Embellishments 135 



small round, oval, or square beds in the flower-garden 

 where the remainder of the plants composing the bed are 

 of dwarfish growth, so as not to hide the stem and head of 

 the tree-roses. 



There are, unfortunately, but few evergreen shrubs that 

 will endure the protracted cold of the winters of the northern 

 states. The fine hollies, Portugal laurels, laurustinuses, etc., 

 which are the glory of English gardens in autumn and winter, 

 are not hardy enough to endure the depressed temperature 

 of ten degrees below zero. South of Philadelphia, these 

 beautiful exotic evergreens may be acclimated with good 

 success, and will add greatly to the interest of the shrub- 

 bery and grounds in winter. 



Beside the balsam firs and the spruce firs, the arbor 

 vitse, and other evergreen trees, the following hardy species 

 of evergreen shrubs may be introduced with advantage in 

 the pleasure ground groups, viz: - 



Rhododendron maximum, the American rose bay or big Laurel; white 



and pink, several varieties (in shaded places). 

 Kalmia latifolia, the common Laurel; several colors. 

 Juniperus comrnunis suecia, the Swedish Juniper. 

 Juniperus communis hibcrnia, the Irish Juniper. 

 Buxus arborescens, the common Tree-box, the Gold striped Tree-box, 



and the Silver striped Tree-box. 

 Ilex opaca, the American Holly. 

 Cralegus pyracantha, the Evergreen Thorn. 

 Mahonia aquifolium, the Holly leaved Barberry. 



The Conservatory or the greenhouse is an elegant and 

 delightful appendage to the villa or mansion, when there is 

 a taste for plants among the different members of a family. 

 Those who have not enjoyed it, can hardly imagine the 

 pleasure afforded by a well-chosen collection of exotic 

 plants, which, amid the genial warmth of an artificial cli- 

 mate, continue to put forth their lovely blossoms, and 

 exhale their delicious perfumes, when all out-of-door nature 

 is chill and desolate. The many hours of pleasant and 

 healthy exercise and recreation afforded to the ladies of a 

 family, where they take an interest themselves in the 



