128 HOW TO PLAN THE HOME GROUNDS 



close-set, but decidedly picturesque in their disposition, 

 and while the kalmia equals the rhododendron in its abil- 

 ity to transplant in the spring without apparent check 

 or injury, it should not be planted, any more than the 

 rhododendron, later than August, on account of the bad 

 effect of many winters on most all evergreen shrubs, 

 and especially on those that have been planted too late 

 for a good set of new roots to establish themselves dur- 

 ing the autumn. 



Among the many beautiful shrubs which come from the 

 mountain ranges of Tennessee, Georgia, and North Caro- 

 lina, there are few finer than the andromedas, notably A. 

 floribunda and A. catesbii. The first is notable for the 

 abundant white flowers it bears among the comparatively 

 dwarf masses of dark-green, handsome leaves, and the 

 second for the beauty of its large, shining green 

 foliage, that is hardly surpassed by that of any other 

 species of evergreen shrubs. 



Every one is familiar with the light, pleasing green, 

 close-set foliage of the tree box, and its contours are 

 often fine, but we fancy its very familiarity in these days, 

 when romantic association with childhood gardens and 

 old colonial yards has again come into fashion, has lent 

 it a slightly factitious value. It may be readily allowed 

 that it is a picturesque shrub, easily transplanted, and 

 valuable on account of its association, but when we come 

 to compare it with the Japanese holly, ilex crenata, both 

 for hardiness and variety and richness of charm, we 

 will find it somewhat wanting. 



