For March, 1923 



67 



Some Good American Shrubs 



H. E. DOWNER 



IN various ways considerable attention is beiny directed 

 towards a better appreciation of native plants, both in 

 their native haunts and also with reference to the 

 suitability of many of them for garden planting^. A long 

 list could be prepared of the trees, shrubs, and herbs of 

 our roadsides, fields and woods, from which the materials 

 for very pleasing compositions could be selected. These 

 notes, however, are written for the purpose of bringing 

 to notice some of the native shrubs of outstanding value, 

 at the commencement of another planting season. Some 

 landscape designers have made good use of them in large 

 plantings, but most of those who sell and plant shrubs 

 seem to be better acquainted with some of the more showy 

 of the exotics and garden varieties. True enough, we 

 do not wish to be deprived of the plants from foreign 

 parts, as witness the furore caused by Quarantine No. 37. 

 We can find room for all that are desirable. But the real 

 art of planting is in the proper placement of plants which 

 fit the surroundings, and this is something not always 

 achieved, even though the choicest material may liave 

 been used. From the following indigenous species a 

 selection can be made suitable for planting in practically 

 any situation. 



Rhus canadensis, a fragrant Sumach. This is a very 

 distinct looking sumach, being a dwarf spreading bush, 

 so that it fits nicely in the front of a large planting and is 

 first class to use on a rough bank. From tiny, gray, 

 catkin-like spikes developed in the Autumn, greenish 

 yellow flowers open with the leaves of Spring, followed 

 a few weeks later by attractive red fruit. The leaves are 

 tri-foliate and contribute red and yellow shades in the 

 display of Autumn color. 



Dirca palustris or Leatherwood. A small shrub of 

 shapely habit, taking on a compact rounded form when 

 grown in the open, very attractive in the first days of 

 Spring when the small yellow flowers of tubular form 

 open in advance of the leaves. The branches are pliant 

 but almost as tough as hempen rope. 



Xanthorrhiza apiifolia or Yellow Root. Here we have 

 a very fine shrub for under planting or to use as an 

 "edger" for planting of larger shnibs. Although it is 

 found along the shady banks of streams, it thrives in 

 quite dry soil, but does grow best in partial shade. In 

 height it does not appear to exceed three feet, and its 

 habit of suckering freely is a good one. It flowers 

 profusely but unobtrusively, the slender racemes of small, 

 star-shaped, chocolate colored flowers preceding the de- 

 velopment of the celery-like leaves, which take on a glow 

 of gold in the Autumn. 



Benzoin sestivale or Spice Bush. A clean-growing large 

 bush, fine for a background and doing well in moist 

 wooded places. The branches are thickly studded witli 

 clusters of tinv vellow flowers, without petals and almost 

 stemless but making a cheery glow that is most welcome 

 in the days when Spring and Winter seem to be contend- 

 ing for mastery. The foliage is good all through the 

 season and finishes up a bright yellow. The fruit is bright 

 scarlet, much loved by the birds. 



Hypericum prolificum. A shrubby St. John's Wort, 

 which under cultivation makes a dense bush about five 

 feet high. In flowering, it is all that the specific name 

 implies. The flowers, having bright yellow petals and a 

 mass of yellow stamens make a great showing in mid- 

 Summer, when there are few rivals to attract attention 

 in the shrubbery. It is quite happy in light soil. 



H. aureuni. This species is not as tall as the former, 

 is of very good haliit and has larger flowers. A fine 

 shrub for Summer blooming. Although a native of the 

 South, I have seen it thriving very well in Massachusetts. 



Clethra alnifolia or Sweet Pepper Bush. A valuable 

 shrub, generally found inhabiting swampy ground but 

 will grow very well in good garden soil and will stand 

 shade. The fragrant white flower spikes are produced 

 in August, when blooming shrubs are rare. 



Baccharis halimifolia or Groundsel Shrub. This is a 

 plant with the unusual distinction of being a shrubby 

 member of the great composite family. It is found along 

 the eastern coast and is therefore well adapted for plant- 

 ing in seaside gardens. I have seen it gi-owing well in 

 good garden soil, but how it would thrive in dry sandy 

 soil I do not know. The flowers are inconspicuous and 

 are staminate or pistillate borne on separate plants. The 

 abundant white silky pappus of the female plant presents 

 the appearance of a shrub in full bloom in late September 

 and October. It responds well to the same pruning 

 treatment as given the Japanese Hydrangeas. 



Euonymus americanus or Strawberry Bush. This is a 

 shrub of slender habit, most effective when several plants 

 are grouped, and in a mi.xed border the bright green 

 stems show to advantage. Its glory lies in the display of 

 fruit, and when the worty capsules of rosy red burst open 

 and show the bright scarlet seeds the effect is gorgeous. 



Rubus odoratus or Purple Flowering Raspberry. A 

 vigorous, upright grower, increasing from the roots to 

 form a spreading clump, a good plant to fill a shady 

 corner. The leaves are unusually large for a Rubus and 

 the flowers, nearly two inches across, are produced almost 

 all Summer. The fruit is palatable though not to be 

 compared with cultivated raspberries. 



Sambucus canadensis or Common Elder. If this 

 roadside shrub could be regarded as a rare exotic, it would 

 undoubtedly be in good demand for garden planting. A 

 good mass planting is most effective in June, when the 

 large flat clusters of white flowers are open. The result- 

 ing display of purple berries seldom lasts long, as those 

 that are missed by the gatherers for wine-making are 

 swallowed by the birds. 



Ilex verticillata or Black Alder. A deciduous holly 

 whose berried branches used in Christmas decoration are 

 familiar to more people than the growing plant. Found 

 chiefly in swampy places, it does not insist on a wet soil 

 in order to thrive. Individual plants do not make heavy 

 specimens so that a planting is more effective when several 

 plants are grouped. 



Aronia axbutifolia or Red Choke-berry. A good orna- 

 mental shrub for a mixed planting, and in need of good 

 soil, with plenty of moisture to be at its best. The habit 

 of growth is bushy, the flowers are white, in clusters like 

 its "relative the Hawthorn, and followed by bright red 

 berries. 



Cephalanthus occidentalis or Button-ball Shrub. An- 

 other swamp inhabitant that well deserves a place nearer 

 the habitations of men. When well suited, it makes a big 

 spreading bush eight or ten feet high, and as far across. 

 It is very attractive in July, when the white globular 

 flower heads, each composed' of a great number of small 

 tubular, fragrant florets, are at their best. 



A^accinium corymbosum or High-bush Blueberry. In 

 moist soil, this well-known berry producer is a very satis- 

 factory shrub to cultivate, not so much for the edible 



