SELECTIONS OF SHRUBS 57 



leaves, and because of the fringe-like appearance of the flowers the 

 shrubs are called Old Man's Beard in some portions of the South. 



Another shrub of great merit is the Magnolia glauca, the one of 

 our swamps and low grounds, which is almost evergreen, and famous 

 everywhere for the fragrance of its flowers. It is often found side by 

 side with the White Fringe. Both of these, though often listed as 

 shrubs, grow to the size of a small tree in time, if kept to one shoot 

 when young. 



The Bayberry, Myrica cerifera, is a good wet position shrub, de- 

 Hghting in damp ground, although it can be found growing wild on 

 light gravelly soil. When grown in groups where one plant shelters 

 the other they are somewhat evergreen in character. The flowers are 

 greenish white arid smaU, making no display to attract, but the berries 

 when ripe are covered with a white, waxy substance, making their 

 clusters conspicuous and attractive. 



Found in similar situations to the above mentioned shrubs is the 

 Azalea viscosa-, a species renowned for the fragrance of its blooms. 

 The flowers are pure white, expanding in July and August. It is one 

 of the most admired of Azaleas, yet not at all common in cultivation. 



In Vacciniums (Blueberries), a good one for wet ground, is V. 

 corymbosum. It delights in such situations. In Spring it presents to 

 view beautiful clusters of white flowers. Edible, dark colored berries 

 follow; later on, with the approach of Autumn, the foliage becomes of 

 a lovely orange bronze color. It is then foremost of all the fohage 

 shrubs famous for their Autumnal display of color. 



The Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) with its purplish pink 

 flowers may also be used; as also the Ghamsedaphne, the Andromeda 

 and Ledum. 



These shrubs would give one a good start in planting a wet place, 

 but they do not exhaust the hst; many more could be added. 



Flowering the Branches of Shrubs Indoors 



Many persons know that the buds of Pussy Willow and Golden 

 Bell when brought into the house open nicely when placed in water, 

 but few avail themselves of the pleasures in store for them by cutting 

 the branches of a great many shrubs and trees early in the Spring or 

 late Winter, and bringing them indoors. The nearer Spring the sooner 

 wiU the buds burst into bloom. Shrubs should be chosen which bloom 

 upon wood of previous season and many of the early Spring blooming 

 trees and shrubs can be used. The shoots may simply be placed in 

 water and allowed to start naturafly, but if they are placed in a base- 

 ment and sprayed several times a day with warm water they will open 



