SHRUBS FOR ALL THE YEAR 155 



into bloom in late April and carry their flowers almost into June. 

 This latter shrub grows well in partial shade. 



The Sumac, or Smoke Tree, Rhus Cotinus^ is a wonderful 

 contribution to the beauty and attractiveness of the shrubbery 

 border in May. This, with Jasmine revolutum^ carries us into 

 June when the showy Punicas, P. granatum, P. alba^ P. rubra^ 

 and P. variegata, the flowering Pomegranates, come into bloom. 

 There are no more showy and brilliant shrubs. The foliage is 

 of bright lustrous green, and even in Winter the tracery of the 

 reddish brown branches is decorative. When, in the early Spring, 

 the Pomegranate puts out its delicate, rosy-tipped leaf buds, 

 with almost orange lights in the unfolding leaves, it is a charming 

 picture, if seen against a background of dark evergreen shrub- 

 bery, like the Neriums or the Laurels. In Midsummer the flame- 

 colored blossoms contrast wonderfully with the delicate purity 

 of masses of white Oleanders. Never plant the Pomegranates 

 near any shrub with pink flowers. 



For Midsummer blossom. Althaeas {Hibiscus syriacus) are 

 most pleasing when planted in groups or as a hedge. Hydrangea 

 arborescens grandiflora alba is the earliest to come into bloom 

 and lasts almost the entire season. Hydrangea monstrosa and 

 H. Otaksa are old favorites and generally known, and H. panic- 

 ulata grandiflora deserves a place in every southern garden. 

 The Hydrangeas do not mix well with other shrubs and it is best 

 to keep them for shady corners and northern exposures where 

 sun-loving plants will not thrive. 



The Summer-flowering Spiraeas, S. Billardi, S. Bumalda^ the 

 everblooming S. Bumalda Anthony Waterer, deeper in color than 

 ^S'. Douglasii, and ^S". japonica^ give a quintette of pink Spiraeas 

 that will furnish bloom for many months. 



The American Elder, Sambucus canadensis, with its flat- 

 topped cymes of creamy blossoms, should be planted much oftener 

 than it is. Delightful companions for this planting are the deli- 

 cate Fern-leaved Sumacs, Rhus aromatica and R. Michauxi, 

 with panicles of creamy flowers in August and September and 

 brilliant berries that remain through the Winter. Not the least 

 attraction of the Sumacs is the vivid color of the foliage just 



