SHRUBS, AND HOW TO PLANT THEM 275 



There are so many excellent shrubs that it is a 

 difficult matter to select the best. Among the ironclad 

 sorts I know of nothing superior to the Lilac. It re- 

 quires very little care, grows rapidly, blooms with 

 great freedom early in the season, and is healthy and 

 long lived. There are several double varieties on the 

 market which deserve especial attention. If in doubt 

 as to what to plant, decide on a Lilac and you will not 

 regret it. 



The Japan Quince is a fine shrub of low, compact 

 habit, with glossy foliage, and intensely rich scarlet 

 flowers, produced very early in the season. It makes 

 an excellent hedge. 



The Weigelias are favorites everywhere. They 

 develop into large bushes, and every branch will be 

 literally loaded down in June and July with flowers 

 in various shades of red, rose and white. 



One of the most charming shrubs I know of is 

 the Double Flowering Plum, cataloged as Prunus 

 triloba. It makes a bush about four feet in hight and 

 five or six feet across, with many graceful branches 

 which in May and June are perfect wreaths of bloom, 

 like those of the old Flowering Almond. The flowers 

 of this Plum are pink and white, quite double, and like 

 miniature Roses in shape. 



Of course, you will want some Roses. The Ram- 

 blers are proving hardy enough to stand our northern 

 winters, if laid down in fall and covered well. They 

 are beautiful things when full of flowers. To secure 

 the best effect from them, plant several in a group. 



For late blooming, Hydrangea paniculata grandi- 

 flora is perhaps our best shrub. This, like the Ram- 

 bler Roses, is most effective when grouped. (Fig 70. 



The Flowering Currant is an excellent shrub. 

 It is always graceful without pruning. It blooms 

 with wonderful profusion early in the season, having 



