JULY PLANNING 117 



Lagerstroemias that grow in so many southern gardens and 

 deserve to be grown in all. Another evergreen shrub that con- 

 tributes fragrant white blossoms to the calendar for July and 

 August and on into September is the Gardenia — Gardenia jas- 

 minoides florida and G. jasminoides Foriunei — the latter with fewer 

 blossoms of finer size and more double than the former but both 

 very satisfactory. The Gardenias and Neriums with Abelia 

 grandiflora^ that charming shrub of lower growth and smaller 

 flowers than the other two, but equally desirable for all other 

 reasons, make a trilogy of sweetness and evergreen loveliness 

 that no garden should be without. 



Next in order of consideration will be the Lagerstroemias, 

 L. indica alba^ L. i. rosea^ and L. i. rubra^ which are nearly ever- 

 green and wonderfully beautiful. Whether small shrubs or 

 almost trees they are always effective. A hedge of the white is 

 particularly fine, the panicles being as useful for cutting as the 

 shrubs are for landscape effects. The Althaea Jrutex^ if the new 

 and clear-colored varieties are chosen, gives charming results as 

 a flowering hedge or when planted in mass in the shrubbery border 

 or where a Summer screen is needed. The old purplish-pink 

 kinds are never good. Not often enough do we see the broad 

 Oak-leaved Hydrangea quercijolia^ with its immense panicles of 

 creamy white blossoms. They are very hardy and easy to grow, 

 asking only a partially shaded and damp situation; also they 

 lighten up the dark corners where nothing else will thrive. 



For a Summer blooming hedge in a shaded situation Hydrangea 

 paniculata grandiflora can be used with fine results. Close Winter 

 pruning is necessary for the finest flowers. 



The golden St. John's Wort, Hypericum Moserianum^ is prac- 

 tically an evergreen shrub of low growth and seems to thriv^e 

 equally well in sun and shade. With its bright yellow flowers 

 and delicate green leaves it can be counted on for sunshiny effects 

 from season to season. 



While you are planning do not fail to enter in your notebook 

 those two delightfully fragrant perennials that are truly ever- 

 green shrubs in this section, Rosmarinus officinalis and Lavandula 



