FLOWERS FOR SUBURBAN GARDENS 387 



The Berberises are among the most valuable of all shrubs, 

 owing to their dense habit, evergreen foliage (although some are 

 not evergreen), and pretty flowers. The most common of the genus 

 is aquifolium, which is the same plant as that called by many 

 nurserymen Mahonia aquifolia; but it is excelled in beauty by 

 Darwinii and stenophylla, and these two should have the most 

 prominent positions, aquifolium being reserved for shady, dry spots. 

 The Darwin Berberis is the most valuable species, because it is 

 evergreen, is of distinct and handsome growth, and has pretty 

 orange flowers. It is of neat habit, and does not grow rapidly, 

 consequently it is an admirable shrub for small gardens. The 

 beautiful hybrid called stenophylla is perhaps the next best 

 Berberis. It is a vigorous grower, and produces abundance of 

 yellow flowers in spring. These plants will grow in most soils, 

 but we have had some little difficulty with them in poor, shallow 

 soils over chalk. Such ground needs heavy manuring. 



Magnolias are among the most beautiful of all spring-flowering 

 shrubs. We have mentioned stellata already. It is generally in 

 bloom in spring. Conspicua is quite as fine, and we have a note 

 of a splendid plant of this in a London suburb. Like stellata it 

 has white flowers. