be too much height, all the last year’s growth becom-
ing bare. When desired it can be grown in tree form,
with a single stem to the height desired, when a well-
rounded head can be established and maintained from year
to year. It is often grown in this way, but it is not espe-
cially to be preferred. The plant needs no winter protec-
tion, but, like all the others, is the better for special care
and attention.

ff. japonica.—An earlier introduction from Japan,
growing about three feet, with ovate, oblong leaves glab-
rous and finely serrate, with blossoms of bluish cast, though
white is predominant, and in crowded cymes. There is a

43 HYDRANGEA PANICULATA GRANDIFLORA—TREE FORM.

44 Ornamental Shrubs.

variety known as vosea alba, which has only the outer in-
dividual flowers radiate, and the petals touched with pink

or rose.

ACACIA.

HE acacias constitute a large and interesting genus
of the natural order Legumznose. The number
of species is estimated at from three to four hun-

dred, and there are in addition numerous varieties and
hybrids of especial value in cultivation. They are mostly
natives of tropical or semi-tropical climates, and their
products are highly esteemed in commerce and medicine.
Some of the species furnish the exudation known as gum
arabic, some gum senegal, and others a delicious perfume
known in trade. Various drugs and medicines are pre-
pared in whole or part from the roots, leaves, and bark,
and the bark contains so much tannin as to be also largely
used for tanning leather. In some cases the pods furnish
material to the native populations for making snuff, and
also for distilling an intoxicant which is said to be of a
most agreeable nature. They are nearly all beautiful,
small trees, with gracefully waving, feathery foliage and
abundant, fragrant, pea-shaped blossoms of white, pink,
yellow, and purple.

As might be expected, most of the acacias known to
colder sections are grown under glass, and very few are
entirely hardy in this country as far north as New York
and New England. But in the Southern States there are
several species well fitted to the climate, and needing no
protection ; and some of these, with no more care than is

Acacia. 45

often afforded other semi-hardy plants, can be grown as
far north as Philadelphia and St. Louis. The leaves are
compound, twice and thrice pinnate, the small leaflets
being so finely divided as to present a fern-like or feathery
appearance. But in some of the species the true leaves are
seldom developed. To compensate for their absence, the
leaf-stalk, which at first is more or less cylindrical and of
small dimensions, becomes flattened and assumes a leaf-
like appearance. Thus these dilated leaf-stalks are made
to fulfil the functions of leaves, varying largely in the dif-
ferent species. Another curiosity in the structure of the
foliage of this class is that the leaves are so placed that
their edges look upward and downward, instead of lying
flat, as in most cases. One of the results of this peculiar
arrangement is that such trees and shrubs afford very little
shade, as the sun’s rays are but slightly obstructed, so that
other plants of suitable size may grow freely beneath. Of
the specimens that may be planted safely in the United
States the following may be named as among the best :
A. decurrens—Black Wattle.—This is a small tree of
good proportions, and highly prized wherever known. It
is, withal, of considerable commercial value in its native
country, and thousands of acres are said to have been
planted in New Zealand and Australia within a few years
for the tannin which the bark affords. The tree is ex-
ceedingly floriferous, producing long racemes of bright
yellow blossoms that contrast favorably with the pale green,
fern-like leaves. It was introduced into California some
years since, where it was received with much favor. Since
then it has been planted in some of the Southern States,

46 Ornamental Shrubs.

and may be grown as far north as Washington under
favorable conditions.

A. hispida—Rose-Acacia.—This is a native of the
southern Alleghanies, and is one of the most hardy of all
the true acacias, and so is more largely known in American
gardens than any other. It is a small tree, blooming early
in spring, when it is covered with soft rose-colored but
scentless flowers. It is a vigorous grower, coming early
to maturity, and in every respect is desirable. But even
when found hardy it needs to be planted in a sheltered
position, as its wood is brittle and the limbs are easily
broken by high winds. In England it is often grafted for
the sake of gaining height, and as thus grown is very
fine.

A. batleyana.—This is a native of Australia, and has
been but recently introduced to English and American
grounds. Mr. Watson of the Cambridge Botanic Garden,
in a letter written from London to Garden and Forest
some time since, says that he found it growing at Kew,
and that it does well in that location. It may not have
been tested very thoroughly in America as yet, but as
grown at Cambridge it is described as of a close, bushy
habit, with stiff, twiggy branches, thickly clothed with short,
bipinnate, glaucous leaves, with remarkable glandules on
the midrib. The flowers are in small-stalked, spherical
heads, deep yellow, fragrant, and produced in large panicles
on the end of the branches. In its native country it is
said to grow to a height of fifteen feet, but has assumed
no such proportions, as yet, in the hands of our horticul-
turists. It cannot be otherwise than an interesting plant,

Acacia. 47

as the gray bark of the stem and larger branches, with the
pale green of the foliage and the bright bunches of golden
flowers, constitutes a combination not often seen on the
same shrub or tree. The blossoms continue long and
answer a good purpose as cut flowers.

A, pubescens.—No one will dispute the value of this
plant as ornamental, and it is one of the most hardy
and easily grown of its class. Good plants are found in
perfection as far north as Boston in some of the best
gardens. It was reported as long ago as 1891 that speci-
mens were growing in the grounds of Wellesley College,
spreading to nearly, if not quite, ten feet in diameter.
These had doubtless received especial care and attention,
as do many others of our best ornamental shrubs. In the
warmer parts of the country they thrive in the open air
the year round. They are beautiful in both foliage and
flower, the leaves being finely cut and the blossoms ex-
ceedingly abundant. These latter are light yellow, and
crowd the long, pendulous branches from end to end,
always filling the air with a delicious fragrance. They
appear very early in spring, and frequently in winter
during a temporary suspension of its customary rigors.
It is a good plant for house or church decoration, and
capable of filling a want in that direction which has been
long felt.

A. farnestana.—Here also is found a small tree, of
about the same height and possessed of many of the same
good qualities. Just where it originated is a question not
fully determined. It abounds in San Domingo, and is
found growing wild in some parts of Texas, if not in others

48 Ornamental Shrubs.

of the Southern and Southwestern States. With care
and slight winter protection it is found to do well in
the Mississippi valley as far north as Cincinnati, and
presumably is adapted to a considerable southern range
throughout the middle Southern States. It has the
feathery foliage of its class, with flowers of golden-yellow
and most deliciously fragrant. These appear in early
spring in great abundance, and continue through the en-
tire summer and well into the autumn. Cases are
reported where trees from twelve to fifteen feet high carry
heads as many or more feet in diameter, and that, too,
when from but six to ten years old.

ACER—Japanese Maples.

HE Japanese are a patient people. However
others may make haste, they are content to wait
when they have an object in view which they

deem worth their while. Their nurserymen, especially,
are given to processes that an American grower of plants
would scorn to adopt, however much he might desire pos-
sible results. In proof of this it is necessary only to note
how largely the foreigners are given to the art of dwarfing
plants and trees and growing them into fantastic shapes.
The beautiful little maples, and many others which appear
in this country from time to time, are largely the outcome
of long-continued artificial conditions. At a meeting of
the Horticultural Congress held in Chicago in 1893, Mr.
Henry Izawa, gardener of the Japanese Commission to the
Columbian Exposition, read a paper by request, illus-
trating this phase of Japanese work; and as it throws

Acer—Japanese Maples. 49

so much light on the general subject, and explains so
many of the peculiarities of certain Japanese plants, a brief
quotation may not here be out of place.

In setting out to produce these abnormal results, Mr.
Izawa says that the workman begins with the seed, and
that great care is taken to pro-

cure seed of the very best
quality. ‘In the spring of the
second year, when the seed-
lings are about eight inches in
height, they are staked with
bamboo-canes and tied with
rice straw, the plants
being bent in differ-
ent desirable shapes.
In the next fall they
are transplanted to a
richer soil, and are
well fertilized. Inthe
following spring the
plants are restaked, = :
and twisted and tied HOt ae Mente

in fanciful forms. This mode of treatment is given until
the seventh year, when the trees will have assumed
fairly large proportions, the branches being trained in grace-
ful forms, and the foliage like small clouds of dense green.
The plants are now taken up and placed in pots one and
a half feet in diameter, and are kept well watered every
succeeding year; great care must be taken to keep new
shoots pinched back. After another three years of this

50 Ornamental Shrubs.

treatment the trees are virtually dwarfed, there being
no visible growth thereafter. Maples form one of the
best materials for the artistic fancies of the Japanese grafts-
man. Many times a great many different varieties are
grafted on one stem. Seedling maples are spliced and
tied together when growing. After they have formed
a union the desired shoot is cut off—this is kept up until
ten or twenty varieties are obtained. Maples thus grafted
form lovely features for lawns, their varying hues and
types of foliage enhancing each other’s beauty.

‘The zsthetic idea shows itself in every line of Japa-
nese industry, and especially is it the case with our nursery
and landscape gardeners. The most inexperienced need
not fear any difficulty in our mode of gardening if he but
uses his mind and efforts in the right direction. The skil-
ful artist introduces into his miniature garden, not regular
geometrical forms, but anything odd, irregular, and artis-
tic. To us gardening is not mathematics, but an art;
hills, dales, rivulets, waterfalls, bridges, etc., vie with each
other in presenting their quaintest forms and fancies and
harmonious symmetries. Dwarfed plants of all descrip-
tions deck the scene here and there in thousands of pecul-
iarly artistic shapes. We derive lessons from Nature, and
strive to imitate her as much as is practicable, although on
a smaller scale.”

The Japanese maples belong to the natural order
Sapindacee, and, though differing so widely from most
of their congeners in general appearance, are genuine
members of the great maple family so widely known
throughout the world. And yet they occupy a field in

Acer—Japanese Maples. 51

horticulture peculiar to themselves, being both curious
and beautiful beyond comparison. Though real trees,
they are known to us only in shrub-like proportions, and,
being of slow growth, are adapted to use in localities
where other sorts would soon become too large for the
situation. It is true that they do not carry conspicuous
blossoms, but the foliage is resplendent in crimson, pink,
yellow, red, purple, and gold, each in varying shades, so
that when rightly planted in masses they become as at-
tractive as any bed of flowers, with the advantage of main-
taining their charms throughout the entire summer.
Their habit of growth is low and somewhat bushy, rang-
ing from three to fifteen feet in height, with well-formed
and shapely heads. With our present information i is
impossible to class them as to species with exactness, and,
though this has been often attempted, scarcely two au-
thorities are entirely agreed. This, however, is a matter
of small importance in practical horticulture, as all the
general features are well understood and appreciated.
The following are the best sorts, and probably the only
ones at present before the American public, to be com-
mended for cultivation :

A. japonicum.—This is a species growing ten to fifteen
feet in height, with bright green leaves. These are larger
than in most of the sorts represented in this group, nearly
round, and scalloped or fluted, though not deeply in-
dented. The flowers appear in early spring, are delicate
pink and decidedly attractive. This is all the more no-
ticeable as in most of these maples the blossoms are com-
paratively inconspicuous. The tree is of slow growth,

52 Ornamental Shrubs.

holding its foliage well into autumn and growing more
and more beautiful with age. It has given off a variety,
A, 7. aureum, whose distinguishing feature is in its yellow
or golden leaves, which are intermingled with varying
shades of green, productive of the best effects, the colors
being retained through the entire season. The tree are
hardy as far north as southern New England and western
New York. Another variety, less striking, is A. 7. aconzte-
folium, aconite-leaved, the foliage of which is deeply
cut, giving it a very picturesque appearance. There are
also a large-leaved sort, A. 7. macranthum, one with
small foliage, 4. 7. mzcrophyllum, and still another, A. 7.
scolopendrfoltwm, smaller than the last, with wavy or scal-
loped leaves.

A. So —This is supposed to be the parent
of many of the remark-
able varieties that have
come to the knowledge
of the public, and that
now enter so largely into
horticulture. | Whether
it be true, as someassert,
or otherwise, that it was
the original form, it has
certainly given off a
number of varieties
which in garden and lawn

planting have no superi-
ors, and, indeed, few or
no equals, It rises from twelve to eighteen feet, as observed

ACER POLYMORPHUM.

Acer—Japanese Maples. 53

in this country, and can be grown in tree or bush form as
may be desired. The foliage is rather small, deeply lobed,
and has a habit of taking on different forms as well as colors,
the young growth materially differing from the older on
the same tree. In the fall special tints are assumed,
which add much to its attractiveness. The bark is smooth,
and, all things considered, it is one of the prettiest small
trees that can be planted in ordinary locations.

A. p. atropurpureum.—rThis is known as the dark
purple-leaved Japan maple, and is probably more largely
planted than any other variety. It is identical with the
preceding except in the color of the foliage, though per-
haps not of quite so vigorous growth, Planted in groups,
few things are more effective, and it retains its color well
into autumn. Where contrasts are desired, nothing serves
a better purpose and harmonizes so well with the other
plants of its class. A. Z. atropurpureum nigrum has still
darker leaves.

A. p. atropurpureum adissectum.—This is a dwarf, pen-
dulous form of the most exquisite beauty, and, though
not found in most gardens, is worthy of a place in all.
The bark on the smaller branches is crimson, and the foli-
age is so finely cut as to give it the appearance of beauti-
ful lace or hanging draperies. The leaves are bright
rose-color when young, but as the season advances change
to a dark purple, retaining, however, their beauty to the
last. At its best the tree grows to a height of ten to
twelve feet, but as usually seen in American gardens is
scarcely more than five or six. Mr. H. H. Berger, the
California florist and importer, who saw the plant in its

54 Ornamental Shrubs.

native habitat, says: “In the English Park at Yokohama,
on the Bluff, is to be seen one of the most perfect speci-
mens of this kind. The stem is about twelve feet high,
and is completely masked by the drooping branches.
When the wind sweeps through them, the sunlight play-
ing with the purplish and red tints of the leaves, they are
like a cascade of rich, royal lace, or a poem in color.
This sort has a sub-variety, the crimson, fern-like leaves,
variegated with pink, green, and white, being extremely
delicate and of a dwarf growth.” A. Z. albo variegatum
is another form with marked peculiarities. It has small,
deeply cut leaves variegated with white and yellow, but is
not esteemed one of the best of the family. This and 4.
p. cristatum are seldom seen in the gardens, though both
are pretty plants and worthy of more general use.

A. p. roseo-pictum.—In this the leaves are equally finely
cut, but variegated with white, yellow, rose, and green,
making it in springtime a wonder to all beholders. The
shrub, though so delicate in appearance, is reasonably
hardy where other varieties are known to thrive. It is
still scarce in the markets, so that the demand for it has
never been fully met. A. p. roseo-marginatum is of slow
growth, with small leaves curiously tipped and edged with
red or rosy-pink. There is a variety of this differing only
in the more intense colors of the variegation. A. £.
versicolor is another form in which the foliage much
resembles that of the parent polymorphum, but is spotted
with pink, white, and green. It is a strong grower and
one of the most interesting sorts.

A. p. reticulatum is very much of a dwarf. It is

Acer—Japanese Maples. 55

described as having deeply lobed leaves, traversed over
a whitish ground with a network of translucent, yellowish-
green lines, and as coloring finely in autumn when it
is at its best. It contrasts well with the A. A. sanguzneum,

or blood-leaved variety, which in turn is one of the pret-

CUT-LEAVED JAPAN MAPLE.

tiest of the whole family, and one of the most largely
planted. This is at its best in June, and, though it later
loses some of its brilliancy, it is a gem of rare worth to
the end of the season. No massing or grouping is com-
plete without it. It is also especially effective as a single
specimen, and is one of the most popular of all the

family.

56 Ornamental Shrubs.

SHEPHERDIA—Buffalo Berry.

HE shepherdias constitute a small group of the
Oleaster family, which was named by Nuttall in
honor of John Shepherd, at the time curator of

the Liverpool Botanic Garden. All are natives of North
America, having a range from New Mexico to the British
Possessions on the north, but mostly confined to the west-
ern sections of the United States. But one, only, proves
of especial value as ornamental or possessed of eco-
nomic worth. Shepherdia argentea, popularly known as
the buffalo or rabbit berry, grows from five to fifteen
feet high and is of slender proportions, with opposite ovate
or oblong leaves silvery white on both sides. The
branches are covered with gray bark, the whole contrast-
ing pleasantly with surrounding trees or shrubs of darker
shade. It is slightly thorny and capable of being used
for hedges to advantage. The flowers are small and in
compact clusters, bright yellow, appearing in April or
May in great profusion. The fruit which follows is still
more beautiful. It is scarlet or crimson, and hangs in
bunches sometimes covering almost the entire bush or
tree, and contrasting with the light-colored foliage to great
advantage. These berries have an agreeable acid taste
and prove edible for man or beast. The plant was intro-
duced many years ago to English gardens where it was
received with favor becoming its merits. .S. canadenszs is
a slightly smaller shrub but far less valuable for garden
cultivation. Its fruit is less showy, quite insipid, and the
branches, young leaves, and indeed the whole plant are
more or less covered with rusty scales. But it has its

Ligustrum—Privet. 57

uses, as it grows on gravelly banks and in sterile soils
where little else will thrive. Its hardiness is proverbial,
as it holds its own against the most adverse influences.

LIGUSTRUM—Privet.

HE privets are among the most useful as well as
most ornamental of the small trees or shrubs
known to cultivation. They belong to the olive

family, Oleacez, and comprise from twenty-five to thirty
species with numerous varieties of especial value. Some
are natives of Europe, others of temperate and tropical
Asia, and still others of Australia and the South Sea
Islands. Those most familiar to our northern gardens
are nearly all deciduous, but farther south the evergreens
predominate. In either case, the bright green foliage and
somewhat conspicuous white blossoms and_berry-like
fruit show to advantage. Few plants are adapted to a
wider climatic range or will thrive under such diverse con-
ditions. All the species are of easy growth and compara-
tively indifferent to soils and situations, though as they
are rapid growers they should be supplied with plenty of
vegetable food for best effects. It is claimed that they
are especially indifferent to the smoky atmosphere of
large towns and cities where so many others fail, and this,
taken in connection with the fact that they are notably
free from insect pests and from disease, suggests their
more liberal planting in such locations.

L. vulgare is the common privet or prim of the old
English gardens, and is still largely in use for hedges and
fencing. It is a native of Europe, including the British

58 Ornamental Shrubs.

Islands, and so is adapted to the climate and well fitted to
the purposes to which it is applied. It has smooth, ellip-
tic-lanceolate foliage, and, when properly treated with that
end in view makes a compact, well rounded bush some-
what in tree form, from six to ten feet high. The blos-
soms are white and in compound racemes, coming out
in early summer, and are both numerous and fragrant.
These are followed by nearly black berry-like fruit in
clusters of no particular beauty. In the hedge-rows, where
the plants are kept well cut in, but few flowers are seen
as they are borne on the new wood. But when grown on
the lawn or in the border they are among the most florif-
erous of shrubs, the odor of the blossoms when in close
contact being so intense as to be offensive to many per-
sons, a characteristic of nearly all the privets. There are
several well established varieties, some of which may be
preferred to the typical form. Of these Z. v. buxzfolzum
has leaves resembling those of the common box; Z. z.
frutuluteum has yellow fruit and more dense foliage;
L. v. vartegatum, leaves margined with yellow in one
form, and marked with white in another, and others have
more or less noticeable variegations.

L. ovaltfolium is popularly known as the California
privet, though for no good reason, as it is a native of
Japan and not of the State whose name it bears. It is
preferred to the va/gare because of its larger foliage and
more rapid and vigorous growth. The leaves are oval-
elliptic or obovate, and much more persistent. Even in
the vicinity of Boston they often keep their color until
midwinter, while farther south they are practically ever-

Ligustrum—Privet. 59

green. Unfortunately this species is not quite as hardy as
some of the other forms, and so cannot be depended
upon in northern New England or the Northwest. In
Newport, Rhode Island, it is the favorite shrub for hedges
and is extensively planted along the seaside, and often in
most exposed situations, where it seldom suffers from
wind or cold. It appears to be peculiarly fitted for growth
near the shore, and is much used for the protection of other
and less hardy forms. It is found, also, on the open grounds
and in the borders of the most pretentious villas of that
city of palaces. There is a variety catalogued as Z. o.
trecolor whose foliage is beautifully marked with green,
yellow, and white, the combination continuing the entire
season with all the distinctness of the first growth. There
is, however, a tendency on the part of some of the more
vigorous branches to turn to the original color, and it some-
times becomes necessary to cut out the green-leaved
branches in order to preserve the full beauty of the bush.
It is often grafted on privet stock several feet high, and
grown as a ball or a pyramid, when the effect is very fine.

L. japonicum.—This is an evergreen species from
Japan, reaching a height of six to ten feet, and is a vigorous
grower with oblong-ovate foliage more sharply pointed
than in most privets. The leaves are thick and glossy and
are capable of withstanding northern winters better than
most of the others. The variety known as macrophyllum
has still larger foliage, but is scarcely to be preferred.
Neither the type nor its varieties are much known in the
United States and cannot confidently be recommended
except for the southern or middle sections.

60 Ornamental Shrubs.

L. zhota is another species from Japan, and is in all
respects one of the best. It proves a somewhat smaller
form with even more slender twigs and branches. The
flowers are in drooping racemes in midsummer, and so
fragrant that they perfume the air for a considerable
distance. It is able to endure a greater degree of cold
than the last mentioned, and so is to be preferred in
northern latitudes where the ordinary privet hedge is
considered precarious. It is believed to be as hardy as the
old English privet which Mr. W. C. Egan of Highland
Park, Chicago, puts down as the only ligustrum which
thrives in that locality.

L. luctduim.— his also belongs to the evergreen branch
of the group and is not freely planted in this country.
The leaves are much larger than in either of the others
described and are more oval. Its flowers appear in wide-
spreading panicles in early autumn, and are quite showy as
well as fragrant. It is a native of China, though found
growing freely in Japan also, rising to a height of ten to
twelve feet.

HYPERICUM—St. John’s-wort.

[: hypericums constitute a large genus of tender

and hardy herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees.

The Greek name appears to have been originally
applied to a species growing freely in Egypt and southern
Europe, which was but twelve to eighteen inches high.
The best of the hardy sorts growing as shrubs or small
trees are natives of North America, though Europe
furnishes several that are valuable. They can be easily

Hypericum—St. John’s-wort. 61

grown, and are worthy of more attention than has been

accorded them in promiscuous cultivation. Thus far, of

the many members of the family but few have come into

common use as ornamental, but as their merits are better

understood they are fast growing into popular favor.

This is seen in the fact
that, whereas a few
years ago the hyperi-
cums were seldom ad-
vertised by the nursery-
men, they have now so
far won upon the pub-
lic as to secure a place
in almost every cata-
logue. Nearly all have
opposite leaves, which
are frequently dotted
with darker colors, giv-
ing them a somewhat
singular though not an
especially attractive ap-
pearance. The sap or
juice is usually acrid
and disagreeable to the
taste. There are now

HYPERICUM KALMIANUM.

before the public a dozen or more species or well-defined

varieties, from which selections may be made that are sure

to please.

Hi. kalmianum, popularly known as St. John’s-wort,
takes its name from the Swedish botanist, Peter Kalm,

62 Ornamental Shrubs.

who first saw the plant on the borders of Niagara River,
during a visit to this country. It was introduced to
European gardens about the middle of the last century,
and was received with much favor. In England, especially,
it has long been regarded as among the best of ornamen-
tals in the department to which it is particularly adapted.
It is a low, spreading bush from two to four feet high, the
diameter of its top being often greater than its height.
The leaves are numerous and somewhat crowded, linear,
slightly glaucous, and about twoinches long. The blossoms
appear in August. They are glossy yellow, somewhat
resembling in their general appearance those of the dande-
lion, and are very numerous and long-continued, and afford
a marked contrast to the deep green foliage and the
prevailing colors at that time of the year. For planting
singly or in masses this is very effective, and is especially
adapted to small lawns or gardens. It also has the merit of
doing better than most plants when growing in partial
shade.

Ff. aureum is of even less size than the preceding,
and in some respects is to be preferred to it where a small
shrub is called for. It is a recent introduction, and a
worthy candidate for popular favor. Though diminutive,
it produces much larger flowers than the kadmzanum, and
in equal profusion. Of the few hardy shrubs blossoming
in early autumn this is certainly one of the most showy.
The flowers appear in August, and continue their brilliancy,
under favorable conditions, until October.

fT. prolificum is a larger shrub than either of the pre-
ceding, growing four to six feet, and with a wide-spreading

“ANNVINASOW WNOIYSdAH £9

64 Ornamental Shrubs.

head. The branches are covered with light red bark,
which separates easily into a multitude of thin scales.
The flowers are large and showy, produced in terminal
clusters, and continuing from July to September.

HT. denstflorum is a shrub four to six feet high, with
numerous slender branches anda multitude of small but
conspicuous yellow blossoms in compound cymes. It is
comparatively new to cultivation, but bids fair to win a
place among our most popular sorts. It adapts itself
readily to sandy and comparatively barren soils, where it
often thrives ; but, like other plants, prefers more favorable
conditions.

HT, adpressum is almost a creeper, and grows wild in
southern New England, preferring moist locations. As it
is indigenous to Nantucket and the islands of Vineyard
Sound, it will undoubtedly thrive anywhere at the seaside
where a low plant is desired for covering bare spots or for
edgings. Itseldom rises above two feet. The leaves are
oblong, acute, and thin; the flowers, bright yellow, and
covering the bush during most of July and August.

f7. patulatum is also a spreading St. John’s-wort. It is
a native of Japan, and is probably, all things considered,
preferable to the preceding, though having the same
general characteristics. The flowers are bright yellow,
opening in the summer and continuing until early frosts.

fT, buckley? is a native of the mountainous regions of
the Carolinas, and, though hardy in most parts of the
United States, is but little known. It is described as a
small shrub with slender branches covered with loose,
reddish bark. The leaves, green above and paler beneath,

Hypericum—St. John’s-wort. 65

are two inches or more in length, oblong, rounded at the
apex and narrowing to the base. The flowers, terminal
and solitary, an inch in diameter, are very pretty.

HZ. mosertanum.—This is acknowledged to be one of
the very best low-growing plants of recent introduction.
Its habit is free and graceful; it produces long, slender,
much-branched stems, leafy to the base and drooping
towards the ends. It is free-flowering, each blossom
measuring from two to two and a half inches in diameter,
in color a rich golden yellow, which is rendered still more
effective by the numerous yellow stamens and crimson
anthers. It blooms continuously the entire season, and
whether used as a bedding plant, for borders, or as single
specimens, is equally desirable. There is some question
as to its hardiness as far north as New England, where it
sometimes fails to withstand the winters unless afforded
protection. But in the Middle and Southern States it is
sure to prove of the highest value. Its height is from
two to three feet, and it is of very easy cultivation.

HT. oblongifolium.—This is sometimes catalogued as A.
hookertanum, which may be regarded as a synonym, as
the two certainly represent the same plant. The flowers
are large and bright yellow, though the bush is not as free
a bloomer as some of its class. They are sufficient, how-
ever, to make it very desirable in the shrubbery or border,
where midsummer blossoms are especially desired. It
grows but about two feet, and is nearly an evergreen and
quite so in the Southern States. In the North it needs
slight protection, and does best in half-shaded situations.

It isa native of Nepaul. Others which may be mentioned
5

66 Ornamental Shrubs.

as desirable are H. e/atum, a native of the United States,
which rises about three to four feet, whose blossoms are
small but produced in great profusion on the numerous
slender-growing branches, and 7. Azrcenum, which grows
to about the same height and has paler yellow flowers,
with very long stamens whose prominence gives the bush
a somewhat peculiar appearance and makes it quite attrac-
tive. It is a product of the Mediterranean countries.

PHILLYREA.

GENUS of Oveacee consisting of but four
species. These are all natives of the Mediterra-
nean countries, and have long been known but

not freely employed in cultivation, thus helping swell the
large list of neglected plants that are worthy of a more
generous recognition. Two kinds only are reputed suff-
ciently hardy for general cultivation in the United States.

P. media is a vigorous-growing bush of a spreading
habit, ten to twelve feet high, with lanceolate leaves, entire,
veiny, and of a very distinct appearance. The flowers are
white, appearing in early spring and followed by fruit in
one- or two-seeded drupes of long continuance. It is not
suited to the New England climate, but in the southern
Middle States would prove an acquisition. There is a
pendulous variety of much merit, sometimes known as
olefolta, or ligustrifolia, which is worthy of notice.

P. vilmoriniana is counted more hardy and is coming
into favor in English gardens. Its leaves very much
resemble those of the Portugal laurel, being large and
leathery, dark green tinted with bronze on their first

Erica—Calluna—H eath. 67

appearance. It produces large, fragrant, white blossoms in
axillary clusters, in May or June. It does well in any
light friable soil and can safely be planted in our Southern
and Southwestern States.

ERICA—CALLUNA~—Heath.

HE ericas are said to include more than four
hundred species, some say nine hundred, and
these have in turn given off almost numberless

varieties. Most of these are too tender for out-of-door
cultivation even in the Southern States, and only a very
few are found to thrive in more northern localities. They
are largely natives of the southern hemisphere, especially
of Africa, and but very few are adapted to temperate
climates on either side of the equator. Under favorable
climatic influences they retain their foliage during the
winter and so are mostly classed as evergreen, but in this
country they scarcely answer to that description, though
even here their foliage is persistent, usually holding on
until late autumn. The flowers are mostly nodding,
axillary, or terminal, produced in fascicles and in many
colors. The typical form of the blossom is tubular with
the mouth somewhat contracted, and from one to four
inches in length.

As arule, the ericas require more care and attention
than most other plants in ordinary garden cultivation, and
are more particular as to situations. In all cases a peaty
soil is preferred, though any good friable compost such as
will answer for the rhododendron or the azalea will serve a
good purpose. A soil of stiff clay or one impregnated

68 Ornamental Shrubs.

with lime proves fatal to success. But with all these draw-
backs it is surprising that the heaths are not more generally

planted in this country than they

are. Equal and even more at-
tention is bestowed on many
sorts in no wise superior, and
with less satisfactory results.
Their flowering season covers
almost the entire year, though
no single variety is a perpetual
bloomer. But by a proper selec-

tion from among the various

forms these little plants become

ERICA FRAGRANS. objects of interest and pleasure

in spring and summer, autumn and winter,

As greenhouse and conservatory plants many of them

>

are highly esteemed, and whole houses are often devoted
to their cultivation. Both in the greenhouse and garden
there is wide range for selection. Some of the species are

small and especially suited to growing in borders and

Oo
g
edgings. Others are larger and well adapted to massing
or appearing as single specimens. Some blossom in early
spring, others in midsummer to late autumn and even in
early winter. The numbers of species and varieties are so
great that no attempt will be made at description except in
a general way. Nor will any attempt be made at scientific
accuracy in names and qualities.

Almost every one has heard of the interesting little
shrub known as the Scotch heath or heather, and though,

botanically, this is classed as calluna it is such an impor-

Erica—Calluna—Heath. 69

tant member of the family that the popular conception may
well be recognized in this connection. C. vuleares, the
Scotch heath, grows from one to three feet, with purplish

flowers, disposed in long, terminal, spicate racemes, from

HARDY ERICA.

July to September. It is common to nearly all northern
and central Europe, especially on the hillsides and in waste
places which, by its presence, are made beautiful. Unlike
many of the more delicate ericas, these are able to endure

many hardships. They grow in thin soils and thrive in

70 Ornamental Shrubs.

exposures that few plants are able to endure. Some of
the varieties are especially beautiful and should be selected
for garden cultivation in preference to the original form,
whenever they can be procured. There is a white-flower-
ing plant that is very pretty; a flesh-colored, one much
admired ; and others with double blossoms, though these
are not always improvements. There are also varieties
with golden and silver-colored shoots, that are exceed-
ingly attractive both in flower and foliage, and especially
adapted to planting in masses, and the wonder is that they
are not more freely used. In short, all the heaths known
as callunas are worthy of attention.

RHAMNUS—Buckthorn.

HE buckthorn family, Rhamnacee, is widely dis-
tributed throughout Europe, northern Africa,
Asia, and America, and, though preferring a warm
climate, most of the species thrive also in the temperate
zones. It is believed that the lotus fruit spoken of by
Homer was a product of a member of this family, though
not that which is now known to us in cultivation. The
buckthorn proper, rhamnus, constitutes a tribe of more
than thirty species, a few only of which are found in the
United States. They are all large shrubs or small trees
with opposite leaves, minute, fragrant flowers, and stony
fruit.
The species known as the common buckthorn, R.
catharttcus, is found growing wild in New England,

though Emerson expresses the opinion that it was probably

Stephanandra Flexuosa. 71

brought here from Europe and has made its way from the
gardens into the fields and woods. It grows from ten to
twenty feet high, with a smooth stem and gray or olive-
tinted branches. These are numerous, stiff, and well
supplied with thorns. The leaves are ovate, notched, and
marked with hairy veins beneath, though smooth on the
upper surface. The flowers are small but numerous,
growing in clusters, of various colors but mostly pink and
white, and are followed by berries which become black
when ripe, and hang late into the autumn. The buckthorn
is much planted for hedges in England, and, when properly
trained, constitutes an almost impassable barrier to man
and beast. It makes a fairly good ornamental plant,
though not in general use for that purpose, partly, per-
haps, because of its slow growth.

STEPHANANDRA FLEXUOSA.

| HIS isa genus of Rosacee of but a single species. It

is closely related to the spiraeas and very much

resembles some of the most valuable members of
that family. It is supposed to be of Japanese origin, and is
certainly an interesting low-growing shrub, seldom more
than six feet in height. The small branches are numerous
and the foliage dense and compact. This is distinguished
by being deeply and finely cut or toothed, and taking
on a purplish-red tint in its young growth and again in
autumn, being of a rich glossy green during the summer.
The flowers are small, but so numerous as to cover the
whole bush late in June or the early part of July. Many

72 Ornamental Shrubs.

regard it as one of the best of recent introductions,
as it serves a good purpose whether planted singly, in
groups, or in front of taller growths. Such plants, beauti-
ful in both foliage and flower, are to be preferred to many
of those which possess but a single virtue.

COLUTEA.

HE coluteas constitute an interesting genus, of the
order Legumznose, which have long been known
to Old-World cultivation and are now somewhat

widely distributed in America. They areall rapid growers
and of easy cultivation, being not over particular as to
soils and situations, though thriving better on dry land
than in peat and excessively wet locations. In some
European countries they were at one time much planted
as ornamental hedges, though now superseded in that re-
spect by newer and better adaptations. The genus is not
large, but it exhibits peculiarities of such a striking
character that specimens may well be planted in every
considerable garden.

C. arborescens.—This is doubtless the best known and
most widely distributed member of the family, and every-
where answers a good purpose in decorative planting. In
some countries it is known as the bladder senna, from
medicinal uses to which the leaves have been put. It is a
native of Italy, where it grows to a height of six to ten
feet and forms a rather open but well-rounded head
covered with glaucous green foliage. The leaves are com-
pound, with seven to nine elliptic leaflets, which hold their

Colutea. 73

somewhat peculiar green color well into autumn. The
flowers resemble the famous sweet pea in form, but are
less conspicuous. The blossoms are yellow, and con-
tinue in succession during the entire summer. They are
succeeded by bladdery pods, two to three inches in length,
containing the seed, which also hang long, so that we
have the bush in flower and fruit at the same time and for
a protracted period. These yellow blossoms and the thin,
almost pellucid pods, hanging among the green leaves
make it an object of interest to almost every one who
comes into its presence. This bush is one of the few
which brave the terrors of Mount Vesuvius, growing to the
very summit, and is found occasionally even within the
circle of the crater, where vegetation can scarcely gain a
foothold. Such a fact ought to suggest its adaptation to
dry and sandy plains and other locations which it is
difficult to cover with herbage. No one would be likely
to suspect that such a slender-looking shrub would with-
stand such exposures and thrive where so very little else
can endure. There is a variety of much smaller dimen-
sions, known as C. a. pygmea, which is also a shapely bush
and may be of service where space is limited.

C. cruenta is much the same as the preceding, except
that it grows only from four to six feet and has blossoms
tinted with pale red or blood-color. These also appear in
early summer, and are continuous in succession for a long
time. The leaflets, which are from seven to nine in number,
are smaller and more glaucous that in the preceding. Itisa
very pretty plant. C. 4allepica is another form with larger
yellow flowers than either of the other species. It grows

74 Ornamental Shrubs.

from three to five feet. C. medza, as its name indicates,
is intermediate in its proportions, and has bright orange-
yellow flowers. There are few or no varieties in cultivation

sufficiently distinct to call for special mention.

CRATA:GUS—Thorn.

T has been said that the thorns produce a greater
variety of beautiful small trees and shrubs than any
other family. This may be true, but it will not

readily command universal assent. Still the numerous
species and varieties possess peculiar attractions and some
of them have long been noted for their excellences.
They appear both as shrubs and trees, and can be easily
trained and shaped to suit the purposes of the propagator.
Some of the best known species are natives of North
America, and have been carried to Europe and widely
distributed. Others have been brought from the Old
World to the New, and have been received with equal
favor. Nearly all the species are beautiful in leaf, flower,
and fruit. The botanical name, crategus, originally given
to the hawthorn, is derived from the Greek 4radéos, signify-
ing strength, and is fitly applied.

English hawthorn, C. oxyacantha, has been famous in
England for many generations and is also well known
throughout all northern Europe. Grown in upright form,
it makes a well-shaped tree, sometimes fifteen to twenty
feet in height. It bears the shears well, and can be kept
within such small proportions as may be desired, and
shaped at will. It is distinguished for its rigid stems,

Crataeegus—Thorn. 'E

numerous sharp spines, and attractive foliage. The leaves
are obovate, deeply lobed and toothed, somewhat wedge-
shaped at the base, smooth, and glossy. The flowers are
white, very fragrant, and mostly arranged in corymbs.
These are followed by deep red fruit which hangs long on
the bush and is quite showy. In Europe the hawthorn is
extensively used for hedges, not only for its beauty but be-
cause it furnishes pro-
tection alike against
" man and beast; but
it has never been
popular as a hedge

plant in America.
The species takes its popular name
from the berries which in England are
called haws. There are several vari-
eties of much value, the best of which
are as follows: C. 0. rosea, pink-flower-
ing, differs from the type chiefly in the
color of its blossoms. In this case
the petals are rose-colored, or pink,
with the tips or claws bordered with
white, and a well-grown tree in full

FLOWERING BRANCH 7 :
oF craTzaus oxyacantHA. bloom never fails to secure admi-

ration. C. 0. rosea superba has larger petals, which are
dark red or crimson without the white tips, and is very fine.
There are several double-flowering forms, one of which,
C. o. flore pleno albo, has large white, double flowers in
great abundance, shading to pink before they fall. C. o.
cocctnea duplicates the last by producing similar blossoms

76 Ornamental Shrubs.

in pink or scarlet, and a variation from this, known as
Paul’s double-scarlet, marks still another advance. In
each of these the individual flowers are miniature rosettes
and are very interesting. What is known as the Glaston-
bury thorn, C. 0. pre@cox, is so named because of its
supposed origin at Glastonbury Abbey. It is remarkable
from the fact that it flowers much earlier than the original.
In England its blossoms often appear at Christmas and
again late in the following summer. In the United States
it is one of the earliest to put forth its foliage, appearing
at its best farther south than New England or New York.
Numerous other departures from the original appear, some
with different-colored fruit, and others having foliage
variegated, sometimes with yellow and sometimes with
white; but none with characteristics so peculiar in these
respects as to call for special notice.

The American hawthorns, though usually spoken of
simply as thorns, are also rich in species and varieties.
They include about one third of all the kinds known, and
are almost invariably hardy and worthy of cultivation,
though such as are natives of the Gulf States should not be
transplanted to the North where the winters are severe.
Among the best of these are the following: C. crus-galli,
cockspur thorn, is pronounced by some authorities the best
of all American sorts, but there is little reason for giving
it such especial prominence. As a small tree, it grows
freely in almost any good soil and is worthy of general
cultivation. The stem is erect, throwing off branches in
whorls, which grow almost at right angles with the trunk.
This gives the head a stratified appearance and adds to its

GOOM VW J3O SLYIMSLNO NO NYOHLMYVH

78 Ornamental Shrubs.

attractions. The leaves are dark green, almost glossy
above, thick and inversely wedge-shaped or obovate. In
autumn they assume a rich coloring. The flowers are
white tinged with pink or red. Fruit, round, edible, and
of a scarlet or sometimes a dull red color, hanging on the
branches far into the winter. The species will do better
in partial shade than most other sorts. It grows from ten
to twenty feet, and blossoms in June.

C. coccinea, scarlet thorn, is a native species of great
value, spreading over a wide range of territory and every-
where much admired. It is a small tree rising from ten
to twenty feet, and in every way well proportioned. The
numerous wedge-shaped, thin leaves are bright, soft and
pleasant to the eye. The bark on the stem is rough, with
a grayish cast, but on the smaller branches it is often
smooth and of an olive-green or reddish shade. The
spines are strong and sharp, well calculated to resist in-
truders. The flowers are white and pretty, appearing in
early June, and followed by bright scarlet berries that
hang long and present a striking appearance. It is their
prominence which gave the name to the species by which
it is properly known.

The species has given off a large number of varieties,
some of which prove of horticultural worth. This is
especially true in the case of C. ¢. macrantha, which by
most authorities is ascribed to this origin, though some
are disposed to raise it to the dignity of an independent
species. Professor Bailey points out several qualities in
which it diverges from the cocc¢nea, among which is the fra-
grance of its blossoms. He says that in this respect it is

Crateegus—Thorn. 79

entirely different from the scarlet thorn, which possesses
anything but an agreeable odor. ‘A bush of the long-
spurred thorn when in flower scents the air for a consider-
able distance.” Other reasons are given which appear to
be convincing, but they need not be discussed in this con-
nection. This long-spurred thorn is found growing in a
state of nature from the banks of the St. Lawrence to
Minnesota, and proves perfectly hardy throughout all the
Northern and Middle States; and it will probably adapt
itself to even more southern situations.

What is known as the white thorn is supposed to be
also a variety of the scarlet, and by others it, too, is raised
to the dignity of a species. It is known as C. mollzs and
is one of the largest and most conspicuous of the tribe.
Garden and Forest says: “In cultivation the white
thorn is a beautiful plant, of rapid growth and good habit,
conspicuous in winter for the whiteness of its branches and
for the number of its large chestnut-brown shining spines.
The flowers, with the exception of those of one species
of the Southern States, are the largest produced by any
member of the genus. The leaves are large and of a lively.
green, and the fruit, which is as large as that of a small
crab-apple, is brilliant scarlet with a conspicuous bloom.”

C. pyracantha fructo luteo.—This is an evergreen thorn,
and one of our most desirable plants for the lawn or
garden. As it is not large, it is well to plant three or five
so that they will combine in appearance as one plant, when
they will make a well-rounded, bushy form, ten feet, or
perhaps more, in height, and as many in diameter as may
be desired by the planter. The leaves change to a brown-

80 Ornamental Shrubs.

ish purple in the winter, and are very effective in such
situations. In fact, there is scarcely any shrub that makes
a better appearance on the lawn, taking the year as a
whole, than this. As a hedge-plant it is even more
especially desirable.
It is true that its
growth is slow and it

takes some time to
secure a good stand,
but when the result
is obtained nothing
in the line of hedges
is more _ beautiful.
The branches are
small, numerous,
compact, and run into
each other to such an
extent that the whole
line appears as

OG igre ine though it might be a
ce <5 en ae
esas wh ME, NS single growth. In

spring and summer,

CRATALQUS SPATHULATA. ihe glossy foliage ‘ie
covered with fragrant white flowers, followed by bright or-
ange or scarlet berries which add much to its attractiveness.
C. p. lalandz? is a variety with larger leaves, and even more
beautiful, but, unfortunately, like the type in the North, it
is not entirely hardy. The evergreen thorns cannot be re-
lied upon beyond the limits of southern New England.

C. pyracantha cuneata is cultivated under the name of

Magnolia. 81

crategus spathulata. It has bright scarlet fruit which
hangs on during the winter among the purplish, persistent
leaves, making it a very ornamental plant.

MAGNOLIA.

HE magnolias constitute an interesting family, and
as a whole are unsurpassed among hardy trees in
beauty of foliage and flower. They are widely

distributed both in the Old World and the New, and in
higher and lower latitudes, some being deciduous and
others evergreen. As classified by the botanists there are
about twenty species and an equal or greater number of
varieties known in cultivation. Some are natives of tropical
Asia, and others of the colder portions of the temperate
zone. A few are found in the West Indies, New Zealand,
and Australia, and a much larger number come from China,
Japan, the Crimean and Himalayan Mountains. Several
are natives of North America and indigenous to the
United States. But, wherever found, their attractions
have been such that the better sorts have become common
property throughout the horticultural world.

A large number of species and varieties blossom in
early spring before the foliage appears. In this case the
flower-buds are formed and fully grown the previous
summer, and so are ready to respond to the first genial
breath of spring. It is astonishing how quickly these
trees are clothed with flowers as the winter wears away,
and how fully the promise of the last year’s growth is
fulfilled. None of the American species are of this class,

6

82 Ornamental Shrubs.

as with them, together with many foreign varieties, the
foliage precedes the flowers, though all are early spring
bloomers. Only a few are evergreens, but the leaves
of many of the deciduous species are so persistent and
hold on so long in autumn that it might not require a
very great change in climatic conditions to enable them
also to be clothed with living green. In most cases the
leaves are large and inclined to be fleshy, alternate, entire,
and sometimes dotted with pellucid spots, giving them a
rich and attractive appearance. The fruit usually grows
in a cone or hard, compact cluster, which becomes scarlet
or bright red during the period of ripening. As the seeds
drop out they may often be seen hanging by a slender
thread several inches
below the bunch in
which they matured.
They consist of small,
hard nuts covered with
a pale-red, fleshy sub-
stance which should be
removed before plant-
ing. Without observing
any prescribed order
or classification, the

following list is given

as including the more

desirable hardy forms
MAGNOLIA GLAUCA. adapted to cultivation :
MM. glauca, known in some localities as sweet bay, and

in others as swamp laurel, is the only species that is known

Magnolia. 83

to be indigenous to New England, its northern limit being
in the swamps of Cape Ann near the sea. It grows
freely in the southern Middle States, where it appears as a
well-formed, small tree, and can be safely transplanted as
far northas Canada. The foliage is good, the leaves being
elliptic in form, from three to five inches in length, dark
green above and whitish beneath. The flowers are white,
composed of nine delicate petals tapering at the base,
and arranged in three circles which unfold in succession.
They appear in May or June, are fragrant and of long
continuance on the branches. Though not one of the
most conspicuous members of the family it is worthy of
more attention in garden planting than is usually accorded
to it.

M. conspicua, known also as the yuan, as it was intro-
duced from a Chinese province by that name, is one of the
most beautiful of all the hardy magnolias, and has come to
be planted accordingly. It grows to be a tree in some-
what shrubby form, from twenty to thirty feet high, and
with numerous branches. The foliage is good, the flowers
large, pearly white, and produced in such profusion as to
almost hide the stems and branches from observation.
They are cup-shaped, from seven to nine inches long and
three to five across, appearing just as the leaf-buds begin
to open. I have counted twelve hundred of these great
blossoms upon a single tree growing in Newport, which
for many years has not once failed to be such an object of
beauty as to attract visitors, who never weary of admiring
and praising it. The tree is reasonably hardy, but does
best when planted on the southerly side of a wall, where

84 Ornamental Shrubs.

the wood is better ripened and the large autumn buds more

fully developed.

MAGNOLIA CONSPICUA.

M. hypoleuca, sometimes called the silver-leaved magno-
lia, is a native of Japan, and is one of the most striking
and attractive members of the family. According to
Professor Sargent, who studied it in its native forests on
the island of Yezo, it sometimes rises to the height of more
than a hundred feet, and is a valuable timber tree, though

in garden cultivation it does not appear to have anywhere

Magnolia. 85

reached such proportions. It is emphatically a northern
species, and may not be at its best in locations where winters
are not more or less severe, and where the ground is not
covered with snow a portion of the year. This will
certainly recommend it toalargeconstituency. The leaves
are from twelve to twenty inches long, and seven or eight
inches broad, bright green on the upper surface and pale
steel-blue or silvery white on the lower. The flowers are
from five to seven inches in diameter, with creamy-white
petals and brilliant scarlet filaments. They are very
fragrant, and appear after the foliage is fully expanded.

M. kobus is also Japanese, common to the forests in
that country, and of but recent introduction to garden
cultivation. In its native habitat it grows to the height of
from seventy to eighty feet, with a straight trunk nearly
two feet in diameter and covered with slightly colored
bark. The head is described as pyramidal in old speci-
mens, round, and with short, slender branches. The
flowers appear early and in advance of the foliage. They
are white, slightly tinged with yellow, from four to five
inches across, and without special fragrance. The leaves
are obovate, bluish green, six or seven inches in length and
about half as broad. It has the bad reputation of not
blossoming when young like some others, so that in plant-
ing for early effects one should procure as old and large
trees as possible. It appears to be hardy, and even in the
absence of flowers is a desirable acquisition.

M. salictfolia.—tin his visit to the Japanese forests,
Professor Sargent found, and describes, another magnolia,
to which the above name has been given. He speaks of it

86 Ornamental Shrubs.

as growing on mountains two to three thousand feet above
the level of the sea, and also as found in swamps, as well
asin dry situations. It thus appearson Mount Hakkodo,
where it is a slender tree fifteen to twenty feet high, with
ovate, acute leaves, light green above and silvery white
below. These are some six inches long, two inches broad,
and borne on slender, short petioles. As he did not see
the tree in flower—and it is not known to have blossomed
in this country or Europe—the peculiarities of the flower
are not fully known.

M. soulangeana is one of the hardiest members of the
family. It is an importation from China, and supposed by
some authorities to be a hybrid, produced, through natural
causes, between JZ. conspecua and AZ. purpurea. The tree
does not grow so tall as the former, but forms a low, spread-
ing head, and produces immense blossoms, white, with
purple at the base, affording a very attractive combination.
It has the advantage of blossoming later than the conspzcua,
and so helps maintain a succession. JAZ. sfeczosa is also a
Chinese hybrid. |The flowers are somewhat smaller than
those of the sowlangeana, appear still later, and remain
longer on the tree. They are red and white, or rose-
colored, and afford a marked contrast with some of the
others described. This variation from the prevailing
colors and the period of blossoming makes it especially
desirable in grouping.

M. stellata.—Few small trees or shrubs are more beauti-
ful than this, whether planted singly or in groups of three
or four. It is a low-growing species from Japan, seldom
rising more than eight feet, with spreading branches which

Magnolia. 87

in early spring are crowded with white blossoms in advance
of the foliage. The leaves are from three to five inches
long, elliptic in form, and abundant. The flowers are also
small, some three inches across, with about fifteen narrow
petals, slightly reflexed, encompassing a cluster of bright
yellow stamens. They are somewhat star-shaped, fragrant,
and of longer continuance than those of most of the
species and varieties. The plant is of slow growth, but
has the advantage of coming into blossom when very
small, and, under favoring conditions, every season. It is
claimed to be the earliest bloomer of all the magnolias, as
well as the most profuse. Its usefulness in the garden is
sometimes impaired by late frosts and heavy rains, as it
does not always wait for settled weather. But this is true
of nearly all early flowering plants, such as insist upon
crowding the season. No one will make a mistake in
planting this magnolia, however small his grounds.
Specimens less than two feet high often produce flowers
freely, and so apparently out of season when contrasted
with the surroundings as to be of especial interest. The
plant is hardy, and thrives in ordinary soils, preferring,
however, leaf mould and peaty substance with plenty of
moisture. This magnolia has long been a favorite with
the Japanese flower lovers.

M. watson, newly introduced to the public, comes
from Japan, and is a well-formed tree, producing obovate
leaves five to seven inches long and about three inches
wide. These are bright green above, veined and margined
with yellow. The under surface is a paler shade of green,
_and, especially in the younger growth, covered with silky

88 Ornamental Shrubs.

hairs. The flowers are white, five or six inches in diameter,
and highly fragrant. They are especially beautiful because
of the blood-red filaments which surround the pistils, as
well as from their large proportions. They grow singly

on short peduncles, and cover the tree while the foliage

MAGNOLIA WATSONII OR PARVIFLORA.

buds are breaking into green. JZ. /enne? is another strik-
ing Chinese hybrid, whose flowers are crimson or purple
without, but white within. It is prized wherever known,
and claimed by some to be the best of the purple varieties.

AL. purpurea, popularly known as the purple magnolia,

Magnolia. 89

because of the color of its flowers, is also of Chinese ex-
traction. Downing says that both the white and the
purple varieties ‘eclipse every other floral object, whether
tree or shrub, that the garden contains.” This variety is
said to be a hybrid, and one of the more hardy sorts. The
blossoms are white within and dark purple or lilac-colored
without, and very fragrant. In all other particulars it
partakes of the general characteristics of the family.
AL, atropurpurea, or dark purple magnolia, blooms in May
and is distinguished by having the darkest-colored flowers
of the whole list. It, too, is from China, and not at all
common in the nurseries or in garden cultivation. It is to
the magnolias what the purple beech is to its congeners.

M. macrophylla, or the great-leaved magnolia, has im-
mense leaves from one to three feet long and ten to twelve
inches wide. The flowers are nearly or quite a foot across,
with white petals, purple at the base, and moderately fra-
grant. The tree is medium sized, and has the most tropical
appearance of any of the hardy forms. The combination
is such that it is difficult to decide whether the leaves or
flowers are most to be admired. It is an American
species, and sufficiently hardy for planting in favorable
conditions in the Northern and Eastern States.

M. alexandrina is small, rising from ten to twelve
feet, and is more of a bush than atree. It is one of the
earlier-blooming varieties, bearing large pink flowers in
May, and in some favored localities late in April. It is
more especially adapted to gardens and grounds of limited
dimensions. JZ. graczles is also shrub-like in its propor-
tions, being not more than ten to fifteen feet high, and

90 Ornamental Shrubs.

producing purple flowers of deeper hue than most others
of its class.) They expand about the first of April or
in early May, and are especially valuable for massing or
use in borders of shrubbery. There is no doubt as to its
hardiness in ordinary situations and its adaptability to
various garden soils. JZ. nxorbertzana is another of the
shrubby kind, though somewhat taller, with good foliage
and pink blossoms appearing two or three weeks later
than those of the last mentioned. Though good in itself,
it is not especially to be preferred to the other pink vari-
eties. All these low-growing sorts should be more gener-
ally cultivated than they are now, as they may well take
the place of plants which, though better known, are far
less valuable where early effects are desired.

M. obovata—This is a rather tender species from
Japan, and, though growing but five or six feet high and
in bushy form, produces large and showy blossoms with
six petals and very sweet-scented. The leaves are large,
obovate, deep green, and of good substance throughout
the entire summer. It is not counted entirely hardy, even
in the Middle States.

M. grandiflora—Evergreen Magnolia.—This is, per-
haps, the most beautiful and interesting of all the mag-
nolias, but, unfortunately, it is not sufficiently hardy to
withstand the rigors of our northern winters. It is in-
digenous to nearly all the Southern States and in some
instances becomes a tree from seventy to eighty feet in
height, though its average proportions in cultivation are
much less, In all cases, it is inclined to an erect, slender,
and somewhat pyramidal form, and thus is a most desirable

Magnolia. gI

tree for street planting, and the wonder is that it is not
more largely employed in beautifying both streets and
parks wherever it can be available. The leaves are large,
oval-oblong, coriaceous, and bright glossy green on the
upper surface, though somewhat rusty beneath. The
blossoms are also large, six to eight inches in diameter,
white, with from nine to twelve petals. They are de-
liciously fragrant, and continue a long time in perfection.
There has recently been more or less discussion as to the
northern limits where this magnificent tree may be grown.
It used to be said that it could not be depended upon
much north of Richmond, but it has been demonstrated
that fine specimens can be maintained not only in Wash-
ington but even in Philadelphia. Mr. Thomas Meehan
gives an account of a tree about thirty feet high, in one
of the parks in the latter city, which blossoms and ripens
seed every year; and adds that ‘it is not the only one, by
any means, to be found in the city. In Fairmount Park,
near Horticultural Hall, there is a tree which has been
flowering and seeding for many years. I could name a
dozen trees thriving hereabout, several of them of flower-
ing age. I would without hesitation lift the line of its
hardiness from Richmond, Virginia, and set it at Philadel-
phia.” Good specimens are reported even farther north,
as at Dorosis on Long Island, but they have to be at-
tended to with especial care, such as only experts and en-
thusiasts have patience to apply. Mr. Meehan reports
having seen them growing in England north of London,
but in almost every instance they were trained on the side
of a building, flat and fan shaped. There are a number

92 Ornamental Shrubs.

of varieties of this tree, but very few, if any of them, are
to be preferred to the original form.

ABELIA.

HE abelias constitute a small genus of very orna-
mental shrubs of the order caprzfolzacee, and,
though not sufficiently hardy to withstand the

winters of the northern parts of the United States, they
are especially adapted to garden cultivation throughout
the southern half of the Union. They will probably
thrive in most locations south of Washington, through
the Southwest and California, and with but little or no
more care than is afforded many other choice plants that
do not surpass them in interest or beauty. All are of
easy cultivation and showy in both leaf and flower. The
name was given to the genus in honor of Dr. Clark Abel,
a noted physician and botanist, who was attached to the
British embassy to China in 1817, and who probably first
directed the attention of English horticulturists to their
merit. But it does not appear that the plants were
brought to England until Mr. Robert Fortune entered so
largely upon his work of introducing the botanical treas-
ures of the flowery kingdom to the European gardens.

A. rupestris.—This species was brought from China
to England by Mr. Fortune in 1844, but, from its real or
supposed inability to withstand the climate of that coun-
try, was largely treated as a conservatory or greenhouse
plant. It has more recently been found equal to the de-
mands in some of the southern counties, and where,
according to a writer in Zhe Garden, of London, it is

Abelia. 93

seldom injured by cold or frost. In this country it
is found to thrive below the latitude of Washington with
as little care as is given to many other plants in com-
mon use. It is known to do well in Philadelphia, and
good specimens are occasionally seen in the vicinity of
New York, facts which fairly indicate its northern terri-
torial range. At its best it makes a well-shaped bush
from five to eight feet high, and usually about as many
in diameter. When desired it can be grown on a pillar
or trained to a wall as a low climber with good effect.
The plant is clothed with small, oblong, glossy foliage,
and in its season is abundant with blossoms. The tubu-
lar flowers are of a pale rose-color without, and white
within, continuing from July or August, according to loca-
tion, until frost. d. 7. grandiflora is a variety originated
in Italy, which is said to be a decided improvement upon
the type. The flowers are much larger and more beauti-
ful, the color remaining the same, and the whole plant is
more robust.

A, serrata.—This is another of the broad-leaved ever-
green species from China, and is of about the same propor-
tions as the last. It is, however, an early spring bloomer,
producing its terminal flowers singly, but in sufficient
abundance to cover the entire bush. They are very large,
pale red, and exceedingly fragrant. It has the reputation
of not being quite so hardy as the rapestrzs, but as being
especially desirable in southern localities and for green-
house cultivation.

A. triflora isa native of Hindoostan, and grows to a
height of five or six feet. Its foliage also remains through

94 Ornamental Shrubs.

the winter months, like that of the rhododendron and the
kalmia, and the plant should be subjected to much the
same conditions in cultivation. The flowers are terminal,
in threes, yellow tinged with pink, the sepals being long
and clothed with hairs. It flowers in autumn and is one
of the best of the late bloomers. 4. florzbunda is of Ameri-
can origin, supposed to be a native of Mexico and adjacent
territory. Itisasmaller plant, growing about three or four
feet, with opposite long leaves and damask or rosy-purple
blossoms nearly two inches long, in clusters at the ends of
the numerous twigs. These are very showy and appear
in early spring.

A. spathulata.—Though of later introduction this spe-
cies is coming to be as well known and as fully appreciated
as most of its predecessors. It comes from Japan and
proves to be a much-branched and free-flowering ever-
green shrub that is certain to attract attention wherever
grown. The leaves are from one to two inches long, el-
liptic-lanceolate, slightly toothed, glabrous above, some-
what rough and hairy beneath, the edges being marked
with purple. The flowers are nearly or quite sessile, in
pairs, the corolla being an inch long, white within and
marked with blotches of light yellow on the throat, ap-
pearing early in spring. These are so numerous as to
envelop the whole bush, and are of long continuance. It
is believed to be adapted to more northern localities than
most of the other sorts, but as it is not yet widely tested,
its hardiness under adverse conditions is not fully deter-
mined.

Rosa Rugosa. 95

ROSA RUGOSA.
HE roses are not often classed among shrubs, but
this is justly entitled to that distinction. Though
a true rose its shrubby characteristics could not be
well overlooked in this connection. And when properly

ROSA RUGOSA.

grown and cared for, it will be found one of the most valuable
as well as most ornamental plants in the whole list. It grows

96 Ornamental Shrubs.

from five to ten feet and, if permitted, will attain a diameter
nearly or quite equal to its height, having a tendency to
send up new stems from year to year so that there is
scarcely a limit of possibilities in this direction. At the
same time it is easily kept within desired bounds, while the
fresh growths may be transplanted with entire success. The
foliage is abundant, dark green, plicated, and dense through
the entire summer and autumn. Were it not a flowering
plant at all, it would still be desirable on the lawn or inthe
border. The blossoms are single, from three to four
inches across, deep red with yellow stamens, showing abun-
dantly in June and July, and more sparingly in midsum-
mer and autumn. These are followed by large heps of
scarlet-crimson which continue long into the autumn, and in
the opinion of many areas beautiful as the blossoms them-
selves. They form quickly, after the flowers, in succession,
have dropped their petals, and so it is common to see both
fruits and flowers in profusion at the same time, and, as
both are terminal, the combination is especially effective.
The bush is too strong a grower to be suitable for the
ordinary rose garden, its proper place being on the lawn or
in the border. In the gardens at Newport, Rosa rugosa
is more freely planted than any other shrub, and particularly
in exposed situations. It is seen in many villas on the
highest cliffs, where it bravely withstands the fiercest winds
that come in from open sea. In such situations the plants
are often cut down sharply on the approach of winter, as
they should always be when the foliage is desired near the
ground. Left to themselves they become coarse and bare
at the base, while if reduced in height the plant retains its

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98 Ornamental Shrubs.

beauty at all times. The rapidity of its growth is such
that if cut to one or two feet, it is sure to answer all the
purposes of a comparatively low ornamental shrub the
following season.

There are several varieties and numerous hybrids
worthy of notice. A. ~. a4ba is much the same except in
the color of the blossom, which is pure white and very at-
tractive. The plant isslightly less vigorous and of smaller
proportions, but the scarlet heps contrast so well with the
flowers and the rich green foliage as to make it especially
desirable. Madame Georges Bruant is a hybrid with
broad and handsome foliage and pure white flowers in
clusters, semi-double and quite fragrant. It blooms at
intervals throughout the entire summer. Agnes Emily
Carmen is across with Harrison’s yellow, and is one of the
best of the group. The blossoms are deep crimson, semi-
double, borne in clusters and appearing at intervals during
the entire season, even to the coming of frost. The foli-
age isalso good. The plant may not be quite as vigorous
and as well adapted to rough exposures as the rugosa
proper but it may be put down as reasonably hardy through-
out the Northern States.

There are other roses that may be grown in bush form,
and are especially adapted to that treatment, but they do
not call for description in this connection.

Morus—Mulberry. 99

MORUS—Mulberry.

HE mulberries belong to the bread-fruit tree family,
Atrocarpe, which includes some of the most in-
teresting of nature’s products. Though more

especially adapted to the tropics, some of the species
appear freely in the temperate zones, and are almost as
highly prized by civilized races as others are by the savages
who gather their daily food from the stems and boughs
within their reach. The tribe includes, along with the poi-
sonous upas, the famous banyan tree of India, the cele-
brated cow tree of South America, the fig tree, and many
others especially adapted to the wants of man and beast.
The mulberry appears in many countries, and some of the
forms are indigenous to eastern Asia, southern Europe,
the United States, and Canada. The several species are
curious and interesting, and nearly all of them are of
especial interest to the botanist and practical horticulturist.
They have been in cultivation from the earliest antiquity,
and are mentioned in the Old Testament Scriptures as
objects of interest and almost veneration. Many of them
serve a good purpose in furnishing food, and as ornamental
plants; and such might be cultivated to advantage much
more generally than they now are. The hardy species
are easily grown and long-lived. They produce sweet and
juicy fruit, though this is not equally palatable to all
people. Mulberries were first introduced into England
in the year 1548, and afterwards became so popular that
“the mulberry gardens” were a prominent feature of
some of the best estates. These plantations were util-

100 Ornamental Shrubs.

ized in furnishing food for silkworms, as well as pro-
ducing fruits for the table, and for the manufacture of

RUSSIAN WEEPING MULBERRY.

wine. All the species are late in putting forth their leaves

inspring. The foliage, when it does appear, is a bright,

Morus—Mulberry. 101

dark green, and contrasts finely with the colors of most
other trees in the vicinity.

The red mulberry, J/ ruéra, is the only species indi-
genous to New England. It is a medium-sized tree with
large, rough, heart-shaped leaves, sometimes serrate and
sometimes lobed. The flowers are of a greenish-yellow
tint, small and numerous, followed by dark red fruit, sweet
to the taste and preferable to that of most other sorts.
The wood is hard, strong, and very durable, and is often

used in boat building

g, and for posts whenever it can be

obtained in sufficient quantities. Though not strictly a
first-class tree for ornamental planting or for purposes of
forestry, it is worthy of a place in every large collection.

The black mulberry, Jf nzgra, was carried from
Persia to Europe in the 16th century, and thence brought
to America, where it has been cultivated to a limited extent
in gardens and private grounds. The foliage is much the
same as that of the preceding, and the fruit, in the form of
a spike composed of numerous calyces and carpels, is
succulent, and, to many people, of pleasant taste, but not
to all. It is said to be a very long-lived tree and to grow
well in most parts of the country. The white-fruited
mulberry, JZ. alba, is a well-known silkworm species, at
one time very popular, but now much neglected. It is a
medium-sized tree with succulent leaves growing in great
abundance. It is worth growing only asa curiosity. The
Spanish mulberry, JZ. Azspanzca, has large, smooth leaves,
and from the vigor of its growth and its rich purple fruit is
by many preferred to all others for garden planting.

102 Ornamental Shrubs.

PYRUS JAPONICA—Japan Quince.

HIS popular shrub, formerly known as Cydonza
japonica, was brought to England as early as 1815,
where it was received with much favor and thence

distributed on the continent. Wherever it is known, it is
recognized as one of the best of the many good plants
that the Island Empire has yet given to the western
world. Still its merits do not appear to be fully appre-
ciated by many, not to say most, of the planters of the
present day. Nicholson in his Dectzonary of Gardening,
quotes approvingly an earlier authority to the effect that
it is “one of the most desirable deciduous shrubs in culti-
vation, whether as a bush or on the open lawn, trained
against a wall, or treated as an ornamental hedge plant. It
has also been trained as a standard, and in this character its
pendant branches and numerous flowers give it a rich and
striking appearance, especially in spring. It is difficult to
unite with its congeners by grafting; but if it could be
grafted high on the pear, the hawthorn, or even the quince,
it would form a most delightful little tree. It is readily pro-
pagated by layers or suckers, and also grows by cuttings.”

There are numerous varieties growing from five to eight
feet in height, and if trained with that end in view, nearly
or quite as many in diameter. Some of these are scarcely
known to the general public but all are worthy of considera-
tion. Probably the most perfect collection is to be found
at the Arnold Arboretum (Harvard University) and they
are described in brief by C. J. Dawson, the superintend-
ent, as follows:

Pyrus Japonica—Japan Quince. 103

“The type, Pyras japonica, has a very dark red flower
of considerable size; the foliage takes on a purplish tinge
and the habit is upright. P. 7. moorlos7? is an extremely
fine variety. In habit it is low with arching branches, in
fact, almost pendulous, the foliage very slender and nar-
row, while the medium-sized flowers are pink and white
in color. P. 7. wallard7 is of medium good upright habit
with flowers of the very darkest crimson in color. P. 7.
atrosanguznea is similar to moorlosz, only the habit is not
so airy, the flowers are not borne so abundantly, and the
leaves are much larger and not so narrow.

“P.7. macrocarpa is of a splendid spreading habit with
dark foliage and medium-sized flowers of a light carmine-
red color. P. 7. folt’s rubris: The foliage is decidedly
colored, the flowers salmon-red in color, while the habit
of the plant is very compact and not of the average
height. P. 7 roseo flore pleno has good semi-double
deep rose flowers of large size. P. 7. verstcolor: Flowers
pink and white, the habit of the plant being very compact.
P. 7. atrosanguinea plena: \n this variety the habit is
very dwarf and compact and it is a decidedly free bloomer.
The flowers, of a.deep red, are only slightly double. P. 7.
grandiflora: One of the best; flowers very large, pink and
white in color, and very fine airy habit. P. 7. wmelblata:
Also a very good variety, with flowers of deep rose color
borne very abundantly. P. 7. zzvalzs is a splendid white
variety, laden with medium-sized flowers. P. 7. semplex
alba: The flowers a trifle larger than xzvadzs, the last two
being both excellent varieties.”

Pyrus mauleti, a more recent species of Japan quince,

104 Ornamental Shrubs.

is also attractive; it is much dwarfer, seldom growing
more than three feet in height, and very compact in habit.
It is more covered with thorns than the japonica type, and
the colors take on a different tone of reds and pinks than
do the older Japan quinces. Its various forms make
one of our most beautiful of recently introduced shrubs.

It is to be regretted that with all their good qualities
these plants are not more freely used for hedges, as they
are certainly superior in many respects to the privets
which are now so freely employed. Their foliage takes
on various shades of color as the season advances, from
olive to pink, the latter appearing often in the new growth
after cutting back or trimming. Under such circum-
stances the hedge seems crowned with scarlet, answering
to the show of flowers in early springtime. Such a hedge
is not so easily broken down as those composed of less
thorny plants, nor will it require so much cutting as
though composed of shrubs disposed to larger propor-
tions. It may be as cheaply planted and as readily
grown, the cost of keeping in order being less. Besides,
the owner would have the satisfaction of breaking in upon
the monotony that nowthreatens the almost exclusive use
of a single type.

PYRUS MALUS—Flowering Apple—Crab.

HE apple blossom is always beautiful, and yet but
comparatively few persons think of growing the
tree simply as an ornament for field or garden.

Perhaps in the minds of some the very fact that the apple
is one of our most common as well as most useful fruits

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106 Ornamental Shrubs.

shuts it out of consideration in this connection. But there
are species and varieties that are both rare and ornamental
in the highest degree, and that need only to be known
to make for themselves a place in every considerable col-
lection where best results are desired. To some of the
most desirable of these attention may well be called. In
their wild state they are almost universally known as crabs,
and as such are indigenous to most of the temperate regions
of both Europe and America.

P. m. coronarza, the American crab, is a native of the
United States, and outside of cultivation is probably
found at its best on the Alleghany Mountains, where it
appears as a small and shapely tree, growing to a height
of about twenty feet. Though perfectly hardy, it has not
shown itself to be very aggressive, as its range is quite
limited. Still, it is found, though in comparatively small
numbers, in locations much farther north. The beauty
of its blossoms early attracted attention, as they are large,
rose-colored, and very fragrant ; the odor, in the opinion
of many persons, resembling that of the common sweet
violet. The fruit, though not of much economic value,
is also fragrant and interesting; the apples are small and
exceedingly numerous, and hang long on the branches.
Some of the supposed varieties are still more beautiful
than the type, especially those with variegated foliage.
That known to the trade as P. m. aucubefolia has leaves
which are distinctly marked with white, and in some cases
shaded with pink, and is very desirable. Another, known
as the double white-flowering apple, P. m. alba Plena, pro-
duces large double blossoms which are very sweet-scented.

Pyrus Malus—Flowering Apple—Crab. 107

This is much smaller than its parent, growing but five or
six feet high.
A Chinese crab, P. m. spectabrlis, grows to a height of

twenty to thirty feet, and has large, pale red or rose-

DOUBLE FLOWERING APPLE.

colored, semi-double flowers in April or May. They are
nearly sessile, and appear in umbels. The leaves are
oblong, oval, and smooth, and give the tree a somewhat
showy appearance at all times. The fruit is not especially
good. The variety known as flore rosco pleno produces

double rose-colored flowers nearly two inches in diameter.

108 Ornamental Shrubs.

These appear in May, and are also very fragrant, making
the plant in every way desirable for ornamental purposes.
P. m. floribunda, the Japanese flowering apple, is one
of the most interesting acquisitions that has been made
to our list of ornamental trees in many years. It grows
five to six feet in height, has small, obovate leaves, and
produces beautiful, rich, rosy-red blossoms in great abun-
dance in early spring, and sparingly throughout the sum-
mer. The shoots are slender, and often bend beneath the
weight of the small apples which are borne on long stems,
and it is difficult to tell whether the shrub is more to
be desired for its appearance when in flower or in fruit.
Of this Garden and Forest says, editorially: ‘ This, it
seems to us, is the most beautiful of its race, and one of
the best ornamental plants in cultivation. It is particu-
larly beautiful before the flowers expand, when the bright
red flower-buds cover the branches. The Japanese crab
should be planted in rich soil, and allowed plenty of room
in which to spread its wand-like branches. * * * Im-
proving with age, the Japanese crab grows more beautiful
every year; the severest winters leave it uninjured, and
insects and diseases pass it by. The variety with bright
pink, semi-double flowers, known as Pyrus parkmanniz, is
equally beautiful, though it is a rather less hardy plant.”
The Siberian crab, P. m. pruntfolia, has been much
planted, and has also many good qualities. The white,
single flowers often cover the entire tree, and give it a
showy head in April or May. The fruit when ripe is
yellow, with the side toward the sun showy red. The
tree is of larger growth than most of its class, rising some

Pyrus Malus—Flowering Apple—Crab. — 109

twenty feet, and is suitable for either the orchard or the
garden.

What is called Bechtel’s crab is a new American
product, and is already regarded as one of the best that

BRANCH OF FLOWERING CRAB.

has made its appearance. It is supposed to have sprung
from the western form of FP. m. coronarta, having origi-
nated at Stanton, IIl., and has been put on the market
within a very few years. It produces large double pink
blossoms, much resembling small roses, and in great

abundance. They are also exceedingly fragrant and said

IIO Ornamental Shrubs.

to answer the purpose of cut flowers, retaining their good
qualities for a long time. Unlike most of the crabs, the
blossoms do not appear until the foliage is well advanced,
the bush being thus in leaf and flower at the same time,
a decided novelty in this class of plants. ‘The tree is a
rather slow grower when young, but has the habit of
blooming when very small, often when not more than two
feet high. This, in connection with the fact that it
lengthens the season of apple-blossoming nearly two weeks,
makes it especially desirable in connection with the other

and earlier sorts.

BERBERIS—Barberry.

HIS is an interesting group of hardy plants, with
an Arabic name, though indigenous to many sec-
tions of Europe, Asia, and America, as well as

Arabia. A few are evergreens, but by far the greater
number are deciduous, growing in bushy forms and in
almost every kind of soil, though not favorably disposed
to low, marshy situations. It is said that there are some
fifty species, to which may be added several varieties of
special value and well known in cultivation. Some are
but a few inches in height, with round, compact heads,
while others grow to ten or twenty feet, specimens occa-
sionally appearing in tree form rather than as bushes or
shrubs. They have, as a rule, yellowish wood and inner
bark, ovate and pointed thorny foliage slightly serrate, and
numerous yellow flowers. The fruit is mostly scarlet or
crimson, and so intensely acid that birds will not eat it;
but, properly prepared with sugar, the berries of some

Berberis—Barberry. III

species make excellent preserves and syrups for the table.
The roots and sometimes the bark are used for the pro-
duction of a yellow dye used in coloring. Both the root
and bark, as well as the leaves, are esteemed valuable for
their medicinal qualities. A peculiarity of the flower is
that some of its parts are possessed of a remarkable
degree of irritability, so that if the filaments are touched
on the inside with even the point of a needle, the stamens
are thrown down upon the stigma, and the petals incline
in the same direction, showing what appears to be a wreck
of the entire floral structure. But the seeming ruin is
not permanent. Equanimity is soon restored, and the
several parts slowly resume their places, when the flower
lives on as though nothing unusual had occurred.

The common barberry, Berberzs vulgarts, a native of
Europe, is usually a low, bushy shrub, but capable of
being trained into almost any form desired. It produces
its bright yellow flowers in May or June, and they
are followed by small, oblong, acid fruit. The branches
are provided with sharp spines, and the leaves are also
pointed with bristles, making the shrub difficult to han-
dle. When planted in rows and properly cut in, it makes
an almost impenetrable hedge against man or beast. It
is a long-lived plant, notwithstanding its diminutive size.
This shrub is so widely distributed throughout the coun-
try as to lead to the supposition that it is a native of the
soil. But it is not. Having been brought here and
planted by our forefathers, it kept pace with the growing
population, and having in a measure escaped from civil-
ization, it planted itself along the roadsides, passed over

112 Ornamental Shrubs.

the walls and fences, and in some instances took possession
of entire fields and hillsides to the exclusion of the forms
of plant life that had long had possession, somewhat after
the manner of the conquests made by the pale-faces in
their strifes with the natives. There is a variety that
has richly colored purple foliage, and that proves very
effective in planting, either by itself or in combination
with other sorts. Its general characteristics are much the
same as those of the type, and, whether planted singly,
in masses, or in the border, it is equally good, and capa-
ble of affording most desirable contrasts. But for the
best results it must have plenty of sunshine and not be
grown in too moist a soil. Standing side by side with
yellow-leaved plants, the combination of purple and gold
is all that can be desired. Unlike many of the so-called
foliage plants, it holds its color from spring to autumn,
and can be used on large or small estates to advantage.
The American species, 2. canadensis, was so named by
Pursh, the distinguished botanist, but is not a native of
Canada or even of New England or New York. It is
indigenous to the Alleghany Mountain region, thence
southward to the Gulf and to some sections west of the
Mississippi. In general it is much the same as the valearss,
but with botanical differences sufficient to maintain a
specific classification. It is a more diminutive shrub,
having smaller and less bristly, pointed leaves, fewer-
petalled flowers, and less conspicuous fruit. But in the
general outline to the unscientific eye the two are much
the same. It is entirely hardy, and has been found able
to withstand intense cold, provided it is favored with a

Berberis—Barberry. 113

well-drained soil. In many sections the farmers believe
that the presence of either of these barberries causes rust
in wheat and perhaps other growing crops, as the under
side of the leaves is often of a brown or rusty color.
But it is known that rust is largely a fungous growth,
and that the fungus is of such a different character that
the disease, even when existing in the same vicinage,
could not have been transferred from one to the other.
There is probably, therefore, no good reason for the
widespread prejudice among the agriculturists against
these plants.

The box-leaved barberry, B. dzazfolia, is so named
from the resemblance of its foliage to the common box
famous in old-fashioned gardens. It is also known as
the sweet-fruited barberry, 2. du/czs, and some have sup-
posed that the two names designated distinct species, but
this is not the fact. This shrub comes from the Straits
of Magellan, and is counted an evergreen, though in very
cold climates it is not strictly such. The leaves are
oblong, smooth, and glossy, without hairs or spines, and
about half an inch in length, with very short footstalks.
The cup-shaped, amber-yellow flowers appear very early,
almost before the winter is past, and are borne on slen-
der, pendulous stalks in great abundance, and followed
by dark-colored fruit. Under favorable circumstances
the shrub grows to the height of six to eight feet. Dar-
win’s barberry, B. darwznzz, grows but about two feet, and
produces an abundance of orange-colored flowers in May,
and sometimes again in autumn. The deep purple ber-

ries are oblong and about an inch in length, and armed
8

114 Ornamental Shrubs.

with teeth. The species has the advantage of being an
evergreen, and, as the branches are numerous and the
foliage dense, it is showy in winter as well as in summer.

The Japanese barberry, B. japonzca, is a compact shrub,
seldom growing more than two to four feet, and having

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BERBERIS JAPONICA.

unbranched stems covered by a grayish bark. The com-
pound leaves are about three inches long, dark green
above and lighter beneath, and composed of from seven
to nine leaflets. They are armed with slender but sharp
spines, and not easily handled. In autumn the foliage
assumes brilliant shades of orange and scarlet. The

Berberis—Barberry. 115

flowers are large and in terminal racemes three inches
in length. This species is claimed by some to be the
most beautiful of all the barberries, though not so widely
known and generally cultivated as some others. It is
found to be reasonably hardy in the Northern States.

Another Japanese species, B. vzrescens, was introduced
in this country in 1849, and, after long testing, was offered
by nurserymen in the market. The flowers are small, in
short racemes, and yellow tinged with green, the fruit
oblong, compressed, and purple-scarlet incolor. The first
specimens brought to Europe came from an elevation of
nearly nine thousand feet above the level of the sea, and
the species ought to be hardy in any ordinary locality.
It is highly praised by those who know it best. The
many-flowered barberry, B. florzbunda, is also a native
of Asia. Its yellow blossoms are in pendulous racemes,
in which they hang somewhat loosely, appearing in June.
They are pretty, though not especially striking. The
leaves are obovate, long, and tapering toward the base
almost to a point. The shrub attains a height of six to
ten feet.

Thunberg’s barberry, B. thunbergez, came from Japan,
and is a most valuable acquisition. Though not yet
largely distributed, it is to be found in not a few gardens,
and is everywhere looked upon with especial favor. It
is said that the Japanese prize it not only as the best of
its family, but also as one of their most charming plants.
The bush grows five feet, and has numerous slender
stems and branches, some of which are upright and
others almost horizontal or even pendulous, all being

116 Ornamental Shrubs.

armed with small but stiff and sharp spines. The spoon-
shaped leaves are small, dark, and glossy, green in spring
and summer, end in autumn take ona variety of hues—
crimson, orange, and bronze—which are retained for some
weeks. The flowers are solitary, distributed along the
branches, and
of a lighter
shade of yellow
than those of
most others.

They appear

FRUITING BRANCH, BERBERIS. in early spring,
and are followed by an abundance of fruit which hangs
from the under side of the branches from one end to the
other, and covers the whole bush. The oblong berries
are bright scarlet in color, exceedingly showy, and never
fail to give the shrub a most charming appearance in late
autumn and early winter. It is a peculiarity of these
berries that they contain very little pulp or juice, and
so do not shrivel or even wrinkle after they ripen, even
though subjected to frost and repeated freezing. They
are very persistent, and retain their places far into, and
sometimes through, the winter, and up to the time of
blossoming for the next season. This alone would cause
the plant to be most highly esteemed, as it is not often
that a shrub is found which is almost equally attractive
in spring and summer, autumn and winter. Whether
standing as a solitary shrub on the lawn or in the garden,
planted in groups or placed in the border or hedgerow,
B. thunbergit never fails, when thus fruited, to brighten

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118 Ornamental Shrubs.

the landscape and relieve the dullest months of the year
of much of their monotony and gloom. It is thoroughly
hardy, a good grower, and needs but little care, since
it naturally assumes a good form and retains it from
year to year. It may safely be put down, all things
considered, as one of the very best of the barberries for
ornamental planting.

