CHAPTER V 

 FLOWERING SHRUBS IN POTS 



Hard-wooded plants which are grown in pots for their 

 foUage will be found elsewhere. The present chapter is 

 concerned with those that are grown for the beauty of their 

 flowers in spring or summer. Those that flower in winter 

 are grouped in another chapter. There is necessarily some 

 overlapping, but where there is any doubt it can easily be 

 settled by a reference to the Index. 



Flowering shrubs differ widely in their characters, but for 

 all, firm potting is necessary. Loose soil not only is liable to 

 hold an excessive amount of moisture, but also induces soft, 

 sappy, long-jointed growth, a condition unfavourable to the 

 production of flowers. As previously mentioned, too, richness 

 of soil should be avoided, for it tends to cause excessive 

 growth, and thus to delay or even to prevent flowering. If 

 additional food is needed, it should not be given to plants of 

 this class until the buds have been formed, and then it 

 should be moderate in quantity. In order that it should not 

 interfere with the ripening of the wood, it should be stopped 

 some weeks before the usual season for the cessation of 

 growth. At this season fresh air and sunshine are more than 

 ever important. 



The best time to prune shrubs is after the flowers wither, 

 and before the new growth commences. Those that flower 

 in spring form their buds at the end of the previous summer, 

 and if they are not pruned until autumn, many of the flowers 

 will be cut off. On the other hand, those that flower in 

 summer should be pruned in autumn and not in spring. If 

 it is done after they have begun to grow it will delay, if not 



