40 THE BOOK OF SHRUBS 



{A. Davidiana rubra) with pink flowers are of excep- 

 tional value both for grouping on the lawn and for 

 planting singly or in twos and threes in the shrubbery. 

 They attain a stature similar to that of the almonds and 

 are equally as early in contributing of their floral wealth 

 which is very great, the branches being literally en- 

 wreathed in blossom. The Double-flowered Peach 

 (A. persica flore pleno) and its varieties are smaller in 

 growth than the foregoing and if anything more effective 

 as the flowers are much larger and some deeper in 

 colour. The forms with crimson, brilliant carmine (A. 

 persica magnified) rose and white flowers are the most 

 desirable. These are all of moderate stature and are 

 well suited for lawn groups ; when planted in the 

 shrubbery care must be taken to prevent their being 

 injured by more robust growing subjects. 



CATALPAS. There are few more beautiful flowering 

 deciduous trees than C. bignonioides (syn. C. syringsephia) 

 which under ordinary conditions attains a height of 

 about twenty-five feet, with a spread of branches about 

 equal to its height. The general aspect of the tree is 

 extremely elegant, the leaves are large and handsome, 

 and the flowers are somewhat tubular, an inch or so in 

 diameter, white marked in the throat, with purple and 

 yellow and borne in spikes that resemble those of the 

 horse chestnut. It blooms in July and August accord- 

 ing to the season and district, and is when in flower 

 very attractive. Unfortunately this species is not quite 

 hardy in northern latitudes and on cold heavy soils, and 

 where it does not succeed C. speciosa should be sub- 

 stituted. The latter is not quite so beautiful but it is 

 hardier and very similar in character and in the colour 

 of the flowers. Prominent positions with sufficient room 

 for the spread of the branches should be selected for the 

 catalpas. 



CERASUS. The double-flowered cherries are so 