An evergreen species, B. wallichzana, is a very showy
little shrub, and quite distinct. It forms a dense, com-
pact bush, fully clothed with large, oblong-shaped leaves
of a deep glossy-green tint. The bright, clear yellow
flowers are borne in May or June, and are followed by pur-
ple berries. It is highly ornamental throughout the entire
year. The plant comes from the Himalayas, and appears
to be entirely hardy in this country. It is sometimes
known as LB. hookerz.

Another, &. concznna, is a recent introduction and also
a native of the Himalayas. It is a low-growing bush
with bright red bark on the numerous small branches.
The foliage is dark glossy-green above and lighter beneath,
the leaves being very small and interesting. It produces
deep yellow flowers and bright scarlet fruit, and is ap-
parently a decided acquisition. &. credcca, from Asia
Minor, has dense, handsome foliage, dark green, with
pale yellow flowers in drooping racemes. A Siberian
species, B. emargznata, is a small plant of upright habit,
having leaves finely serrated and becoming brilliant red
in autumn, making it one of the choice varieties. J.
hakodate is a new species from Japan, a more vigorous
grower than most of the other new sorts, having larger

Gardenia—Cape Jessamine. 119

leaves, and foliage which is brilliant red or scarlet.
B. sinensis has its fruit in racemes, and it is large and
brilliant red, hanging on late into the winter. ZB. ¢/iczfolia
comes from Terra del Fuego, and has foliage resembling
that of the holly. It is nearly evergreen in the North,
and wholly so in the South, where it proves very effective
as a garden plant.

GARDENIA—Cape Jessamine.

HE gardenias are all natives of warm climates, being
indigenous to tropical Asia and southern Africa,
especially to the region about the Cape of Good

Hope. They are delightful plants in cultivation, but are
not suitable for northern gardens. They belong to the
order Rudbzaceez, and constitute a genus of about sixty spe-
cies, all evergreens, growing in shrubby form, with good
foliage and large white blossoms. These last are some-
what funnel-shaped, having tubes much longer than the
calyx, and being deliciously fragrant. They are especially
prized for cutting, and bear the operation well. The
blossoms come forward freely in succession. Whether
grown in the open ground or under cover, they are of the
easiest possible cultivation. The species and varieties
best known in the South are all natives of China and
Japan, though the list might well be enlarged and enriched
by additions from other countries if desired.

G. florida is probably best known in American gardens
and, with its varieties, most fully appreciated. The double
white flowers are solitary, almost sessile, usually terminal,
and deliciously fragrant. They appear in midsummer,

120 Ornamental Shrubs.

and continue in succession for a long time. One of the
varieties, G. fortunez, is in some respects to be preferred,
as it blooms somewhat
earlier, with equal pro-
fusion, and is of a
brighter and glossier
shade of green with
opposite leaves in
whorls.

G. nitzda isa native
of Sierra Leone, and
has white solitary flow-

ers appearing later in

GARDENIA FLORIDA. October and Novem-
ber. The tube is narrow, seven-parted, and reflexed.
The foliage is oblong-lanceolate, glossy, and attractive at
all seasons of the year. It grows as a compact bush from
two to three feet high. The flowers of G. vadzcans are
salver-shaped, but in most other respects like others of its
class. They come forward among the first of the gardenias,
appearing in June. There are also several variegated
varieties in which the leaves are striped and spotted and
very pretty.

SPIRAA.

HE spireas belong to the rose family, Rosacee, and
are among our best-known and most popular
shrubs. The genus includes about fifty species,

with numerous well-marked varieties which are perpetuated
in cultivation, and some of which are greatly superior to
the originals. They are indigenous to Europe, Asia, and

Spirza. 121

America, but are seldom found in tropical climates or
south of the equator. The species and varieties are too
numerous to be fully described in this connection, or even
named. They nearly all have alternate leaves, simple or
pinnate, and small white or rose-colored blossoms. These
last appear in cymes, corymbs, and panicles, the parts of
the flowers being mostly in fives. As hardy shrubs they
thrive in almost any good soil, and can be grown with
little care. Some of the species are mere herbs, dying
down to the root in winter and reappearing in early spring,
and others are large and vigorous-growing shrubs, assum-
ing at times almost a tree form.

S. opultfolia.—This is one of the most prominent of
the American species, the familiar “ninebark” of our
swamps and lowlands. It grows six to seven feet, with a
rugged stem, and loose gray bark easily peeling off,
whence comes its popular name. The branches are re-
curved, the leaves three-lobed and doubly serrate, and the
flowers white, succeeded by bladdery pods turning to purple
as autumn approaches. It is altogether a good plant, and
will thrive in dry soils as well as in those which are wet.
What is known as the golden spirza, S. 0. aurea, a variety
of the opfulzfolza, has bright yellow leaves, and is especially
desirable as a foliage plant. No one who has seen good
specimens in masses or interspersed among other sorts, will
hesitate to pronounce this one of the best ornamental
shrubs we have incultivation. It grows toa similar height
with the parent, and is especially bright in spring while
the leaves are young and fresh. The flowers are double,
appearing in June.

122 Ornamental Shrubs.

S. salictfolia, the meadow-sweet, is one of the best-

known of the smaller American sorts. It grows freely

SPIRZA TOMENTOSA.

in moist places, on the borders of meadows or the edges

of swamps, and is a low shrub of from two to four feet.

‘Spirea. 123

The leaves are oblong and glabrous, two to three inches
in length, with serrated edges. The flowers are in upright
terminal panicles or cymes, and appear in July, continuing
through August. It is probably more largely cultivated
in Europe than in the country of its nativity. The steeple-
bush or hardhack, S. tomentosa, is another common sort,
two to three feet high, which grows freely in most parts
of the United States. The stems are brown, smooth, and
thickly studded with oblong leaves bright green above
and whitish beneath. The flowers are in a dense, tapering
panicle, spiral in form, appearing in July and continuing
several weeks. They are usually of a purplish-rose color,
and quite showy.

S. pruntfolia flore pleno, the double-flowering, plum-
leaved spirzea, is a shrub of the highest value. It was
introduced to European cultivation by Dr. Siebold, who
found it growing in Japanese gardens, though its native
country is said to be China or Corea. It grows from six
to ten feet high, in bushy form, and with numerous long,
slender branches covered with smooth bark often divid-
ing into thin scales. The leaves are lanceolate, small,
and numerous, smooth above and downy on the under
side, and take on beautiful autumn tints. The double
white flowers come forth in early spring, covering the
whole length of the arching branches. This species is
more widely distributed than most of the others. 5.
trilobata is a native of the Altaian Alps, and has three-
lobed foliage. It is of somewhat diminutive proportions,
about two feet high, and produces a multitude of small
white flowers in compact, umbel-like corymbs, appearing

124 Ornamental Shrubs.

in May. Whena small, early-flowering plant is desired, this
is quite certain to give satisfaction.

S. callosa was introduced to this country from China
by Mr. Fortune, and is one of the best. It is of low
growth with numerous slender branches, and produces an
abundance of pink or rosy blossoms in flat corymbs in
June, which continue to appear through most of the sum-
mer. The variety known as the S. cal/osa alba, sometimes
called Fortune’s dwarf, is especially valuable. It usually
forms a well-rounded head of many branches, crowded
with white flowers that hang long and are followed by
conspicuous bunches of seeds continuing late into autumn.
For borders to garden walks or for low, ornamental hedges
it is scarcely excelled. As a single plant or in masses on
the lawn it is equally desirable. Another variety is the
S. callosa superba, also of dwarfish habit and possessed of
the same general characteristics, but producing greenish-
white flowers in August and September. The variety
known to the nurserymen as S. callosa semper florens is
much the same, but with red flowers instead of white.

S. thunbergit is a low, bushy shrub from the mountains
of Japan, and one of the very best of the genus. It
grows three to five feet, with a dense, bushy head and
numerous small leaves which in late summer and early
autumn take on most beautiful shades of gold, bronze,
and green. Few shrubs so enliven the border or are so
attractive as single specimens. No one who plants even
a small place should fail to make use of this choice species.
It is a very early bloomer, the flowers being in threes, not
large, but so numerous as to cover the whole bush, with its

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126 Ornamental Shrubs.

beautiful foliage as its chief attraction in late summer and
autumn. It is hardy, and adapts itself to almost any soil
and situation. .S. medza is taller, often growing toa height
of six feet. Its greenish-white blossoms appear about the
same time, and are almost equally showy, but not of quite
so long continuance. It is, however, a good plant, and
would be very desirable if the others were not in com-
petition. And this will apply to the S. hyperzczfolza, or
St. Peter’s-wort, a kind scarcely needed under present
conditions in making up a good collection.

S. fortune? has better foliage than some of the common
sorts, and produces flat cymes of rose-colored or pink
flowers in June. Though good in itself it is not superior
to most of the others here named.

S. van houtte? is a later introduction from Japan, and
has been much praised. It grows in the form of a low,
spreading bush with curved branches, and is from four to
six feet high. While not surpassing some others as a
foliage plant, its smooth, trifoliate leaves, and well-rounded
form give it a fine appearance, and it is doubtful if any
shrub of its dimensions under cultivation will produce a
greater abundance of blossoms in the same period of time.
They are white, appearing in May, literally covering every
branch from end to end, so as to present much the ap-
pearance of a huge bouquet. When done flowering, the
stems are almost as fully covered with the growing and
ripening fruit. Nothing is of easier culture. I have
taken up, with but ordinary care, large specimens when in
full bloom, and replanted them without the slightest ill
effect at the time or during the following season.

Spirea. 127

S. dumalda is avery choice species of dwarf but vig-
orous habit. It grows two to three feet in height, with

SPIRAA ANTHONY WATERER.

numerous slender branches. The foliage is dense and
good throughout all the summer months, and when the

bush is crowned with a profusion of crimson or rosy-pink

128 Ornamental Shrubs.

flowers it is an object of rare beauty, whether seen singly,
in groups, or in the border. Few plants answer better
for bedding out, as it is more showy than the gera-
nium or the coleus, and does not need renewing every
year. The blossoms appear about midsummer and con-
tinue until cold weather. S. anthony waterer comes to
us from England as a recent production, and is presented
as a variety of S. dumalda. It is dwarf in habit, compact,
strong in growth, and perfectly hardy. The flowers are
in larger heads than in the original, appearing in June, and
if the old ones are removed as they begin to decay, they
will be succeeded by new ones, though more sparingly,
until frost. In color they are bright crimson or deep pink,
and as they envelop the bush the plant becomes one of the
most conspicuous objects in the garden. It grows from
two to three feet, and is well adapted to edgings of bor-
ders or paths, but is never more beautiful than when
planted in masses.

S. reevesiz, as known in the catalogues, is a Chinese
species, and one of the most beautiful-flowering sorts of
the whole family. The blossoms are larger than in most
of the early bloomers, of the purest white, and exceedingly
abundant. But it cannot be depended upon in our far
northern climate without especial care and protection,
though south of New York it does well. The flowers
come in round clusters early in June. There is a
double-flowering variety of this species which is of
much value where climatic conditions are favorable.
But, unfortunately, it is probably even less hardy than
the type. How far south it may thrive is scarcely yet

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130 Ornamental Shrubs.

determined, but it bids fair to be a boon to the gardens
of that section.

S. gigantea, as its name suggests, is probably the largest
member of the family. When grown in good, moist soil
it reaches an altitude of eight or ten feet, with a well-
rounded, bushy form. Its flowers are in large white clus-
ters, and very effective. It is especially suited to planting
by running streams and bodies of water, or in positions
where a showy plant is wanted to hide obnoxious objects.
Except in very large grounds it is not adapted to the border.
The plant is seldom found in cultivation, or even named
in nurserymen’s catalogues.

S. avtefolta is a native of the Pacific slope, ranging in
its habitat from southern California to Manitoba. Though
found as far north as the 49th degree of latitude, and
on the Rocky Mountain slopes, it has been accounted
somewhat tender in New England, and as needing slight
protection in winter. This estimate of its weakness is not
borne out by experiments in Newport, though it is doubt-
less well to give it as favorable conditions as practicable.
As seen there it grows as a small shrub, with numerous
branches covered with ashy-gray bark which later assumes
a darker hue. The foliage is so plentiful that in a well-
grown specimen the stems are scarcely visible. The
flowers are individually small, white tinted with green and
yellow, and in quite large terminal panicles, continuing
about three weeks from the first of July. They have a
peculiar odor which has been compared to that of chest-
nut blossoms or sweet birch. The plant is especially
valuable as an under-shrub, and it grows well in shady

Spirea. 131

situations, even if it does not prefer them. This charac.
teristic makes it a valuable acquisition, for almost every
owner of an estate finds places which it is difficult to
cover for want of sufficient sunshine. Under favorable
conditions the bush is said to grow six to eight feet high,
but it is usually much lower. Some of the botanists have
been inclined to consider S. arzefolta as a variety of S.
discolor, instead of being a distinct species, and some are
even doubting whether it is a true spirzea at all. These
are calling it Holodiscus discolor. A rose is just as sweet
by any other name.

S. regeliana, though not widely distributed, is a good
plant. It has dense panicles of pink blossoms about the
first of July, and one of its distinctive peculiarities is that
during the summer new stems shoot up which blossom
late in the season, thus prolonging the period of flowering
to autumn. It grows from three to five feet high and is
hardy.

S. cana is one of the smaller spirzeas, seldom rising
more than two feet, and broadening its diameter into a
well-rounded bush as large across as it is high. It isa
native of the Croatian Alps, and appropriately named, inas-
much as the foliage takes on a grayish hue and in some cases
becomes almost white. For this reason the tiny blossoms
are less conspicuous than they might otherwise be, as they
also are white and scattered along the stems and branches
in great profusion. Where indigenous it grows freely
among the rocks and in dry and barren places which
there abound, and is doubtless the best adapted to such
situations of all the spiraeas. It is in use in England,

132 Ornamental Shrubs.

especially in planting rockeries, for which it serves an
excellent purpose and is highly prized. For some reason
it is scarcely known in American gardens, but should no
longer be overlooked, especially for rockwork.

S. Zindleyana differs from most of the species in having
pinnate foliage, with from nine to twenty-one leaflets,
nearly or quite sessile, ovate-lanceolate and sharply ser-
rated. It comes from the Himalayas, and blossoms in
September, the flowers being white, very large, and dis-
posed in panicles at the ends of the branches. It is a
distinct addition to the fall bloomers, and so can be used
to advantage. Itrises from fourto six feet. It is counted
hardy, though in some latitudes it freezes to the ground,
but makes growth enough during the summer following
to permit it to be as floriferous as though its stem and
branches had withstood the wintry blasts unscathed. In
fact, the young foliage is more vigorous and showy than
when produced on the last year’s growth. |S. sorézfolza is
another form with pinnate leaves, and sessile leaflets lance-
olate and doubly as well as sharply serrated. It, too, has
large white flowers in terminal panicles, but they appear
in July and August, a month earlier than the preceding.
It is a native of Siberia.

‘S. arguéa is a more recent introduction from Japan, and
is closely related to the ¢hunbergiz of the same country.
It grows about three feet in height, with numerous slen-
der branches, forming a rather open head with small, deep
green leaves. The flowers are small, pearly white, and in
such abundance as to envelop the whole bush. These
break out in very early spring, appearing in April or May,

Spireea. 133

according to location. The plant is entirely hardy
throughout the Northern States, and is known to thrive
far south, and westward to the Rocky Mountains. Some

authorities pronounce it the best of all the smaller spiraeas

as a spring bloomer, and it is certainly an elegant shrub,

SPIRAEA ARGUTA.

and as such, when better known, is sure to occupy a promi-
nent place in garden cultivation.

There is a multitude of additional species and varieties,
each with its special merits, but so closely resembling one
or more of those already described that the differences are
of slight significance in practical application. One can
scarcely go amiss in making selections, keeping in view

what is wanted as to size and season of flowering.

134 Ornamental Shrubs.

XANTHOCERAS.

Xanthoceras sorbtfolia is a small tree but little known
among horticulturists and gardeners, though it has been
long enough in the country to have gained a much wider
distribution had its merits been fully appreciated. It isa
native of China, and is the only species of its type, of the
order Sapiéndacee. The name comes from two words,
xanthos, signifying yellow, and eras, horn, and is applied
because of the peculiar horn-like glands or nectaries be-
tween the petals. It is said in its native country to form
a tree in some instances twelve to fifteen feet high, but in
American gardens the few specimens known have reached
little more than half those proportions. What they may
do in the future in this direction it is not easy to deter-
mine. The leaves are alternate, compound, and serrate,
resembling those of the mountain ash, while the flowers
are white with blood-red streaks at the base, having five
petals and eight stamens. They are produced in simple
racemes at the end of the branches, the individual flowers
being about an inch in diameter. These are not only very
attractive, but they are followed by a three-celled fruit said
to be “of the size of an apple,” which, considering the
different sizes to which apples grow, is not very definite.

This shrub, instead of being new, was first pictured and
described in the London Garden as long ago as 1875, and
it has been more or less in cultivation in Europe aud
America ever since. It has been grown on the estate of
Charles A. Dana at Dorosis, Long Island, for a dozen or
more years without especial protection, and though not
regarded a strong growing plant, its delicacy of habit is

“WITOJIGUOS SVHUSOOHLNVX SEr

136 Ornamental Shrubs.

esteemed one of its peculiar charms. Mr. E. S. Carman
reports growing the plant from seed on his experimental
grounds in New Jersey, and, having seen his original speci-
men in blossom, says the flower-clusters resemble some-
what those of the horse-chestnut, having ‘ white petals
marked with red at the base.” As they appear in early
spring they are certain to answer a good purpose in the
garden, on the lawn, or wherever else planted. It ought
to be a valuable acquisition for the more Southern States,
and doubtless will be so regarded as soon as better known
in that section. It may be depended upon, so far as
weather conditions are concerned, in all proper situations
south of Washington.

ILEX—Holly.

HE genus Ilex belongs to the order //zcenee, and
includes numerous species and varieties. These
are distributed throughout both hemispheres, and

are especially abundant in South America and within the
tropics. They are also found in Australia, Africa, Asia,
and our own country. Of course, many of them are not
suited to out-of-door cultivation within the temperate
zones, and so need not here be even named or further re-
ferred to. The family includes the holly, the przzos, and
some other sorts popularly known under different names.
Nearly all the hardy species are interesting plants, and
some of them are counted among the most desirable of
ornamental trees.

Lf, agutfolium is the well-known English holly, a native
not only of Britain and other portions of Europe, but also

Ilex—Holly. 39

of western Asia. It grows in the form of a small tree, ten
to twenty feet high, but sometimes reaches much larger
proportions, and is famous for its small, round red _ berries
and its glossy, prickly foliage. The leaves are oblong-
ovate, deep green, wavy, sharply toothed, and very glossy.
The flowers appear in June, and the fruit in late autumn,
the berries continuing well into winter. Though perfectly
hardy in most parts of England, it is not so in our North-
ern States. Still, fine specimens are to be found in gar-
dens as far north as the Middle States, and, under favor-
ing conditions, in New England. The species has been
prolific in varieties, many of which are more beautiful than
the original, and are worthy of general introduction to
such portions of America as are fitted to receive and care
for them. None of them will withstand our extreme
northern winters, though many may be grown under glass
to advantage, and will repay such treatment. Nicholson,
in his Dectzonary of Gardening, gives a list of these varie-
ties, some of the best of which are as follows: Z a. dalcarica
is held to be one of the best of its class. It is pretty
well known in certain sections of the United States, where
it thrives, as having ovate and exceedingly shiny black,
entire or spiny-toothed foliage. It is supposed to have
originated in Minorca, and is often known as the Minorca
holly. JZ. a. crassifolia has dull green, very thick leaves
with recurved margins and prominent saw-like teeth and
purple bark. It is a dwarf and a slow grower. /. a,
doningtonensis has lanceolate leaves often turned to one
side so as to become sickle-shaped. It has few or no
spines, and is especially adapted to pyramidal rows. JZ a.

138 Ornamental Shrubs.

hastata appears with leaves from three quarters to one half

inch long, and about half an inch broad. The spines are

>
very large, consisting usually of one or two pairs on each
side of the base, but occasionally more. It is one of the

most remarkable forms which the plant puts on. J a.

myrttfolia has
ovate- lanceolate
leaves, broad
and usually
spiny at the mar-
gins, but some-
times quite
entire; known
also as anguste-
| folia. I. a. platy-
plylla, as its
name_ implies,
has broadly-
ovate leaves,

having spines

sometimes at

ILEX AQUIFOLIUM AND OPACA.

their edges. It
is a hardy evergreen from the Canary Islands, and grows
in pyramidal form. JL. a. whzttzZngtonenszs is pronounced an
elegant and distinct form with lanceolate leaves two and
a half inches long and one and a half wide, slightly re-
curved, and with many stiff spines.
There are also numerous varieties with gold- and silver-
leaved foliage, that are still more showy. Among these

is /. a. argentea margznata which has broadly-ovate leaves,

Ilex—Hlly. 139

dark green with the disk slightly mottled, and with an
irregular, narrow, silvery margin. /. a. argentea ele-
gantisstma is much like it except that the central part of
the leaf is dark green with gray blotches, and has a
margin of creamy white. The foliage of / a. argentea
medvo-picta is dark green at the edges with a large central
blotch of creamy white. / a. aurea latifolia is also a
broad-leaved variety with well-developed spines, the disk
marked with pale green, and having a narrow, irregular,
golden edge. Z a. aurea maculata has golden-spotted
foliage, and a leaf-blade with creamy-yellow centre sur-
rounded with a creamy-white border. It is a very distinct
variety and very showy. J. a. aurea picta latifolia, popu-
larly known as the “ golden milk-maid,” has long leaves
with spines variable in condition, and disk irregularly
marked by a long yellow blotch, with irregular, narrow,
glossy margin. This is one of the very best. /. a. aurea
regina, known as the “golden queen,” is a variety in
which the leaves are usually much mottled with gray and
green, with a broad, well-defined, continuous margin of
deep yellow. This is a handsome form and claimed to be
the finest of the golden-edged series. J. a. ferox ar-
gentea, known as the “‘silver-striped hedgehog” holly,
has deep green leaves bristling with stiff spines towards
the front and edges. The margins are creamy white. /.
a. handsworthensts shows much longer leaves than most
others, and they are bordered with very strong white
spines. The disk is mottled with green, and there is a
distinct margin of creamy white. / a. waterzana has
leaves oblong-ovate, and disk of dark green, mottled often

140 Ornamental Shrubs.

in sectional streaks with yellowish-green and grayish-
green, with broad but irregular marginal bands of deep
golden yellow, not continuous, being sometimes wholly
golden and at others partly so. This is a dwarf shrub
and very beautiful. There are many others almost or
quite equally good, but this list will certainly answer all
practical purposes.

As already indicated, there are numerous species of the
ilex which are natives of Japan, and known to be among
the most interesting and beautiful members of the family.
The best descriptions of these are furnished by Prof.
Sargent, first published in Garden and forest, and later
incorporated in his book on the Flora of Fapan. The
descriptions of those which follow are largely compiled
from that excellent treatise; and I take this method of
according the distinguished author due credit.

Ll. latifolia is declared by Prof. Sargent to be the most
beautiful of all the Japanese hollies, though there are a
much greater number indigenous to that country than to
any other, for while America has but four species Japan
has no less than eleven. JZ J/atzfolia as known in this
country is but a good-sized shrub, while in the land of its
nativity it sometimes grows into a tree from fifty to sixty
feet high. It may not have been long enough with us
to become fully developed, but it is doubted if in this
climate it will ever be seen in such proportions. The
foliage is especially attractive, the leaves being about
six inches long and three or four wide, very thick, dark
green, and exceedingly lustrous. The fruit is described
as brilliant scarlet and ripening in late autumn or early

Ilex—Holly. 141

winter. It is produced in axiliary clusters and continues
on the branches until the following summer. Prof. Sar-
gent concludes his description by saying: “ //ex latifolia
is probably the handsomest broad-leaved evergreen that
grows in the forests of Japan, not only on account of its
brilliant fruit but also on account of the size and character
of its foliage. It may be expected to prove hardy in
Washington, and will certainly flourish in the southern
Atlantic and Gulf States.”

f. imtegra is another beautiful and desirable plant,
which has been introduced here where it is sometimes
seen as a small tree, but oftener as a mere shrub. It is
already recognized as one of the most desirable of the
newer sorts now coming into use. It is said to be often
planted in the temple gardens of Japan along with /aéz-
folia, and highly appreciated wherever known. It is not
quite as free a grower as the preceding, but is scarcely
less desirable. The leaves are obovate, three or four
inches long, narrow, with entire edges, and continuing
during the winter. The fruit is about half an inch in
diameter, abundant, and holding until the next season,
and at all times very showy. A variety, known as J. Zeuo-
clada, is a northern form, and proves to be a dwarf but
two or three feet high. This is described as having
narrower leaves, and smaller fruit, and will doubtless
prove hardier than most of the other Japanese sorts in
this country. It is practically unknown, as yet, in Ameri-
can horticulture, but gives promise of becoming a desira-
ble acquisition, especially for northern planting.

/. crenata is better known to us than either /a¢zfodza

142 Ornamental Shrubs.

or zntegra, and can be readily procured from many of our
best nurseries. It may not have become very widely dis-
tributed, but it is a gem worthy of much more consider-
ation than it has apparently yet received. It is a low,
much-branched, and somewhat spreading shrub three to
four feet high, but in cultivation it not infrequently rises
to a height of twenty feet, and so assumes the habit of a
tree not unlike the box in general appearance. The leaves
are light green, scarcely more than an inch long, ovate
with pointed apex and finely toothed. The fruit is black,
and produced in great quantities, and contrasts well with
the foliage. ‘“ This,” says our authority, ‘is the most
popular of all the hollies with the Japanese, and a plant
cut into fantastic shape is found in nearly every garden.
Varieties with variegated leaves are common and much
esteemed. J/ex crenata and several of its varieties with
variegated foliage were introduced into western gardens
many years ago, and are occasionally cultivated, although
the value of this plant as an under-shrub appears to be
hardly known or appreciated outside of Japan. Of the
broad-leaved Japan evergreens, I have the most hope of
success with //ex crenata in this climate ; and if it proves
really hardy it will be a most useful addition to our shrub-
beries.” This estimate was made several years ago, and
the trials since indicate that it is as great an acquisition
as was at that time anticipated.

f. opaca, American holly, is a species, though not so
beautiful as the English, that is much to be preferred for
planting throughout the North. It grows to about the
same dimensions as crenata, has oval, flat, deep-green

Ilex—Holly. 143

leaves, the wavy margins being armed with strong, sharp
spines. It, too, is an evergreen, and attractive all the
year. The small white flowers appear in loose clusters
along the base of the young branches in May and June,
though they are never very conspicuous. The fruit is a
small, bright red berry continuing on the branches until
almost spring. The species is widely distributed along
the seacoast from New England southward, but not very
plentifully except in a few locations, and then it grows in
swamps where it is partially protected from the hot sum-
mer’s sun and the sharp winds of winter. It is more plen-
tiful southward, extending even to Florida, and again
through the barren sections of the lower Mississippi val-
ley. It is accounted difficult of removal for transplanting,
and so it is after having acquired age and considerable
proportions. But grown in the nursery and frequently
transplanted, it may be as safely transferred from one lo-
cation to another as are most other trees. While it can
be made to thrive in almost any good garden soil, it will
do better in moist locations and where protected by build-
ings or trees from piercing winds.

L. vertecilata or prinos isa native of this country, a
deciduous shrub, growing about six feet, whose merits are
by no means appreciated. It is sometimes known as the
black alder, and in some sections as the winterberry. It
has ovate, wedge-shaped, pointed leaves, somewhat ser-
ater, and downy on the veins beneath, but its chief excel-
lence consists in the fact that in autumn it is covered with
a multitude of crimson-scarlet berries, which hold their
places long after the foliage is gone. It is easily one of

144 Ornamental Shrubs.

the most valuable shrubs that we have for early winter ef-
fects, though not especially attractive in summer.

SYMPLOCOS.

HE symplocos group constitutes a large genus of
the order Styracacee, numbering nearly, or quite,
one hundred and fifty species. They are mostly

natives of warm climates, and in the temperate zones are
better adapted to the conservatory or greenhouse than to
out-of-door cultivation. None of them is sufficiently hardy
to endure the cold of New England or the Northwest, but
several evidently have a horticultural mission in our south-
ern latitudes, where they are already more or less planted,
and with excellent results. It is now believed that they
have also a more extended climatic range northward than
has been heretofore supposed, and Mr. Joseph Meehan
certifies to the fact that they are growing in the vicinity
of Philadelphia, and, under favorable conditions, proving
very satisfactory. Specimens are also to be found in
southern New England and in New York, which have
withstood several winters with but slight extra care or
protection.

‘S. crat@oides, so far as tested, appears to be the most
hardy member of the genus, and it is this species that on
trial has afforded the satisfactory results referred to.
This symplocos is a small tree or shrub five to eight feet
tall, and in its general outline somewhat resembles the
hawthorn, though differing materially from it in both
blossom and fruit. Its leaves are opposite, two and one
half inches long, rough and thick. The blossoms are

Symplocos. 145

small, white, and borne in panicles about five inches in
length. They are followed by an abundance of bright
ultramarine-blue fruit which ripens in September and con-
stitutes one of the chief attractions. The plant is certain
to become a favorite wherever it can be grown, and
deservedly so. It is a native of Japan, and is also found
growing freely among the Himalayas.

S. ¢enctorza is a native of the southern United States,
where it is popularly called sweet-leaf, because of the
fragrance of its foliage; and for the same reason it is
sometimes known as horse-sugar. In its favorite haunts
it is to be classed as an evergreen, but it may not be
found such when carried to the extreme limit of its north-
ern endurance. The flowers are yellow, borne in clusters
of from six to fourteen, and exhale an agreeable odor.
The leaves are long and narrow, from three to five inches,
somewhat coriaceous and sharply toothed. The symplo-
cos grows from three to five feet in height, and is one of
our prettiest American shrubs. It can scarcely be planted
successfully in the North, but has a field of its own in
the lower tiers of States. Treated as is the hydrangea
hortenszs and cared for in winter, it may be grown in
the same latitudes.

S. decora is peculiarly adapted to southern cultivation.
It comes from China, and is a small camellia-like tree with
thick, leathery foliage of considerable beauty. Its flowers
are small but abundant, produced in axillary clusters along
the young branches. Mr. A. B. Westland says in Garden
and Forest, in calling attention to this plant: “ The petals
are white and sometimes tinged with a delicate shade of

10

146 Ornamental Shrubs.

azure-blue; the cup of the flower is filled with a free
cluster of slender stamens each crowned with a pale yellow
anther. The size of the flower varies from one half to
three quarters of an inch in diameter, and the slightest
globular clusters are from three to four inches across. In
early spring it bursts into a profusion of delicate blossoms
that are gracefully blended with the glossy, green leaves.
Its indescribable lightness and grace, combined with its
delicious fragrance, make it especially charming.”

STYRAX.

HIS genus of the natural order Styracacee, contains
a large number of species widely distributed, a few
only of which are sufficiently hardy for out-of-door
cultivation, except in tropical or semitropical climates.
It is said that the Greek name, by which it is still known,
was given to it by Theophrastus, and that in those early
days it was even more highly esteemed than now. It was
then, and still is, regarded as valuable in medicine, as it
produces a balsam, known as storax, highly prized, and
yet in use. One of the varieties furnishes what is known
as benzoin, but this is not adapted to garden cultivation in
this climate. Three species only are natives of North
America, and these are found to be somewhat closely re-
lated to the halesias, which have been already described.
Of these but one is probably worthy of cultivation as or-
namental, and even this is surpassed in interest by the
introductions from abroad.
S. grandiflora is a small bush growing to a height of
from five to seven feet. Its foliage is long and pointed,

STYRAX OBASSIA.

148 Ornamental Shrubs.

and larger than in most of the other sorts. The flowers
are pure white and quite numerous, appearing in early
summer, and making it a handsome bush almost certain to
attract attention either singly or in the border. It may
not be perfectly hardy in the Northern States, but over a
large section of the country it can be planted with good
results. .S. obassza is also a shrub of dwarfish habit, with
leaves somewhat like those of the catalpa, and racemes of
white flowers six inches in length and much resembling
those of the well-known mock-orange.

S. japonica, or perhaps more correctly, S. serrulata, is
held to be superior to the American species above de-
scribed. Though known here for some years, it has not
been grown freely in the nurseries, and so has not been
widely distributed. But it is, in fact, a very choice shrub
or tree, for it may be grown as either, and, whether one
or the other, is symmetrical in shape. If left to take its
own course, it usually grows with a single, straight stem,
branching low and quite freely. The main branches stand
out almost horizontally from the stem, while the branch-
lets are small, twiggy, and quite numerous. By proper
training and cutting out, the tree may be made to take on
much the form of a linden or maple, and rise to a height
of twenty or thirty feet. But for best floral effects the
small twigs should be preserved, as the flowers break out
on the whole length of these, and thus almost completely
cover the entire framework. They are pure white, about
one inch in diameter, and set off by rich yellow stamens.
The leaves are small, serrate, sharp-pointed, and rather
light green. The plant blooms in early summer, the fruit

Symplocos. 149

following in autumn and hanging in round balls, the seeds
in which somewhat resemble kernels of coffee. The plant

blossoms and bears fruit when quite young, and is at-

STYRAX JAPONICA.

tractive at all seasons of the year. It has proved hardy
both North and South, and thrives in any good garden soil.
Mr. Falconer in his notes says that “when in full bloom it
is the loveliest plant in our collection, but, alas! it lasts
only a few days in flower.”

150 Ornamental Shrubs.

DIERVILLA—Weigela.

LTHOUGH this group is classified by the bota-
nists as Dzervella, the plants are so much better
known as weigelas that the continued use of the

name under which they were introduced to English horti-
culturists is still maintained in most of the catalogues, and
is perhaps still to be preferred for common use. That
name was given by Thunberg in honor of Weigel, a Ger-
man scientist enjoying at the time considerable distinction
as a botanist. But as a French surgeon, Dr. Dierville,
had previously reported the discovery of an American
member of the family, which, by the by, proves to be the
only one indigenous to this country, the genus had been
named in honor of this discoverer before the introduction
of the Asiatic species to European gardens, and under the
well-known law of priority, the name still adheres. The
Chinese plant was discovered by Robert Fortune in 1844,
and was esteemed by him one of the most beautiful of all
the plants which he had been able to gather and send
to European gardens from that floriferous country. The
first specimen which he saw is described as growing ina
Mandarin’s garden on the island of Chusan, and character-
ized as a bush covered with rose-colored flowers, which
hung in graceful bunches from the axils of the leaves and
the ends of the branches. ‘ Everyone saw and admired
the beautiful weigela. I immediately marked it as one
of the finest plants in northern China and determined to
send plants of it home in every ship until I should hear of
its safe arrival. It formsa neat bush, not unlike a syringa
in habit, deciduous in winter and flowering in the months

Diervilla—Weigela. 151

of April and May. One great recommendation to it, is that
it is a plant of the easiest cultivation. Cuttings readily
strike any time during the winter and spring months, with
ordinary attention, and the plant itself grows well in any
good soil. It should be grown as it is in
China, not tied up in that formal, unnatural
way in which we see plants brought to
our exhibitions, but a main stem or two
chosen for leaders, and then when the
plant comes into bloom, the branches are
loaded with beautiful flowers which hang
down in graceful and natural festoons.”
D. rosea is the plant which thus attract-
ed Mr. Fortune’s attention, and is still the
best known of the several species. His
account, as given above, is sufficiently full
and accurate to represent it as it appears
in this country, where it has made itself
entirely at home. The shrub possesses a
tendency to a somewhat straggling growth
not altogether objectionable, though it

must be cut back severely and at the ,
proper time, if a more regular and com- WEIGELA ROSEA,
pact head is desired. It grows to a height of six to eight
feet, with numerous slender stems and branches. The
leaves are ovate-lanceolate with finely toothed edges, and
are of good color throughout the summer. The flowers
put forth in early spring in great profusion, and are deep
rose, sometimes freely marked with white. There are
several varieties, one, D. 7. zana, a veritable dwarf with a

152 Ornamental Shrubs.

well-formed, compact head, and a free bloomer. Another,
D. rv. nana aurea, has foliage of a rich golden color,
especially in spring during the freshness of the leaves. A
third, D. 7. stelzuerz, is distinguished by its multitude of
flowers ot a reddish-purple tinge. Each of these dwarf
forms, of two to three feet, is well suited to crowded situ-
ations where there is no room for the larger kinds.

D. candida differs from the preceding chiefly in having
creamy-white flowers which do not appear until the first of
June. The plant is of a more upright growth and with
less disposition to spread by either its roots or branches,
and can be used to advantage as affording agreeable
contrasts with the darker shades or when planted by itself
wherever a shrub with beautiful white flowers at that sea-
son is desired. It is greatly to
be preferred to the D. horten-
sts ntvea, also producing white
flowers, though the latter has
been much praised.

D. amabilis, lovely weigela,
gé& differs from the rosea in being
of more robust habit and in
growing to a larger size. Its

blossoms appear later, and at a

time when few shrubs in blos-

WEIGELA VARIEGATA.

som grace the landscape. The
foliage is somewhat coarse and the flowers very conspicu-
ous. Many consider it the best of all the family, but it is
scarcely entitled to that pre-eminence. Its varieties worthy
of mention are the zso/zze, having flowers white with yellow

Diervilla—Weigela. 153

at the base; the vax houttez, red and white, and the
strzata, red and white in bands. What is known as the va-
riegated weigela, D. varzegata, is a variety, some say, of
the vosea, and others of the amadézlzs. It is of smaller size
than either, and grows more compactly. The flowers are
bright pink and rose, appearing in May or early June.
The leaves are beautifully variegated, the margins being
creamy-white, and, when well grown, sure to attract atten-
tion. As single well-rounded specimens on the lawn, few
plants are more attractive than this, and it is equally fitted
for massing or ornamental hedging. Though thought to
be not quite so hardy as some, it is sufficiently so for all
practical purposes, except in the most exposed situations.
The white-flowered weigela, hortens?s nivea, has large,
pure-white blossoms which remain long on the branches.
The ovate leaves are also larger than most others, It
is not entirely hardy in exposed situations. There is a
variety whose flowers are deep red when partially ex-
panded, but afterward fade into white.

D. floribunda has blossoms of rich, dark crimson, and
somewhat in the form of fuchsias. It comes to us
from Japan, and proves perfectly hardy. It blooms
abundantly in spring, and, if closely cut back, makes a
vigorous growth and puts forth a second harvest of flowers
in autumn. Its foliage is dark colored, and contrasts
finely with other sorts. It is known also as the
D. multiflora.

D. arborea is larger than any of the preceding, and
easier grown into tree form. Its leaves are large, flowers
tube-shaped, much like some of the honeysuckles, mostly

154 Ornamental Shrubs.

pale yellow or rose, and appear after those of most of the
other species and varieties have passed by. It is a valu-
able member of the family, and fills an important place in
cultivation. Another good plant is D. lemoznez, which pro-
duces changeable flowers as to color, pale red turning to
deep rose, and again to a rich wine-color. It is esteemed
a choice plant, but is not largely cultivated.

Professor Sargent, who during one of his visits to Japan
made a study of the wild types, says that in the central
and northern sections diervilla, weigela, is a common
shrub on the borders of mountain woods and by the banks
of mountain streams, and he became of the opinion that
what had been referred to by other botanists as several
distinct species, are in reality one and the same with varia-
tions such as might be expected from differences in soils
and exposures. From seeds which he gathered, speci-
mens have been grown in the Arnold Arboretum, and
these are known as Dezervzlla japonica. He illustrated
them in Garden and Forest with the following accom-
panying description: “It has ovate, acute, or acuminate
leaves which are nearly glabrous with the exception of a
few hairs on the lower surface of the midribs and veins, or
on some individuals these are clothed more or less thickly
with soft pubescence. The flowers are borne in few or
many-flowered clusters which are long-stalked or nearly
sessile, the two forms appearing on the same plant; and
they are rose-colored, pale yellow, pale red, or nearly
white on the same branch or on different branches of the
same plant, and flowers which are pale when they open
often become rose-color in fading.” When this descrip-

Ribes—Flowering Currant. 155

tion was written, the hardiness of the species for this lati-
tude had not been determined, nor is it yet thought the
indications are favorable for its future usefulness.

RIBES—Flowering Currant.

HE currants should not be overlooked among the
ornamental shrubs, as some of them prove of
special value in garden planting. They belong to

the order Saxzfragacee, and are included in the genus rzbes,
numbering between fifty and sixty species. The origin of
the name is said to be Arabic, and specimens are found
indigenous to Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South
America, growing most freely in mountainous regions,
and often at considerable elevations. All are of easy cul-
tivation, and many of them are prized for their fruit as
well as their flowers. The foliage of some of the spe-
cies is liable to mildew, and all are a prey to certain
insect pests. These are, however, under modern appli-
ances, so far subject to the control of the gardener as to
prove but slight obstacles to success.

