MAY GARLANDS 61 



Plums. The dreaded Blackthorn powdered 

 every hedge with its untimely winter last 

 month : but there are Plums in the orchard, 

 and the many choice varieties cultivated for 

 their flowers in our gardens. Prunus Pissardii 

 is, indeed, nearly over by May Day, and its 

 delicate little pink blossoms are falling as the 

 pinky-brown leaf buds open which will soon 

 turn to rich dark foliage. But it is quickly 

 followed by P. spinosa fl. />/., the double- 

 blossomed Sloe, which makes a fine object 

 if grown as an isolated bush on the lawn ; 

 for it is as closely covered with snow-white 

 flowers as its wild brother in the hedge. 

 The beautiful P. Sinensis fl. pi., with white 

 or rosy-red flowers, is one of the many 

 treasures we owe to Japan ; and even more 

 striking is P. triloba, with its handsome double 

 pink flowers and bright green leaves ; while 

 the double white P. Plantieri must by no means 

 be forgotten. Many of these choice Plums 

 create a charming effect if grown in pots in 

 a cold house or shed, or out of doors in a 

 sheltered corner, and then sunk in the grass 



