Shrubs 175 



picture at each step. The woman who denied herself a new spring 

 hat for the enduring joy of a clump of the great rhododendron under 

 her window had the right idea. 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS OF SPECIAL MERIT 



ACACIA ROSE (Robinia hisplda). Rose colour. May, June. 2 to 8 feet, 

 Hairy in all parts except the flowers, which are pea-like in large 

 clusters. Suckers freely from the roots and may become a nuisance. 

 A valuable screen. Useful on banks. Increased by division. 



ALMOND, FLOWERING (Prunus Japonica). Spreading. The commonest 

 flowering almond of old gardens. Flowers rose coloured. May, 

 June. 5 feet. Only the double form is in cultivation. Good 

 garden soil. Leaves smooth; otherwise like flowering plum. 



ALTHEA. See ROSE OF SHARON. 



ARROW WOOD (Viburnum dentatum). Upright, but bushy. Flower 

 cymes 3 inches across. May, June. 15 feet. White. Fruit bluish 

 black. Excellent for moist soil. Leaves lobed. 



AZALEA, PINXTER FLOWER, ETC. These are among the earliest large- 

 flowering shrubs, the majority blooming before the leaves appear. 

 , GHENT (A. Gandavensis). The most showy early flowering 

 shrub, April. 2 to 4 feet. Largest orange and salmon coloured 



flowers of spring. , JAPAN (A. Sinensis or mollis). Flame 



coloured and yellow. Every shade like a sunset. , CAROLINA 



(A. Vaseyi), purest pink, if inches across. 4 feet. , PINXTER 



FLOWER (A . nudiflora). Pink veined with crimson lake. For wild 



garden. 3 to 5 feet. , WHITE (A. viscosa). 2 to 4 feet. Plant 



near water. Also some evergreen species. All the azaleas demand 

 open, loose soil, well drained. Preferably with humus. See also 

 RHODORA and EVERGREENS, p. 155. 



BARBERRY, COMMON (Berberis vulgaris). 6 feet. Bright scarlet berries, 

 half inch long, last till spring. Var. atropurpureus has dark plum- 

 coloured foliage, valuable as foil to brighter-leaved plants. Per 

 fectly hardy. , JAPAN (B. Thunbergi). Best low ornamental 



shrubbery plant. Dense, compact growth, small shiny branches. 

 Red berries all winter. Foliage is brilliant scarlet in fall. Quick 

 grower on rich soils, but thrives anywhere. 4 feet. Invaluable for 

 shrubbery or specimens. Propagate by seeds. 



