THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 225 



CHOICE FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS. 



BY ALESAKDER M'KENZIE, 

 Landscape Gardener, Alexandra Palace, Mnswell Hill, N. 

 ( With Coloured Illustration of Weigela Middendorffiana purpurata.) 



fNGLISH gardens are, as a rule, sadly deficient in trees 

 and shrubs whicb, in the course of the season, produce 

 a profusion of flowers, and when in bloom have such a 

 bright and beautiful appearance as to add very mate- 

 rially to the general effect. In planting pleasure- 

 grounds and parks, an undue preference is given to trees and shrubs 

 that are common and do not produce a flower worth seeini^, and this 

 in a large measure may be attributed to the fact that but few people, 

 comparatively speaking, are well acquainted with the choicer kiuds of 

 ornamental trees and shrubs. Even many of our best gardeners are, 

 not so well versed in the matter as one would expect ; but this need 

 not cause any surprise, or be taken as in any way reflecting upon 

 their abilities. To become thoroughly acquainted with the flnest of 

 our trees and shrubs, especially those remarkable for the beauty of 

 their flowers, it is needful that one should be constantly on the wing, 

 and pay frequent visits to the best nurseries, botanic gardens, and 

 private parks and pleasure-grounds that have been planted out under 

 the superintendence of a first-class landscape gardener ; and need it 

 be said, gardeners who pay strict attention to their duties, have but 

 few opportunities for going far away from borne. Eor many years 

 past I have paid rather more than ordinary attention to the class of 

 trees and shrubs under consideration, and in laying out public parks 

 and private gardens that have been entrusted to me, 1 have been 

 careful to include a fair proportion, and the results are most satis- 

 factory. It is not, of course, desirable that they should be planted 

 out of proportion, or to the exclusion of other good things, such as 

 the choicer evergreens and conifera? ; but there are but few gardens 

 in which a very considerable number indeed may not be planted with 

 advantage. 



Previous to pointing out a few of the best, and indicating the 

 situations for which tbey are best adapted, I would say that I have 

 f)urposely avoided all reference to roses, rhododendrons, kalmias, 

 and other classes of shrubs that are peculiar in their requirements. 

 These should, of course, have a place in all good gardens ; but my 

 object in writing this is to indicate a few meritorious subjects that 

 are but little known amongst the great body of amateur cultivators, 

 and not to those things with which every one is acquainted, and that 

 are justly appreciated. 



I will speak, ilrdt of all, of the trees which merit attention, and 

 should be ^rown everywhere. First we have yEiculwi rubicunda 

 H-pL, the double-flowered scarlet Chestnut ; and as it does not produce 

 nuts, and thrives in smoky districts, it is especially adapted for the 

 neighbourhood of towns. 



Aaj,'ust. ^^ 



