102 LAWN SHRUBS [CH. 



and branch, but sometimes it is much better to cut 

 them down to within a few inches of the ground 

 (obliquely) towards the end of March, when they will 

 very soon sprout and grow rapidly into handsome 

 shrubs, but the stronger shoots will need to be nipped 

 back with the knife now and then, to secure proportion 

 and balance. 



Some very graceful and vigorous shrubs may thus be 

 obtained from the veriest stumps, and by pruning ever- 

 greens a little every year, they will furnish as they grow, 

 and will gradually extend themselves, and become each 

 season more valuable and beautiful. 



In the spaces cleared by the removal of old trees 

 some new features should be introduced here a strong 

 plant of Pampas Grass {Gynerium argentiuni)* or another 

 big species of grass, Molinia altissima^ there a Yucca, and 

 elsewhere a group of the Draccena (Cordyline Australis] 

 or New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax\ while, to give 

 a more striking character, there is nothing so effective as 

 Fortune's Palm (Chamosrops Fortune?}. A sheltered sunny 

 position suits it best, with a good screen between it and 

 the east wind. 



To associate with Yuccas and Draccenas there are 

 few things more effective than the Bamboos ; Metake 

 is the hardiest, gracilis one of the most graceful, palmata 

 has large handsome leaves. The proper time for planting 



* According to Dr Stapf, Chief Graminologist at Kew, Cortaderia 

 jubata is the grass formerly known as Gyneritim jubatum. See illus- 

 tration, page 182. 



