43 8 



MY GARDEN. 



FIG. 969. Lilac. 



The holly, box, and yew are trees which may be made to assume a 

 shrubby character, and which are also well adapted for screens. 



The Black Nut (Corylus Avellana purpurca] is likewise a highly 

 ornamental tree, from its dark purple foliage, and it partakes of the 

 character of a shrub when young. 



One of the loveliest amongst flowering shrubs, which we profusely 

 grow, is the Lilac, of which there are two species (Syringa vidgaris, 

 fig. 969, and 5. persicd) and many varieties. Either 

 kind would be a useful shrub, even if it had no 

 flowers, as from the abundance of its fibrous roots 

 it can be readily moved to any place where a large 

 shrub is required, and the tree itself may be cut 

 about as the gardener pleases ; but in addition to 

 these good qualities, the perfume of lilac is delicate, 

 and its flower most agreeable : hence we grow many 

 bushes, and several varieties. In Paris, and especially in the Tuileries 

 Gardens before the people in their madness destroyed them, the 

 lilac was trimmed to the form of a standard rose, with a globular 

 head, and in that shape it was well adapted to formal gardens. Of 

 the large lilac there are two varieties, lilac and white, and of the 

 Persian lilac many varieties, differing in the intensity of the colour of 

 their flowers. The lilac is readily forced. I have frequently had it for 

 table decoration on Christmas Day, but in Paris it can be obtained in 

 quantity in the middle of December. Wherever there is sufficient room, 

 ^ lilac blossom should be secured throughout 

 the winter. For forcing, the plants should 

 be well established in pots, as they do not 

 succeed if removed directly from the open 

 border. Whilst growing they require abun- 

 dance of water. The flower of the forced 

 plant is even more deliciously scented than 

 the plant grown in the open border. FIG 97 o. Mock Orange. 



Another fine shrub is the Mock Orange (Philadelplius coronarius, fig. 

 970). The flower is creamy white, and has a smell like the blossom 



