336 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
columnar and round-headed evergreens are arranged alternately 
about ten feet apart, eighteen inches from the side of the drive. 
For forecourts of lesser extent than those to which attention 
has been directed, evergreens are of even greater value, and in every 
case the small circles of turf studded with rose-trees may be well 
replaced with a bold mass of shrubs, enclosed with a broad band of 
ivy. By this arrangement all the labour and expense incidental to 
the keeping of the grass in proper order is made an end of, and an 
important step taken towards making the forecourt immensely 
attractive throughout the year. 
There is no lack of good things suitable for the embellishment of 
the forecourt and the lawn of a villa residence ; indeed, in glancing 
through a trade catalogue one is struck by the large number in every 
way suitable for the purpose, and moreover procurable at a reason- 
able rate. Amongst the green-leaved shrubs we have first of all the 
female-and male forms of Aucuba japonica viridis. Both are 
remarkably good, and specially adapted for town gardens, and if 
they are planted within a short distance of each other, the female 
form will annually become loaded with its large deep scarlet berries. 
Several Berberis are exceedingly effective, notably B. aquifolium, 
cheap and common, but most useful for planting in the front lines. 
B. Darwini and B. dulcis are very bright and elegant in appearance, 
of free growth, and during the early part of the summer produce 
a profusion of bright yellow flowers. The tree-box is rather 
too dull, but neat pyramidal examples are useful for front lines. 
The new broad-leaved variety, known as Busxus sempervirens 
latifolia nova, is the most desirable. Cotoneaster simmonsi is not, 
strictly speaking, evergreen; but it retains its leaves during the 
greater part of the winter, and bears a profusion of redberries, which 
change to a bright red colour in October ; and as the birds are not 
particularly partial to them, they usually remain on the plants 
throughout the winter. It is of slender, upright growth, and well 
suited for second or third rows in borders and for centres of beds. 
Crategus pyracantha, known far and wide for the rich colour of 
its berries, which are produced freely in large clusters, is well suited 
for beds and borders when grown in the form of standards. Hwony- 
nus japonicus succeeds admirably in towns, and for that reason 
deserves mention ; but it is not good enough for general planting. 
Several hollies can be recommended, amongst them the yellow- 
berried variety, [. aquifolium fructo-luteo, is very attractive during 
the winter. Of laurels, the Caucasian, the Colchican, and the 
Round-leaved are the best; and as they have bolder leafage than 
any of the other subjects available, they are useful for the sake of 
contrast, especially for planting towards the back of the borders. 
The Portugal laurel is also useful for front lines. Rhododendron 
ponticum is also deserving of notice, for it does well in suburban 
districts, and throughout the year it is equal in appearance to the 
majority of evergreens; and when in bloom it quite surpasses them. 
This rhododendron does not require peat, but the soil must not be 
close and heavy. 
Of the variegated shrubs, the most useful are the variegated 
and spotted-leaved forms of Aucuba japonica, the Silver-striped and 
