ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS 



PROF. II. L. HUTT. O, A. C, GUELPU. 



OF late years there has been consider- 

 able inqniry regarding the most de- 

 sirable s'hrubs for lawn planting. The an- 

 swer to such a question depends on the 

 localit}-, as there are a number of very de- 

 sirable kinds wihch can ibe grown in the 

 southern sections of the province but which 

 would not do at all for the north or east. 



We iiave had an excellent opportunity on 

 t'lie college grounds of studying a large 



PhilaJelphus Coronarius 



number of the more hardy kinds and are 

 prett}- safe in saying that what are hardy 

 enough to do well here will do well over the 

 greater part of the province. 



From careful observations for lo years I 

 would select the following as a dozen of the 

 best hardy ormamental shrubs from among 

 about 200 species and varieties which have 

 been planted here. The list is given in the 

 order of their season of bloom and covers 

 th season fairly well froiu the earliest 

 bloom in the spring till frost destroys the 

 last in the autumn : 



Forsythia suspensa (Golden Bell). An 

 open, spreading bush about six feet in 

 diameter. Flowers large golden bells, an 

 inch or more across, appear before the 

 leaves, about the end of xA.pril. and last about 

 three weeks ; verv showv. 



Ribes aureum (Golden Currant). A very 

 hardy vigorous growing bush about six or 

 eight feet in diameter. Flowers golden yel- 

 low, very abundant, and having a delightful 

 spicy fragrance. In bloom May 9 and lasts 

 two weeks. 



Pyrus japonica (Japan Quince). A showy 

 bush six or eight feet in diameter, with 

 glossy green foliage. Half hardy when 

 young, 'but after a time becomes acclimatized 

 and quite hardy. Flowers large and bril- 

 lianlt scarlet, some varieties pink and white. 

 In bloom about May 15 and lasts nearly 

 three weeks. 



Caragana frutescens (Siberia Pea Tree). 

 A very hard}- show}- little bush about five 

 or six feet in diameter. Has a luxuriance 

 of fine light green foliage, which appears 

 early and is followed about May 24 with an 

 abundance of clusters of pea-'shaped yellow 

 flowers. Bloom lasts a little over a week. 



Syringa vulgaris (in variety. Lilacs). 

 The common lilac is so well known as not 

 to need description, and is appreciated by all 

 who grow it. There are a great many im- 

 proved varieties, with single and double 

 flowers, varying in color from white and 

 pink to dark purple. In bloom about May 

 24 and lasts for two weeks or more. Some 

 of the Chinese and Japanese species are very 

 desirable and extend the season of bloom to 

 July I. 



Pyrus angustifolia (Beohtel's double- 

 flowered American Crab). This is a crab 

 apple tree of medium size, and very hardy. 

 Four years after planting it began to bloom 

 and bears large double pink flowers an inch 

 and a half in diameter. At a distance they 

 look like small roses and are very fragrant. 

 In ibloom about June i and lasts about two 

 weeks. These handsome flowers make 

 such dainty buttonhole bouquets that on 

 public grounds, such as ours, the tree be- 

 comes the prey of all bouquet lovers. 



Spiraea Van Houtei (Van Houtte's 

 Spiraea). This is one of the best of the 



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