178 



HARDY SHRUBS. 



The evergreens constitute the largest and most important division ; and we, 

 therefore, give them precedence. 



Andromeda. — This genus includes a considerable number of highly interesting 

 species, all of them remarkable for their neat habit, and pretty white or pink 

 flowers. "Where there is room for only one species, none is more desirable than the 

 A. floribunda, which, whether grown as a single specimen on a lawn, or in a group 

 with other Americans, forms an extremely beautiful object when in flower. The 

 blossoms are pure white, appearing in early spring ' before the swallow dares.' 

 Acuminata is another beautiful species also with white flowers. Those of polifolia 

 and its varieties, are pink ; this species is of dwarfer growth than the preceding, and 

 is very suitable for the front of the shrubbery or the edge of the peat bed. They 

 succeed best in heath mould, and will do well in partially shaded places; in 

 very dry soils, such situations should be chosen for them, as they suffer from 

 drought. 



Arbutus. (Strawberry Tree.) — This justly popular genus needs no eulogium 

 from us, all the species being among the most beautiful of our hardy evergreens. 

 Perhaps the species ordinarily met with in gardens, A. unedo, is as handsome as 

 any ; but the whole of them are very desirable. For the sake of contrast, the very 

 handsome variety, Croomii, which has large red flowers, should be grown in 

 company with it. Croomii must not be confounded with rubra, which, although of 

 the same colour, has smaller flowers and leaves. The A. magnified, noticed in a 

 previous page, is remarkable for flowering freely whilst small, a characteristic 

 which — in conjunction with its fine foliage, so distinct in form, from that of unedo 

 and its varieties — will, doubtless, make it a favorite. This species, or rather 

 hybrid, blooms in the early spring months, about the same time as the Andromeda 

 Jloribunda. 



Aucubajaponica. (Spotted Bay.) — But for its somewhat slow growth, this well- 

 known shrub might be classed as one of the most valuable of evergreens ; and, 

 notwithstanding this drawback, its large mottled foliage, contrasting so well with 

 that of other shrubs, makes it very desirable. It has an advantage over some other 

 evergreens, in its greater capability of bearing the air of towns ; and it will also 

 succeed very well in shady places, but not where there is stagnant moisture. 



Berberis. — The whole of the evergreen section of this genus, especially those with 

 pinnated leaves, formerly termed ITahonias, are amongst the most useful, and 

 generally available of hardy shrubs. No garden should be without the B. aquifolia, 

 which, notwithstanding the many species introduced during the last few years, 

 remains without a rival, at least, among those species at present attainable by 

 amateurs of moderate means. For a notice of the remarkable B.japonica, and some 

 others, the reader is referred to page 102. 



Cistus. — The beautiful, but fugacious blossoms of the Gum Cistus, C. ladan iferus, 



