THE SHRUBBERY 99 



bretias are quite overcome by the triumphant 

 Spiraeas and I have won my shelter. 



Now last and best of all, a song of praise in 

 honour of the most enchanting of flowering 

 shrubs, Hydrangea paniculata ; for it is im- 

 possible to have too many of it in the wild 

 garden, in the front of the shrubbery, as well- 

 kept standards in the flower border, in beds by 

 itself, or mixed with flaming Gladioli or Lobelia 

 Cardinalis. Perfectly hardy, as easy to grow 

 as a willow, all it asks is good soil, plenty 

 of water in Summer, and hard pruning in 

 February ; then every shoot will bear its huge 

 panicle of white blossoms till the frosts come ; 

 and even then, though the leaves fall, the dry 

 flower heads make an effective point among the 

 evergreen shrubs. In the Garden of Delight it 

 is grown lavishly ; and its effect in the Wild and 

 Water Gardens for it delights in moisture 

 is a thing never to be forgotten : here rising 

 out of a group of choice shrubs and perennials 

 against scarlet and pink and crimson Lobelias 

 the panicles so heavy on their slender stems, 

 that they have to be tied up to prevent their 



