FLOWERS FOR SUBURBAN GARDENS 385 



Some of the Magnolias are early bloomers, and among them 

 the beautiful species stellata ranks very high. It has large, pure 

 white flowers, which are borne in advance of the leaves, and which 

 clothe the stems in a snowy star-mantle of bloom. Magnolia stellata 

 flowers freely in quite a small state, and is consequently suitable 

 for comparatively small borders. 



Forsythia suspensa is a very early bloomer, and in mild winters 

 is out before the spring quarter begins. It produces long, slender 

 canes wreathed in bright yellow flowers, and grows almost anywhere. 

 It must be regarded as one of the best of early flowering shrubs, 

 and should not be omitted, however small the collection. 



The flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum, is a very early 

 flowering shrub, which makes itself at home in nearly all kinds 

 of soil, grows freely, and blooms profusely. It is really a valuable 

 plant to the amateur, on account of its happy and accommodating 

 nature, and its generosity in flowering. The typical plant has rose- 

 coloured flowers, but there is an inexpensive white form, and several 

 special varieties that cost a little more. 



The queen of the spring-flowering shrubs is undoubtedly the 

 Rhododendron, a noble plant, alike in habit, foliage, and bloom. 

 We should not attempt its culture in small, much enclosed gardens 

 quite close to factories ; not that it is a weakling, but because it 

 must be grown with suitable surroundings in order to look its best. 

 A small plant stuck among other shrubs is apt to look insignificant, 

 especially if bare at the base; but even a solitary Rhododendron 

 looks well if somewhat isolated, surrounded by grass, and clothed 

 with foliage quite to the base. Of course, Rhododendrons look 

 best of all when they are planted in a group at some distance from 

 the house, with a broad belt of grass in front of them. 



The Rhododendron likes, and is worthy of, special treatment. 

 It does not care for a stiff, cold, damp soil, and it absolutely detests 

 a limestone one, refusing to grow in such a medium as the latter. 

 It likes peat, and it enjoys fibrous loam, as indeed do most plants. 



