FLOWERING SHRUBS. I 57 



cut them back some nearly every year; still, I would not give 

 them up. If you will take up the new shoots that come from the 

 roots and reset, they will soon come on and bloom nicely and 

 seem more lovely and vigorous than old bushes. I think it is 

 well to renew them in that way quite often. 



Every one, no matter how small the place, should have one 

 specimen at least of Spirea Van Houtii. When in bloom I 

 think it is the prettiest shrub I know, and its appearance is 

 pleasing and graceful at all times. If I could have but one 

 shrub I think it would be that. It is the only variety of Spirea 

 I shall have on my place after next spring, with perhaps one 

 exception, which if it proves hardy this winter I will keep. I 

 don't know the name of the variety as it came to me by chance. 

 All other varieties of Spirea I shall dig up and fill the space 

 with something I like better. 



I have tried several varieties of the Deutzias, but they have 

 not proved hardy without protection, and that being so difficult 

 to give after they attain blooming size I have discarded them. 

 Weigelias are handsome flowering shrubs in shades of pink and 

 red, also white. They bloom in the greatest profusion in June, 

 and my pink one gives quite a little bloom throughout the sea- 

 son. My experience is that they must be planted in a sheltered 

 place or given some protection, although it is claimed that they 

 are perfectly hardy. They grow very rapidly at our place and 

 late in the season, and the wood does not seem to ripen — the 

 same was true of the Deutzias. In some situations they might 

 make' a slower growth and " be hardier. Anyway they are well 

 worth a little extra care and trouble. 



The Sweet Pea shrub is a shrub for every one, and although 

 not generally grown I am sure it would be if its merits were 

 known. In May and June it is completely smothered in bloom. 

 It blooms in large clusters or pannicles, each individual flower 

 like a large Sweet Pea, of a lilac pink or crimson color. The 

 foliage is very handsome, something like a Locust, to which fam- 

 ily I think it must belong. After the first blooming period it 

 blooms again, but not as profusely. It grows to be quite a large 

 shrub, but blooms when quite small. It has one fault : it sends up 

 shoots from the roots, sometimes many feet from the parent 

 plant, so if you do not cut them down they will soon occupy the 

 whole space. A clip of the hoe or the lawn mower will soon put 

 an end to their ambitious scheme for expansion. I think they 

 will grow in any situation without protection excepting against 

 rabbits. 



