DECIDUOUS FLOWERING SHRUBS 17 



CYTISUS OR BROOMS. The Brooms, of which six or 

 seven kinds are wondrously effective, are of much value 

 in the creation of garden scenery, and should be freely 

 planted, more especially in gardens extending over a large 

 area. They all agree in having erect or decumbent 

 slender shoots of a deep green tone, and pea-shaped 

 flowers ; but they differ materially in stature and in the 

 size and colour of the flowers. They may for the most 

 part be readily raised from seeds sown early in the spring 

 in the open border, or in an unheated frame, the latter 

 course of procedure being necessary only when the 

 supply of seeds is small and it is desired to raise the 

 largest number of plants possible. The choice kinds may 

 be increased by grafting them on the commoner species, 

 and such handsome decumbent forms as Cytisus keivense 

 and C. purpureus have an attractive appearance when 

 grafted on the common laburnum about six feet from 

 the ground. All the Brooms thrive on a light, sandy 

 soil, and are therefore of great value for planting on dry 

 banks of sand or chalk, where but few other shrubs 

 would thrive. They produce the finest effect when 

 arranged in groups of from three to twelve plants, 

 according to the area of the garden and the size of the 

 border or other space in which they are to be planted. 

 As the Brooms have a tendency to become bare at the 

 lower part after a few years' growth, it is desirable to 

 maintain a succession of young plants to replace the old 

 specimens as they become unsightly. 



The most beautiful of those available for "planting in 

 the garden are C. albus, or the White Spanish Broom, 

 is a slender growing shrub, reaching a height of five or 

 six feet before it becomes bare at the base, and bears its 

 small white flowers at the end of May or early in June, 

 and in such great profusion that the slender growths are 

 enwreathed in flowers. C. ardoini, a distinct species of 

 decumbent growth, and not exceeding six inches high. 



