MY SHRUBS 7 



during the summer. Leucodendron never goes indoors again here, 

 however. He is in the ground for good or ill — and has a " lew '* 

 spot between a wall and a buttress, protected from everywhere but 

 the sky, and facing south. I could winter there myself ; but will 

 the Cape silver tree ? I doubt it. My purpose is to cover up his 

 little trunk and lower limbs, and arrange a piece of glass over his 

 head to keep the rain and frost out of his foliage crowns ; but I 

 shall not swathe him, though if anything arctic happens I shall 

 envelop him for the time being against it. If necessary, my own 

 greatcoat shall cover him. 



The real places for our best treasures lie in glades and dingles 

 amid thick woods and conifers at the mouths of rivers. There 

 Embothrium flourishes and Guevina avellana towers to a tree. 

 The largest plant in England of this latter glorious Chilian dwells 

 within twelve miles of my home — a privilege that can only be 

 realised by a good gardener. 



One word of caution must be uttered. While money and 

 energy will advance most worldly concerns, these are minor 

 considerations in the matter of a shrub. Money and energy may 

 start a fine piece under perfect conditions, but they will not hasten 

 its growth. Shrubs, in fact, are no good to an old man in a hurry. 

 If you are over sixty years of age, stick to the herbaceous border, 

 orchids and fruit ; indeed, forty-five is none too early to begin 

 growing shrubs. But you will find the pursuit worth while, for, 

 though they offer no intellectual excitement, they furnish quite 

 an intelligent pastime, and may serve to gladden the leisure of a 

 busy man, or even keep an idle one out of mischief — provided the 

 worthless individual can be grafted with proper ardour for the 

 craft. 



