FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 77 



of flowering, interspersing with shrubs of different growth 

 to prevent monotony. Almost every shade from white 

 to deep crimson is to be found in these showy flowers. 

 Limestone soils are very prejudicial to their welfare, but 

 otherwise they succeed in a diversity of situations. 

 Numbers of hybrid kinds are catalogued, and it is an 

 easy matter to choose a dozen or so really desirable 

 varieties. 



Cytisus. Broom. The Common Broom (C. Scoparius) 

 is by no means to be excluded from our gardens, where 

 its cheerful presence in the semi-wild parts is very 

 welcome. Among cultivated varieties the beautiful 

 white form C. albus is very graceful, with its long dark 

 green sprays covered with snowy flowers. C. Andreanus 

 is similar in form to the common variety, but the yellow 

 flowers are richly marked with blotches of reddish 

 chestnut. 



Prunus. This is a large family containing the flower- 

 ing Plums, Almonds, Peaches, and Cherries. Almost 

 all are beautiful, with their soft masses of rosy pink and 

 white flowers borne on branching twigs and sprays. 

 The Japanese Cherry (P. pseudo-Cerasus), which the Japs 

 will tramp for miles to see in all its beauty, has many 

 good double varieties, one of the best being Cerasus 

 Watereri. P. Padus, the Bird Cherry, should, in its 

 double form, certainly be included among the garden 

 trees. Then there is the Double Chinese Plum 

 (P. japonica), with delicate pink and white flowers 

 borne on slender shoots. P. Lauro-Ceraus, the Cherry 

 Laurel, a fine evergreen, which requires plenty of space, 

 and should not be crowded in among more delicate 

 growers. The common Almond (P. amygdalus) is well- 

 known, especially in town gardens, its beautiful pink 

 flowers being produced early in the season. In spite of 

 its general use in our gardens we could ill spare the 

 Portugal Laurel (P. lusitanica), it is a noble evergreen, 



