332 List of Shrubs 



Cassandra (Chamaedaphne). C. cilyculata Don. (13), Leatherleaf, is 

 a thoroughly hardy and pretty dwarf of the north temperate zone; with 

 leathery foliage, rusty brown beneath, and nearly evergreen, attractive 

 by virtue of its very early, small white flowers (April, May) covering 

 the branches, in one-sided racemes from the axils of the leaves. It is 

 useful for borders, and adapted to boggy land and to watersides. 



Clethra. C. calnifolia 'Lmn.{i^), Sweet Pepperbusli {improperly White 

 Alder), so called from the fragrance of its flower, is one of the finest 

 native (from Maine to Florida) small shrubs (two to four feet); with 

 slender, straight stems, not much branched, light green, downy bark, 

 becoming purple, with bright, glossy, large leaves, and larg3, creamy- 

 white, showy, and fragrant flowers in racemes or spikes, terminal and 

 from the axils of the leaves, which continue blooming from July to Octo- 

 ber, when nearly all others have ceased flowering. Although a plant 

 of the swamps and moist places, it grows well in dry, poor places, and 

 is shade-enduring. It is especially adapted for massing in borders and 

 in semi-refined plantations. 



The more southern (Madeira) evergreen species, C. acuminata Michx. 

 (15), which sometimes assumes tree form, has no superior points, nor 

 has the European, C arborea Ait. (16). 



Kalmia. Laurel. A genus of five species, all American, low to high, 

 shrubs, highly ornamental by reason of their glossy, evergreen foliage 

 and very large, showy flowers. They are especially effective when 

 massed. They are very hardy and frugal, very shade-enduring, and 

 easily propagated. They can be readily secured from the woods. 



*A'. latifolia Linn. (17), Mountain Laurel, Calico Bush, is the 

 largest of the genus (fifteen to twenty feet), although it sometimes 

 grows to a height of forty feet with a diameter of eighteen inches. It 

 thrives from Canada to Georgia. It is the most elegant and attrac- 

 tive of the genus, with dark-tufted, leathery foliage, which is broad and 

 persistent; and beautiful flowers (May, July), of many shades, from 

 pure white to rich rose color, in prolific terminal heads. Several vari- 

 eties vary in color. 



K. angustifolia Linn. (18), Sheep Laurel, very hardy, with purple 

 crimson flowers (June, July), and — 



K. glauca Ait. (19) (polifolia), Swamp Laurel, with lilac, purple, 

 earlier flowers (May, June), are both dwarfs (one to three feet), and 

 both are like a still lower (six to eight inches) variety of the first, nana, 

 fit for borders and small clumps. 



