CHAPTER XXII 



THE NEW SHRUB BEAUTY 



THE modern gardener gives to shrubs that specialization 

 which they were not thought worthy of in the past. Let 

 the reader recall some old-time shrubberies which he has 

 seen great unkempt masses of foliage of common un- 

 interesting kinds, unpruned save for a hasty shearing 

 every few years, the soil undug and unmanured the 

 whole affair a mere block and wind-break, without a 

 particle of gardening interest. 



There are often good reasons for planting cheap, hardy, 

 quick-growing, accommodating shrubs in large masses 

 or belts ; the need for shelter and economy alone may 

 justify it. But there is no reason why the front and 

 sheltered prominent parts should not be planted with 

 better kinds, which can boast beauty, distinction, and 

 as lively a horticultural interest as Carnations, Dahlias 

 or Sweet Peas. 



It is singular that flower-gardeners will often devote 

 more thought and care to the site for a bed of Dahlias, 

 which is only a matter of a few months' duration, than 

 they will do to a shrubbery, which stands for years. 

 Surely the permanent features of a garden are at least 

 as worthy of consideration as the temporary ones. A 

 mistake with an annual crop has but slight importance 

 compared with that with a perennial one. 



The ground preparation for shrubs is often of the 



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