R. alpinum is of dwarfish habit, seldom rising above
two or three feet, and, as its name indicates, has its home
in the mountains. It produces its pale yellow or nearly
white blossoms in May. They are in erect racemes, and
followed by deep scarlet and very showy fruit. A. aureum
is the well-known Missouri or Buffalo currant, and is prob-
ably more planted than anyother. As it was found grow-
ing freely on the western prairies and among the foothills
of the Rocky Mountains, it took the local names by
which it is still popularly known. The bush is larger than

156 Ornamental Shrubs.

the alpinum, attaining a height of four to eight feet under
favorable conditions, and a breadth of from three to six. Its
leaves are three-lobed, toothed, ciliated at the base, and of
good color. The blossoms appear in May, and are bright
yellow with pink stamens, the petals being considerably
shorter than the calyx segments. The fruit ripens late in
midsummer, and is also yellow, though occasionally tinted
with purple or black. As it is edible, it serves the double
purpose of being both useful and ornamental. A. fragrans
is a variety with larger and more fragrant flowers.

R. flortdum is our common black currant, and by
some is supposed to be a variety of the aureum. Itisa
native of New England, and grows freely along the Alle-
ghany ranges and throughout the far West. Its foliage is
often sprinkled with white resinous dots, and in autumn
assumes a tint of bronze which adds to its attractions.
The tubular, bell-shaped flowers show themselves in June,
and are produced in quite large racemes somewhat downy
and of a greenish-white color. The fruit is nearly
round, dark-colored, and by many esteemed for culinary
purposes.

R. sanguineum grows from three to four feet, and, un-
like most of the others, blossoms in midsummer. The
flowers are carmine and yellow, and in rich clusters hang-
ing among the leaves and branches, producing a fine effect.
There is a double-flowering variety still more attractive,
but, unfortunately, neither of these is entirely hardy in the
Northern States, and if planted there must be given
favored location, or receive especial protection in winter.
Farther south it is hardy. 2. gordonzanum is supposed to

Stuartia. 157

be a hybrid between the awreum and the sanguineum, and
partakes of the good qualities of both. It is the most pro-
fuse bloomer in the list, the flowers appearing in hanging
racemes of crimson and yellow early in June.

STUARTIA.

HIS is a genus of beautiful shrubs or small trees,
| containing but a few species, of which two are
natives of the United States, and perhaps two or
three of Japan and China. It was named in honor of
Lord Bute—John Stuart—who gave considerable attention
to shrubs and trees, and who is described by a writer in the
time of Linnzus as ‘‘a most knowing botanist.” None of
the species are entirely hardy in northern latitudes, but it is
proved by more recent trials that they thrive in southern
New England, and are as well suited to that fickle climate
as are many of our most common shrubs. Of their desir-
ability in garden cultivation there can be no dispute, and
Nicholson in his dictionary says they merit a place in
every collection of ornamental shrubs. They belong to
the order Zernstrémiacee, and produce large camellia-
like flowers of six sepals and five petals, with a multitude
of stamens. All the species should be planted in shel-
tered positions, as they are unfavorably affected by high
winds though seldom suffering from severe cold.

S. pentagyna.—This is a native of the Alleghany
Mountain region, extending from northern Virginia south-
ward, and it is also found on the foothills of the Big
Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. It is a shrub grow-
ing eight to twelve feet, has oval, sharply pointed foli-

158 Ornamental Shrubs.

age, and creamy-white flowers in July and August. These
are both interesting and beautiful. ‘‘ The buds are round
like those of a peony, swelling to an inch in diameter
before the leaves unfold. The petals are one and one-
half inches broad in the middle, and two inches long—the
flower, borne on a short, strong peduncle, being fully four
inches in diam-
eter. About
the edges the
petals are
crimped, re-
minding one of
a fluted shell
like that of
the scallop,
and suggesting
shell flower as
an appropriate
familiar name.
In the centre
of the flower is

STUARTIA PENTAGYNA.

a cluster of a
hundred stamens or more, with prominent, orange-col-
ored anthers. The petals are nominally five, but often
we find two or three more, the stamens having changed to
petals.” When in full blossom the plant is one of surpris-
ing beauty, and can never fail to command admiration.

S. virginica is also a native of the State whose name
it bears, though it may have grown farther north also, as
one of the names by which it was introduced to the public

STUARTIA VIRGINICA.

159

160 Ornamental Shrubs.

was S. marylandica, indicating Maryland as its habitat.
The plant is somewhat smaller than the preceding, and
blossoms a month or more earlier. The flowers are white,
with purple filaments in striking contrast with their sur-
roundings. There is usually but one style. whereas in the
other there are five. The foliage differs in that the leaves
are more oblong, serrulate, and downy on the under side.
Both have been introduced to European gardens, and re-
ceived with favor by all who have become acquainted with
their characteristics. They do best in a peaty or sandy
soil.

S. pseudo-camellia is so named from the fact that its
flowers very much resemble those of the camellia. Pro-
fessor Sargent, in his notes on the forest flora of Japan,
says that Stuartza pseudo-camellia is common in the
Hakone and Nikko Mountains between 2000 and 3000
feet above the sea, where it is a most striking object, from
the peculiar appearance of the bark; this is light red, very
smooth, and peels off in small flakes like that of the crape
myrtle. It becomes there a tree of considerable size; and
on the shores of Lake Chuzenji he measured a specimen
whose trunk at three feet from the ground girted six feet,
and which was upward of fifty feet high. The flowers re-
semble a single white camellia, are smaller and less beau-
tiful than the flowers of our coast species, S. vzrgznzca, but
are larger than those of pendagyna. Specimens were sent
to America nearly thirty years ago by Mr. Thomas Hogg,
and the tree appears to have flowered in the neighborhood
of New York several years before it was known in Europe,
where of late it has attracted considerable attention. As

Rhododendron. 161

known in England and America this plant grows from ten
to twelve feet high, with fine foliage, oval, dentate, sharp-
pointed at the apex, and narrowed at the base and tinged
with red, as are also the sepals of the creamy flowers.
When in full flower the entire shrub is often covered
with these large, showy blossoms, but it is not certain
that even at its best it is superior to the American sorts.

RHODODENDRON.

HE rhododendrons are among the very best of the
broad-leaved evergreens, and are everywhere much
admired. A large group of these plants when in

full bloom is a sight seldom to be forgotten. And
in winter they are equally prominent because of their fine
foliage. More than almost any other species they are
attractive at all seasons of the year, though they cannot
always be seen at their best during the colder months be-
cause of the partial protection afforded them, and supposed
to be necessary, against the extremes of heat and cold.

But, though every one admires the rhododendrons,
very few, comparatively, proceed to grow them. The
prevailing opinion is that these shrubs are not suited
to ordinary cultivation, except within very narrow terri-
torial limits. The failures have been so many and so
disastrous that it is thought to be scarcely worth while to
continue the experiments, unless it be by experts and
under the most favoring conditions. And so, many of the
common people pass them by under the impression that
though pre-eminently good plants, they are not for them
to enjoy in their own gardens and at their own homes.

162 Ornamental Shrubs.

Still, as a matter of fact, the rhododendrons may be
successfully and easily grown over a large section of the
country. It is true they may require somewhat especial
conditions and intelligent consideration, but even with
that they are worth all they cost. To begin with, care
must be taken in the selection of species and varieties.
This is a clear case where the right plant must be in
the right place. The pedigree of each specimen must
be thoroughly studied and understood before it can be
determined whether it is likely to possess the constitu-
tional qualities required for the purposes to which it is to
be put. It may not be necessary for each planter to ex-
tend his personal investigations so as to cover all the
details in this direction, but the least he can do is to make
sure that the nurseryman of whom he makes his purchase
is sufficiently intelligent and sufficiently honest to be able
to present a clean bill of health at every point and ex-
tending to every particular.

Very few of the rhododendrons in ordinary cultivation
in this country are to be found growing wild in any part of
the world. They are crosses, hybrids, or varieties largely
fashioned by the hand of man, and the experts who have
toiled long and with intelligent purpose have brought out
a race of these beautiful plants such as the world knew
little or nothing of before. A brief account of how this
has been done may not only be of interest to the general
reader, but prove also of practical value to such as wish to
grow them on their lawns or in their gardens. Let us,
then, first look to the sources from which our common
sorts have mostly sprung, and take a glimpse of the proc-

Rhododendron. 163

esses of development from the native forms to those
which we now so highly prize. Among the original
species which have been brought into reputation, but three
of the most prominent need be named.

R. arboreum is the largest known species, and is some-
times called the tree rhododendron in allusion to its size
and form. It is a native of the Himalayan Mountains,
where it reaches the height of from twenty-five to thirty-
five feet, and sometimes, according to Nicholson, acquires
a circumference of 150 feet. The flowers are described as
white, rose, and blood color, disposed in dense heads and
very beautiful. The foliage is equally bold and showy,
‘the leaves being large, coriaceous, lanceolate, acute, cor-
date at base, or attenuated into a thick petiole, of a beau-
tiful green above, below impressed with netted veins,
glabrous, silvery, or ferruginous-pubescent.” Attention is
called to this species though it is known to be too tender
for out-of-door planting in this climate, except perhaps, in
our Southern States, and even then it is not recommended
for ordinary cultivation.

Another of the foreign species is A. pontecum, which
also proves one of the most desirable members of the
family, and which, though hardier than the ardoreum, is yet
too tender for our use. It is a smaller plant, growing
six to ten feet, with good foliage and exquisitely beautiful
flowers. This is a native of Asia Minor, and while hardy
throughout most of continental Europe, it proves a prac-
tical failure in American cultivation, at least as far- north
as New York. Though doing fairly well in England, the
extremes of heat and cold, and more especially of drought

164 Ornamental Shrubs.

and moisture, forbid its introduction, together with most
of its varieties, for our ordinary garden use. Just here
comes in one of the secrets of the failure of rhododendron
planting in America, so far as it is a failure among the
common people. To make sure of the splendid colors of
the two species, nearly all the experiments in hybridizing
and crossing have been with these comparatively tender
plants for the foundation. As the fontzcum proves hardy
on the continent, it was very natural that the nurserymen
of France, Belgium, and Holland, the great feeders of the
civilized world in the line of nursery stock, should cling to
the notion that, being found hardy at home, it must be
strong and vigorous enough for other countries lying
within the same range of latitude and supposedly subject
to similar climatic conditions. And so they have continued
sending us their wares, and too many of our nurserymen
have continued the purchase and distribution of the French
and Dutch plants, budded on Zontzcum roots, by the hun-
dred thousand a year. It is not too much to say that no
rhododendrons on such roots should be accepted as
thoroughly reliable in our northern American climate.
They may appear to be all right for a few years, starting
out well, but with rare exceptions they are certain to fail
of the highest perfection unless especially protected and
pampered. The rhododendron is naturally a long-lived
plant, specimens having been found in its native habitat
more than a hundred and fifty years old, and still vigorous.

A. catawbiense isan American species, and grows freely
on many of our hillsides and mountains without the slight-
est protection or care from the hand of man. It is far

Rhododendron. 165

from being one of the best and most showy species, but is
known to be entirely hardy and especially adapted to our
soiland climate. It has, therefore, an important mission to
perform in becoming the foundation of the many new crea-
tions which to us constitute the glory of the rhododendron
family, and as such should carry the numerous varieties
and hybrids, which, en-
riched by the blood of
the arboreum and pon-
ticum, constitute the
rich fields from which
our selections are to
be made. In England
the best growers use
only the catawbzense
for budding or grafting
stocks for the Ameri-

can market, and their

HYBRID RHODODENDRON.

plants on catawbzense

roots are confessedly the best of all the importations that
come to us. There is no good reason why we should not
grow for ourselves all the rhododendrons we need, but
thus far the home production is exceedingly limited. A.
maximum is another hardy sort, thriving as far north as
New England, which can also be used as stocks with equal
safety, and there are perhaps still others.

The rhododendron should not only be well fortified in
its essential qualities, so far as the constitution of the plant
itself is concerned, but its demands must be recognized
for peculiar situations and to some extent especial care.

166 Ornamental Shrubs.

There are some soils in which it positively refuses to
grow. It has no affinity for chalk and lime, at least none
sufficient to reconcile it to friendly relations. Neither is
clay found to be favorite feeding ground, though, unlike
the chalk and lime soils, the difficulty may be overcome,
by digging wide and deep, and thus creating practically
new conditions by filling in with suitable plant food. A
rhododendron bed may be thus successfully maintained in
the clay soils, while it cannot be done in situations saturated
with lime water, as in the course of time the offensive
matter will percolate the new soil as thoroughly as it does
the old ; and then, however hopefully begun, all prosperity
is atan end. It may be put down as an established fact
that there are some localities where this charming plant
cannot be successfully employed in garden or landscape
work, though the nurserymen often say there is not. But
in most fairly good soils it is as easy to make the rhodo-
dendron grow as it is other choice shrubs which are
planted in profusion and almost everywhere found to
thrive.

Starting out with vigorous stock, the rhododendrons, to
prosper, must be well planted, especially if the best results
are desired. They are not so particular, however, as many
suppose, for they will sometimes become vigorous and
showy shrubs and even small trees, though treated with
entire neglect and left to themselves among the grasses
and weeds. But to make sure of success it is well to give
the best care and make the best provision for them that
is possible, as in the case of all other choice species.
Any good garden soil, with the exception already indicated,

Rhododendron. 167

will answer the purpose. The rhododendron makes a
multitude of fine, almost hairy, roots, such as do not
rapidly penetrate far into the ground, and so the soil
should be lighta nd somewhat porous, and in preparing
for planting there should be an excavation two and a half
or three feet deep, at least, and as many broad, for each
plant. This should be filled with chopped turf or rich
compost, and, if the soil is especially hard or heavy, a
mixture of peat and sand. The best plants I ever saw
were put into the ground in this way, with nothing else
than common garden and turf substances. Something
depends on the situation chosen as well as on the method
of the planting. The rhododendron is, in a measure, a
shade-loving plant, and this fact should be recognized
when fixing upon the location, whether for a group or
a single specimen. Sunshine in the morning and at even-
ing, and perhaps with rays darting through the tree-tops,
at midday, constitutes an ideal situation. So far as prac-
ticable, protection from the prevailing winds, either by
buildings or neighboring trees, should be afforded, and
with these simple counsels any one can plant and easily
maintain a bed of rhododendrons. Once established, the
really hardy varieties need little or no protection from
cold, even where the thermometer occasionally registers
several degrees below zero. They may be partially cov-
ered with branches of evergreens in winter, but the ad-
vantage of this is in prevention of sun-scald more than for
protection from frost or snow. Far more rhododendrons
are killed by too much sunshine than too much cold, though
by the ordinary grower this fact is scarcely ever appre-

168 Ornamental Shrubs.

ciated. They are all moisture-loving plants and often
suffer in seasons of drought, and, though not always show-
ing it at the time, become so weakened that they cannot
endure their winter hardships. In such cases the real
difficulty is not even suspected by most growers. In dry
seasons, or in long absence of rain, water should be
applied freely and copiously.

R. maxtmum, known also as the great laurel, is a
valuable plant for ordinary cultivation. It is indigenous
as far north as Connecticut and Rhode Island, and often

RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM.

grows to a height of twenty or more feet. It is a profuse
bloomer, and has the advantage of putting forth its flowers
in July after the blooming season of this class of plants is

Rhododendron. 169

otherwise over. The flowers are pale rose or pink varying
to white with many inter-mixtures of shades, but always
attractive. As a single specimen and in tree form, few
shrubs surpass it in interest, and it is worthy of much
more general cultivation. A. punctatum rises but five or
six feet, has its blossoms in dense corymbs, rose-colored,
somewhat funnel-shaped, and spotted within. These ap-
pear in May or June. Like the leaves of the plant itself,
they are borne on pedicils covered with viscid globules
which are unpleasant to the touch. The shrub affects
lofty altitudes, and it is seldom found except among and
high up on the mountains.

As there are more than a hundred species and innu-
merable hybrids and varieties of rhododendrons known in
horticulture, it is impracticable to attempt an enumeration
of their names, much less of their varying qualities. They
can only be discussed on general principles and in groups
and classes, leaving details to the judgment and taste of
those especially interested. There are but three American
species which may be considered of value in this con-
nection,—the catawdzense, the maximum, and the punc-
tatum, to each of which reference has been made. The
first-named is found growing freely on the Carolina
mountains and contiguous localities. It is usually from
three to six feet high with an irregular, spreading head,
and oval or oblong leaves rounded at both ends. The
flowers are lilac-purple, appearing in July, and not es-
pecially beautiful. The hardiness and adaptability to
adverse situations is seen in the fact that the plant is
sometimes found in moist woods and leaf-mould, and some-

170 Ornamental. Shrubs.

times springing from the seams of rocky ledges fully ex-
posed to the scorching rays of the southern sun, and in
neither case suffering harm. As already indicated it is
this quality of endurance that gives the plant its chief
value as affording a substantial basis for the more tender
and more showy sorts.

The following named sorts are reported reliably hardy
in New England when grown on catawézense roots, and
may be planted with full assurance of success: Album
grandiflorum, which has been longer known than almost
any other sort as competent to withstand our severest
winters without protection, is still one of the very best,
producing large trusses of pink flowers, later on changing
to white; Charles Bagley, flowers, cherry-red ; Lady Grey
Egerton, silvery-blush with grayish-brown spots ; Lady
Crosley, pink-salmon ; Charles Dickens, red, and one of
the best of that color; Lady Armstrong, noted for its
foliage as well as blossoms; Kettledrum, rose-colored ;
Sefton, deep maroon; Alexander Dancer, beautiful red;
Old Port, plum-color; John Waterer, dark crimson ; de/z-
catesstmum, blush changing to white, one of the very best,
being a late bloomer; Mrs. Miller, rich crimson; everes-
tzanum, rosy-lilac, and reliable everywhere; Abraham
Lincoln, fine rosy-crimson; General Grant, rosy-scarlet ;
roseum elegans, fine rose; giganteum, crimson-rose, very
large; Minnie, white with saffron or yellow centre ; pur-
Pureunt, in several varieties, all purple.

To the above, Mr. H. H. Hunnewell, whose gardens
at Wellesley, Mass., are famous for their rhododendrons,
and who has experimented on a large scale, writes to me

Corylus—Hazelnut Tree. 171

that he has found the additional newer varieties entirely
hardy in that locality: C. S. Sargent, F. L. Olmstead, F.
L. Ames, Mrs. C. S. Sargent, Mrs. R. G. Shaw, Mrs.
N. S. Hunnewell, Mrs. Arthur Hunnewell, Mrs. Charles
Thorald, Mrs. J. P. Lade, Mrs. Simpson, Lady Grey
Egerton, Countess Normantown, Princess Mary of Cam-
bridge, maximum wellestanum , and that several others
give promise of becoming valuable acquisitions, but need
further testing. For the practical grower these are not
named as superior to many other sorts, but as merely in-
dicating the wide range from which selections may be
made.

CORYLUS—Hazelnut Tree.

N the public mind both the corylus and the hamamelis,
in their several species and varieties, are classed as
witch-hazels, and spoken of accordingly. But,

though having some things in common, botanically con-
sidered they are wide apart, and should not bear the same
name. Like Hamameles virginica, the American hazel-
nut, Corylus americana, is a native of the western conti-
nent, and a shrub of value for planting in masses for
screens along water-courses or in other moist localities.
The common species constitutes a familiar object through-
out a large portion of the country, especially in the North-
ern States. It is sometimes planted for its fruit, but not
often, though it might possibly serve a good purpose in
that line. The European hazelnut is scarcely an improve-
ment on the native plant, except that it it has given us two
varieties, each of which has a distinct value. One of these

172 Ornamental Shrubs.

has cut-leaved foliage of a somewhat peculiar character,
and can be used to advantage in the shrubbery or border,
The other, C. purpurea, or purple-leaved hazel, is very
ornamental, and worthy of a place in almost any collection.
Early in the spring the opening buds expand into large,
finely formed leaves that are almost black—nearly if not
quite the darkest shade known in vegetation. The effect
is then exceedingly striking, as the contrast with surround-
ing objects is very marked. A little later on the color
changes to a lighter hue, becoming a dull purple, and thus
continuing most of the season. The coloring is much the
same as that of the darkest purple beech, which entitles it
to a position among shrubs such as that tree has secured
in the great family of larger growths. It holds its color
much longer than does the beech. The shrub grows from
four to six feet, and thrives in dry as well as in moist
soils.

SASSAFRAS.

HE sassafras is a native of the eastern portions of
the United States, ranging from Canada to Florida,
and adapting itself to these extremes of heat and

cold. It constitutes a genus of the order Lauracee, with but
a single species and few or no marked varieties. The name,
as given by Linnzus, and adopted by about every author-
ity since his time, is Laurus sassafras, but modern bota-
nists now propose to call it Sassafras sassafras, which leads
Dr. E. S. Bartin, inthe Amerzcan Fournal of Pharmacy, to
say that this is “doubtless applied in strict accordance
with the new rules for botanical nomenclature ; but whose

Sassafras. ‘Bree

unpleasant effect upon the ear could not be well endured,
except in the hope that sometime between now and the
millennium our botanical nomenclature will acquire some-
thing like a_ stable
equilibrium.” The

tree never grows to
a large size, though
sometimes rising to
a height of forty to
fifty feet, and that,
too, when the trunk

is scarcely more than
one or two feet in di-
ameter. In the ex- S
treme North it is little |“ aera mec
more than a tall slen- , :
der shrub. The bark

of the trunk is some-

mae é
Sty:
ly 2

wu

what gray in color,

and deeply furrowed,
but on the young SASSAFRAS OFFICINALE.

branches the covering is usually green tinged with red.
It is impossible to give a description of its leaf that will
fit all cases or even apply wholly to a certain tree, for the
sassafras has the peculiarity of bearing leaves that do not
resemble each other. They are usually about four inches
long, petioled and alternate. Some of them on the same
stem are oval and entire; some have a rather small lobe
on each side; others are lobed on one side and not on the

opposite, and still others appear with three lobes. The

174 Ornamental Shrubs.

flower is yellow, not very conspicuous, and appears in ad-
vance of the leaves.

The sassafras was one of the first of American trees to
attract the attention of Europeans. It was carried to the
Old World as early as 1540, and in 1549 a treatise was
published by Gerard, who called it the ague tree, and
pronounced a decoction of its bark a cure for many
diseases. For a long time its real or supposed medicinal
virtues gave it a high place among the physicians, and its
merits are still recognized. Its virtues in this direction
are said to come largely from the inner bark, both of the
trunk and roots, which is of a dark reddish color not alto-
gether unlike the celebrated Peruvian bark. The flowers
and twigs are also in use, and the wood is sold in chips for
medicinal purposes. _ Few trees or plants have held their
reputation so long and through so many vicissitudes as
this. A large number of supposed species or varieties are
found in a fossil condition,—that is to say, the leaves of
such trees are found, and it has been supposed they be-
longed to different species, from the fact of their varying
in character,—but as our present species of sassafras has
numerous forms, even on a small tree, it does not follow
that these ancient geological specimens are of extinct
sorts.

LAGERSTRG:MIA—Crape Myrtle.

HIS constitutes a small genus of the order Lythracea,
consisting of about a dozen species, all natives
of Asia, and but little known in cultivation. They

are mostly greenhouse plants, two or three only being suf-

Lagerstroemia—Crape Myrtle. 175

ficiently hardy to endure the climate of any portion of the
United States. Of these Z. zvdzca is best known and
most highly appreciated. It grows from six to ten feet,
and has somewhat oval leaves, acute and glabrous. The
blossoms are large and very beautiful, produced in pani-

cles, are bright pink with the petals curled, and on long

&
e

*

EE RE

Hl

LAGERSTRCMIA.

claws. They appear in midsummer, and the effect 1s
very striking. The shrub is found to be sufficiently hardy
to thrive in the Middle States in protected situations, and
is quite at home farther south. There it proves a most
desirable acquisition, and is fast coming to be appreciated.
It is popularly known as the crape myrtle, a name sug-
gested by a peculiarity of the flowers. There is a variety

with white blossoms, making an agreeable contrast when

176 Ornamental Shrubs.

the two are planted in conjunction. Another species,
L. flos-regine, commonly called queen’s flower, is equally
suited to garden cultivation, and is perhaps even more
interesting. The flowers are from two to three inches
in diameter, of a beautiful rose-color in the morning,
changing gradually to purple at night. The shrub is a
native of China.

AMELANCHIER.

HE amelanchiers are well known shrubs or small
trees to which more attention should be given
in ornamental planting than they have yet re-

ceived. They belong to the order Rosacez, and are widely
distributed, though until quite recently supposed to be
almost exclusively natives of North America. With the
opening up of Japan several new species were discovered,
some of which prove to be of value, being largely planted
in Europe, and to some extent in the United States in
competition with those which are natives of the soil.
There is some confusion among the botanists as to classi-
fication and names, but the questions raised are compara-
tively of small importance to practical horticulturists,
however entertaining and interesting to the experts.
The nomenclature in use by Nicholson, Torrey, and Gray
will be followed.

A. canadensis is more common both in our forests
and gardens than any other species. Loudon found it in
abundance in the American woods during his early bo-
tanical tours, and first brought it to the attention of the
general public, describing it as follows: “A very orna-

Amelanchier. 17%

mental tree, from its profusion of blossoms early in
April, and from its rich autumnal foliage; and even the
fruit is not altogether to be despised, either eaten by
itself or in tarts, pies, and puddings. The wood is white,
and it exhibits no difference between the heart and sap.
It is longitudinally traversed by small, bright red vessels,
which intersect each other and run together—a physio-
logical peculiarity which, Micheaux observes, occurs also
in the red birch.” As might be expected of a shrub or
tree whose habitat extends from Hudson’s Bay to the
Gulf States, and from the Atlantic to the base of the
Rocky Mountains, and possibly even beyond, it is per-
fectly hardy and full of vigor. It is sometimes of bushy
form, but more frequently appears as a small tree rising
from fifteen to thirty feet. Its pure-white flowers are dis-
posed in short racemes, and so numerous are they that
the foliage and branches are almost hidden from sight. In
autumn it is almost equally beautiful, its foliage taking
on bright golden-yellow tints, thus closing as well as
opening the season with a show of beauty. The fruit,
popularly known as the June berry, service berry, and
shad berry, is about the size of a currant, of purple
color, and agreeable to the taste, so that where the trees
are abundant it is often gathered as an article of food.
It matures in June or early July. The tree blossoms and
produces fruit while quite young, and it is no uncommon
thing for a specimen of but three or four feet to be heavily
laden, thus affording quick returns to the planter. A.
botryapium is given by Gray as a synonym, and by others
as the name of a variety.

12

178 Ornamental Shrubs.

A. alnifolia is a Western species or variety of much
smaller proportions, being a veritable dwarf though pos-
sessing all the good qualities imputed to the larger plant.
It is of especial value where a smaller form is desired
through limitations of space or adaptation to surrounding
objects. In some locations it is grown especially for its
fruit, which is esteemed above that of the currant, while
the bush is much more ornamental, and occupies no more
space. It has sometimes been put on the market as a
blueberry, but is of quite another family. It has the
advantage of producing both blossoms and fruit when not
more than two or three feet high. The flowers appear
later than those of the larger sort, and so help to
lengthen the season. A. rotundzfolza is much the same
except that the bush grows some two feet taller, and
there are several others offered in the market with differ-
ences so slight as to call for no further description.

A. japonica is a recent introduction to American gar-
dens, and appears to be worthy of notice. It, too, has
early blossoms in great abundance, not differing materially
from those already described. Its fruit is bright scarlet,
and proves very showy, and hangs on a long time, often
after the leaves have fallen. It is a strong grower and highly
ornamental in its foliage as well as in its fruit and blossom.

DAPHNE.

HE daphnes constitute a very interesting genus of
the order 7hymeleacee, the several species of which
are widely distributed throughout the south tem-

perate zone, and in smaller numbers in the southern hemi-

Daphne. 179

sphere. It is said that there are some forty species and
varieties of which note has been taken by botanists and
horticulturists. They are all small shrubs, though in some
cases in tree form, and present numerous attractions.
Some are evergreen and others are deciduous. In culti-
vation a few are known only as greenhouse plants, but
the great majority are counted hardy and suitable for
garden and park planting.

D. mezereum is one of the very best of early spring
bloomers, and merits much more attention than it has yet
received from horticulturists and planters in this country.
The plant is perfectly hardy, and it is claimed will grow
up to the very borders of the Arctic regions. Whether it
will endure such an extreme test or not, it is certain that
it can be used freely in all portions of the United States
short of Alaska, and is also available in the South to the
borders of the Gulf. It has been in use in English gardens
for more than three hundred years, and has held its own
against all newcomers for that long period. It is a low-
growing plant, seldom rising more than two feet, but is of
a somewhat spreading habit and so covering considerable
space. The flowers are pink, very abundant and very
fragrant, appearing at the first breath of spring and often
before the snow has fully gone. When these are over,
the little bush is almost equally attractive from the presence
and character of its fruit. In June the branches are
crowded with large, bright red berries, affording a marked
contrast to the dark green leaves. Coming thus when so
few plants are in blossom, and continuing so long in fruit,
the wonder is that it is not better known and more largely

180 Ornamental Shrubs.

planted in ordinary gardens. It is not easily propagated
in the nursery, and so costs slightly more than some
larger sorts, and this may account for a portion of the
comparative neglect. But, as already stated, when estab-
lished in the border or planted in groups it is equal to the
best, and will withstand almost any exposure. And it is
not a small thing in its favor that it blossoms every year,
and is not very particular as to soil or surroundings.

D. cneorum.—In this we have another small shrub of
which it is difficult to say too much. It is popularly known
as the garland flower, has evergreen foliage, and blooms
during May in New England and the North, and much
earlier in warmer climes. The flowers are of a rich
lilac shade, and profuse in their abundance. During the
summer they appear from time to time, and in autumn
often break forth anew and cover for the second time the
whole bush. A writer in the London Garden speaks of a
full crop of flowers as late as December, and Garden and
Forest says that plants in the neighborhood of New York
were blooming on the twelfth of the same month, opening
their flowers perfectly and giving forth a fragrance which
seemed even richer than that of the spring bloom. This
plant is especially recommended for rockwork, for borders
of shrubberies, and for planting in groups where masses of
color are desired.

D. genkwa is a deciduous shrub growing two to three
feet in height, with numerous twiggy branches clothed
with a soft down. Like all the daphnes, it blossoms in
early spring, producing violet-colored flowers the whole
length of the otherwise naked branches. They continue

Viburnum. 181

two or three weeks, and are quite fragrant though not
especially beautiful. Some of the varieties are superior
to the type, having larger flowers and of a richer shade of
dark purple, while one, not yet known to cultivation, has
been discovered with white flowers. Though not the best
of the family, the species is worthy of cultivation, and in
some situations proves of special value.

D. laureola.—This takes its popular name of spurge-
laurel from its foliage ; the leaves are green, oblong, and
remain through the entire winter. It is a low plant—
even smaller than czeorum, and less beautiful in flower, as
the blossoms are of a greenish cast and without fragrance.
But it is a good foliage plant, and has the quality of
growing in the shade, and especially under trees, better
than most other sorts. For such situations it serves a
good purpose, and may be used to advantage as one of
the best under-shrubs.

VIBURNUM.

HE viburnums constitute a genus of small trees or
shrubs of the natural order Caprzfolracee, repre-
senting about eighty species, mostly distributed

throughout the north temperate zone, though a few speci-
mens are also found in the West Indies and Madagascar.
Much the greater number are indigenous to America.
They usually have opposite branches, with undivided,
lobed leaves, white, terminal, tubular flowers, and seed-like
berries. They prefer moist places, but grow well in partial
shade in any good soil, though preferring a peaty substance
to sand or gravel. The more valuable are the following :

182 Ornamental Shrubs.

The English wayfaring tree, or hobble-bush, V. /an-
tana, known also as the rowan tree, is a shrub ten to
twenty feet high, with small white flowers, in large, flat
cymes, appearing in May or June. The fruit, which re-
mains long on the stem, is a bluish-black berry, somewhat
flattened and quite sweet to the taste. The leaves are
two to four inches in length, rough or crinkled in appear-
ance, downy, and often with hairs on the under side. The
inner bark is acrid, and both it and the fruit have been
much used in medicine. It is indigenous to countries as
far north as Scotland and Siberia, and widely distributed.
The rowan tree was long supposed to be a protection
against witches, and in times when men put faith in gob-
lins and spirits intent on mischief its efficacy was seldom
doubted ; for that reason it was planted in close proximity
to dwellings and stables.

The American species, . dantanozdes, differs somewhat
from the above, as it appears less in tree form and more
as a low, bushy shrub. It grows wild in dark, moist,
rocky woods as far north as New Brunswick, and thence
south through portions of New England to the mountains
of North Carolina; and often makes a beautiful show of
flowers in unfrequented and desolate places. The leaves
are from four to six inches across, shaped much like the
English variety, smooth above but downy along the
veins. The flowers are in broad heads of white, and are
followed by crimson fruit, afterward turning black. Breck
says: “The first time we beheld the crooked, straggling
shrub in flower in its native haunts, a dark swamp, we
thought it one of the most ornamental shrubs in the

Viburnum. 183

country. It is certainly worthy a place in every collec-
tion.” There is a variety of considerable value, with the
same general features, but having variegated leaves white
and yellow.

The sweet viburnum, or sheep berry, . dentago, grows
from fifteen to thirty feet high, and is valuable for or-
namental purposes.
The flowers are pro-
fuse and showy, ap-
pearing in June.
They are composed
of a large number of
terminal cymes, mak-
ing a broad, white
head with a slight
tinge of yellow. The
fruit consists of rich,
dark blue berries,
and, as they are in
marked contrast to

the autumn foliage

VIBURNUM OPULUS.

hues, the appearance
is very striking. The leaves are ovate, pointed, and on
long, marginal petioles.

The so-called high bush cranberry, V. opulus, grows
from five to ten feet, and is a vigorous shrub showy in
both its flowers and its fruit. Emerson says: ‘In May
or early in June it spreads open at the end of every branch
a broad cyme of soft, delicate flowers, surrounded by an
irregular circle of snow-white stars, scattered, apparently,

184 Ornamental Shrubs.

for show. The fruit, which is red when ripe, is of a
pleasant, acid taste, resembling cranberries, for which it
is sometimes substituted.” This plant is beautiful in
flower, in leaf, and in fruit; and as the fruit remains well
into the winter, ever deepening in color, the beauty of the
bush lasts all the year. It is the parent of the well-known
snowball tree, which under cultivation produces only
sterile flowers. In this form it has long been well known.
There is also a variety with variegated foliage, the leaves
marked with yellow and white. The / 0. ana is the
dwarf of the family, for, though perfect in all its forms, it
seldom lifts its head more than a foot from the ground.

The naked viburnum, or wythe rod, / xudum, is also
a native of America, and indigenous as far north as New
England and southward to Florida, proving entirely hardy
in both sections. The flowers are yellowish-white, appear-
ing in May or June. They are composed of small florets
in large, crowded heads. The fruit is nearly round, quite
large, of a deep blue color, ripening in September or
October. The leaves are oblong-oval, with a rather rough
surface. It is an interesting shrub, but less valuable than
several of the other species.

The Japan snowball, /. plzcatum, is one of our later
acquisitions, and is pronounced by good judges the most
beautiful and most desirable of all the members of the
family. It is of moderate growth and compact habit. The
leaves are crinkled or plicated, of a rich green color, borne
on brown shoots, while the flowers are larger and more
solid than those of the common snowball. They hang
long on the bush, and are very showy. The great-clus-

Viburnum. 185

tered snowball, 1. macrocephalum, was first found in
the gardens about Chusan, in China. It proves to be
the equal of the old American snowball, or guelder
rose, in purity of color, and far eclipses it in size and
beauty. Each blossom is more than an inch across, and

the clusters made up of these measure eight or ten inches

VIBURNUM MACROCEPHALUM.

in diameter. It is sometimes advertised as a new species
from Japan, but, though rare, has been planted here for
many years. The tree grows to the height of about
twenty feet. It is sufficiently hardy to withstand the
winters of New England.

Arrow-wood, V. dentatum, was popularly so named be-
cause the Indians used it in the manufacture of their ar-

rows for use in hunting and in war. The wood is heavy,

186 Ornamental Shrubs.

exceedingly hard and tough, and capable of high polish,
The shrub is small, seldom growing more than five or ten
feet, with light-colored bark, and pale green leaves sharply
dentate. The dark blue flowers are large and showy, fol-
owed by purple fruit that hangs long on the branches. It
is an interesting plant for the garden or border, and,
though found chiefly in swamps, will grow on ordinary
rich land to perfection. Downy arrow-wood, l. pubescens,
is not as interesting as are most of the other species, and is
scarcely found in our northern latitudes, while appearing
in abundance in the swamps of Kentucky and farther
south. Gray describes it as a low, straggling shrub, hav-
ing ovate and taper-pointed leaves, with a few coarse teeth
and a downy surface. The fruit is dark purple, much like
that of dentatum. Maple-leaved arrow-wood, V. acerzfolium,
is a low, slender shrub, three to six feet, the leaves of
which have a close resemblance to those of the maple, be-
ing three-ribbed and three-lobed. It is entirely hardy, and
often found growing in the forests of New England. The
flowers are borne on terminal cymes, with slender stamens,
and are of a pale purple color when first opening, the
corolla afterward becoming pure white.

The dilated viburnum, V. dzlatatum, is a native of
Japan, and grows to a height of eight or ten feet. The
small flowers are in cymes from two to five inches across, and
very pretty, appearing in June. The best authorities pro-
nounce it a valuable shrub, though it does not appear to
have been largely planted as compared with Alzcatum,
which everywhere now takes the lead. The fragrant
viburnum, V. odoratisstmum, is a shrub from the Chinese

Viburnum. 187

mountains, and rises to a height of ten feet. The flowers
are very sweet-scented. They are in corymbs, white and
quite showy in May, being among the first blossoms that

put out an appearance. It has the reputation of not being

VIBURNUM TOMENTOSUM.

entirely hardy except in situations protected from high
winds and extreme cold. IV. ¢omentosum differs from the
pliwatum in having more hairy foliage and less double
flowers. It is hardy and desirable.

The evergreen viburnum, / ¢zxzus, is a native of

188 Ornamental Shrubs.

southern Europe, and retains its foliage through the

winter, The leaves are oblong, entire, and sometimes

VIBURNUM PRUNIFOLIUM.

hairy. The flowers are at first rose-tinted, but soon be-

come pure white. They come forth in late autumn, and

Buxus—Box. 189

often at warm periods in winter from December to March,
when they never fail to attract attention. The fruit is dark
blue, resembling that of several of the other species. The
shrub grows from six to nine feet under favorable condi-
tions. It is acurious plant, and well worthy of attention.
The variety known as the /redelit has lighter-colored
flowers. Another variety, the J/uczdum, brought from
Mount Atlas, has large glossy leaves, and also larger
flowers than the original. They appear in early spring.

The wrinkled-leaved viburnum, V7. rugosum, is an ever-
green growing from four to six feet. The flowers are not
especially attractive, but the peculiarity of appearing in
winter creates an interest in the plant. Its habit is much
the same as that of the ¢zzus, but it is not so hardy and
does not hold its foliage so persistently.

What is known to some as the American black haw is
the V. prunzfolium, named from its prune-shaped leaves.
It becomes a large shrub or small tree, but is less valuable
than many of the other sorts named; still it is not without
interest.

BU XUS—Box.

HE box is a genus of hardy evergreen shrubs or
small trees, of the order Euphorbiacee. These
plants were largely in use among the Greeks and

Romans, and were highly spoken of by some of the most
noted writers of antiquity. The Greek word indicating
the character of the shrub signifies strength, or sometimes
a cup, and is supposed to have been applied from the use
of the wood, which is especially fine-grained and hard, and

190 Ornamental Shrubs.

was largely used in the manufacture of goblets and orna-
ments. All the members of the family are broad-leaved
evergreens, but not all are sufficiently hardy to withstand
our extreme northern winters. They are furnished with
opposite leaves, entire at the margins, and possessing a
peculiarity by which the plates can be easily split. The
blossoms are numerous but inconspicuous, growing in
axillary clusters, the male and female specimens, though
distinct, being on the same plant. There are but two
species in ordinary garden cultivation.

LB. sempervirens is the most widely distributed, and is
commonly known as the tree box, specimens of which may
be seen in many of our old gardens. It is nowhere in-
digenous to America though found in similar latitudes
throughout England and southern Europe, and even as
far east as Persia and perhaps China. At its best it is
said to rise in tree form from twelve to fifteen feet, but, as
it advances toward the colder regions, it gradually dimin-
ishes to three or four feet. The leaves are small, oblong-
oval, bright green, and somewhat coriaceous. The wood
is hard, close-grained, and capable of a very high polish,
the specific gravity being such that it will not float in
water. Though small, it is a long-lived tree, many speci-
mens found in the Eastern States being considerably more
than a hundred years old and still in good condition. The
species has given off numerous varieties, some of which
as garden plants are to be preferred to the type. JZ.
suffrucicosa, or dwarf box, has been used for edgings to
paths and borders more largely than, perhaps, any other
plant. Nearly all the old-fashioned gardens in this country,

Buxus—Box. Ig!

following the custom of Europe, had their box borders,
so much so that they became somewhat monotonous, and
a revulsion came, resulting to a considerable degree in
their discontinuance. But of late the tide has turned, and
the tendency now is in favor of their restoration. Another
departure is the B. s. argentea, or silver-variegated, in
which the foliage is marked with white. This, though a
larger and more rapidly-growing plant, can be employed
to advantage for hedges, or used as single specimens for
grouping, and is also capable of good service as an under-
shrub in parks and other large grounds where partially
shade-loving growths are desired. The 2. s. aurea and
the margznata have their leaves marked with yellow, and
may be used in the same way. Another variation, known
in the catalogues as elegantzsstma vartegata, is said to be
very fine. The macrophylla has larger leaves, more oval in
form than the type, while in the mzcrophylla they are much
smaller. MHandsworthzt is distinguished as an upright
form with still more oval leaves and as being a vigorous
grower. It has deep green foliage, and is credited with
being especially hardy, and thriving where most of the
others are liable to fail.

BL. balearica, known also as the Minorca box, has larger
foliage than sempervirens, and is also a native of western
Europe and Asia. It latterly has come to be called by
some the Japanese box, though for no good reason, as
Japan is only one of the many countries in which it is
indigenous. Its yellowish-green leaves are about two
inches long and a little more than half as broad. It some-
times attains a height of fifteen to twenty feet with a large

192 Ornamental Shrubs.

though compact head. Asa single specimen it is probably
the best of the family, but, unfortunately, it is not quite so
hardy as sempervzrens, and in northern localities must have
winter protection, especially when young. In the Middle
and Southern States it may not need extra care. It, too,
has gold- and silver-leaved varieties, and some of the hand-
somest plants sent out from the nurseries are of this class.

The box is capable of being grown in any form desired,
and is entirely submissive to the knife or pruning shears,
In the days when more formal gardening was in vogue,
and plants were cut and grown in fantastic shapes, the box
was one of the favorite plants for use in this direction.
At the present time that absurd system is almost unknown,
though occasionally an attempt is made to copy from the
old models as a matter of curiosity rather than the desire
of restoring the stiffness of the straight lines and geometric
and sculptural figures of what is popularly called Italian
gardening.

KOELREUTERIA.

HIS native of China is named for the German pro-
fessor, Koelreuter. It is of the order Sapzndacee,
and is asmall tree of particularly picturesque habit

of growth, which makes it highly desirable for lawn or
garden. On the European continent, where the planting
of these dwarf trees is understood to perfection, they are
used to an extent unthought of in America, and are placed
where effect and, in some cases, shade are desired without
interference with view or a free circulation of air. A bet-
ter understanding here of the subject would prevent the

‘ODVOIHO ‘S1VGNVODS LY 'NVDS ‘OM 4O VIIA WOuS M3IA

194 Ornamental Shrubs.

disappointment often experienced by the owner of a small
place, when he finds the pride he has taken in his trees to
be changing to dismay as they rapidly increase in size
year after year, and shut out desirable outlooks and air,
till at last they become a nuisance instead of a joy.

For all purposes where a dwarf tree is needed X.
paniculata can be recommended and without reservation.
It is easily grown in common soil, and is believed to suc-
ceed best where the ground is not very rich. It has
irregular, spreading branches covered with dark green
leaves alternate and deeply toothed. In June and July, as
the blossoms of the horse-chestnut fall and flowering trees
become rare, those of koelreuteria appear. They are
mostly of a rich yellow, and are borne in large panicles of
many flowers that stand out conspicuously from the green
foliage. These are followed by a fruit varying in color,
green, bronze-red, and purple. The keeping quality of the
leaves, and the succeeding flowers and fruit, make the tree
ornamental and interesting for an unusually long period.
The fact that the young plants spring up readily from the
seed that falls to the ground, leads to the hope that this
beautiful little foreigner will some day be familiarly known
in our gardens.

RHUS—Sumach.
HE genus rhus includes more than a hundred
species of interesting plants widely distributed over
both continents, though few or none are found

within the tropics. They are most abundant in the United
States, China, Japan, and South Africa, the range on the

Rhus—Sumach. 195

Dark Continent extending to the Cape of Good Hope
while on the other hand it reaches to equally northern ex-
tremes. Many sorts are tender, while others are compara-
tively indifferent to heat and cold, as well as to soils and
other horticultural conditions. A few are exceedingly
poisonous, in this respect rivalling the famous upas tree,
but nearly all are not only harmless but ornamental.
These sumachs, as they are popularly called, are prized
for their beauty of foliage and their peculiar flowers and
fruitage; and when rightly handled they may fill an im-
portant niche in garden and park planting.

R. aromatica—fragrant sumach—is a low- growing
shrub with a spreading head, and rising five to eight feet.
The leaves are slightly pubescent in their early stages,
thickening with age, and when crushed give out an agree-
able odor. They are compound, with three pairs of
leaflets unequally cut and toothed. The flowers are pale
yellow, in spikes closely clustered, and appearing in ad-
vance of the foliage in April and May. Though an
' interesting species, it is not the most showy of its class in

either leaf, flower, or fruit.

k. typhina, or, as it is commonly called, the staghorn
sumach, is a much more ornamental shrub, and is also of
American origin, being quite frequently found growing in
the borders of woods and on dry and infertile hillsides.
In fact, it does not appear to be very particular as to soils
and surrounding conditions. The branches are blunt and

‘clumsy-looking, usually thickly covered with hairs, and al-
most wholly lacking in symmetry of arrangement. For this
reason the shrub is best planted among other sorts such

196 Ornamental Shrubs.

as may partially hide the seeming deformity and yet per-
mit the brilliant scarlet autumnal foliage to be seen. The
leaflets, fifteen to thirty-one, are oblong-lanceolate, and
very few plants at the season show to better advantage, or
do more to enliven the border and brighten the landscape.
The buds are also curious, as they are deeply set in the
middle of a large leaf-scar, and protected by a mass of
hairs, almost cone-shaped, against climatic exposures. The
flowers are greenish yellow, and collected in a thyrsoid,
terminal panicle. This is, to say the least, an interesting
shrub, and can be used to advantage in many positions.
R. glabra, or smooth sumach, is one of the best known
species in this country, being found along the borders of
woods or growing freely in dry and sterile situations, often
taking possession of entire fields and holding them with
such tenacity, through its deeply extending roots, as not
to be easily dislodged. It is a low-growing, spreading
bush with irregular branches and a rather unshapely form,
but is, nevertheless, of considerable horticultural value.
The leaves are compound, often a foot or more long, with
from fifteen to thirty-one leaflets on a large smooth stalk.
The leaflets are nearly or quite sessile, oblong, and pointed
at the apex, though rounded at the base. The blossoms
are in large and much-branched heads at the ends of the
stems, and of from ten to twelve inches extension. They
are greenish-yellow and slightly fragrant. In the autumn
the foliage becomes brilliantly crimson, and the heads of
fruit, made up of velvety berries arranged in cones or
spikes, are among the most showy productions of the field
or forest. | When growing in masses, especially if looked

Rhus—Sumach. 197

upon from a little distance, few plants are more showy.
The fruit remains longer than the leaves, and though
slightly changing its color is still attractive. 2. g. lacin-
zata, one of the varieties sometimes known as the fern-
leaved sumach, is still more worthy of a place in the garden.
It is a smaller plant, from three to five feet high,
and has finely :

cut foliage. It
is best grown in
the form of alow
bush with sev-
eral stems which,
if permitted, will
spring from the
common root in
the form of suck-
ers. AS in au-
tumn its feathery
leaves take on

the same crim-

RHUS GLABRA LACINIATA.

son hues as the
type, a cluster of these long stems when at the best, and
in contrast with surrounding objects, has almost the ap-
pearance of a ball of fire. This comparatively new form
is one of our most valuable recent introductions, and has
been long enough before the public to have won a repu-
tation accordingly. 2. copallina is a dwarf sumach, with
running roots, and is often scarcely more than a foot high.
It can be made to quickly cover rocky and barren spaces
whenever such a result is desired.

198 Ornamental Shrubs.

R. cotinus—Smoke tree, Venetian sumach—is not only
the most remarkable member of the family, but also one
of the most peculiar and interesting of the hardy plants.
Its departures from the family type led Nuttall in his
description of the bush to name it Aus cotznozdes, indi-
cating thereby resemblance rather than identity. Prof.
Sargent in our own day takes much the same view, and
so inclines to a distinct classification. Be that as it may,
the plant is likely to be known in the future, as it has been
in the past, to the great majority of those who have to do
with it, as the Venetian sumach or smoke tree. The bush
is much planted in England, and the London Garden
speaks of it from that standpoint as follows: “This
when in flower always arrests the attention, because of its
singular appearance, of even those who do not take a
general interest in shrubs. On account of the feathery
nature of the sterile flower-clusters, some call it the wig
tree, a name by which perhaps it is better known than
Venetian sumach. It is an invaluable shrub, as it is
attractive at a time when shrubberies begin to look dull and
monotonous. It is always a dwarf, spreading bush, rarely
more than eight feet high. Its glaucous, round leaves
make a pleasing contrast to the reddish, feathery clusters.
It is hardy, almost evergreen, and grows in all kinds of
soils, but must always have plenty of room to allow
of full development.” The autumnal foliage assumes
a lovely shade of rosy-crimson, and whether in groups
or standing as single specimens out in the open, it
is certain to attract attention. The flowers are in loose
panicles, of light purple or flesh color, the pedicels becoming

Rhus—Sumach. 199

lengthened and hairy after blossoming, and spreading over

the whole bush, giving it a misty appearance, whence it is

RHUS COTINUS.

often known as the smoke tree, by which name in some

sections many only know it. It isa native of Caucasus

200 Ornamental Shrubs.

and other eastern countries, and proves hardy in all parts
of the United States.

R. semtalata—Osbeck’s sumach. This, though intro-
duced to eastern cultivation as a Japanese tree, is found to
be widely distributed throughout most of the Asiatic
countries, appearing frequently on the Himalayas and other
lofty mountains as well as in lower altitudes. It grows in
the form of a tree, twenty to thirty feet, and with some-
what remarkable vigor. Properly cared for, it makes a
shapely and symmetrical specimen, and becomes an object
of beauty wherever planted. As first described as seen
at the Arnold Arboretum, where it had been tested for
several years, it was represented as having compound
leaves some fifteen inches long, with fifteen to twenty-
three leaflets six or seven inches in length, dark green and
shining on the upper surface but pale and covered with
a soft, rusty pubescence beneath. The short-pediceled
flowers are produced in large terminal panicles, the whole
constituting a very showy head. The florets are pure
white, though the projecting anthers give a yellowish cast _
to the cluster as a whole. Not much can be said for the
fruit, which is inferior to that of several of the American
species. The blossoms appear late in July, or in early
August, and the fruit holds on until late in autumn. In
Japan the coloring of the leaves near the close of the
season is very vivid, and the most brilliant orange and
crimson in all the forests. In the North the plant is
not regarded as quite as hardy as some of the native

species.

Osmanthus. 201

AMORPHA.
HIS is a genus of the order Legumznose, and a na-
| tive of the United States, and, though confined
by Nature’s processes to the southern section, the
cultivated species thrive as far north as New England,
and are quite at home in the middle Northwest. They are
described as handsome, hardy, deciduous shrubs, with
graceful, pinnate leaves and many pairs of leaflets which
are full of pellucid dots. |The racemes of the flowers are
in elongated spikes, usually in fascicles at the tops of the
branches, and the corolla is without wings and keel. They
are all well adapted to small shrubberies, preferring a
sheltered situation and doing well in any good garden
soil.

A frutzcosa, or the shrubby species, is better known as
the false or bastard indigo, from the color of its blossoms,
which are a deep indigo-blue or very dark bluish-purple.
The individual flowers are small, and, except on close
study, appear dull and uninteresting; but closer inspec-
tion reveals the beauty of the richly colored petals as con-
trasted with the yellow anthers, which protrude slightly be-
yond the rim of the cup. When these are gathered into
spikes borne at the terminals of the several branches, and
these spikes are bunched in twos and threes, thus covering
almost the whole bush, they appear to especial advantage,
and are really beautiful. The bush itself is somewhat
stocky, as it sends up numerous free-growing shoots to
the height of six or eight feet, clothed with elliptic, oblong
leaves, the lower ones on long petioles and the upper
more nearly sessile, glabrous, and slightly pubescent. The

202 Ornamental Shrubs.

plant is at its best late in June or early in July, when its
blossoms are in perfection.

A. canescens—Lead plant.—This is a much smaller
plant, seldom rising more than three feet. According to
the older botanists, it was introduced to English gardens as
long ago as 1812, and was received with considerable favor,
and somewhat freely employed in decorative horticulture.
But it is now seldom found in gardens on either continent,
having been crowded out by the multitude of new and
more rare, but not always better, sorts. Still it is named
in several of the nurserymen’s catalogues, especially on the
European continent. It is worthy of a restoration to pop-
ular favor, and will doubtless again see better days. It
takes its name from the color of the foliage, which in both
stems and leaves is of a whitish or lead-colored cast. The
flowers are much the same as in the larger species, and
are also produced in terminal, clustered spikes several
inches long. They are deep purple, and do not usually
make their appearance until the first of August, thus
affording color ata time when flowering shrubs are not
supposed to be at their best. It is a native of Missouri,
where it is still found growing wild.

Each of these amorphas has given off several varieties,
which, however, do not appear to be especial improvements
on the type.

OSMANTHUS.

HE name of this genus was applied because of the
peculiar and agreeable fragrance of its blossoms,
and is made up from osme, signifying perfume,

and anthos, flower. It belongs to the olive family, and is

Osmanthus. 203

sometimes classed under that head; but the best author-
ities point out differences that justify a distinct classifica-
tion. The tribe is small, only seven species being named.
Those of greatest value are natives of North America or
Japan. Though classed as reasonably hardy, none of
‘them will endure extreme northern winters without pro-
tection. But some of them, at least, will grow in the open,
in the latitude of Philadelphia, and with slight care in
New York and even in southern New England. They
are certainly as hardy as the English holly or most of the
mahonias, and should receive much the same treatment
in cultivation.

O. americanus is a native of this country, and grows
in tree form from five to six feet. The foliage is elliptic-
lanceolate, the leaves about four inches long, thick and
glossy. The blossoms are nearly sessile, in threes, ax-
illary, appearing in June in a compact thyrse. These
are followed by purple, globose fruit in the form of a nut,
and quite palatable to the taste. It is a good plant,
though not the best of the genus.

O. aguifolium.—This isanative of Japan, and esteemed
one of the best. The foliage very much resembles that
of the holly, being oblong or oval, coriaceous, smooth, and
glossy. The leaves are stiffly armed with teeth, and are
evergreen, thus affording an attractive winter aspect in
connection with other broad-leaved evergreens; The
flowers are white, very sweet-scented, appearing in autumn.
Nicholson pronounces it a very handsome evergreen, vary-
ing considerably in the size and toothing of the leaves. O. a.
electfolium is a variety which is held to be an improvement

204 Ornamental Shrubs.

overthe type. It hassmaller leavesanda more dense and
compact head, and is supposed to be able to endure
greater degrees of cold. It is pronounced by a good
authority ‘the most beautiful of all the evergreen shrubs
outside of the conifers.” This is probably an overstate-
ment resulting from undue partiality or exceptional con-
ditions. But it is really a beautiful plant, and should be
brought into much more general use. Its vigor is such
that it may be safely planted in almost all sections of the
country, numerous instances being reported where it has
stood a zero climate without the loss or even turning of a
leaf. Of this there are several forms of variegation in
cultivation, mostly showing different colorings of leafage.

ing

O. a. myrtfolium is what is known as “a fixed sport,” with
dense habit and leaves without spines. O. fragrans is
perhaps the best known of all the species, though prop-
erly esteemed an olive and described as Olea fragrans. It
possesses the general characteristics of the genusas already
pointed out, its flowers being yellow instead of white as in
the O. a. cllectfolium. They appear in June and continue
until August under usual conditions, and are very pretty as
well as exceedingly sweet-scented. The foliage is good,
somewhat lanceolate, and finely serrated, glossy above but
paler on the under surface and less showy. It is a native
of China, and grows to the height of eight or ten feet,
making a very attractive bush or small tree, and worthy
of a place in every garden where climatic conditions are
favorable.

Euonymus. 205

EUONYMUS.

HIS genus of plants, though not especially large,
is widely distributed. It was known to the
ancient Greeks, and is said to have received its

name from Theophrastus by the combination of ez, signi-
fying good, and oxoma, name ; and it is thought that this
term may have been applied because the plant had the
reputation of being poisonous, especially to cattle and
other animals which might feed upon its leaves. The
application of a good name to an object as a cover for its
bad qualities, was somewhat common in those days, per-
haps for the charitable purpose of hiding defects and speak-
ing well of the unfortunate ; or possibly that no offence
should be given to the gods, whose workmanship it was not
deemed prudent to criticise. However this may be, the eu-
onymus isa good shrub, highly ornamental, and worthy of a
place in all our gardens. That its bark, leaves, and flowers
contain elements unfitting them for food is very true. Be-
cause of certain qualities the plant has long been esteemed
by physicians for its medicinal properties, but these are not
such as to render it dangerous to handle, or even to eat
in small quantities. Dr. Gray mentions only two hardy
species as indigenous to North America, and one variety.

£. americanus, or strawberry tree, is described as a low,
upright, or straggling bush, from two to five feet high, with
bright green ovate or oblong-lanceolate leaves, and green-
ish-purple flowers. The fruit, when ripened in autumn, is
crimson-scarlet, and very showy. This variety is found
mostly in moist situations, along the banks of streams, and
is of service for shady situations as an under-shrub.

206 Ornamental Shrubs.

£. atropurpureus, known as the burning-bush, and also,
in some localities, as the waahoo, is a shrub from six to
fourteen feet high, with somewhat spreading branches,
though sometimes grown in tree form. It is widely dis-
tributed throughout the country, but more sparingly on
the Atlantic slope. The leaves are bright green, oblong,
serrate, and nearly sessile. Flowers appear mostly in
fours, are dark purple, somewhat showy, and come in June.
But the chief attraction is the fruit, which remains long
into autumn, and from its bright scarlet or strawberry
color and great abundance comes the popular name of
burning-bush. This is surpassed for late autumn effects
by few, if any, plants in use.

£. europeus, the European spindle tree, is much the
same, and is also known as burning-bush, though its seeds
are of a paler hue, verging upon orange-yellow. This has
long been a favorite in European gardens. It grows
equally well here, and is largely planted. £4. latzfoldus,
the broad-leaved euonymus, is also a shrub of European
origin, and grows six to eight feet high. The flowers are
white when first opening, afterward becoming shaded with
purple. They appear in June. The fruit is large, abun-
dant, and highly colored. Though not much known in
cultivation in this country, it is worth a trial in every
good-sized collection. ££. anus is a veritable dwarf,
growing about two feet, with spreading branches. It ap-
pears to be reasonably hardy, and answers a good purpose
when plants of its proportions are desired. Its fruit is
abundant and showy.

E. japonicus, Japan euonymus, is an evergreen, and

Euonymus. 207

not so hardy as the European and American species. Its
leaves are oblong and sharply pointed, and the flowers,
which appear in April, are small and somewhat fringed.

EUONYMUS JAPONICUS.

The numerous branches are pendulous, gracefully droop-
ing on all sides, and affording a full, round head. There
are several varieties in cultivation, in one of which the
leaves are margined with white, another with yellow, and
still others with less distinct markings. It grows to a

208 Ornamental Shrubs.

height of twenty feet. Meehan says: “It is one of the
few shrubs doing well along the seashore, though probably
not hardy north of New Jersey.”

£. radicans is also an introduction from Japan, and is
coming to be much used in England and America. It is
an evergreen climber of slow growth, more hardy than the
English ivy, and for that reason better for some situations,
Though somewhat particular as to soils and exposures, it
possesses qualities which commend it when it is desired to
cover small areas, and to establish edgings for paths and
borders. When thus employed it can be kept as low as the
box, and is to be preferred. The variety with variegated
foliage, E. +. argentea, is especially desirable. The
leaves are light gray, and hold their color throughout the
winter.

£. yeddoensts is a native of Japan, and is a vigorous
and compact grower, with large leaves deep green in sum-
mer and bright red in autumn. The fruit is scarlet,
hanging from a pink envelope, and lasts until the foliage
falls. It may not be entirely hardy in the Northern States,
but should have a future in the South. £. zaponztcus com-
pactus is scarcely known in this country. The London
Garden describes it as very different from the commoner
forms of Japanese euonymus, as it makes a neat, compact
little bush not more than six inches high, but quite
upright in growth. The oblong-shaped leaves are each
about three quarters of an inch in length, of a deep shin-
ing green with a narrow margin of clear white. It will
doubtless be sought after, when it becomes better known,
as desirable for edgings and as a low bedding plant.

Ostrya—Hop Hornbeam, Ironwood. 209

E. alatus, or Japanese winged euonymus, proves to be
large and well-shaped, with many of the best characteris-
tics of the family, and in every way a most desirable
garden plant. Its early buds in spring are marked with
pink, which gives it a peculiar appearance. The foliage is
agreeable at all times, in autumn turning to a pink or dark
red hue. The flowers are white and not at all showy, but
masses of brilliant scarlet berries afford an autumnal ex-
hibit of rare beauty. It is not much planted as yet, but
as it is quite hardy and easily grown it has only to be
better known in order to win popular favor.

OSTRYA—Hop Hornbeam, Ironwood.

HIS is a genus of the order Corylacee, of but
three known species. Until recently, there has
been supposed to be but one in Europe, and

one in America, but within a few years a second American
form has been discovered in Colorado, though it is smaller
and in almost every way inferior to those which have
been longer and so much better known, and but little
account in this connection need be made of its presence.
It has been named O. knowltonz¢ in honor of the discov-
erer, Mr. Frank H. Knowlton, and is interesting chiefly
as a curiosity. The European species, C. vudgarzs, has
long been recognized in the Old World, and considerably
planted, but now has practically given way to the Ameri-
can species, which answers a much better purpose.

O. virginica, or hop hornbeam, is a small tree, in the
extreme North scarcely more than a shrub, of slender form,
with foliage somewhat resembling that of the black birch.

210 Ornamental Shrubs.

The leaves are oval or egg-shaped, about three inches in
length, tapering to a long point, and with many smaller
ones on the same branch. They are smooth above, and
slightly downy below, with somewhat hairy angles. The
autumnal coloring is very fine, as the head assumes various
shades of orange-brown or russet. The flowers appear
with the leaves, and the fruit is in a closed, bladdery-like,
oblong bag. These bag-like involucres form a sort of
strobile, in size and appearance so like that of the ordinary
hop cluster as to justify the use of the common name. _ It
is a handsome tree, especially when in fruit. The wood is
of the same general character as that of the carpinus, and
is used for the same purposes; and like that it is some-
times called ironwood.

DESMODIUM.

HE desmodiums are shrubs comparatively little
known, and yet they are easily grown in any
good garden soil, and have the especial merit of

blooming late in the autumn and continuously until cut
down by frost. The branches are numerous, gracefully
pendulous, and when covered with flowers the effect is
very fine. As a rule, they should be cut back severely,
and if every year to the very ground the roots will remain
uninjured, and the following spring throw up vigorous
shoots productive of the result described. There are two
species suitable for cultivation in this country. D. pendulr-
florune has deep rosy-purple flowers which are very attrac-
tive, and by many it is placed among the best of all our

ornamental shrubs. The fact that the flowers appear in
14

Syringa—Lilac. ait

September or early October, and continue until winter sets
in, makes the plant a favorite wherever known. D. japonz-
cum, a native of China and Japan, grows to about half the
height, and produces white, pea-shaped blossoms the whole
length of the dense, pendulous branches, and, like pendule-
florum, late in September. It is an especially choice
species, and worthy of introduction into all our gardens
where autumn flowers are desired.

SYRINGA—Lilac.

HE genus syringa is too familiar to the general
public to be in need of an introduction, though
not many persons are familiar with its history or

most of its numerous representatives. The species and
varieties are almost everywhere known to the English-
speaking people as lilacs, while the true name has been
popularly applied to another and quite a different family
of shrubs to which it in no wise belongs. Though a few
sorts only have been widely distributed in cultivation,
there are yet many others, including numerous later ad-
ditions to the list, which are exceedingly valuable for
horticultural purposes and are now coming into use.

The syringas belong to the natural order Oleacez, and
as first known to botanists were supposed to be the pe-
culiar product of Asia Minor and the countries bordering
on and in the vicinity of the Black Sea. The first speci-
mens were brought, as early as 1597, to England, where
they were received with much favor and afterward
largely distributed. From the mother country they very
naturally found their way to America, and were among

212 Ornamental Shrubs.

the first to be thus imported and used in the colonial
gardens. Here, too, they were widely scattered through-
out town and country, and soon became so common that
many people have been led to suppose they were natives
of the soil.

Not more than from twelve to fifteen distinct species
are known, but these have thrown off a great number of
varieties, some of which are far more interesting than the
types from which they have sprung. Asa rule, all the
lilacs are hardy and vigorous-growing shrubs or small
trees, and mostly with numerous long, straight branches
and large clusters of various-colored flowers. Few shrubs
or trees blossom more freely and uniformly from year to
year, and fewer still adapt themselves to greater diversi-
ties of soil and climate. | They are at their best in early
spring when flowers are most welcome, and can scarcely
be planted amiss wherever a flowering bush or tree of
their proportions is desired. Though calling attention to
a goodly number of forms, old and new, it may well be
said that no list of the species and varieties can be com-
plete and remain so for any considerable period, inasmuch
as new hybrids and fresh offshoots are making their ap-
pearance almost every day, not all improvements on the
older forms.

S. vulgarzs is the old-fashioned lilac, which is under-
stood to have come from Asia through the medium
already designated. Until within a few years it has been
supposed that it was nowhere a native of Europe, but of
late, in some of its varietal forms it has been found grow-
ing wild in a Hungarian forest, though it is difficult to de-

Syringa—Lilac. 213

termine whether these growths are indigenous to that
section or came from seeds or plants that had ‘ escaped
from civilization,” and thus found a new home through
processes well understood to horticulturists. The tree
grows in some-
what bushy form
from ten to
twelve feet high
under favorable
conditions, with
smooth, cordate
leaves on long
petioles, and
large, showy
panicles of flow-
ers of that pe-
culiarand almost
indescribable
color that takes
the popular

name of the

SYRINGA VULGARIS.

genus—lilac.
As already indicated, scarcely any plant has been natural-
ized in so many lands, and been everywhere so thoroughly
welcomed, as this, and it is not too much to say that it merits
all the honors which it has received. It may now be old-
fashioned, but it is nevertheless to be loved and honored.
Of this species there are many varieties, and among
them some of the finest plants in cultivation. It would be
practically impossible to describe them all or even name

214 | Ornamental Shrubs.

them in this connection, but the following are among the
most desirable sorts, and the descriptions will be sufficient
to furnish the basis for a wide selection. |S. v. alba is the
well-known common white lilac which so many have
learned to love, as it is already widely distributed. It
closely resembles the type in everything except the color
of the blossom, which is pure white and in large trusses,
When the two are growing together the contrast in this
respect is very marked. Most, if not all the other, white li-
lacs are of inferior proportions to the vzlgarzs, while this
is at least of equal height. S. v. alba grandzflora is a much
smaller bush, five to six feet high, but has larger clusters
of even more showy flowers. Another white variety, S. v.
Marve Legraye is a veritable dwarf, three to four feet,
but though low is sufficiently bushy to show a beautiful
head of pearly blossoms, making it especially desirable for
borders or single specimens where there is but little room
to be devoted to lilac culture. It is to many a curiosity
greatly admired. S. v. Frau Dammann, another offshoot,
is pronounced by some good judges the very best of all
the white sorts, but, though possessing many excellences,
it is scarcely entitled to that distinction. It would be dif-
ficult, indeed, to name any member of the family as to be
preferred over all others without regard to conditions and
the effects to be desired. This is, however, a choice form,
as the truss is very large and the color without spot or
blemish.

But, though the white-flowering varieties are best
known and most largely grown of any of the departures
from the typical color, there are other shades equally beau-

Syringa—Lilac. S15

tiful and useful in garden planting. There are those, too,
¢, some earlier and others

Ss)

of different times of blossomin

SYRINGA, LUDWIG SPAETH.

later, thus giving such as desire to extend the lilac season
an opportunity to do so by at least a month’s prolongation.

Among these, attention may first be called to the variety

216 Ornamental Shrubs.

Charles X., which, so far as known, is a favorite with all
planters. It grows from six to eight feet high and in good
form. Under favorable conditions it is a vigorous grower
with glossy foliage and large open trusses of reddish-purple
blossoms. This sort has gained a popular favor as one
of the most excellent of its class, a reputation which it well
merits. Among others of about the same height, differing
chiefly in the color of the blossom, may be named Ludwig
Spaeth, dark reddish purple ; glocre de moulins, purple-rose ;
Comte Horace de Chotseul, deep violet-red ; Prof. Sargent,
red and violet; Ayramzdalis, azure-rose ; rubra znsignts,
rosy purple; Sexateur Volland, rosy red; Fean Bart, rosy
crimson ; Van Flouttec, red ; Facguwes Calot, rosy pink ; and
cerulea superba, blue. This list might be almost indefi-
nitely extended, though in most cases the difference would
be found so slight that it might tend to confusion rather
than profit.

S. perstca—Persian lilac—This was probably the
second of the lilacs brought to America and accepted as
one of the favorite plants for popular planting. It is a
much smaller bush than .S. vadearzs, usually growing but
four to six feet high, with numerous slender branches, all
of which are of service in the production of flowers. The
leaves are small, lanceolate, holding their bright green
color through the entire summer, so that the shrub is
always attractive. The flowers are purple with a bluish
cast, and very pretty. They appear in April and May,
according to local conditions, and always make a fine show
in the border or hedge as well as in groups or as single
specimens. S. Z. alba is a variety with white blossoms,

Syringa—Lilac. 207

and differing from the original in little else. S.A. dacznz-
ata is a form with finely cut foliage, but, though inter-
esting, is not especially to be preferred. The Persian
lilacs are better suited to forcing under glass, for the pro-
duction of cut flowers, than most others, and, thus grown,
the blossoms are great favorites for the Christmas and
Easter holidays.

S. chinensis —Chinese lilac—The nativity of this

SYRINGA CHINENSIS.

species, or as some call it, variety, is not certainly known,
though it is believed to have come from China, and
thought to be a possible hybrid between S. vadgarzs and
S. persica. So far as known, it is found in gardens only,
and as a cultivated plant. In proportions it is inter-
mediary between the two species named, and is found pos-
sessing some of the special characteristics of each. It

grows to a height of seven to eight feet, with a loose,

218 Ornamental Shrubs.

open head. The leaf is thick, ovate, and in early spring
inclined to be glossy. The flowers appear in large open
panicles and are of a reddish-purple or violet color some-
what peculiar to the family. It is also known in the
catalogues as S. rothomagenszs, though the identity of the
two is not conceded by some authorities. However that
may be, Garden and Forest, in one of its earliest issues,
fixes its place in practical horticulture in pronouncing it
‘one of the hardiest and handsomest shrubs in cultiva-
tion, producing its enormous clusters of flowers in the
greatest profusion.”

S. oblata is also of Chinese origin, and is sometimes
advertised as a new species in cultivation, but it is not
such in any proper sense of the word. And yet, though
not new, it is quite rare even in our best gardens. It was
discovered by Mr. Fortune in a garden at Shanghai, and
through him introduced many years ago to Europe, where
it was welcomed as one of the best of its class in cultiva-
tion. It is nowhere found growing wild, and so must be
considered strictly a garden variety with an unknown
parentage. In its general appearance it somewhat resem-
bles S. vzZgarzs, having broadly cordate and sharply pointed
leaves, which hold on until late autumn, and often assume.
brilliant shades of color, constituting it at that season one
of the most attractive objects in field or garden. The
flowers are large and of a purple shade, somewhat differing
from that of the common varieties, but not easily described.
They appear ten or twelve days earlier than those of most
of the species, before or with the expanding foliage, thus
serving a good purpose in lengthening the season at the

Syringa—Lilac. 219

beginning. The species is reputed hardy and capable of
doing good service in warmer latitudes than most others.

S. villosa is another Chinese sort, having first been
seen by a French missionary, about the middle of the last
century, in the vicinity of Peking, and by him sent to
his own country. This is also sometimes advertised as a
new species, but it is so only in the sense of being rare
in the section where it is sought to be distributed at that
particular time. It has been known to horticulturists and
to Old World gardens for more than a hundred years, and
is another of the dwarf varieties, growing from four to six
feet, and ina somewhat bushy shape. The plant carries
large panicles of flowers which are light purple in the bud
and when opening to the sunlight, but when fully ex-
panded they become a creamy white. One of its excel-
lences is found in the fact that it blossoms late in May,
fully two weeks after most other sorts. The foliage is
especially good, much resembling that of the well-known
white fringe, thick, leathery, and glossy.

S. japonica — Japan lilac.—This is one of the later
introductions from that land of flowers which has done so
much for our modern horticulture. It is one of the largest
of all the lilacs, at times growing with but a single stem
some twenty feet high, and producing a spreading and
well formed head. Because of this peculiarity it has
come to be popularly known as the tree lilac, a designation
not at all misapplied. The leaves are large, ovate, sharp-
pointed, smooth above, and slightly pubescent beneath.
The flower clusters are also of unusual size, in immense
trusses of pure or slightly creamy white, but without fra-

220 Ornamental Shrubs.

grance. They do not break forth until near the first of
July, thus adding from two to four weeks to the season
when these beautiful plants are in bloom. Established
singly on the lawn or in the field, this, all things consid-
ered, is the most striking and showy of the whole family.
It is of fairly rapid growth, but should be given a good,
rich soil to make sure of best results. So far as observa-
tion in this country has gone, it steadily improves with
age, thus affording promise of long-continued usefulness
as one of our best large ornamental shrubs.

S. jostkea.—The discovery of this species was made
by the Baroness Josika on the banks of a rocky river in
Transylvania, and so it took that lady’s name. It was at
one time supposed to have been a mere garden variety,
but later information is to the effect that the home of
the species is in the depths of a Hungarian forest far away
from the haunts of man, where it is said that ‘for miles
and miles where S. jostkea grows neither a house nor
a hut is to be seen.” And even there it was not freely
distributed, and must have been of comparatively recent
origin or else has been exceedingly non-aggressive in its
character. At its best, it grows about five to seven
feet high, and has bluish-purple flowers in comparatively
small panicles, blossoming in May among the earliest
of its class. The foliage is large, slightly wrinkled, very
bright green, and almost glossy on the upper surface
while quite light on the under side. The botanists are
not quite agreed whether this is an independent species or
a slightly varying form of S. eodz,a member of the family
longer known, and which came from the Emodus moun-

Syringa—Lilac. 221

tain of the Himalayan range, from which it takes its name.
It is thought, also, to be confounded with S. vz/osa, and
for equally good reasons. These may be important ques-
tions for the consideration of the scientists, but to the
practical horticulturist it is enough to know that the
three so closely resemble each other as to size, habits
of growth, and similitude of flower, that there is little
or no choice between them. Each is a good garden
plant and especially adapted to small grounds where
larger growths might prove out of place.

Within a few years, a new race of lilacs has been
brought to the attention of the public through the well-
directed efforts of certain botanists and horticulturists,
especially of M. Lemoine of Nancy, France, whose name
had already become well known as a scientist of no mean
repute. This gentleman, having entered upon a thorough
process of crossing and hybridization in this direction,
has succeeded in bringing out a class of these shrubs
which, while retaining most of the better features of the
genus, are still a great improvement upon the original
forms. These have been given to the public, and have
added much to the interest and pleasure of lilac cultiva-
tion throughout the world. Already the series of hy-
brids and crosses have been widely distributed, and
specimens are to be found in many of our best gardens.
As this method of production is continued from year to
year, other new forms are constantly appearing, though
most of the later sorts so nearly resemble some of those
previously sent out that the limit has been nearly
reached. The following are among the best of the recent

g56 Ornamental Shrubs.

productions having double flowers: what is known as
S. lemotnezt, named in honor of the originator, is not only
one of the earliest of these new creations but also one
of the best. It grows six or seven feet, with foliage
resembling that of S. vzdgarzds, and has clusters of flowers
eight or nine inches long, of reddish-purple color, distinctly
shaded. The individual blossoms constituting the thyrse
are double, quite large, fragrant, and so compacted as to
show to the best advantage. That known as Preszdent
Grévy has still larger panicles, measuring from ten to
twelve inches, which are made up of individual flowers
very double, three quarters of an inch across, purple, and
with perhaps the deepest shade of blue extending over the
whole that is to be seen in the lilac family. Pyramzdals,
as its name indicates, appears in upright pyramidal form,
with an abundance of rose-tinted purple blossoms which
are carminein the bud, and especially valuable for forming
contrasts. Lamarck is an excellent variety with very large
clusters, rosy lilac, and one of the most valuable of the
entire group. JJzchael Buchner is a veritable dwarf of
but three to four feet, but produces large panicles, which
stand erect on the bush and are very showy in color, pale
lilac.

Marve Legrange is one of the best dwarf varieties, and
is well suited to growing in pots and to moderate forcing
under glass. It grows freely, sending out numerous slen-
der branches, all of which are crowded with blooms, giving
it somewhat the appearance of a huge bouquet. These
flowers are of the purest white, of good size, and borne in
large trusses. Such a plant makes a fine show in mid-

SYRINGA ROTHOMAGENSIS,

224 Ornamental Shrubs.

winter, at Christmas, or at Easter, and can easily be in its
perfection at either date. Leon Szmon is of all the numer-
ous double-flowering sorts one of the very best. The
flower clusters are compact, with petals slightly incurved,
and of a light purple shade, quite distinct in that respect.
The individual blooms are of somewhat unusual propor-
tions, and, gathered in the truss, constitute a long and
characteristic bunch of the fairest proportions. This
variety grows to a medium size and blooms in the height
of the lilac season. Alphonse Lavalle is another of the
dwarf forms, with double flowers of the old-fashioned lilac
color, and in large and dense spikes. It, too, makes an
excellent pot plant, and is well suited to forcing.

BACCHARIS—Halimifolia.

HE baccharis, sometimes known as the groundsel
tree, is especially adapted for planting at the
water's edge. It is grown freely in salt marshes,

and is valuable to planters by the seashore; and as we

have so few plants that will endure in such locations, it is
often especially useful. It is a tall, resinous or glutinous

shrub, growing sometimes to a height of ten or twelve
feet, but usually smaller. It has dark green, abundant
foliage, and small heads of white or yellow blossoms.
These are not large, or very showy, but they are
produced in such leafy panicles at the end of the branches
that the plant makes a good appearance late in the season.
This is especially the case with the fertile one, for in bac-
charis the male and female flowers are borne on distinct
plants. The tufts of long, pure white hairs give to the

Andromeda. p28

females an entirely different appearance from that of the
yellow-flowered males. The baccharis is seldom seen
except at or near sea-beaches, but when once known in

garden cultivation it will no doubt become more common.

Bis ‘

Sal \

Ce

FRINGE TREE (CHIONANTHUS VIRGINICA). See page 239.

ANDROMEDA.

O the popular mind the name andromeda covers a
large number of choice plants now distributed
through a wider classification. According to

most of the trade catalogues, it has been made to include
a group of small shrubs which, though closely related, are
now assigned to other genera, and given a distinct place
in botanical lore. For sake of accuracy the newer and
stricter classification will here be recognized and applied,
while keeping in mind the popular conception sufficiently

to prevent confusion on the part of such as have been
15

226 Ornamental Shrubs.

familiar with the discarded name, and might be at a loss
to recognize old favorites under the rearrangement of
titles. No more interesting and useful plants for orna-
mental purposes than those here described can be found,
and they will prove as meritorious under the new titles as
under the old.

The name andromeda was first applied by Linnzus to
a small semi-aquatic plant of the order Evzcaceez, discovered
on one of his exploring tours in the North, and the great
naturalist was seldom more enthusiastic in his praise of
plant or flower than when he wrote of the water andromeda,
and described it in his Zour of Lapland. “ The flowers
are quite blood-red before they expand, but when fully
grown the corolla is of flesh color. Scarcely any painter’s
art can so happily imitate the beauty of a fine female com-
plexion ; still less could any artificial color on the face itself
bear comparison with the lovely blossom. As I looked
upon it I could not help thinking of Andromeda as
described by the poets, and the more I meditated on their
descriptions the more applicable they seemed to the little
plant before me, so that if these writers had it in view
they could scarcely have contrived a more apposite fable.
This plant is always fixed in some turfy hillock in the
midst of swamps, as Andromeda herself was chained to a
rock in the sea which bathed her feet as the fresh water
does the root of this plant.”

A. polifolia, the species so poetically described by the
flower-lover, is indigenous to America as well as to northern
Europe, where it is often called wild rosemary. It is
found in wet, boggy land alike in New Jersey and Min-

Pieris. 227

nesota, and even farther north. It is not often that
specimens of more than twelve to fifteen inches in height
are seen, and on drier land they are even less high. The
foliage is composed of linear, sharp-pointed leaves, entire,
and with somewhat revolute edges. The midrib is promi-
nent, and the veins reticulated. The flowers are mostly
white, and tinted with pink and sometimes tipped with
red. There are several varieties, differing chiefly in the
color of the blossoms, but all possessing the same general
characteristics.

The wild rosemary is the true andromeda. The pieris,
cassandra, zenobia, and leucothoé, members of the popu-
larly called “andromeda group,” are now described under
their own heads.

PIERIS.

LL the members of the ‘‘ andromeda family” bear
classic names, and this title was conferred in
honor of Pieria, the town in Thessaly where the

Muses were supposed to congregate and pass much of
their time. Not more than ten or twelve species are
included in the classification, and it is not easy to deter-
mine the number known to the literature of mythology.
The pieris is now distributed over portions of China, the
Malay Islands, Japan, and North America, and includes
some of the most interesting plants known to horticul-
ture. Nearly all are hardy, and while especially adapted
to cultivation in the middle sections of the United States,
they can be grown in New England and many parts of
the Northwest.

Ornamental Shrubs.

is)
Ny
ie)

P. marzana, the stagger bush, is a small species from
two to four feet high, and is capable of good service in
enlivening the border or brightening the lawn in the early
season when so few hardy shrubs are in flower. It is a

native American, with mostly glabrous, oval leaves two to

PIERIS MARIANA.

three inches long, and graceful, nodding, white flowers
borne on terminal, naked stems and branches in April and
early May. It grows wild in wet or low grounds from
New England to Florida, and westward to Texas and
Arkansas, and may be considered hardy throughout the

whole country. Its foliage is believed by the farmers to

Pieris. 229

possess poisonous qualities that are fatal to lambs and
young calves, but it is doubtful if this is the case. P
ligustrina is another of the early bloomers, and grows five
to ten feet high, and with a well-proportioned and compact
head. The foliage is oblong-lanceolate, somewhat pubes-
cent, and in panicles. The flowers are in small but
numerous bunches, and cover the bush slightly in advance
of the others. There is a southern variety still more
pubescent, but it is not known to be hardy in the North-
ern States, or to be superior to the original.

P. flortbunda.—No one should think of planting any
considerable number of ornamental shrubs without includ-
ing this charming plant in the list. It belongs to the
class whose foliage continues throughout the winter, and
is handsome all the year. It grows from four to six feet
in height, and nearly always in a well-rounded and com-
pact form. The branches and branchlets ordinarily spring
from the ground, and, being numerous, the foliage is so
dense that they are almost concealed from the eye. The
flower buds, which are formed the previous autumn,
occupy a prominent position above the evergreen foliage,
and are largely proof against wind and cold. Like most
others of this family, the flowers are white, and closely
resemble the lily of the valley, hanging in pendent and
much-branched racemes. While very desirable for out-of-
door cultivation, this variety is also recommended for
growing under glass when the flowers are wanted out
of season, especially for Christmas and Easter holidays.

P. japonica, though a native of the distant East, is a
near relative of the preceding, and with numerous close

230 Ornamental Shrubs.

affinities. It, too, has rich glossy leaves which remain
through the winter. They are from one to two inches
long, and taper to a point at both ends, and are of such a
striking character as to attract attention at all seasons. In
the spring the new leaves are bright pink or red, and
when seen at a little distance make the bush present the

PIERIS FLORIBUNDA.

appearance of one already in flower. This tint gradually
changes to a light green, and later to the normal color
which is much darker, and continues all the year. The
waxy-white flowers are in long racemes, and borne in pro-
fusion so that in April or early in May the upper part of
the plant is almost completely covered. In some respects

this species is to be preferred to the florzbunda, but a

Cassandra. 231

group of either planted in a bed or border edged with
lower forms, such as heaths and azaleas, can be scarcely
excelled in beauty. There is a variegated form with
leaves deeply and irregularly marked with creamy-white.
This combination of colors with the bright red of the
early-growing leaves, and the glossy green of the mature
foliage from the previous season, taken with the sheets of
white blossoms, make some of the most remarkable group-
ings to be found in our parks and gardens. P. formosa
isa Himalayan plant resembling the Japanese very closely.
It is a beautiful bush clothed with broadly-lanceolate,
evergreen leaves of a deep tint. The flowers are porce-
lain white and disposed in terminal, branching clusters.
The buds of the pieris practically mature the previous
year, and hold themselves in readiness to proceed with the
utmost promptitude on the approach of spring to improve
their opportunities. But were there no flowers it would
still be one of the best foliage plants that we have, even
surpassing the rhododendron in the bright glossiness of its
leaves and in its general appearance. It is probably
hardier than the rhododendron.

CASSANDRA.

|" cassandras, also popularly classed as androme-

das, constitute a small genus of plants desirable
in cultivation, and steadily coming into more
general use. The name is in memory of the fabled
daughter of Priam and Hecuba. There is probably but
one species, C. calyculata, and but one or two varieties
calling for attention in this direction. The typical plant

g92 Ornamental Shrubs.

is a native of the Unitéd States, ranging from the Caro-
linas to. New England, though ordinarily not very freely
distributed. | It is everywhere a low and much-branched
shrub with elliptic-oblong foliage, smooth above, but of a
rusty brown beneath, thick and almost leathery, retaining
its vitality late in the season, becoming in thé South al-
most an evergreen. The flowers, which come out in April
or May, are pure white, on short pedicels, oblong-cylin-
drical, and always attractive. They mostly spring from
the axils of the leaves and are borne in one-sided racemes
that cover almost the entire bush. It grows but from one
to three feet high, and for best effects should be planted
in groups or in connection with other shrubs.

C. angustifolia is sometimes referred to as a distinct
species, but may be more properly described as a variety
which is in some respects an improvement on the original
form. It has longer and more narrow foliage, and slightly
varies from the type in the shape and disposition of the
blossoms. These last are in recurved racemes of the
purest white, with an oblong-ovate corolla slightly con-
tracted at the mouth. They, too, are on short flower
stems, and borne at the ends of the branches, appearing
in April. C. crzspa is one of its synonyms, though some-
times catalogued as a distinct form.

ZENOBIA.

HIS is a monotypic genus of the Avrzcacee and,
though a beautiful plant, is not so widely dis-
tributed as its merits would justify. It was named

after the famous Empress of Palmyra who lived in the

Leucothoe. 233

third century, and in her honor, having been even then
brought into cultivation and won distinction. It is a
small, well-shaped shrub of from three to five feet in
height, and sufficiently hardy to endure our ordinary
winters. It prefers a mixture of sand and peat, and in
general cultivation should receive much the same treat-
ment as the rhododendron or hardy azalea.

Z. Spectosa.—Vhis is a dense-growing shrub with foliage
of pale green, slightly rounded, and holding its color well
through the season. The flowers are small, bell-shaped,
pure white, and of wax-like texture, borne in profusion in
midsummer, and covering the entire bush. The shrub
continues in bloom a long time, and is always pretty. As
growing among the heaths, azaleas, rhododendrons, and
other small plants it appears to especial advantage, and
serves a useful purpose in lengthening out the flowering
season. Z. pulverulenta, or Andromeda dealbata, is a
variety that is prized by many even above the original.
It, too, flowers long in succession, and in July and August,
when most plants of the ‘(andromeda group” are out of
bloom. It requires much the same treatment in the garden
as does the azalea, but is even more in need of water
during the dry season if the best results are to be had the
following summer.

LEUCOTHOE.

HIS genus of Zrzcacee is named after the sea god-
dess, and contains about eight species which are
closely related tothe andromeda. The leucothoés

are all small, hardy shrubs indigenous to North America,
and preferring moist, peaty soils and a temperate climate.

234 Ornamental Shrubs.

They are deciduous, with alternate, oblong, or lanceolate
leaves holding on late in autumn, and in warm climates
well into the winter, becoming almost, if not quite, ever-
green. The flowers are generally white, though occasion-
ally tinted with pink or rose. They are desirable plants
for masses, in borders, or as single specimens.

L. racemosa is one of the best-known of the group,
and is probably the largest, and, all things considered,
one of the most desirable. It is a native of the Southern
States, growing as far south as Florida and Texas, where
it produces elegant white flowers in April and May. They
are in long racemes, waxy in appearance, and very fra-
grant. The bark onthe young branches, which are mostly
erect, is bright red, and in marked contrast to the rich
green and glossy, oval, lance-shaped foliage. The bush
grows from four to ten feet in height, and is hardy in the
North, though the flowers are sometimes injured where
late frosts are common.

L. catesbet is a plant from two to four feet in height,
with ovate-lanceolate leaves, serrulate, and borne on long,
slender petioles. Its flowers are pure white and beautiful,
but with what is to most people a rather unpleasant odor,
which is slightly offensive when one comes in contact with
the shrub in blossom, and sometimes when in its imme-
diate vicinity. But ata little distance this is not perceptible,
and its general appearance is so good that this draw-
back should not altogether preclude its cultivation. Z.
acuminata is a species with snow-white blossoms in great
profusion. They are in very short but numerous axillary
racemes, the corolla being cylindrical, ovate, and drooping.

‘ODVOIHO ‘HYVd GNVTHDIH ‘AIWONVOa LV YaquOs AYAaENYHs Sez

236 Ornamental Shrubs.

The leaves are ovate-lanceolate, gradually narrowing at
the top, entire, serrulate, glabrous, coriaceous, and glossy.
This is adapted to general cultivation in all parts of the
country. ZL. axzllarzs takes its name from the fact that
the flowers spring from the axils of the upper leaves or
small branches, though this is scarcely a peculiarity of the
family. They are white and much admired, especially as
they appear very early, with their ovate, cylindrical corolla
beset with scaly bracts. The foliage is oval, pointed, and
marked with glandular hairs beneath, while the young
branches are clothed with powdery down. The plant
rises from two to three feet in height and usually blooms
in May. JZ. daveste is a California species not much
known in the Atlantic States. It is said to be one of the
best of the class, having the usual recurved, white, pendu-
lous flowers, and good foliage. Its hardiness has scarcely
been sufficiently tested to justify promiscuous planting in
the extreme north of our Atlantic slope. ZL. recurva is
also a dwarf species, with little to especially recommend
it unless a small plant of the kind is wanted for borders
and rockwork. The flowers are good, of the typical color,
and the branches more spreading than in most of the

other forms.
ALNUS—Alder.

HE alders, a genus of Betulacee, grow chiefly in
moist places and along the banks of brooks and

streams, but all the members of the family can be
transplanted without difficulty, and maintained in almost ©
any reasonably good soil. The family embraces about
a dozen species, six of which are natives of North Amer-

/

Alnus—Alder. 539

ica. These appear in the middle and northern portions of
the United States and Canada, but seldom or never within
or near the tropics. They constitute an interesting group
of small trees or tall shrubs, though attracting compara-
tively little attention. When growing along the edges of
streams they often do a valuable service in protecting
the banks from washing by floods or being carried away
by constant attrition. They are said to be largely planted
for this purpose on the dykes and banks of canals in Holland
and other low countries where such protection is needed.
They are all the better adapted to this use from the fact
that the roots do not extend far, but grow in a compact
and knotted mass, throwing up a multitude of suckers
near the original stem.

The wood is orange-yellow, soft, but exceedingly dur-
able under water, and in Europe, whenever of sufficient
size, is in demand for spikes and posts. It furnishes excel-
lent charcoal for the manufacture of gunpowder, for which
it has long been employed. The bark is in use for tan-
ning and dyeing, and produces a reddish color if used
alone, and with the addition of copperas, a jet black.
The flowers are in terminal, imbricated clusters, the male
and female in separate catkins on the same branch; the
fertile ones being hard and compact, while the others are
loose and open, both hanging long on the branches. The
leaves are ovate, slightly lobed, with a blunt point at the
extremity, and are smooth and somewhat glossy, often
with white dots or scales. The flowers appear early, the
ament having been formed in autumn, and so far advanced
as to be in readiness for the first warm breath of spring.

238 Ornamental Shrubs.

A. glutinosa, commonly known as the European or
black alder, is a native of northern Europe, Asia, and
America. It is one of the most widely known as well as
the largest and best of the family, often becoming a
medium-sized tree. It has somewhat wedge-shaped leaves
lobed at the margin, and almost black bark, especially
when mature. The wood is of an orange color, and was
formerly esteemed for the production of charcoal, and for
use in the manufacture of small articles, as it is fine-grained
and very hard. An authority of fifty years ago wrote:
“Tt is one of the ornaments of many of the most exquisite
landscapes of England. The dark green of its foliage,
and the still darker hue of its bark contrast beautifully
with the colors of other trees with which it is usually asso-
ciated on the banks of our rivers.” Within a few years a
variety known as the cut-leaved alder, A. g. zmperzalis
lactniata, has come into quite general cultivation, and
is of deserved popularity among all who have become
acquainted with its excellences. Like its type it makes
a finely shaped, pyramidal tree with compact foliage and
of somewhat rapid growth. The leaves are finely, not to
say curiously, divided. It will thrive almost equally well
in low, damp soils or on the hillsides in dry land. The
species known as A. cordzfolza is another of the larger
sorts. It is a native of Italy, has very dark green and
glossy foliage, and is said to grow rapidly in dry soils, and
to be one of the most interesting of ornamental trees.

The smooth alder, A. serrulata, is also valuable for
grouping, for, though it is seldom beautiful by itself, it
helps wonderfully by its rich coloring in producing the

Chionanthus—Fringe Tree. 239

best effects on the lawn when placed in proper positions
and intermingled with other varieties. In the South, it
sometimes makes a tree thirty feet high, but farther north
it is usually much smaller, and has a tendency to grow in
clumps or thickets.

The speckled alder, 4. zxcana, grows freely in New
England. The younger shoots are brown and downy,
and dotted with orange. As they advance in age, the
bark turns to a bottle-green, and the dots become almost
white. The leaves are large, oval, rounded at the base,
much the same as those of the other kinds, but are slightly
more serrate, being toothed at the termini of the principal
veins. They are four to five inches in length, and three
to four in width, standing on short, stubby footstalks,

The green or mountain alder, A. vzrzdzs, is a shrub of
but three to eight feet in height. The leaves are round,
ovate, sometimes downy on the under side, and sharply
toothed. It prefers mountainous regions, and seldom suf-
fers from the cold. Like most of the others it withstands
high winds, and affords excellent protection for more

tender sorts.
CHIONANTHUS—Fringe Tree.

HIS is a small genus of low, spreading trees, of the
order Oleacez, which should rank among the
hardy plants. The botanical name is derived

from chon, the Greek for snow, and azthos, flower; and
it is applied very fittingly because of the peculiar inflores-
cence which elsewhere has scarcely a parallel in nature.
The best-known and most valuable species, C. vergznzca,

240 Ornamental Shrubs.

is a native of Virginia and the Carolinas, and perhaps of
other Southern States, but it proves hardy in cultivation
as far north as New England and Minnesota, though in
these extreme limits of cold it may always be well to give
it as favorable a position as possible. The London Garden
pronounces it perfectly hardy in England where it flowers
with great freedom in May. It has also been introduced
to the continental gardens and parks, and is noted as one
of the curiosities of horticulture. ‘ As an ornamental
plant,” says Professor Sargent, ‘‘ the American fringe tree
has much to recommend it; it is possessed of a vigorous
constitution which enables it to flourish in regions of much
more severe climates than that of its native home; its
leaves are large, abundant,
and excellent in color; it
is not disfigured by insects
or fungous diseases, and
in May and June it is cov-
ered with long, drooping
panicles of delicate flowers
with elongated, narrow,
nearly thread-like pure
white petals.”

The striking peculiari-
ties of this shrub were

observed and commented

CHIONANTHUS VIRQINICA.

upon by the botanists who
visited this continent during the early periods of its settle-
ment, and found much that was new and at the same time
worthy of admiration. Nor did it escape the notice of our

Chionanthus—Fringe Tree. 241

own people who were interested in the study of the forests
and fields. As long ago as 1785 the distinguished Hum-
phrey Marshall, a botanist as well as a statesman and jurist,
wrote concerning it: ‘‘ This shrub grows naturally in sev-
eral places in North America, in a moist soil; rising
to the height of fifteen to twenty feet, spreading into
many branches, and covered with a light-colored bark.
The leaves are large, oblong, and entire, placed nearly
opposite. The flowers are produced towards the extremity
of the shoots of the previous year, upon short, leafy, com-
mon footstalks, at the bottom of the leaves of which the
proper footstalks come out; and are divided for the most
part into three parts, but often more; each sustaining one
small flower with four very long, narrow petals, which,
when well grown, make a beautiful appearance. These
are succeeded by oval berries of a livid blackish color
when ripe, each containing one hard, oblong, pointed seed.
The bark of the root of this shrub, bruised and applied to
fresh wounds, is accounted by the natives a specific in
healing them without suppuration.”

About the only criticism that has been noted on this
remarkable plant is based upon the fact that its leaves do
not appear until so late in spring as to unfit it for artistic
grouping with other sorts, since its branches are bare and
apparently dead while everything about it is clothed with
verdure. For this reason it may be objectionable where
especial effects are sought for that particular period, and
this should be considered in planting. But, though late
in coming, the foliage when fully expanded is all that can

be desired. The leaves are deep green and glossy, large
16

242 Ornamental Shrubs.

and coriaceous, and it may well be doubted if, taking
the whole summer through, anything will be found of
superior excellence. And even the slight drawback will
not apply when the tree appears in the plantation bor-
der or as a single specimen, for which it has peculiar
adaptations.

It is not certain that more than one other species of
the chionanthus exists, and that is a native of southern
China and possibly of Japan, and is confessedly of less
value than our native tree. C. retusa, for that is its name,
is not only inferior in size, but has smaller leaves and
shorter and less attractive panicles of flowers. It is in
cultivation to some extent in Old World gardens, and is
worthy of recognition, though not a worthy competitor on
the score of merit.

LONICERA—Bush Honeysuckle.

HE loniceras are among the most useful of hardy
ornamental plants known to cultivation. The
genus includes a number of choice vines and

climbers as well as shrubs, mostly natives of the north
temperate zone—few or none being found within the
tropics. But with this limitation southward, their range
extends in the opposite direction well on towards the
arctic circle. Some of the species are indigenous to Si-
beria, northern Russia, Labrador, and the region about
Hudson’s Bay in North America, and there is scarcely any
place where it is desirable to plant them, however inhos-
pitable, where they may not be expected to grow. They
constitute a genus of Cagrzfoliacee, and the section known

Lonicera—Bush Honeysuckle. 243

as bush honeysuckles, such as here described, are pretty
well represented in our gardens, though some equally good
varieties, and perhaps better, have not as yet been brought
to the notice of the general public.

There are several American species, mostly small
shrubs, which, though not so showy in fruit or flower as
some of the foreign sorts, are worthy of more general
recognition than they have yet received. Professor Gray,
in his Manual of Botany, describes four of these bush
honeysuckles as natives of the North, and capable of doing
good service in many situations where especially hardy
plants are called for. These are ZL. czlzata, a bush of
from three to five feet high, which grows with spreading
branches, oblong or heart-shaped leaves, and has greenish-
yellow flowers in May. These are followed by red berries
which continue long on the branches, and constitute it
a really attractive plant for horticultural use in appro-
priate situations. It is a native of dense and rocky woods
from New Brunswick to Manitoba and still farther north-
ward. Another is Z. cerulea, a smaller plant about two
feet in height, having upright stems and branches, oval
leaves downy when young but becoming glabrous later on,
and producing yellow blossoms in great abundance, also
in early spring. Its range is given as from Labrador to
Minnesota, and southward to Rhode Island. In this case
the fruit is purple and equally persistent. ZL zxvolucrata
has oval or oblong foliage, yellow blossoms tinged with
red, and dark purple fruit. It makes its home in the deep
woods bordering Lake Superior and beyond. ZL. obddongz-
folia is a native of bogs and swamps of the same inhos-

244 Ornamental Shrubs.

pitable region. Its leaves are two to five inches long, and
sharp-pointed. The flowers are yellow and somewhat
viscid, while the fruit is dark purple and enduring.

Of the imported species, the Tartarian honeysuckle,
L. tartarica, is best known and most largely planted in
this country. It is an erect, deciduous shrub usually five
to six feet high, composed of a cluster of slender stems
and branches which may increase in number with each
season’s growth. The foliage is oblong-cordate, of rather
dull green, and in no way remarkable. The flowers ap-
pear in April and May, and are both abundant and beau-
tiful, the yellow petals being somewhat thickened at the
base, and rose-tinted. But it is the fruit that affords the
chief attraction. This is ripened in July and August, and
remains until late autumn. It is in the form of berries, in
most cases nearly black, but in some bright cherry-red,
and in others orange. These differences are not of a
character to constitute distinct varieties, though doubtless
by proper cultivation they might be extended and become
fixed and permanent. These berries look as if they might
tempt the palate, but they are found on trial to be inedible
and even nauseous. It may be that for this reason the
birds allow them to hang so long without interference on
their part, and they remain to enliven the bush and give
color to the garden until frost. There are several recog-
nized varieties, differing chiefly in the color of the fruit,
and not needing to be described separately. It is said
that in Russia the horticulturists have been experimenting
with them for many years, and have brought out some
greatly improved forms, but they have not been given to

HMOYYXOW VWHSROINOT Stz

246 Ornamental Shrubs.

the general public. The species, and, so far as known, all
the varieties, are perfectly hardy.

L. fragrantissima has large white or pink blossoms
nearly an inch across, which come out before the foliage is
fully developed, and are exceedingly fragrant. It isa strong-
growing and somewhat straggling bush of five to six feet.
It came from China, and is one of the best for ordinary gar-
den planting. The leaves are so persistent that it is some-
times classed as an evergreen, and in warmer climates its
flowers are often borne in February and March. LZ. s¢tand-
zshzz differs but little from it except that the fruit is red.

L. hildebrandiana comes from Burma, and is the
largest of known species, and altogether the most remark-
able. It is an evergreen in the land of its nativity, but
does not altogether prove such in less genial climates.
General Collet, the discoverer, spoke of it as a conspic-
uous shrub with large, glossy leaves, and fine, crimson
flowers seven inches long, and the experiments at the Kew
Gardens appear to substantiate the claim of superiority.
It is said to be much used in decorating the temples of its
native country, and is looked upon there almost with
veneration. It is not freely distributed here as yet, and
can scarcely be found except in the hands of experts or in
connection with public institutions.

L. morrowzit is a vigorous shrub of from four to six
feet in height, with spreading branches, and in July abun-
dant yellow blossoms, followed by clusters of showy
crimson fruit which is very persistent, making a fine show
in the garden. One of its varieties, Z. frutea, bears
bright yellow berries, and is much showier than the origi-

Prunus—Flowering Cherry. 247

nal. L. Azspzda is somewhat pendulous, and has greenish-
white flowers with purple fruit. It grows from two to
three feet, and is a native of Siberia and south to central
Asia. JL. mackzz reaches ten to fifteen feet in height, and
is a much-spreading plant, making a large bush. The
flowers are white, axillary, with a funnel-shaped tube.
The leaves are ovate-elliptic, acuminate, rounded at the
base, and of good color and substance. ZL. xylosteum is
quite distinct in its foliage, grows about five feet high, and
has pinkish-yellow blossoms in May before the leaves ap-
pear. They are cream-colored, fragrant, and very pretty.
The fruit is crimson and of long continuance.

L. alberta, known popularly as the Siberian honey-
suckle, is a dwarf about two feet high, and has special
claims to attention where a plant of the size is desired.
The slender branches have a drooping tendency, falling
on every side, and are clothed with very narrow leaves
two inches long and of a bluish shade. The blossoms,
unlike most of the other species, appear in July and
August, and, from a floral standpoint, the bush is at its
best at a season of the year when flowers are scarce.
They are also much larger than on most other honey-
suckles, and deliciously fragrant. The color is a pinkish-
purple and very effective.

PRUNUS—Flowering Cherry.

fruit trees rather than among the ornamental trees.
They belong to the order Rosacee and to the genus
prunus, and by some have been assigned to a sub-genus,

| the popular mind, the cherries are ranked among

248 Ornamental Shrubs.

cerasus, under which they are generally catalogued by the
nurserymen. The best authorities are now disposed to
drop the latter name altogether, and, though the change
may lead to some confusion for a time, it is so evidently in
the line of correct definitions that it should be accepted by
all interested.

The cherries are mostly natives of the north temperate
zone, but are not altogether unknown in the tropics.
They are mostly small trees, though some are large enough
to be valuable for timber, and others are mere shrubs and
bushes. Most of them are sufficiently hardy for ordinary
horticultural purposes throughout the United States. In
nearly all the species the flowers are white, single, and are
borne in early spring. They are mostly in umbels, spring-
ing from scaly buds often in advance of the appearance of
the foliage. In some of the varieties, especially in the
more recently introduced Asiatic forms, the flowers are
found to be double, and rose-colored or pink. It is
largely through these varieties that the genus becomes
valuable for ornamental planting. A few of these have
been known for many years, but have not been sufficiently
distributed to afford an opportunity to the general public
to appreciate their value. All cherry blossoms are beau-
tiful, and these later improvements are especially so.

One of the oldest species in use in this country is what
is known as the bird cherry, P. fadus, which is a native of
Europe and Asia, growing to a height of twenty feet, of
large spreading habit, and clothed in May with a great
abundance of white, single flowers. These are followed
by black berries ripening in autumn, and to some extent

Prunus—Flowering Cherry. 249

in use for domestic purposes. Whether in flower or fruit,
this variety is always ornamental, and may be largely
planted to advantage. It can also be grown in bush form
as it often is where a smaller form is desired. P. pennsyl-
vanica is the American wild red cherry, and more nearly
resembles the European species than any other of our native
sorts. Itis especially
noted for its reddish
bark, and the red fruit
which is very promi-
nentinautumn. The
flowers are white, and
sO numerous as to
completely cover the
tree, but do not con-
tinue very long in
their perfection. It
is distributed in New-
foundland, and the
Hudson’s Bay region,
and throughout the

Northwest, and was
introduced to Eng- DOUBLE-FLOWERING CHERRY.

lish gardens as early as 1773, where it is still in use as
well as on the continent. P. serotzna is another American
species of about the same height, and is a well-known
wild cherry, having white flowers in May and black fruit in
August. P. vérgéntana, commonly known as the Ameri-
can choke-cherry, is very much like the European bird
cherry in its general character, though not so tall a

250 Ornamental Shrubs.

grower. It makes a good show in the border. P. avium
alba plena is one of the interesting varieties which differs
from the established type in producing double flowers that
are pure white, very large, and so numerous as to cover
almost the entire branches in May before the foliage has
become fully developed. It rises from twenty to twenty-
five feet in height, with a somewhat spreading head, and
in good form. LP. pumzla pendula is a unique form, and
makes a twiggy growth, and when rightly cultivated con-
stitutes an attractive shrub the season through. It grows
from six to eight feet high, and the numerous white
flowers are followed by bright red, acid fruit. For use to
the best advantage it should be grafted on taller stems
than are natural to it, when its branches fall gracefully but
not to the ground.

P. sinensis flora plena.—This is one of the finest double-
flowering cherries known. The tree is a native of China,
and grows to a height of from twenty to twenty-five feet
in good form, and is noted for its large white flowers, re-
sembling miniature roses, which appear in great numbers
along the stems and branches. This was the first of the
Asiatic double-flowering species brought to this country,
and so has been in cultivation here longer than the
others. It proves reasonably hardy, though not an
especially long-lived tree. P. ranunculiflora is another
upright-growing cherry, having double white flowers
which appear later in the season than most of the others
of its class. It rises from fifteen to twenty feet.

But perhaps the finest ornamental cherries of all come
from Japan. Some have already been introduced, though

Prunus—Flowering Cherry. 251

sparingly, in our gardens, where they command universal
admiration. No people in the world take such interest in
cherry culture as do the Japanese. The bursting of the
cherry blossoms fills the souls of the people with delight,
for of all flowers these are by them esteemed the most
beautiful. They celebrate the occasion with great enthu-

eis 3

pss
¥,

CHINESE DOUBLE-FLOWERING CHERRY.

siasm, and give themselves up fully to the enjoyment of
the beauties of nature. Professor C. C. Georgesen, a
gentleman familiar with Japanese customs, and who had
been present and participated in these festivities on more
than one occasion, wrote some years ago in one of our
magazines as follows :

“ All classes of society, from the Emperor to the coolie,

252 Ornamental Shrubs.

rich and poor, old and young, all are enthusiastic ad-
mirers of the cherry flowers. The trees are planted in
groups in the parks, in temple groves, in avenues lining
many of the principal streets and roads, singly and in
clusters in the gardens and yards about dwellings; they
are dwarfed and grown in pots of all sizes, and trained in
many forms and with pendulous, branches; they are
favorite objects with artists for conventional representation
in paint, in lacquer, in metal—everywhere. Both in nature
and art, one finds unmistakable evidence of the innate
love which the people have for this flower. The trees
bloom during the balmy month of April, when the raw
and chilly winds of winter have given place to the warmth
and calm of cheery spring, and all nature leaps into
renewed life.

“Invited by the irresistible charms of nature, the people
collect in gayly dressed throngs under the pink clouds of
cherry blossoms, and there abandon themselves to jest
and merrymaking. In Tokio, Ueno Park and the street
called Mokojima are especially renowned for the charm of
their cherry blossoms, and on pleasant days these places
are visited by tens of thousands of people who have
banished care and are bent solely on enjoyment, and they
form, perhaps, the happiest collection of humanity that
the world ever sees. It is a motley but always good-
natured and orderly throng. The grave savant, the spec-
tacled student, the flushed and prosperous merchant, the
careworn poor, the decorous matron, giggling maidens
and hilarious children—all are there, with laughing faces
and in holiday attire. The cherry blossoms also usher in

JAPAN WEEPING CHERRY.

254 Ornamental Shrubs.

a series of private festivals which ministers of state, and
the mighty in the land who glory in the possession of
cherry groves, give to their friends. Even his Imperial
Majesty, the Mikado, called by his subjects O’Tenshi,
the Son of Heaven, is affected by the general impulse the
blossoms impart, and issues a mandate to the effect that
on a certain day, if it does not rain, he and the Empress
will give a cherry-blossom festival in one of the imperial
parks. Large, handsome cards inviting the guests are
issued several days beforehand. The guests comprise
all high officials of the government down to a certain rank,
the corps diplomatique, foreign employees of the govern-
ment at the capital who receive a salary of three hundred
yen or more per month, high officers of the army and
navy, and representative officers of foreign war vessels
which happen to be in the Yokohama harbor. The writer
had the honor of attending three of these parties, and can
therefore speak from personal observation.”

Of these Japanese forms the following are described
as most interesting: Prunus pseudo-cerasus in its native
country is said to form a large tree which grows wild in
the forests of northern Japan and on the mountains of the
‘south. It is described as somewhat resembling our sweet
cherry trees in growth and appearance, but differs from
them largely in its flowers and fruit. The wood is hard
and fine-grained, and in general use for carvings and cab-
inet making. It has been a favorite ornamental tree with
the Japanese from time immemorial, and through its long-
continued cultivation a great number of flowering varieties
have originated. Some of these newer forms are upright

Prunus—Flowering Cherry. 255

and stiff in habit, while others are spreading, short-jointed,
and crabby, and still others have willowy shoots which
lend themselves to various forms in which dwarf and pot-
grown specimens are often seen. Professor Georgesen says
that, as a rule, the earliest varieties in bloom are single,
and the large and double flowers the latest to appear and
remain the longest, though there are some notable excep-
tions to this. The flower and the leaf start at about the
same time, but the leaf grows slowly at first, and the trees
do not get green till about the time the flowers perish.
These are mostly white and are quite large, appearing the
latter part of April, and holding on wellinto May. Though
there are numerous varieties in cultivation, all of them
are charming and much admired by foreigners as well as
natives. There has been some question as to how far
north these plants may be cultivated with success, which
is a question of much importance. Mr. J. G. Jack, having
experimented with some of the varieties at the Arnold
Arboretum, finds that they can be grown safely in the
New England climate, at least in the region of Boston.
But it is not to be doubted that they will succeed better
in the southern Middle States and in the West. There is
some question whether all varieties ascribed to this
parentage are genuine offshoots.

Of the single-flowering varieties, what is known in
Japan as the 4anzan produces a plain white blossom which
is very fragrant and, in that respect, an exception to the
general rule. It is also an abundant bloomer, the flowers
being very late and persistent. It has been grown in
this country sufficiently to prove that it is adapted to our

256 Ornamental Shrubs.

climate and conditions. The tree is bushy, spreading in
habit, and has small leaves and slender twigs. There are
several other single-flowering sorts, such as xz02-sakura,
which has blush flowers, sweet-scented like the foregoing,
and appearing later, thus helping out the cherry season.
Fishiu is reckoned a single-flowered plant but has a ten-
dency to become double. The flowers are blush, and
spread wide open, showing numerous long red stamens
with yellow anthers. It, too, is a profuse bloomer.
Koma-tome has a very large, pure-white flower with broad
petals and numerous long, showy stamens. The flower
stems are also long, panicled, or branched. It is an early
bloomer.

Of the double-flowering sorts, there is a long list from
which it is almost impossible to make satisfactory selec-
tions because of their uniform merit. Among them is
fuzan-fukan, the flowers of which are double, reddish-
pink in color, almost globular in shape, and continue to
bloom until late in May. Sotan-sakura has reddish
flowers, very large and double, at their best in the latter
part of April. Ao-fugen is said to be the largest-flowering
sort among the cherries. The blossoms often measure
two inches or more in diameter, and are very double and
very late, the color reddish-pink, growing lighter with age.
Kode-maru is peculiar, as the flowers appear in very dense
clusters at intervals upon the branches, and being short-
stemmed they are crowded into balls which give the tree
an unique appearance. In color they are light pink, the
petals narrow and only moderately double. Yo-£zhz has
very large and very double flowers, color pink. The

Prunus—Flowering Almond. ae

flower stems are short, but the blossoms are scattered and
do not form balls like the preceding. It continues to
bloom till late in May. Gzyo-zko is remarkable in that
the flowers are of a clear, light green color when they
expand, and gradually become tipped with a pinkish
tinge. They are very large, and often panicled in long
stems. The branches of the tree are slender and ram-
bling. ugen-zo, a popular variety, has very double
rose-blush flowers on long stems, and is a prolific and
long-continued bloomer. It is one of the handsomest
kinds to be found in Japan, and is planted perhaps more
generally than any other.

This list could be much extended, but these include the
best varieties. ‘‘ There can be no doubt,” says Professor
Georgesen, “that these cherries will do as well here
in almost any part of America as they do in their native
country, and as ornamental trees for the lawns and road-
sides they will, while in bloom, surpass in beauty anything
that we now have that blooms in early spring. Once
before the public they will not lack appreciation.”

PRUNUS—Flowering Almond.

P. amygdalus, popularly known as the flowering almond,
usually appears in the nurserymen’s catalogue under the
head of amygdalus, but as it really constitutes only a
sub-genus, or perhaps a group with the somewhat dis-
tinct peculiarities of prunus, it is well to conform to the
true classification, and to count the almond as a species
of that genus, as is now done by many of our best
horticulturists and by nearly all the best botanists. The

17

258 Ornamental Shrubs.

varieties will doubtless be known as almonds to the gen-
eral public, and with good reason. The group is closely
connected with the peaches, apricots, and nectarines, and
in cultivation is subject to much the same conditions.

The common or wild almond grows from twenty to
thirty feet high, and has light rose-colored blossoms,
followed by fruit that is highly esteemed throughout the
civilized world, and that calls for no description here. It
has been in cultivation from time immemorial, and is yet
found growing wild in northern Africa where almond
groves, and even forests, still exist, especially in some
of the Barbary States. From such as these the ornamental
almonds and those of improved fruitage have doubtless
sprung. While the type is not especially showy, the advance
through cultivation is such that in 1892 the London Gar-
den was led to say: “Of all the hardy, early flowering
trees in the British Islands, perhaps the almonds are the
most valuable from the point of view of ornamentation.
In March and April no other tree produces such fine effects
in the garden or park—at any rate in the southern counties
of England.” Since this was written several new varietics
have appeared, superior to any then in cultivation.

P. japonica alba plena is one of the showiest sorts. It
is of dwarf habit, and has an abundance of beautiful
double white flowers, and is occasionally found in our
northern gardens under the old name of flowering al-
mond. It is capable of larger use in that section, and is
very desirable farther south. Its companion plant, P
japonica rubra plena, is much the same except that its
blossoms are red or rose-colored. They are very abun-

Prunus—F lowering Peach. 259

dant, and extend along the slender branches and twigs in
advance of the foliage.

PRUNUS—Flowering Peach.
CCORDING to tradition the peach, Prunus per-
seca, came from Persia, and so it is credited to
that country, though the place of its real origin

is unsettled. It was formerly given the distinction of a

DOUBLE-FLOWERING PEACH.

separate genus, but is now held to be simply a species of

prunus along with the almonds and plums. It is prized as

260 Ornamental Shrubs.

‘one of the most valuable fruit-bearing trees under cultiva-
tion, and has thrown off a few double-flowering varieties
with blossoms marked by a beauty and delicacy not often
surpassed. That known as FP. gerszca alba plena is very
conspicuous, producing large double white flowers at the
usual time of peach flowering. They appear in great pro-
fusion, and while they continue are always objects of ad-
miration. This is heightened when the tree is planted in
groups with others of the same character, such as P. rosea
plena, with its double, rich rose-colored flowers; P. san-
guinea, which is much the same except that the inflores-
cence is more a blood-red; and P. verszcolor plena, having
flowers red and white, variously marked on the same tree.
Such a collection on the lawn or in the border, in front of
other shrubs and trees, can scarcely be equalled in beauty
and interest. There is also a charming purple-leaved
variety of P. perszca with foliage deep blood-red in spring,
and becoming purple in summer.

P. davideana is a comparatively new plant in general
cultivation. It is of Chinese origin, though found later in
Japan and some other eastern countries, and was- first
brought to the especial attention of the botanists by Abbé
David, from whom it takes its name. The plant resembles
the peach and apricot in its habit of growth, and may well
be counted a member of the same branch of the prunus
family. It is usually trained in bush form with slender
branches, and it is on those of the previous season’s
growth that the flowers are produced. They come in very
early spring, are nearly or quite sessile, and in the greatest
possible profusion, pink and white, double, and slightly

FPronus—F lowering Plum. 261

fragrant. When at the best this is a most attractive shrub
or tree, and it is certain to become a favorite. It is
reasonably hardy in the Northern States, though it is well
to give it slight protection. The peach blossom is short-
lived, as are most fruit blossoms, and the wise planter
will have regard to this fact from the beginning.

PRUNUS—Flowering Plum.

P. maritima, known as the beach plum, is a somewhat
common shrub along the Atlantic seacoast, and is worthy
of more attention than it ordinarily receives. It is found
in several varieties differing little and in unimportant par-
ticulars. As seen growing among the sand-heaps along
the shores, it is often a mere straggling bush three to four
feet high, and without form or comeliness, but when trans-
ferred to better soils, and given proper care, it not infre-
quently rises to a height of eight feet. Under cultivation
it becomes a shapely and useful shrub, and is abundant in
fruitage, which by some is highly esteemed. The stem is
almost black, sometimes erect and sometimes prostrate,
and with ash-colored dots. The branches are stiff, often
dotted with orange, while the leaves are closely set, and
are covered with a soft down. The blossoms come in ad-
vance of the foliage, and, though having no especial
beauty, are interesting.

The chief virtue of this plant, however, is its adapta-
tion to inhospitable situations, and its power of endurance
where others fail. Whatever else may be said in its favor,
it stands pre-eminent as a nurse plant in the peculiar posi-
tions where it is able to thrive. In shore planting one

262 Ornamental Shrubs.

may begin almost at the water’s edge, and follow with
more desirable plants suited to such localities though in a
less degree, and thus proceed until the most barren situa-
tions can be covered with herbage and made attractive.
The beach plum answers for this good purpose in the
vicinity of the inland lakes as well as near the salt water,
and, indeed, in exposed and sandy situations everywhere.

f. pissardit is understood to have come from Persia,
and is sometimes known as the purple-leaved Persian plum.
It is a somewhat recent introduction to American gardens,
but is already widely distributed, and universally popular,
though its blossoms are quite inconspicuous, and of little
ornamental worth. It is prized chiefly as a small tree or
shrub, and has both colored bark and foliage. Perhaps in
this respect it is without a rival in its class. In springtime
the bark on the new growths is deep purple, and the
bursting leaves as they come from the buds are violet-
crimson. As they mature they take on a darker hue,
equal to that of the finest of the purple beeches, and this
they hold during the entire summer. Most trees and
shrubs with such distinct foliage fade under the influence
of the sun’s hot rays, and become dingy, but such is not
the case here. The flowers are small and single, and the
fruit, which ripens in early autumn, is correspondingly
inferior, and is scarcely visible as it is of the same color
as the leaves.

P. triloba, a Chinese shrub with three-lobed leaves and
somewhat spreading branches, only needs to be known in
order to be admired. It proves well adapted alike to
North and South, and thrives in a much wider climatic

BEACH PLUM.

PRUNUS MARITIMA.

264 Ornamental Shrubs.

range than do most other varieties, and is not fastidious as
to soils and situations. It grows from four to six feet in
height, with numerous slender branches which in early
spring, before the foliage appears, are covered from end
to end with double, light pink blossoms about an inch
across, completely covering the whole bush. These come
in May as far north as New England, sometimes breaking
out in March among the first harbingers of the summer.

P. watsont is the sand plum so well known in some
sections of the middle West, where it thrives in thickets on
low, sandy soils near running streams and stagnant water.
It is a low, rather irregular-growing shrub with zigzag
branches and almost spinose branchlets. The bark is
inclined to a reddish hue, especially when the plants are
young. The flowers appear in May, are white and very
fragrant, and produced in such profusion as to cover all
the branches. They are followed by abundant fruit which
hangs long, is nearly an inch in diameter, and is edible.
As the shrub grows from five to ten feet in height, its
value cannot well be overestimated in the section to which
it is indigenous, and it may prove of great service in
similar locations. It appears to be perfectly hardy, and
has a field for usefulness and also as an ornamental plant
throughout the West.

CARAGANA-—Siberian Pea Tree.

HE caraganas constitute a small class of ornamental
shrubs, not very widely known in cultivation,
which are both curious and interesting. There

are several species and varieties that are worthy of a place

Caragana—Siberian Pea Tree. 265

in the garden or border wherever a plant of their propor-
tions is desired. Most of them prove sufficiently hardy
to withstand our northern winters, and so adapt them-
selves to a large extent of country. So far as known
none of them is indigenous to America, though most of
them appear to be much at home among us. They are
all easily grown, and not especially particular as to soils
and situations.

C. arborescens.—This is a native of Siberia, and is the
species longest and best known in America, and under
favorable circumstances grows to a height of fifteen to
twenty feet. The foliage is compound, consisting of four
to six pairs of leaflets of good color which remain through
the season. The flowers are pale yellow, and very numer-
ous, so that when in blossom the little tree somewhat
resembles the viburnum. These appear in April or May.
There is a pendulous form of much smaller growth, and,
when height is desired, it can be grafted on taller stems
with good results, as the smaller branches fall gracefully
to the ground on every side.

C. altagana is but a small shrub, two to four feet high,
with six to eight pairs of leaflets which are glabrous and
nearly round. Its blossoms are also yellow. C. chamlagu
is a native of China, and differs but little from the above
except that its flowers appear in June and are first golden
and then red. C. frutescens is another native of Siberia,
and has deep golden-yellow pea-shaped flowers in great
abundance, appearing: in May and June. It is usually
two to four feet in height, and is one of the most valu-
able of its class. C. sfzuzosa is also a Siberian plant,

266 Ornamental Shrubs.

growing from four to six feet high, with yellow blossoms in
great abundance. This is pronounced, on account of its
long branches and strong thorns, a most excellent shrub
for forming impenetrable hedges. It is especially adapted
to sandy soils and to grafting on C. arborescens when a
taller plant is desired.

ELA AGNUS.

HE elzagnus is the typical species of the natural
order Eleagnacee, and constitutes an interest-
ing family of deciduous and evergreen shrubs,

mostly small trees, which are now coming into quite
general use in ornamental planting. Special attention
has been called to this group within the past few years
through the introduction of several new varieties from the
Orient, though one or two of the American species are
possessed of valuable qualities, and are not to be over-
looked. Nearly all have proved themselves hardy
throughout the north temperate zone, while in the
southern portion of the United States some of them are
nearly or quite evergreen.

£. longipes is a Japanese species, and may undoubt-
edly be counted one of the best yet known to cultivation.
It grows from three to five feet in height, with numerous
slender branches which are covered with brown, rusty
scales, but are not such as to give it an offensive appear-
ance. Professor Sargent, who saw it in Japan, says that
in old age it there attains a height of from twenty to
twenty-five feet, and forms a stout trunk a foot in diame-
ter. The leaves are thick, dark green above and silvery-

ELAEGNUS LONGIPES.

267

268 Ornamental Shrubs.

white beneath. The flowers are rather inconspicuous,
but the fruit is showy and ornamental. It is‘ borne on
long stalks, and is bright red covered with small white
dots. It hangs long on the stem, and affords a beautiful
contrast to the coloring of the foliage. This elaeagnus
may well be grown for the fruit alone, as it is juicy and
edible, having a sharp, pungent, and agreeable flavor.
Though all persons do not enjoy the taste, some esteem
it preferable to that of the currant or gooseberry. In
France it is used for preserving, and is highly appreciated.
The plant is sure to prove a valuable acquisition and to
come into more general use. So far as tested the shrub
is found perfectly hardy as far north as New England,
and even Canada.

E.. canadensts is a native of America, and in some
sections is popularly known as the Missouri silver-tree.
It grows to the height of eight or ten feet, often throwing
out an abundance of suckers. The leaves are oblong,
sharp-pointed, and silvery-white both above and beneath,
contrasting strongly with the yellow flowers which appear
in July and August. These are followed by roundish,
ovate fruit, ribbed and covered with white scales. The
flowers are fragrant, and the fruit, though dry’and mealy,
is esteemed by many.

£. angustifolia is a native of southeastern Europe and
western Asia, and is the veritable wild olive of the classic
authors. It is often in modern times called the Jerusalem
willow, though it is not a willow at all. The flowers
are yellow, appear in midsummer, and the oblong, light-
colored fruit is common in the markets of the East.

‘YaLSV310 NV3dOUNS—SISNSLYOH SNNOVI13

270 Ornamental Shrubs.

George Nicholson says: ‘“ Under cultivation I have seen
this thrive in a dry, hungry, sandy soil, and attain
tree-like proportions, with a stem as much as a foot in
diameter. This deciduous species is capable of being
turned to good account by the landscape gardener.”
E£. hortensts is a native of mid-Asia, where it grows freely
on the mountains, often at an elevation of three thou-
sand feet and upwards. It is there largely cultivated
by the natives in orchards, for its fruit. It is scarcely
known in this country, but might possibly be introduced to
advantage. A report from South Dakota is to the effect
that it flourishes in that section, where the thermometer
sometimes registers thirty degrees below zero, and where
the annual rainfall does not exceed twenty-two inches.
The foliage is late in breaking out, so that it escapes late
frosts, and the roots go deeply into the earth, thus en-
abling it to withstand periods when the rainfall is so
light that many other sorts fail. It may be used for low
hedges, as the lower branches are well preserved, thus
constituting an effective windbreak.

£. umbellatus has sometimes by nurserymen and others
been confounded with £. /ongzpes, and sold as such; but
itis not the same. The foliage differs but slightly from
that of the type, having the silvery cast, but the fruit is
the color of amber and speckled with white, and if possible is
still more abundant. It is about the size of a large currant,
and fully as valuable. When first ripened it is quite acid
to the taste, but a little later it becomes sweet and mellow.
Those who know it best speak highly of its value for
cooking purposes, and it is likely to come into common

Eleagnus. 271

use as soon as its merits are fully appreciated. Very few
shrubs are more beautiful on the lawn or in the border,

ELAZGANUS UMBELLATUS.

especially in autumn ; and as its fruit ripens in November,
when berries of all kinds are scarce, this is certain to serve
a good purpose in supplying the deficiency.

£. macrophylla is quite distinct from either of those
named, and, in fact, from almost any other shrub known
to cultivation, and capable of serving a useful purpose in
the garden or shrubbery. It is said that English garden-
ers are now making free use of it whenever it can be
procured, but it has been so recently introduced that the
market supplies are limited. It is an evergreen species
with large round leaves light gray on the upper surface
and nearly pure white beneath. The flowers are greenish-
yellow, appearing in clusters of considerable size in early

272 Ornamental Shrubs.

autumn. It is not known that the fruit is of especial
value, or that it is perfectly hardy in the Northern States.
E.. s¢émonz is another of the Chinese sorts, less ornamental
than several of the others, but has thrown off a variety
with colored foliage of great beauty. In this the leaves
are margined with dark green, have golden-yellow centres
shaded into brown, and maintain these peculiarities almost
the entire season. This variety is said to have originated
in Belgium, where it is looked upon as a most valuable
acquisition. It is doubtful if it has yet been introduced
to American gardens, but in the South it would assuredly
prove a success.

There are several other evergreen species, classified as
E. glabra, E. pungens, and £. reflexa, which so closely re-
semble each other as scarcely to be entitled to a separate
description in a work of this kind. These are all small
shrubs, six to ten feet, and have variegated forms of great
beauty, and are especially adapted to planting in the
Middle and Southern States, as their hardiness may not
be sufficient to endure the rigor of climatic conditions in
New England and the Northwest.

CAMELLIA.

HIS is a genus of elegant and most interesting
plants suitable to southern cultivation only. It
belongs to the order Zerustremzacee, and was

named in honor of a Jesuit missionary by the name of
Camellus, who wrote a history of the plants of Luzon and
some others of the Philippine Islands during the last cen-
tury. Most of the species are tropical or sub-tropical

Camellia. 273

plants, though several are sufficiently hardy for out-of-
door cultivation in or near the Gulf States, where they are
coming to be more freely planted from year to year, as
their merits are better appreciated. None of them can be
successfully grown in the North, but occasional specimens
are to be found in the Middle States under favorable
conditions and with slight protection. Mr. P. J. Berck-
mans of Augusta, Georgia, writes that ‘“ camellias abound
in all the southern cities, where some have reached to a
great size and have stood every extreme of heat and cold.
Beginning with the old alba plena, or double white, whose
flowers often open in November, we have a regular suc-
cession of floral harvest until April, and have the choice
of some two hundred varieties.” The same authority says
that the best seasons for transplanting are from early Oc-
tober to the beginning of November, and from the end of
February to the end of March.

C. gaponica is most prominently noted among the spe-
cies as the common camellia, and is the type from which
has sprung a great number of varieties and hybrids now
widely distributed. Under the most favorable conditions,
it grows in somewhat tree form to a considerable size, and
is possessed of great beauty. The leaves are quite large,
ovate, sharp-pointed, serrated, and of good substance and
color. The blossoms are in numerous shades, and mostly
pink with yellow projecting stamens. It is a native of
China as well as of several other Asiatic countries. C.
japonica alba is much the same except in the color of its
petals which are of the purest white, contrasting strongly
with the bright yellow centres. The original forms are

16

274 Ornamental Shrubs.

now seldom found in cultivation either in the garden or
conservatory, as some of the varieties are much superior.

It would be useless to attempt to describe in detail the
almost numberless forms produced through natural proc-
esses, and by the hybridizers who have turned their atten-
tion in this direction. There are varieties with double
and single flowers, and almost every possible shade of
color, and the number is increasing every year. It is
claimed that there is no plant that will afford such a wealth
of bloom extended over so long a time as the camellia,
and the claim appears to be pretty well founded. It is
essentially a winter-blooming plant, and among all the
broad-leaved evergreens is one of the best. It is a pity
that only a narrow fringe of our territory is capable of
producing the camellias in the open ground.

ITEA.

HE iteas belong to the order Saxzfragacee, and are
very littlke known in cultivation. Though the
genus contains only five species, it is distributed

freely throughout the United States, China, Japan, the
Himalayas, and some of the islands within the tropics.
One form only is of interest to us, and that has recently
been rescued from the long list of neglected plants so
many of which are now coming into notice. The botanists
call it tea verg7nica, and so far as known this is the one
species looked upon with favor in the parks and gardens.
It grows to a height of five to eight feet, and has alternate
leaves, oblong, pointed, and minutely serrate, changing
from green to scarlet-crimson in midsummer, and retain-

Vitex—Chaste Tree. a7

ing the new shade until autumn. The flowers are white,
and in terminal racemes, small, but sufficiently numerous

to make the bush attractive, and to justify a greater use

ITEA VIRGINICA

of the plant than it now has. They appear in the middle
of June. Though supposed to be a distinctively southern
plant, the itea is found to grow wild in New Jersey, and
may be safely used much farther north.

VITEX—Chaste Tree.

F the vitex there are only one or two species
sufficiently hardy to withstand the rigors of our
northern climate. The genus is of the order

Verbenacee, and contains not far from sixty species, mostly
classed as greenhouse or stove plants. [V. agnus-castus,
though supposed to be too tender for garden cultivation
north of Washington or Philadelphia, is, nevertheless,

276 Ornamental Shrubs.

occasionally seen in New York and even in southern
New England, but in such locations it demands and must
receive thorough protection. Thomas Meehan writes that
in Philadelphia it gets partly winter-killed, but that this
does not hurt it in the slightest. On the contrary, the
shoots seem to start more vigorously from the base, and
to give finer flowers than they otherwise would. Where
it does not winter-kill it would be well to cut the plant to
near the ground, as is done with the hydrangea. The
vitex is popularly known as the chaste tree, though also
bearing such names as hemp tree and pepper tree, the latter
perhaps in recognition of the fact that its foliage gives off
a peculiar, aromatic fragrance by no means objectionable.
It isa small, neat-appearing shrub, from three to six feet in
height, and with long, narrow-pointed leaves, and panicles
of bright lilac flowers shooting up above the foliage.
They are especially welcome, as they appear in August
and September when flowering shrubs are not common.
There is a variety of vitex having white blossoms, and
another with deep blue; and a species recently intro-
duced from China is said to be more hardy, but this is not
yet sufficiently tested to disclose its full merits.

CORNUS—Cornel— Dogwood.

HE cornus family, of the order Cornacee, includes
trees, shrubs, and a few perennial herbs widely
distributed through Europe, Asia, and America.

The Latin name comes from cornu, the horn, and was
applied because of the hardness and strength of the wood,
and its real or supposed durability under exposures. The

Cornus—Cornel—Dogwood. Pa

garden varieties are among the most valuable shrubs and
small trees in use. It is in their favor that they will do
better in the shade and when exposed to the drip of over-
hanging trees than do most other shrubs. For this reason,
if for no other, they fill an important place, and, being
compact and bushy, they quickly supply vacancies and
cover the naked stems of trees or other objects which are
desired to be hidden from the eye. All the woody species
can be used in this way to especial advantage. In some
parts of Europe, especially in Italy, they have been planted
for hedges, and with satisfactory results. They are nearly
all remarkably hardy, adapting themselves readily to great
diversities of soil and climate. All are deciduous, and
mostly with leaves opposite, entire, and of good substance.
Some of them produce flowers of great beauty, and in
abundance. Jn most cases tlie bark is bitter and astrin-
gent, as are also the berries, which ripen in autumn. The
wood is close-grained, and much prized for purposes
requiring strength and endurance.

C. florida, flowering dogwood, is one of the most
desirable of our native shrubs. It usually grows from ten
to twelve feet high, but occasionally, under favorable
circumstances, shoots up to twenty or thirty. In either
case it assumes fair proportions, and in its season of
blossoming, which is early spring, commands universal
admiration. The leaves are four or five inches long, and
two to three wide, ovate, sharp-pointed, and somewhat
pubescent or hairy, especially along the mid-rib and more
prominent veins. The flowers appear at the end of the
branches, twelve or more in a head, and are supported by

278 Ornamental Shrubs.

short, club-like stalks. They are small and attract but
little attention, and what is taken as the blossom is the

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CORNUS FLORIDA.

whorl of large leaves by which the real flowers are sur-
rounded. These are four in number, pure white, and spread-

Cornus—Cornel— Dogwood. 279

ing so as to become very conspicuous, and whether seen in
the edges of a forest or in the garden border are very beauti-
ful. The fruit which follows is closely bunched, bright scar-
let, and also showy. It is so bitter that even the birds will
not touch it until its character has been somewhat changed
by frost, when it becomes acceptable to the robins, and
probably to the voracious little sparrows that are always
with us. The bark of the stem and branches is also very
bitter, and is sometimes used successfully as a substitute
for Peruvian bark as a tonic, an astringent, or an antiseptic.
In autumn the foliage changes to purple and crimson, and
with the bunches of crimson berries makes the tree almost
as attractive at that season as it was in springtime. Like
most of the cornels, it is of slow growth and entirely hardy.

Some of the earlier botanists who visited this country
and came in contact with this shrub or tree, were enthu-
siastic in its praise, as well they might be. William
Bartram, in his 7ravels zx Georgia and Florida, gives
the following account of its appearance as he found it near
the banks of the Alabama River: ‘ We now entered a re-
markable grove of dogwood trees, which continued nine
or ten miles unaltered, except here and there by a tower-
ing Magnolia grandiflora. The land on which they grow
is an exact level; the surface a shallow, loose, black mould,
on a stratum of stiff, yellowish clay. These trees were
about twelve feet high, spreading horizontally; and their
limbs, meeting and interlocking with each other, formed
one vast, shady, cool grove, so dense and humid as to ex-
clude the sunbeams, and prevent the intrusion of almost
every vegetable; affording us a most desirable shelter

280 Ornamental Shrubs.

from the fervid sunbeams at noonday. This admirable
grove, by way of eminence, has acquired the name of The
Dogwoods. During a progress of nearly seventy miles
through this high forest
there was constantly
presented to view, on
one hand or the other,
spacious groves of this
flowering tree, which
must in the spring sea-
) son, when covered with
blossoms, exhibit a most
pleasing scene.” And
Professor E. L. Greene

in our own time says:

FLOWERING DOGWOOD. 6c One of the delightful,
unfading pictures in our memory of eastern woods in their
June glory is that of the shrub or small tree known as
flowering dogwood. A full-grown specimen with its wide-
spread and stratified branches, each ultimate twig bearing
a large, white, cruciform involucre, which commonly passes
for a corolla, is an object of striking beauty in the finest
glades where it occurs.”

The species has several varieties of value in cultiva-
tion. Of these C. f pendula, or weeping dogwood, is one
of the most striking, having foliage and flowers like its
parent, but borne on pendulous branches on every side of
the upright stem, and extending to the ground. The
branches are firm and rather stiff, though not always so
represented in the pictures shown in the nurserymen’s

Cornus—Corn el—Dogwood. 281

catalogues. The fruit consists of red berries, and in
autumn the foliage changes almost to crimson. C. f rudra,
or the red-flowering variety, is of quite recent introduc-
tion. It is much the same as the type, except in the color
of the blossom, which may be described as deep rose,
dark red, or sometimes pink instead of white. The origi-
nal is said to have been discovered on one of the Virginia
mountains by a clergyman, through whom it was domesti-
cated and introduced to civilized society. Though inter-
esting and worthy of extensive planting, it is not more
beautiful than the type. It makes a fine single plant, but
perhaps the best use to which it can be put is to place it
in the shrubbery beside the older forms, when the contrast
cannot fail to be especially agreeable.

C. cercinata, round-leaved dogwood, is an American
species, growing in moist situations from Canada to
Florida. It is from five to ten feet high, with numerous
slender branches which form a well-shaped and spreading
head. The bark is usually marked with warty dots which
fail to add to its beauty, though not especially objectiona-
ble. The leaves are oval, abruptly pointed, prominently
veined, somewhat rough, and covered with a whitish bloom
or down beneath. The flowers are white, in terminal, flat
cymes, on bowing footstalks, and appear in May. The
fruit is small, pale blue, ripening in early autumn and re-
maining until after frost. While not one of the best of
the cornels, it proves an acceptable plant for the shrub-
bery or border. Unlike most of the species, it prefers a
rocky or sandy soil, and proves of good service for such
situations.

282 Ornamental Shrubs.

C. alternifolia is found chiefly in the Middle and
Western States. It grows sometimes as a tree twenty to
thirty feet high, with branches somewhat in whorls and
quite numerous; but more frequently appears as a shrub
eight to ten feet high, and of good form and character.
Unlike most of the dogwoods, both its branches and its
leaves are alternate. In the case of the former, the bark
is of bright, shiny green with splashes of gray varying
considerably in size and form. The leaves are borne on
long footstalks, are wedge-shaped at the base, and lance-
olate toward the apex, terminating in a rather sharp point.
They are dark green above and almost glossy, but lighter
beneath and slightly pubescent. The flowers, which ap-
pear about the first of June, are in somewhat irregular
clusters, white, though sometimes tinted with yellow.
The fruit is black tinted with blue, and in its abun-
dance adds materially to the value of the plant. It is
less bitter and astringent than that of some of the other
species, and quickly taken by the birds.

C. stolonzfera, the red osier or red-stemmed dogwood,
is a well-known shrub found growing freely in wet, marshy
lands throughout Canada and most of the Northern
States. Its main stem is prostrate, and wholly or par-
tially under ground, whence it throws up an abundance of
small, straight shoots six or eight or even ten feet in
height. These are clothed with a smooth bark, dull green
or reddish in summer, but becoming a glowing scarlet in
winter. This is, in fact, its chief attraction, as the show
of color is in marked contrast with surrounding objects.
In some instances a mass of these shrubs at that season

Cornus—Cornel—Dogwood. 283

looks almost like a sheet of fire, when seen ata little dis-
tance. In summer the stems throw out large, roundish
leaves, somewhat rough on both sides, and terminating in
a short, sharp point. This species appears to be also in-
digenous to Europe and Asia, growing as far north as
Siberia, and, as might be expected, is entirely hardy. It
is there known as Cornus alba, with reference to its fruit,
which is a small berry, bluish white and very bitter.

C. sangutnea, another red-stemmed cornus, is a species
of foreign nativity, though now well known and common
in American gardens. The height is from six to eight
feet, with numerous shoots proceeding from a more or less
prostrate root, which is in reality the stem partially cov-
ered by the soil and an accumulation of leaves. The
greenish-white flowers appear late in spring, but are not
especially attractive or interesting. The foliage is good,
making it a valuable shrub for summer, though its chief
attractiveness is in winter when its red branches render it
conspicuous. The fruit is a small black berry, which, when
compressed, yields a valuable oil that in some countries
is used in the manufacture of fancy soaps and other
articles requiring oleaginous substances. The species
is very abundant in western Asia and some portions of
Europe.

C. spathd is a variety in many respects decidedly supe-
rior to the type, and one of the very best variegated plants.
The leaves in spring are dark, almost bronze, and very
attractive; but the greatest charm is put on in mid-
summer, when they are broadly and irregularly margined
with yellow and white, which is retained the remainder

284 Ornamental Shrubs.

of the season, the peculiar shading being more constant
than in many of our most popular colored foliage-plants.
Though brighter in the open sunshine, the variegation is
well maintained in partial shade. It is scarcely possible
to find a more strikingly beautiful and charming shrub for
planting singly, in masses, or in promiscuous groups and
borders.

C. sericea, or silky cornus, is a somewhat spreading
shrub growing freely on the banks of streams and in
moist places, seldom reaching above five to ten feet in
height. It produces white flowers in corymbs during the
months of June and July, and these are followed by pale
blue, globose berries. The younger branches are some-
what purple, sprinkled with white and covered with a
silky down, whence comes the name. The leaves are
opposite, two to three inches long, sharply ovate, rounded
at the base and pointed at the apex. This cornus is a
native of the United States, and ranges from Canada to
the Gulf of Mexico, having a preference for moist lands,
though growing well in any reasonably good soil. C.
paniculata, or panicled dogwood, produces its white
blossoms in loose cymes or panicles in July and August,
much later than most of the other forms, and for that
reason is especially desirable. It grows from five to
seven feet high under ordinary conditions, in bushy form
and with whitish leaves, and has berries in late autumn.

C. mas, or cornelian cherry, is a native of central
Europe, but, though introduced to America many years
ago, is not as often seen in our gardens as it should be.
It is a small tree or large shrub, reaching sometimes the

Cornus—Cornel—Dogwood. 285

height of about fifteen feet, with slender branches and a
well-rounded head. Its chief beauty consists in the small,
bright yellow flowers which appear in early spring in
advance of the foliage. These blossoms are in compact
clusters which extend the whole length of the branches,
giving the tree a very strik-
ing appearance. As itis one
of our very first bloomers,
it occupies an important
place in ornamental plant-
ing. There are two varie-
ties of this plant which are
especially beautiful. One,
C. m. vartegata, has its foli-
age strikingly marked with
pure white, and the other,
C. m2. elegantisstma, is white
with light and yellow shad-
ings. Both are desirable
garden plants. Thomas
Meehan in writing of this

plant takes occasion to say:

CORNUS ELEGANTISSIMA.

“In this dogwood we can
see how Nature makes species! We are all familiar
with the white dogwood of the woods,—Cornus florida
in the east, and Cornus nuttallii on the Pacific slope.
We know well the four broad, white bracts which lend
the dogwood flower its chief charm. We see in the cor-
nelian cherry the same four bracts, only that more cor-
rectly they are the scales that protected the flowers in

286 Ornamental Shrubs.

the winter. In the other dogwood cited, the four bud-
scales simply take a second growth, carrying the winter
portion on the apex. The notch on the end of the
broad, white bract is the bud-scale of the past winter.
What the power is that says to the bud-scales of Cornus
mas,‘ Rest when you let the flowers out,’ and to the
bud-scales of Cornus florida, ‘Take another growth and
become another species,’ nobody knows yet,—but it cer-
tainly is not by any law of natural selection, the struggle
for life, the survival of the fittest, or the accident of
environment. There are many reasons why this lovely
shrub should have a place in any garden that can find
room for it.”

C. stricta, or upright dogwood, grows to a height of
eight to fifteen feet, with numerous straight stems or
branches, making a beautiful bush. The blossoms are
white, in open cymes, and showy; the foliage is bright
green. One of its varieties, little known, has its leaves
beautifully variegated with yellow and white, but the colors
are not as permanent as might be desired. C. bazleyz
has scarcely been introduced to cultivation, but it appears
to possess qualities that should make it useful. It grows
freely in certain sections of the Northwest along the
borders of the Great Lakes, and, according to Professor
Bailey, on sand-dunes, and often in the loosest, shifting,
white sands. Any plant which will do this is capable of
great service in many localities, and especially a shrub of up-
right form, good foliage, and beautiful flowers which appear
continuously from June to September. The fruit of this
cornus is in clusters of pearly white, and is quite showy.

Gordonia. 287

C. kousa has come to be known as a cornus, though
it was formerly classed as Benthamia japonica, that genus
having now been merged into this. The fousa is an
interesting form, having flowers which are yellow, very
small, and borne in clusters, the showy part of the inflores-
cence being furnished by four large white bracts which
surround the real blossoms exactly as in Cornus florida.
The bracts of this Japanese cornus are, however, more
pointed and, if anything, of a purer white. Mr. Falconer,
who grew it at Glen Cove, pronounced it one of the finest
shrubs one could have in a garden, and far more hardy
than some of the other Japanese sorts.

GORDONIA.

HIS is a distinctively American tree or shrub, havy-
ing been discovered on the banks of the Al-
tamaha River in Georgia, by a botanist of the

last century. It is said to have been named in honor of
Dr. James Gordon of Aberdeen, with whom the discoverer
had previously been associated. It belongs to the order
Ternstremiacee. The genus includes few species suf-
ficiently hardy for out-of-door cultivation, and even in the
middle-southern States winter protection is sometimes
needed. With suitable precautions specimens have been
grown as far north as New York and even Boston, but
the gordonia cannot be advised for planting, except by ex-
perts, much above Washington.

Although indigenous to the United States, and here
first found, it is not now known to be growing wild in any
part of the country. There are only two forms worthy of

288 Ornamental Shrubs.

especial mention as suitable for the park or garden. The
first, G. dastanthus, popularly known as loblolly bay, is
a shrub often rising to a height of e'ght or ten feet, with
coriaceous foliage, the leaves being oblong-lanceolate, nar-
rowed at the base, smooth and glossy. The flowers are
about four inches in diameter, pure white, and deliciously
fragrant. They are composed of five broad, incurved
petals enclosing a large number of yellow stamens and
anthers. The flowers appear early in September, and,
though they are at no time abundant, continue in succes-
sion until killed off by frost. This late blooming gives the
shrub its principal attraction. The whole bush has a pe-
culiar fragrance said to resemble that of the Chinese tea
plant, so much so that the leaves have sometimes been
used asa substitute for tea. G. pubescens is much the same
in its general characteristics. It grows to little more than
half the height of the preceding, and has leaves slightly
downy, especially on the under side. The flowers are
about three inches in diameter, pure white with yellow
filaments, and fragrant. They appear in August, and con-
tinue until late autumn.

CERCIS—Judas-Tree—Red-Bud.

HAT is popularly known as the Judas-tree or
red-bud, cerczs, constitutes a genus of Le-
guminosé containing, so far as known, not

more than five or six species, and only a small number of
varieties that are found in cultivation. The common name,
Judas-tree, is applied because of the ancient legend that
the arch-traitor went out and hanged himself on a tree of

Cercis—Judas-Tree—Red-Bud. 289

this class, reference being doubtless had to the appearance
of the tree in blossom, when its trunk and branches are
covered with small buds or flowers much resembling drops
of blood. There is another legend to the effect that the
ignominy fell to the lot of the elder, which has ever since
had a repulsive odor. The family is indigenous to the
south of Europe, to Eastern Asia, and to North America.
It is distinguished among the order to which it belongs by
its glabrous, kidney-shaped leaves, and the peculiar flow-
ers, to which reference has been made. These buds and
blossoms are succeeded by thin, flat, brown pods some-
times nearly six inches long, remaining on the tree nearly
or quite all the year. In garden cultivation, especially in
colder climates, these are seldom followed by fruit, resort
being made to other methods of propagation for the per-
petuation and increase of the family.

C. canadensts — American Red-Bud.—This is the
species best known in our parks and gardens. It is a fine
tree in the early season, showy from the appearance of its
buds, which break out in great numbers along nearly the
whole length of its branches, and are of a brilliant red or
rose color. Nothing among trees is more singular and at-
tractive, and when a well-formed top is thus ablaze one
can scarcely pass without pausing to admire. The tree is
not large, though often twenty-five to thirty feet high.
The leaves, which begin to appear in May while the flow-
ers are expanding, are folded in a peculiar manner on the
bud, and when fully grown are somewhat heart-shaped at
the base, acuminate, and of a deep, rich color.

C. stliguastrum is a native of southern Europe and
19

290 Ornamental Shrubs.

various Asiatic countries, and has been longest kwnon in
cultivation, having had a place in famous gardens for many
generations. It produces slightly larger flowers and of a
somewhat darker shade than does the American species,
but they are not more beautiful, nor are they brought out
in equal profusion. It is not found to endure our northern
winters so well as the native sort, but may be safely planted
throughout the Middle and Southern States. The foliage
is quite obtuse, and nearly circular, but in its general.
characteristics equally good.

C. chinenszs is the eastern species, and was received in
this country through the medium of Japan, and has come
to be popularly known as the Japan Judas-tree, though
it was probably not indigenous to the Island Empire. It
has larger leaves and flowers, the latter appearing, if pos-
sible, in even greater profusion than on its western con-
geners. When at its best, it appears as a perfect sheet of
flame, and by the branches spreading the effect is height-
ened to a marvellous degree. In growth it is smaller than
either of the other sorts, and more shrub-like, seldom
attaining a height above twelve feet. It is probably the
best of its class. No garden, park, or lawn is complete in
its spring exhibit without a red-bud or Judas-tree in one
or more of these forms.

C. ¢exenszs has its home in semi-tropical climates, and
is distinctively a tree for planting in the South and not in
the North. It is met with most frequently in the State
from which it takes its name, and will doubtless do good
service along the lines of latitude suggested. Its resem-
blance to C. canadenszs is so close that the botanists have

Corylopsis. 291

not been agreed as to whether it is a distinct species, or a
mere variety of the better-known form. But if it answers
the purpose for the South which the common Judas-tree
does for the North it will prove an acquisition to the
parks and gardens of that section. It is described as a
slender tree from twenty to thirty feet high at maturity.
As with the other members of the family, the foliage and
flowers are put forth nearly together, and in early spring.
The flowers are about half an inch long, and are on
slender pedicels, though the clusters are nearly or quite
sessile,
CORYLOPSIS.

NLY a few species of corylopsis appear to be
known in cultivation in America, though there
are several that Nicholson in the Déctconary of

Gardening pronounces very ornamental and interesting,
hardy, deciduous shrubs. None of them is native of the
western continent or of Europe. So far as known they
all come from China or Japan, with the exception of a
single specimen from the Himalayas. The genus at best
is a small one, but the wonder is that it has not been more
taken into cultivation, both here and in England, where it
is just beginning to make its way.

C. spicata is the best-known form. It is a small bush
three to four feet high, and was introduced from Japan,
where it is grown in the best gardens, and highly es-
teemed. It has long-stalked, feather-veined foliage, finely
serrated, and glaucous beneath, smooth and pale green
above. The flowers have five petals and five stamens,
and spring from the axils of yellowish-green bracts, and

292 Ornamental Shrubs.

are disposed in racemes two to five inches long. They
are pale yellow or lemon in color, and those familiar with
them detect the odor of cowslips as nearly as it can be
defined in words. These flowers appear before the leaves,
and sometimes open in midwinter when the weather is
mild for even a brief period. The plant needs to be cut
back severely in transplanting, and in the extreme North
winter protection will be of service. C. pauczflora is much
the same in its general characteristics, but has fewer and
smaller flowers, and does not attain to so large a size. C.
multiflora comes from the tea districts of China, and is
also an interesting plant. It has more rigid leaves less
distinctly veined than the sfzcata, and grayish beneath,
and longer and more closely packed racemes of yellow
blossoms. The odor is something like that of the tea
plant. This species has been so recently introduced that
it is scarcely known to the nurserymen. C. Azmalaya is
another promising sort, having lighter-colored blossoms
and still longer racemes, but it has not been sufficiently
tested as to its climatic range to be advised for general
planting.

HAMAMELIS—Witch Hazel.

HOUGH in the highest sense the witch hazel, as
known under ordinary conditions, is scarcely to
be included in the list of ornamental shrubs, it is

nevertheless an interesting plant and capable of good
service. There are only three known species, with per-
haps two or three varieties, and these are nowhere largely
in use as garden plants. One of the species is of Ameri-

Hamamelis—Witch Hazel. 293

can origin, one probably a native of China, and the third
of Japan. In this country H. virgznzca is best known, as
it grows freely over a large portion of our extended
domain. It rises at its best from twenty to thirty feet,
but is usually of much smaller dimensions. In most cases
it assumes a bushy form with several stems springing from
a common root, each branching freely so as to form a
somewhat open and broad head. Occasionally it takes the
form of a small tree, branching near the ground so as to
still give it a shrubby appearance. Its chief peculiarity is
in its flowers and fruit. The former are gathered in ax-
illary clusters of three or four, are bright yellow, and,
though small, especially interesting from both a botanical
and horticultural standpoint. Nicholson, in his Dec¢zonary
of Gardening, says: ‘“ During the autumn and winter
they begin to expand before the leaves of the previous
summer drop off, and continue on the bush through the
winter ; after the petals drop off in the spring the persist-
ent calyces remain until the leaves re-appear in April or
May.” This is the English description, and it answers to
what is known of the plant at home. It is no uncommon
thing to see these blossoms at any time between October
and March, as the bush is found skirting the forest or
growing along the banks of brooklets from New England
to Texas. They are followed by two-celled, woody pods,
each containing a small nut which is edible and quite
agreeable to the taste. The pods mature late in the fol-
lowing season, and often not until flowering time. The
leaves contain a large amount of tannin, and the product
is used as an astringent and for other medical purposes,

294 Ornamental Shrubs.

though chemists fail to find in it elements for the cure of
the many ills for which the decoction is recommended.

CALOPHACA.

Calophaca wolgarzca is a small shrub but little known.
It belongs to the lentil family, and comes from Siberia,
having been introduced as long ago as 1780 to English
and continental gardens, where it has since only barely
held its own. It grows to a height of about three feet,
and has the advantage of being reliably hardy and of
good form, with pleasantly-tinted, pinnate foliage, and
abundant golden flowers in hanging racemes, affording
an agreeable contrast to its leafage. To bring this out to
the best advantage it is advised to graft the more humble
plant on the laburnum, and at such a height as may be
desired, when, says Nicholson, “it forms an object at once
singular, picturesque, and beautiful, whether covered with
blossoms or with its fine, reddish pods.” As a low plant
it serves an excellent purpose in the edges of borders
as well as in groups or masses, and when given sufficient
height, as suggested, it surpasses many popular favorites.
It thrives best in rather dry soil and partial shade. Cy¢z-
sus wolgarica and Cytzsus pinnatus are synonyms under
which it is sometimes catalogued.

PHILADELPHUS—Syringa—Mock Orange.

HIS is a small genus of some twelve or fifteen
species of the order Saxzfragacee, indigenous to
southern Europe, central Asia, Japan, and North

America, all hardy shrubs, and possessed of many quali-

Philadelphus—Syringa—Mock Orange. 295

ties that commend them for garden cultivation throughout
the temperate zones, where alone they are supposed to
thrive. Without exception they are of easy cultivation,
and few shrubs make so good returns, in both foliage and
blossom, for the outlay expended upon them. As the
flowers are produced on wood of the last year’s growth, it
is well to cut the shrub back sharply immediately after the
flowering season. If this is not done it is liable to become
a straggling bush, bare near the main stem, and somewhat
coarse. By cutting, the number of flowering branches is
multiplied, and, though the bush becomes large, every part
will prove floriferous. The popular name, syringa, should
be abandoned, as that belongs to the lilac. Philadelphus
is as easily remembered, and it is better to call things by
the right names.

The best known of the species is P. coronarzus, and
there is reason for speaking of it as the mock orange
because of the resemblance of the flower, and of the fra-
grance of the entire shrub, to that of the real orange tree
of the South. Under favoring conditions it grows to a
height of twelve feet. It is compact if properly handled
in cultivation, but if left to itself it is sometimes far from
symmetrical, though never ugly. The leaves are ovate,
sharply pointed, and serrate. The flowers are creamy-
white or light straw-color, and are possessed of a pungent
fragrance. They appear in May, and in great abundance.
There are several varieties, one of which, flore pleno, has
double flowers of the same color and with similar fra-
grance. Another, argentia marginata, has the foliage bor-
dered with white, and is quite distinct and beautiful. It

296 Ornamental Shrubs.

is a recent introduction, and is not yet widely distributed.
For limited grounds it may be preferred, as it is of some-
what smaller habit and more compact. If a real dwarf is
wanted, the variety zazzs may be chosen, though it does
not blossom quite as freely. P. ¢. seypher? is, on the con-

trary, a large, spreading bush, and has beautiful flowers

PHILADELPHUS SPECIOSISSIMUS.

without fragrance, and which appear much later. What
is popularly known as the golden syringa, P. folcus aurcus,
has distinct yellow leaves, and is in all respects one of our
best foliage plants. It holds its color throughout the
entire summer, and, whether grown as a single plant or in
masses, is a superior small shrub.

P. gordonianus is a native of this country, and, coming

Philadelphus—Syringa—Mock Orange. 297

from the Northwest, is entirely hardy. It has ovate,
pointed foliage slightly serulate, and with favorable cir-
cumstances makes a bush ten to twelve feet high and
almost as broad. The flowers are produced in great
abundance, are almost scentless, and in terminal racemes
of from five to nine blossoms. This is much planted,
and is one of the best sorts, as it is in its prime in July
after most of the others have gone by. P. grandiflorus is
another native of the United States, having its home in
the South. It grows to about the same proportions, and
has nearly round foliage, pubescent in the early part of
the season, and irregularly toothed. The flowers are
much larger than those of most of the other species, and
are possessed of a delightful fragrance, not as pungent as
that of the coronarzus which to some people is offensively
strong. One of the varieties, P. g. speciostsstmus, is of
dwarf habit, and especially attractive as a garden plant,
particularly where space is a consideration. It grows
about three feet in height, and produces in great profusion
very large, pure white, fragrant blossoms.

P. microphyllus differs from most of the other species
in having small foliage, the individual leaves being from
one half to three quarters of an inch long. They are ovate,
lanceolate, entire, and numerous. This grows about three
feet high. The flowers are large, terminal, solitary, and
in threes. As the branches are erect and slender, the
plant has a very graceful aspect wherever seen. P. nzvalzs
has glaucous leaves, white on the under side and green
above. It is a small plant with the customary white flow-
ers of the genus, as is P Azrsuta, or the hairy species,

298 Ornamental Shrubs.

the leaves of which are covered with hairs on both
surfaces.

There has been recently introduced a class of hybrids
some of which are known to
be of asuperior value. They
are the products of the skill
and ingenuity of M. Lemoine,
to whom the _ horticultural
world has become so greatly
indebted asa hybridist. Most
of them are not yet in culti-
vation in America, but doubt-
less will be at an early day.
Among others they include
the following : P. lemoznez av-
alanche, the best known, is de-

scribed as having long, slender
branches, and very large, white, fra-
grant blossoms, bending the stems
under their weight. It isa bush from
HRV aaa Oe nTe NEES clea ey eight feet in height, and has
often been figured in the magazines and catalogues, and is
more or less familiar. P. lemozned candelabre is another free-
flowering variety, and has white flowers of unusual size,
and prettily dentated and undulated. This is quite dwarf
in habit, and makes a charming, compact little mass of
blossoms. P. demoznez erectus is an upright bush, and has
small, very sweet flowers, while two others, called sheaf of
snow and Mont Blanc have large, fragrant flowers like the
others of this class, completely covering the shrub at the

Aralia—Angelica Tree. 299

time of blossoming. The flowers of szlver ball are also
sweet-scented, and large, and vary through being double.

ARALIA—Angelica Tree.

HERE are said to be twenty-five or thirty species
of the genus aralia, and widely distributed; but
they are mostly tender plants, and, except in

warm climates, suitable only to cultivation under glass and
with artificial heat. Several prove to be half-hardy, and
can be grown in the open in such localities as California
and the States bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, and
northward to the Carolinas. All are interesting and even
beautiful plants, and worthy of more attention than has
been usually accorded them in American gardens, though
but two or three are able to endure the winters of New
England and the middle Northwest.

A. spinosa—Angelica Tree—Hercules’ Club.—This is
one of the largest growing, and the best of all for garden
use. It rises from twelve to sixteen feet in height, and
has the habit of sending up branches from the roots, so
that when once established it often becomes a group, the
parent stem in the centre, with smaller and lower ones on
every side. When desired, these secondary growths can
be easily removed so that the tree form may be retained.
This species is indigenous to North America, and when
first seen by Europeans was regarded as a great curiosity.
One of its peculiarities is that the woody stem is covered
from end to end with sharp prickles, so that one can
scarcely touch it with the bare hand; and another, that in
autumn—especially when young—the large stems, having

300 Ornamental Shrubs.

served as branches, fall off as wellas the leaves. In this state
it appears more dead than alive, and often very much un-
like its floral or arboreal surroundings. But when spring
comes it is quickly reclothed; the ephemeral branches
grow rapidly, and send out compound leaves two or three
feet long, and often half as broad. These form a cluster
at the top of what was so recently a bare stem, and are

very tropical in appearance, being twice or thrice pinnate,

ae Pree Y
eas ( ra ye

9 a mn a
ws ty
“wee y

ROSE ACACIA. (See page 46.)

LM Th al ay YD,

and borne on petioles, fifteen to twenty inches long, which
clasp the main stem with a thickened and enlarged base.
The flowers come out in midsummer in umbels and com-
pound panicles. They are white tinted with green, and in
such masses as to create surprise to one not familiar with
the plant. This round head, with large foliage and im-
mense cluster of flowers, has much the appearance of a

tropical palm in full blossom, if such were a possible thing.

Aralia

Angelica Tree. 301

The tree should be planted in sheltered position, as the top
is too heavy and too large to withstand high winds to the
best advantage. It is well adapted to shady situations,
and even prefers them to bright, sunny exposures. With
advancing age there is a tendency to more permanent
branches and a still larger head. It is a rapid grower, and
comparatively indifferent to soils and situation, though
when growing wild

is found most often
in moist locations.

A. steboldit—
Japanese Aralia.— |
Though belonging
to the same class,
this is quite anoth-
er plant from that
already described.

It grows in the
form of a bush
three to six feet

high and nearly as

ARALIA FATSIA.

many through, and

is covered with deep, glossy foliage, the individual leaves
being digitate, twelve inches across, and on stout petioles a
foot long. They are finely cut, and in themselves suffici-
ently showy to make the plant worthy of a place in our best
gardens where the conditions will allow. It is almost an
evergreen in the South, where alone in this country it can
be successfully planted. The flowers are comparatively

small, white, and exceedingly numerous, covering In their

302 Ornamental Shrubs.

season the umbrella-like head in the greatest profusion.
The London Garden speaks of it as “one of the most
ornamental plants that can be used in the garden, a large
mass of it on the turf presenting a fine aspect.” It can
doubtless be grown to perfection over a considerable sec-
tion of the United States south of Washington, with the
same care and attention bestowed on many other and
less worthy kinds; but in the North the winters are too
severe! The Japanese name for this species is fatsza, and
the botanists are now cataloguing it as the Arala fatsza.
There are two varieties, one having its foliage marked
with white, and the other with yellow, neither proving
itself superior in value to the type.

HIBISCUS—Mallow—Althea.

IBISCUS is the old Greek name applied to what

we know as the marshmallow, which constitutes

a genus of Malvacez, having its home mostly in

tropical or semi-tropical climates. It includes not far from
one hundred species, and almost numberless varieties,
some of which are annuals, others herbaceous perennials,
and still others large and vigorous-growing shrubs. In
nearly all, the flowers are large and beautiful, so that the
genus is one of the most desirable in cultivation. Except
in a few instances, they are of value in the temperate
zones only as stove and greenhouse plants, though there
are several, accounted tender, which do good service in
open ground as we approach the southern boundaries of
the great republic. In a general way they nearly all
resemble in blossom the common hollyhock of the gardens,

Hibiscus—Mallow—Althea. 303

to which they are in reality closely allied. The best-known
native species is /Z. moscheutos, found chiefly in swamps
and marshes along the Atlantic coast, and to some extent
on the borders of the Great Lakes as far north as the Ca-
nadian line. This is known almost everywhere as the
swamp rose, and with a considerable degree of propriety.
When transferred
to ordinary soil it
continues to thrive
nearly as well as be-
fore. This class of
mallows appears in
many colors. The
several varieties
make charming
plants in the border,
especially as they
flower in mid-sum-
mer.

ff, syrtacus is

the bush or small
tree popularly

known as the althea,

HIBISCUS.

and sometimes as
the rose of Sharon. It is believed to have originated in
Syria, though it may not have been the flower mentioned
as with affection in the Jewish Scriptures. It is usually a
shrub ten to twelve feet in height, but sometimes much
larger. Its habit is rather stiff and straggling, and it needs
attention and a somewhat free use of the pruning-knife

304 Ornamental Shrubs.

to keep it in good shape. In no case is the foliage partic-
ularly attractive, though in appearance it is always fairly
good. The flowers, double and single, take on a consid-
erable range of form and color, red, white, and purple,
with numerous combinations and intermixtures. They
come forward at the season of the year when the gar-
dens and fields are most destitute of color, blooming
in August and September, and continuing for some weeks.
Because of their submission to the shears, the altheas
are capable of making beautiful flowering hedges, though
they do not appear to be much used for that purpose—
perhaps, in part, for the reason that they afford but
slight protection as a barrier against encroachments on
the part of small animals. But as single specimens or
in borders, they show to better advantage than any
other shrub at the particular period when they are at
their best. The many forms known to cultivation are
supposed to be varieties springing from a common type,
and as a rule are greatly superior to the species from
which they have sprung.

Of the numerous varieties only a few need be named,
such as are believed to cover the field of usefulness on the
part of the most exacting planters. One of the best-
known single forms is /7. totus albus, with pure white,
single blossoms of large size, and without the prominent
crimson eye for which the group is distinguished. /7.
alba plena is equally good in its general characteristics,
producing large, white, double blossoms. HY. boule de feu
is in two forms, one with single red or pink flowers, and
the other with double blossoms of the same hue. /. alba

Hibiscus—Mallow—A thea. 305

variegata is marked with stripes of white and red. ZH.
cerulea has large, double pink and white flowers shaded
with purple, while “7. /eopoldz?, which is comparatively
new, presents the peculiarity of attractive, cut-leaved foli-
age and very large as well as double flesh-colored flowers
shaded with rose.

HI. anemoneflora is one of the later introductions, and
proves of especial merit. The
flowers are double, the stamen-petals
making a tufted centre and much
shorter than the true petals. These
latter are broad and conspicuous,
deep scarlet at the base, distinctly
extending into veins to almost the
edges of the petals. The general
color is dark pink. The plant is
noted as a later bloomer than most
others. 7. camellieflora is as de-
sirable as the preceding through its
distinction in color. The large, white
flowers are handsome and showy,
the broad, true petals extending

much beyond the inner stamen-pet-

DOUBLE-FLOWERING ALTHEA.

als. The rich crimson eye, occur-
ring in almost all the varieties, is very marked in this case.
HT. peonteflora produces a blossom resembling a peony,
though not as large. In color it is a beautiful pink,
and very showy. Meehan in his Monthly gives the
following description of an entirely new form: “ /7/.
enchantress is practically unknown to the public, not

20

306 Ornamental Shrubs.

having yet been disseminated. Its flowers are single,
white with the usual crimson eye, and with a dash of
rose tipping each petal. The appearance of this color
regularly located on the petals, is unique and pleasing.”
Buist’s variegated althea is distinguished for its beautiful
foliage. The leaves are marked with stripes of yellowish-
white in such proportions and distinctness as to arrest
the attention of every passer. It is a low, well-rounded
bush, and worthy of a place in every garden or border.
It can scarcely be called a flowering shrub, for the blos-
soms fail to materialize. Though the petals appear to be
fully formed, they gather in the shape of balls or buttons,
simply showing their tips, which are red. They remain
into late autumn, but are more curious than beautiful.

PAVIA—Dwarf Horse-Chestnut.

HE common horse-chestnut, so freely planted in
this country, is of foreign origin, having come
from China, with Europe as an intermediary, and

it must be confessed that America has given it a right
royal welcome. Few trees are more freely grown on
strictly ornamental grounds, as it has little or no economic
value either in its timber or its fruit. It is a large and
magnificent tree, and in spring is one of the most beauti-
ful both in leaf and flower.

It may not be appreciated by all that we have a branch
of the horse-chestnut tribe which may be properly classed
among shrubs, and which is equally, even if not more,
desirable than the larger sort. The &sculus parvz-
flora, known also as macrostachya in the catalogues, is a

Pavia—Dwarf Horse-Chestnut. 307

native of the mountainous sections of the Carolinas, and
extends thence both southward and westward. As it
proves reasonably hardy throughout the Northern
States also, it comes nearer than most others to meeting
the demands of all sections. Still it cannot be advised for

AESCULUS PARVIFLORA.

the extreme Northwest or the most exposed portions of
New England. In the Ohio valley, where it abounds, it is
popularly known as one of the buckeyes, and, though never
a tree, it gains a height of fifteen to twenty feet, with a broad,
well-rounded head, the foliage resembling that of the
common horse-chestnut, but sufficiently distinct to be
characteristic. The leaves are smaller, and composed of

from five to seven oval-obovate leaflets, somewhat rough

308 Ornamental Shrubs.

and hairy on the under surface but smooth above. The
flowers are in long, erect spikes resembling in form those
of the hyacinth, are mostly white, and in July cover the
entire bush, which at that time is one of the most beautiful
to be seen on the lawn or in the garden. But it is not to
be planted indiscriminately, as it throws up suckers from
the roots, forming in a few years larger groups than in
many situations might be desired. The proper place for
it, therefore, is where there is plenty of room to be devoted
to its occupancy, where it may be left to itself in the
certainty that it will become a thing of beauty scarcely
surpassed in its season by tree or shrub. It has the
advantage also of being quite indifferent to soils and
ordinary climatic influences, for it will grow in the stiffest
clay as freely and as surely as in ordinary garden loam.

P. rubra, known in some sections as the red buckeye,
and in others as the red or scarlet horse-chestnut, has
elliptic-oblong leaves, tapering to a point at both ends, the
leaflets numbering from five to seven, mostly in fives,
smooth and slightly hairy in the axils of the nerves beneath.
The flowers are produced in long and rather open panicles
at the ends of the stems and branches, and in May or
early June, and being red never fail to attract attention.
The botanists do not agree whether it should be classed as
a pavia or a horse-chestnut, and so it is placed in either
section as the judgment of the horticulturist may dictate.
For this reason it has several synonyms, among which are
LEsculus pavia, sculus rubicunda, and A sculus carnea.
There are several varieties, one a dwarf, another with
pendulous branches, and still another with deeply and

Hedysarum 309

curiously cut leaves. The fact that none of these have
come into more general cultivation would indicate that
they have not proven themselves superior to the type.

P. caltfornica, as its name indicates, is a native of the
Pacific slope, and is quite distinct from the preceding.
The leaves are oblong, sharp-pointed, and on petioles.
The general form is much the same, and the broad, round
head, sometimes ten to twelve feet across, is densely
covered with the characteristic foliage, the leaflets being
oblong-lanceolate, sharp-pointed, and on slender petioles.
The flowers are white or pale rose, with orange-colored
anthers somewhat prominent. Unlike most others of this
class they are highly fragrant. They appear in May, and
crown the whole shrub with their upright spikes as they
rise above the surface of green. In cultivation this variety
usually grows from twelve to twenty feet high, but there
are said to be specimens in its native habitat even much
larger.

HEDYSARUM.

Hedysarum multijugum is an exotic, belonging to the
Leguminose, which has recently come to us from Mon-
golia. It has not yet been thoroughly tested either in
England or this country, but gives promise of being a
valuable addition to the list of our hardy and ornamental
shrubs. In the home of its adoption it seldom attains a
height of more than five feet. It has slender branches,
covered when young with minute, silky hairs which clothe
alike the pinnate leaves and petioles, giving the whole
bush a tinge of gray. The foliage suggests the tropics as
the place of nativity, and the blossoms add force to the

310 Ornamental Shrubs.

suggestion. These come forward in June, and are borne
in racemes eight to twelve inches long, and keep in good
form for two or three weeks. In color they are rosy-pur-
ple and very attractive. In the Northern States it may
be well to afford the plant slight protection, especially in
the early stages of its growth, but in the South this will
be unnecessary. The species will certainly prove a
valuable acquisition in that section.

TAMARIX.

HE hardy tamarisks are beautiful shrubs, and
worthy of a more prominent place in orna-
mental planting than in this country has yet

been accorded them. While the genus is quite large,
only a few species are suited to ordinary garden cultiva-
tion. For planting by the seaside, and in especially
exposed situations, they are of the utmost value, as their
long, slender branches, readily yielding to the winds, are
seldom broken. Not even the salt spray, so fatal to
nearly all other plants, does them permanent harm, unless
it be abundant and continuous. The tamarisks grow so
rapidly as to be able to also serve a good purpose in such
situations in affording protection to less hardy plants, and
where their merits are appreciated they are sometimes
grown in belts or masses for purposes of shelter. To
make the most of them they must be severely cut back
from year to year, as the tendency is to throw out long
shoots that become bare stems, and as the foliage and
flowers appear in most forms on the new growths only.
They bear this clipping well, and are greatly improved in

Tamarisk. 311

their appearance by the operation. There is some confu-
sion among specialists as to names both of the genus and
the several species, but the following varieties will serve
all practical purposes.

The African tamarisk, 7. afrzcana, is, perhaps, the
earliest blooming species, the small flowers appearing in
May or early in June in great profusion along the slender
branches of the previous season’s growth. They are
bright pink and exceedingly beautiful, covering the whole
bush and affording a marked contrast to the soft, feathery
foliage. The time to cut in the branches is immediately
after the flowering season is over, when the growth which
follows will furnish blossom-buds for the next season.
This tamarisk is known also as the 7. ¢etrandra, and T.
parviftora.

The French tamarisk, 7: gad/eca, is a native not only
of France, but also of Spain, Italy, and other Mediter-
ranean countries. It grows to a height of eight or ten
feet, with its very small, imbricated, feathery leaves in
profusion, and the color contrasts are marked. The pale
red or pink flowers are small but numerous, not dis-
tributed as in the af/rzcana, but appearing in clusters or
catkins about an inch long at the end of the slender
branches. The twigs are also conspicuous because of
their purple or reddish-colored bark. The shrub can be
shaped to a low, round, compact head, or be trained to
almost any form that may be desired, and is sometimes
grown to advantage on the side of a building or wall. In
either case the lightness and grace of foliage and blossom
are sure to attract attention and admiration.

312 Ornamental Shrubs.

The late-flowering tamarisk, commonly known as 7:
zndica, unlike those already named, blooms on wood of the
same season’s growth, and so must be cut well back in late
autumn or early spring, when the plant will put forth long,
slender branches, six feet or more, which will produce a
profusion of blossoms in August and September, afford-
ing a mass of color commingled with the fine, soft foliage
that covers the spreading stems from end to end.
“Nothing,” says Garden and Forest, ‘can be more exqui-
sitely graceful than the entire habit of this plant, and it is
especially attractive in early morning when its branches
droop under the weight of silvery dew.” Neither the
foliage nor the blossom differs in the early and late
species to any appreciable degree, but the training of the
plants must be quite unlike. If the early bloomers are
cut back after the flowering season is over, the flower-
buds for the next summer are all removed, and in this re-
spect the season’s growth will be a failure. But, if the
branches of the zzdzca are not cut sharply back at the
close of the season, the plant will make another growth of
six or eight feet, and the blossoms will appear only on
the new wood, leaving a mass of bare stems below, which
destroys the symmetry and attractiveness of the whole.

KERRIA—Globe Flower.

HERE is but one species of the kerria which is
worthy of cultivation: It isa native of Japan and
known as K. japonica, and popularly called Jews’

Mallow, and is one of the early spring bloomers especially
suitable for growing on a wall or fence. It is a deciduous,

Sophora.

313

erect, handsome, and hardy plant, and sends up numerous
stems which will thrive in almost any good soil. The

flowers are orange-yellow with five ellipti-
cal petals, obtuse and spreading. There
are several varieties, double and single,
the double being most in use, but the
single having more beauty, and to be pre-
ferred for many situations. The foliage
is bright glossy green, smooth above, and
slightly hairy on the under side. The
height is from three to six feet. There
are one or two varieties having foliage

variegated with white, and these cannot 3

fail to be appreciated when better known.

SOPHORA.

HE sophoras include a number of
small trees and shrubs, natives of
eastern Asia and certain portions

of North America, and possessed of much
interest. They belong to the order Legu-
minoseé, and number not far from twenty
species, with numerous varieties that are

KERRIA JAPONICA.

ee

worthy of notice. The best-known member of the family
is catalogued as S. japonzca, though it is supposed to
be a native of China, and to have been taken to Japan

many centuries ago, carrying with it the popular name,
pagoda tree, which is still applied to it in both coun-
tries. This name comes from the fact that it is largely
planted in the vicinity of temples and public buildings.

314 Ornamental Shrubs.

In a certain sense it is looked upon by the Eastern
populace as an object of veneration and emblematic of
sacred things. At its best it grows some thirty feet high,
but in this country it seldom reaches that altitude. It has

WEEPING SOPHORA.

graceful foliage, and the leaves are large, green tinged
with blue, and hold their color well. They are com-
pound, with eleven to thirteen oblong-oval and pointed
leaflets. The flowers are terminal, in long, open pan-
icles and creamy-white in color. They appear in August

and September. Wherever seen this sophora proves

Rhodotypos. 315

a handsome tree. S. 7, pendula is a weeping variety,
and one of the best weeping-trees known. It should
be grafted on the parent stock at such a height as is de-
sired and will then form a large compact head with the
branches reaching to the base on every side. It is not
often seen on our lawns because of the difficulty and cost
of securing good specimens.

S. secundifiora is an American species with somewhat
larger blossoms of rich violet color. These appear in
June or early July. The leaves are more coriaceous and
glossy than those of the safonzca, but this form is not so
hardy, and is not advised for northern planting. Its home
appears to be in the extreme Southwest. It is abundant
in Texas and Mexico, and is there a broad-leaved ever-
green, growing to the height of six feet. S. tetraptera is
a native of New Zealand, and has yellow flowers. It is a
beautiful half-hardy shrub suitable for planting only in the
Southern States unless afforded ample protection. It is
deciduous, and grows to a height of twelve feet.

RHODOTYPOS.

HIS is a genus of only a single species, and is so
closely allied to kerria as to be often confounded

with it. By the botanists it is given the name R.
kerrzvoides in consideration of the resemblance of both its
flowers and foliage to Kerrza japonica. It is a native of
Japan, and was introduced into England as early as 1866,
but has been practically unknown in American gardens
until a much later date. The shrub rises ten to fifteen
feet in height, and when grown on a wall has almost as

316 Ornamental Shrubs.

wide a spread. It can be grown in this way, or kept in
due limits as a somewhat straggling bush, as may be
desired. The branches are numerous and quite twiggy,
and are clothed with light green leaves, opposite, oblong-
ovate, pointed, and soft or silky beneath. The flowers
very much resemble large, single roses, and are borne in
profusion at the ends of the branches, continuing in suc-
cession for a long period. Says Garden and Forest -
“There is hardly a day from early June until frost comes
when a well-grown specimen will not give a few sprays
with single flowers at their extremities. The pure white
blossom among the light green leaves is very attractive,
and half a dozen of these sprays will help to add lightness
and grace to a vase of the highly-colored flowers which
usually prevail at this season.” The plant is reasonably
hardy, and can be depended upon both in the North and

South.
PTELEA—Hop Tree.

HE ancients knew the elm by this name, which is
now applied to a mere shrub because of a fancied
resemblance in the fruit. It belongs to an entirely

different order, Ru¢acee, and has little in common with
the majestic elm. It rarely rises to more than eight feet.
The pteleas make up a genus of six species, only one of
which has a place among ornamental shrubs. P. ¢rzfolzata,
known as the hop tree and also as swamp dogwood, is a
much-branched shrub with alternate leaves usually in
threes, pinnate, and with oblong or ovate leaflets. If the
foliage is bruised or crushed it exhales a rather unpleasant
odor. The flowers are greenish-yellow, and have a short

Laburnum. 317

calyx four- or five-parted and somewhat imbricated, with
four or five petals of greater length and also imbricated.
They appear in late May or early June. The variety
known as the golden hop tree, P. ¢. aurea, is the same
in all respects except that its foliage is a bright yellow, a
color which it retains the entire summer, if given a sunny
position. In this respect it is excellent for the shrubbery
or border or as a single specimen on the lawn where a bit
of contrasting color is desired. Planted with the Prunus
pissardia, or mingled with scarlet-leaved shrubs and trees,

the effect is fine.
LABURNUM.

HERE are three species of this genus of the order
Leguminose, each having several varieties which
are attractive and showy. They are small, up-

right, slender-growing trees, and can scarcely be planted
amiss in the border or on the lawn. JL. vulgarzs is popu-
larly known as golden-chain, getting the name from the
shape and color of the blossoms, which are in long pendu-
lous racemes of bright yellow, covered with soft pubes-
cence, and hang among the leaves from April until June.
They are succeeded by pods which continue long on the
tree but are by no means unsightly. The leaves are com-
pound with ovate-lanceolate leaflets, and the stems and
branches are slightly bronzed. Among the desirable
varieties are L. v. aureum, with golden foliage ; L. v. envolu-
tum, with curled leaflets in the form of rings ; L. v. wateriz,
with racemes longer than those of the others and more
deeply colored; and Z. v. parkesit, which has still more
conspicuous blossoms. These grow to a height of twenty

318 Ornamental Shrubs.

feet, as does L. alpznum, which is particularly distinguished
as the Scotch laburnum and also has the name of golden-
chain. It has much the same flower as the vz/garzs, and
is perhaps the hardiest member of the family. The
laburnums are natives of Europe and Asia Minor.

CITRUS—Orange.

HE oranges are among the most interesting flower-
and fruit-bearing shrubs and trees, but their free
cultivation is limited to tropical and semi-tropical

climates. They belong to the order Autacee, and are
found in the genus citrus, and are distinguished for their
beautiful and fragrant blossoms, their attractive foliage,
and the peculiar habit of bearing flowers and fruit at the
same time. Most of the oranges are easily grown, and
they come to maturity as early as do the peach or apricot.
The citrus is thought to be the longest-lived tree in the
world. It is a native of the warm valleys of the Hima-
layas, and of Persia, where specimens of great age are
found, though there are no means of determining the years
which they may have seen.

In the range of the Gulf States the oranges, as also
the lemon, are at home, though not always to be depended
upon in unusually severe winters. Among the varieties
of interest for more general cultivation and for ornamental
use is C. trzfolzata, a native of Japan, which was intro-
duced into English gardens some time since, and has been
thoroughly tested as to its hardiness in that climate. The
London Garden says that in some of the southern coun-
ties specimens have been growing well in the open ground,

Citrus—Orange. 319

and even bearing fruit in apparent perfection. Since its
introduction into the United States it has proved entirely

a

we

e

st
WAN

4

TRIFOLIATE ORANGE.
hardy in the far South, and is now making an encouraging
record farther north. In the Carolinas and Virginia it
appears to thrive, and specimens have been known to have
survived mild winters without unusual protection. As a

320 Ornamental Shrubs.

pot or tub plant it requires no more care or attention than
is given to Hydrangea hortensta and its varieties, to make
its place sure in garden ornamentation. The foliage is
good in form and color, and the creamy-white flowers have
the true rich orange fragrance. The yellow fruit is about

one and a_ half

inches in diameter,
and hangs long on
the bush. C. ¢rz-
joltata bids fair to
be of much service
aside from its orna-
mental character.
The Department
of Agriculture is
testing its merits
as a basis for the
more tender sorts,
and by hybridiz-
ing, crossing, and
budding it is hoped

to secure a new

class of orange

OTAHEITE ORANGE

trees and one bet-

ter fitted than any heretofore known for varying climates.

It is believed that by this means the orange-bearing line
may be materially extended northward.

C. otahezte is a Chinese dwarf orange, and valuable for

ornamental purposes only. It seldom grows more than

three feet high, and is of bushy habit, much branched and

Citrus—Orange. 3a

somewhat tortuously. It is a free bloomer and fruit
bearer, and begins to bloom when not more than a foot
high, and like a true orange bears flowers and green and
ripe fruit at the same time. It is grown in the open in
the South, but in the North must be treated as a house-
plant. The flowers are, when well opened, fully an inch

FLOWERING BRANCH OF ORANGE.

across, and have creamy-white petals about a group of
many erect stamens. They are deliciously fragrant. The
fruit is small and of inferior quality, but it is edible and
fully as good as some of the foreign oranges that are
brought to our markets. It is seedless, well-colored, and re-
mains long on the pert little tree whether in-doors or out,
and with the fresh blossoms and the glossy leaves makes a
beautiful plant. The ofahezte endures the heat and gas of

322 Ornamental Shrubs.

living-rooms well, and if kept moist and clean seldom fails —
to gratify the grower with a crop of miniature fruit. In
the open it thrives in ordinarily good soil, but does better
in partial shade than if exposed to the full power of the

sun.
HALESIA—Snowdrop Tree.

HE halesias are coming to be recognized as among
our best ornamental shrubs, and with reason.
They belong to the order Styvacaceez, and, though
the genus contains not more than six or eight species,
they are widely distributed as to nativity over Europe,
Asia, and America. There are three indigenous to the
United States, one to China, and two or more to Japan. -
Wherever known they are highly appreciated among the
plants of the class to which they belong. They are
among the very floriferous shrubs, the pure white blos-
soms enveloping the whole plant and making it a con-
spicuous object. The leaves are medium in size, ovate-
oblong, sharply pointed, and slightly dentate. They are
borne on slender petioles. While the halesias are not
overparticular as to soils and situations, they appear to
enjoy shady positions and to have a preference for moist,
sandy soils.

HT. tetraptera is known as the four-winged snowdrop
or silver-bell, and has its pure white flowers in fascicles
containing nine or ten bell-shaped blossoms each. These
come forth in early spring as soon as the foliage appears,
and are borne on pedicels from the axils of the growth of
the previous year. They are followed by a four-winged
fruit. As the branches of the shrub are long and slender

“33YUL dOYGMONS—VISS1VH Ezé

324 Ornamental Shrubs.

and very numerous, the well-rounded head shows to the
best advantage. The plant is a native of this country.
It grows to a height of some twenty feet.

FHT, diptera is also of American origin, but grows only
ten feet high. It has even larger blossoms and leaves
than the ¢e¢raptera, and many prefer it for garden plant-
ing as it is known to be equally hardy. 7. hzspzda is a
native of Japan, and has flowers in more corymbose ra-
cemes than has either of the preceding. The fruit is
covered with stiff hairs. It is not yet much grown in this
country, and has no especial merits over our own halesias.
None of the halesias can be depended upon to withstand
the winters of the extreme North unless well protected.

eK

MISCELLANEOUS.

N portraying the characteristics of ornamental shrubs,
it has become evident that reference might well be
made to some of the smaller members of not a few

genera among the large trees, not belonging to the class
described. This has already been done to some extent,
but there are yet others of the lower forms in use in
horticulture with especial features that should be men-
tioned in order to more full and complete information
concerning general gardening. This chapter is accord-
ingly added as a further help to readers of this volume.

What are known as the Japanese maples have been

described in detail, but there are several other small forms
of almost or quite equal value in garden planting, which
we here proceed to characterize: Acer campestre, the
English or cork-bark maple, a native of central Europe,
grows to a height of from fifteen to twenty feet, and is
of stocky, roundish habit and handsome foliage. The bark
is, as suggested by the popular name, thick, rough, and
somewhat corky. A. colchicum rubrum, the red colchicum
maple, is from Japan, ten to fifteen feet high, of good
form, with bright crimson-colored foliage when first
grown, and is a rare and beautiful variety, but not en-
tirely hardy in New England. <A. weerd laceniatum,
325

326 Ornamental Shrubs.

Wier’s cut-leaf maple, is one of the most useful of the
family, as it is a rapid and graceful grower, forming beauti-
ful specimens in a short time. It has pendulous branches,
with deeply cut foliage, and as it becomes quite large is
coming to be planted asa street tree. The ash-leaved
maple, or box-elder, also has the advantage of being a
rapid grower, and has light green, yellowish bark. There
are two varieties of this species, one of which has its folli-
age marked with yellow, and the other with white. The
yellow form is esteemed the more hardy. A. Pennsyl-
vanicum, or the striped-bark maple, is a native tree, with
broad and effective foliage, and well worthy of planting in
all ordinary collections. A. schwedlerzz is distinguished
by its bright crimson foliage in the early part of the sea-
son, later taking on a purplish green. In autumn it again
becomes crimson, and contrasts finely with other foliage
when planted in groups. <A. worlezz is a golden-leaved
sycamore maple, the foliage being bright yellow in spring
and changing to a duller shade as the season advances. It
is one of the most effective of the whole group for garden
planting. A. ¢artarzcum, or Tartarian maple, is of a more
shrubby growth, and of irregular, rounded form. The leaves
are rather light-colored, and the bark smooth. A. gexnala
is described as a miniature maple from Siberia, with
deeply notched leaves which take on most gorgeous colors
in autumn—orange, crimson, and dark purple or black.
In speaking of the Acer rubrum, Mr. Samuel Parsons,
Jr, in his work on Landscape Gardening, says: ‘‘ The
most brilliant effects are reached in the red or crimson
tints. Scarlet is a color almost unknown to the normal

“AIdVA NVIEV LUV Lee

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328 Ornamental Shrubs.

foliage of hardy plants. The most familiar example of
this rich chord of color is found in the autumn tints of the
swamp, or falsely named scarlet, maple, Acer rubrum.

The scarlet or red maple is the richest in autum-
nal color of all maples; I was about to say of all trees.
It seldom fails during any autumn to change more or less
splendidly; and therefore deserves to stand out a single
flaming monument in the van of all autumnal color. There
is something quite indescribable in the glow and intensity
of tint often displayed by this maple. Is it ignorance or
the want of seeing eyes that causes its lack of employ-
ment on the lawn? It is true the scarlet maple is slower
growing than the sugar-maple, of less regular and pleas-
ing outline, and certainly less beautiful and satisfactory at
other seasons of the year. But in fall it

simply reigns supreme.”

As is well known, the catalpas flower
in midsummer, and are as handsome as
the horse-chestnut, the blossoms some-
what resembling those of that
well-known species. One of
the best forms of the smaller
kinds is C. dungez,
which comes from
China, and grows
only from three to
five feet in height.
Its foliage is large and glossy.
It fails to be a first-class

CATALPA BIGNONIOIDES. bloomer, but should not be

Miscellaneous. 329

overlooked. C. dzgnondocdes is a native of the United
States, and is a showy, spreading, and irregular tree with
heart-shaped leaves and pyramidal clusters nearly or quite
a foot in length, and with white or purple fragrant blos-
soms. The golden catalpa is a variety of this species,
differing from it chiefly in having leaves yellow in spring
and early summer, afterwards becoming green. C. kemf-
ert comes from Japan, produces yellowish-white flowers in
June, and has smaller and somewhat distinct foliage. What
is known as Teas’s Japan hybrid is a low form with a
spreading habit, having flowers with purple dots. The
blossoms are fragrant and exceedingly abundant, and have
the advantage of continuing for several weeks.

The beeches furnish also some peculiar and interest-
ing forms. Among these is the well-known purple-leaved
beech, which is probably the finest dark-leaved tree in
cultivation. It grows large, is of symmetrical form, and,
though quite out of the range of shrub life, is highly de-
sirable on tree- and shrub-planted lawns. There is also a
pendulous variety, established by grafting, with the same
dark foliage and trailing branches. There are various
forms of cut-leaf and fern-leaf beeches which must not
be overlooked, though eventually they become too
large to be classed with shrubs. What is known as the
fern-leaf beech, Fagus heterophylla, is especially beautiful.
It is believed that the first specimen brought into the
country is still living, and stands in front of Redwood Li-
brary, on Bellevue Avenue, in Newport, where it is looked
upon almost with veneration by the people of that city
and those who make it their temporary home in summer.

330 Ornamental Shrubs.

It is a tree of compact and elegant habit, with its foliage
finely cut and fern-like, and in spring is certainly one of
the most charming specimens in field or garden. Every
one in that city of villas makes it a point to secure one or
more of these trees within his grounds. There are many

other cut-leaved forms, but none so beautiful and delicate as

CUT-LEAVED BEECH.

this. The variety known as the weeping beech is too
familiar to need description, but it must not be over-
looked in making selections. /. ¢rzcolor is a variety,
probably, of the purple beech, with a distinct border of
rose color; but it is scarcely in general use, and probably
for the reason that the variegation will not continue un-
der the hot suns of summer. If planted at all, it should

be in situations protected during the middle of the day.

Miscellaneous. 221

Salisburra adiantifolia is a remarkable tree, which was
introduced some years since from Japan, growing at its
maturity to a height of about forty feet. It is usually of
slender form, and so suited to positions that are limited
where a tree of that height is desired. It is known as the
maidenhair tree, or gingko, having foliage resembling in
form that of the adiantum fern, which is thick and glossy.
In the cities of Europe it is becoming a favorite street
tree, and is always handsome.

Cladrastes tinctorza, formerly known as Vzrgzlza lutea,
or yellow wood, is in all respects a most desirable tree of
moderate growth, broadly rounded head, and compound
foliage, of light green color, turning to yellow in autumn.
The flowers are pea-shape; white, and fragrant, appearing
in June in great profusion. It is not supposed to be sufh-
ciently hardy for the colder portions of New England and
the Northwest, but in southern Rhode Island and Con-
necticut it is found to withstand the climate in severest
winters. More attention should be given to this beautiful
tree than it has had in the past.

Of the birches there are also several interesting forms
which cannot well be overlooked in garden planting.
Betula alba is the well-known European white weeping
birch, of rapid growth, with the bark of its stem and
branches of a color most effective in winter, and a plant
worthy of general attention. . alba aurea is, perhaps, a
more striking novelty. Its characteristics distinguishing
it from the former are that the leaves in summer are of
constant yellow, and associated with the purple and white
form it becomes of great value. It is not much known

332 Ornamental Shrubs.

as yet in cultivation. 2B. pendula lacrniata is the well-
known weeping birch so largely in cultivation. It grows
in slender form, having finely cut foliage on drooping
branches. It is one of the best of the silvery-white forms

for planting upon lawns, and should not be overlooked.

ey mit Ml

ue 4
; ail V of
ia i 105
i aN ite) % Gey PO MUG Say ae, WD

WEEPING BIRCH.

B. atro purpurea is a variety possessing the habit of the
other birches, and distinguished from them by having
purple foliage which is especially attractive in contrast

with the white bark of the stems and branches. &. zana

Miscellaneous. 333

is, perhaps, the smallest member of the family known in
cultivation. It is a bushy, shrubby tree, attaining about
ten feet in height, and in every way attractive.

Many of the willows are also midway between trees
and shrubs, and as such are of the utmost value in garden
planting. They are especially to be recommended for

winter effects. Salix v2tel/ina is a small, shrubby form

ia "

Wh ANA

WEEPING WILLOW.

having yellow bark, especially in winter, when showy
effects are so much desired. There are other forms known
as golden willows perhaps equally good, but nonc better
than this. .S. pextandra, or laurtfolia, is one of the hand-
somest trees to be seen in any collection. The leaves are
dark glossy green, and highly ornamental. It is also ex-

cellent for seashore planting, and withstands winds and

334 Ornamental Shrubs.

cold much better than most plants. It can be grown in
shrubby form if desired. .S. regalzs is worthy of large use
for the contrasts furnished by its light or silvery foliage
with other plants, and S. rosmarznzfolza, or rosemary wil-
low, has long, narrow, silky foliage, and is capable of
being grown in a globular head by means of grafting.

Abelia, 92

Acacia, 44

Acer, 48, 326
4Esculus, 306

Ague Tree, 174
Alder, 236

Almond, flowering, 257
Alnus, 236

Althea, 302
Amelanchier, 176
Amorpha, 201
Andromeda, 225
Angelica Tree, 209
Apple, flowering, 104
Aralia, 299
Arrow-wood, 185
Azalea, 24

Baccharis, 224
Barberry, 110
Beach Plum, 261
Bechtel’s Crab, 109
Beech, 329
Berberis, 110
Birch, 331

Black Alder, 143
Black Haw, 189
Black Wattle, 45
Box, 189
Box-elder, 326
Buckeye, 307
Buckthorn, 70

[IN DEX.

Buffalo Berry, 56
Burning Bush, 206
Bush Honeysuckle, 242
Buxus, 189

Calico Bush, 1
Calluna, 67
Calophaca, 294
Calycanthus, 12
Camellia, 272

Cape Jessamine, 119
Caragana, 264
Cassandra, 231
Catalpa, 328

Cercis, 288

Chaste Tree, 275
Cherry, flowering, 247
Chinese Crab, 107
Chinese Lilac, 217
Chionanthus, 239
Citrus, 318
Cladrastris, 331
Clethra, 9

Colutea, 72

Cornel, 276

Cornelian Cherry, 284
Cornus, 276
Corylopsis, 291
Corylus, 171

Crab, 104

Crape Myrtle, 174
Crateegus, 74
Currant, flowering, 155
Cydonia Japonica, 102

335

336 Index.

D Hazel-nut Tree, 171
Daphne, 178 Heath, 67
Desfontainea, 35 Hedysarum, 309
Desmodium, 210 Hercules Club, 299
Deutzia, 4 Hibiscus, 302
Diervilla, 150 High-bush Cranberry, 183
Dirca, 35 Hobble Bush, 182
Dogwood, 276 Holly, 136
Dwarf Horse-chestnut, 306 Hop Hornbeam, 209

Hop Tree, 316
E Horse-chestnut, 306

Horse Sugar, 145

Eleeagnus, 266 Hydrangea, 36

Elder, 15 Hypericum, 60
Erica, 67
Euonymus, 205 I
Exochorda, 14 Tice a0
F Tronwood, 209
Itea, 274

False Indigo, 201
Fatsia, 302 J
Fern-leaf Beech, 329
Forsythia, 23 Japan Quince, 102
Fragrant Sumach, 195 Jew’s Mallow, 312
Fringe Tree, 239 Judas Tree, 288

June Berry, 177

Japanese Maples, 48

G
K
Gardenia, 119 .
Garland Flower, 180 Kalmia, I
Ghent Azaleas, 28 Kerria, 312
Gingko, 331 Keelreuteria, 192
Globe Flower, 312 7

Golden Catalpa, 329
Golden Chain, 318 Laburnum, 317
Golden Hop Tree, 317 Lagerstroemia, 174
Golden Willow, 333 Lead Plant, 202
Gordonia, 287 Leatherwood, 35
Great Laurel, 168 Leucothoé, 233
Groundsel Tree, 224 Ligustrum, 57

Guelder Rose, 185 Lilac, 211
Loblolly Bay, 288

H | Lonicera, 242
Halesia, 322 M
Halimifolia, 224
Hamamelis, 292 Macrostachya, 306
Hardhack, 123 Magnolia, 81

Hawthorn, 74 Maidenhair Tree, 331

Mallow, 302
Maple, 48, 326
Meadow Sweet, 122
Mock Orange, 294
Morus, 99
Mountain Laurel, 1
Mulberry, 99
Myrica, 2I

N

Naked Viburnum, 184
Ninebark, 121

O

Oleo Fragrans, 204
Orange, 318
Osmanthus, 202
Ostrya, 209

Pagoda Tree, 313
Paulownia, 18

Pavia, 306

Peach, flowering, 259
Pearl Bush, 14
Persian Lilac, 216
Philadelphus, 294
Phillyrea, 66

Pieris, 227

Pinxter, 28

Plum, flowering, 261
Prim, 57

Prinos, 143

Privet, 57

Prunus, 247

Ptelea, 316
Purple-leaved Beech, 329
Pyrus Japonica, 102
Pyrus Malus, 104

Red Bud, 288

Red Osier, 282
Rhamnus, 70
Rhododendron, 161

Index. 337

Rhodotypos, 315
Rhus, 194

Ribes, 155

Rosa Rugosa, 95

Rose Acacia, 46
Rosemary Willow, 334
Rose of Sharon, 303
Rowan Tree, 182

Salisburia, 331
Sambucus, 15
Sassafras, 172

Scarlet Maple, 328
Scotch Laburnum, 318
Service Berry, 177
Shad erry, 177
Sheep Berry, 183
Shepherdia, 56
Siberian Crab, 108
Siberian Pea Tree, 264
Silver Bell, 322
Smoke Tree, 198
Snowball, 184
Snowdrop Tree, 322
Sophora, 313

Spindle Tree, 206
Spireea, 120

Spurge Laurel, 181
Stagger Bush, 228
Staghorn Sumach, 195
Steeple Bush, 123
Stephandra Flexuosa, 71
St. John’s-wort, 60

St. Peter’s-wort, 126
Strawberry Tree, 205
Stuartia, 157

Styrax, 146

Sumach, 194

Swamp Dogwood,-316
Swamp Honeysuckle, 28
Swamp Rose, 303
Sweet Fern, 24

Sweet Leaf, 145
Sweet Pepper-bush, 9
Sweet Viburnum, 183
Symplocus, 144

338

Syringa, 211
Syringa (Philadelphus), 294

T

Tamarix, 310
Tartarian Maple, 326
Thorn, 74

Tree Box, 190

Vv

Venetian Sumach, 198
Viburnum, 181
Virgilia, 331

Vitex, 275

Waahoo, 206

Wax Myrtle, 22
Wayfaring Tree, 182
Weeping Beech, 330

Index.

Weeping Birch, 332
Weeping Sophora, 315
Weigela, 150

Weir’s Cut-leaf Maple, 326
White Weeping Birch, 331
Wig Tree, 198

Wild Rosemary, 226
Willow, 333

Winterberry, 143

Witch Hazel, 292

Wythe Rod, 184

Xanothoceras, 134

Y

Yellow Wood, 331

Zenobia, 232

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