DECIDUOUS FLOWERING SHRUBS 31 



(Purple-flowering Raspberry) will suffice. The first- 

 named is of slender growth, attaining a height of from 

 three to five feet, and produces in May large white 

 salver-shaped flowers. The second is erect in growth, 

 and has fragrant foliage, and bears corymbs and purplish 

 red flowers during the summer. 



RIBES, OR FLOWERING CURRANTS. These are de- 

 sirable for the bright colouring they give to the 

 shrubbery early in the spring. They resemble in general 

 character the currants grown for their fruit, and will 

 thrive in almost all soils and situations. They should 

 be arranged singly in the second row of the shrubbery. 



The most desirable are Ribes sanguineum, which has 

 deep red flowers, with its varieties atro-rubens, deep 

 ruby red ; album, white ; flore pleno y double red ; 

 grandiflorum, light pink. 



SPIRAEAS. The shrubby species of Spiraea are 

 numerous and form a large group, of which a consider- 

 able proportion are so attractive when in bloom as to be 

 deserving of general cultivation. They will all grow 

 freely and bloom satisfactorily when planted in ordinary 

 garden soil, and assisted with annual top dressings of 

 leaf-mould and well-rotted manure. Propagation may 

 be effected by means of cuttings of the young shoots 

 inserted in pots filled with sandy soil, and placed in a 

 frame or pit where they can be kept close, and by 

 layering in autumn, the lower shoots being selected for 

 the layers. A somewhat light and comparatively rich 

 soil is the most suitable. 



Shrubby spiraeas are very effective when arranged in 

 beds on the lawn, and also produce a charming effect 

 when in groups of from three to five plants along 

 the front of the shrubbery. The strong growers make 

 excellent specimens planted singly on the lawn. Those 

 which can be specially recommended comprise : Spir#a 

 arguta, a beautiful hybrid, attaining a height of three or 



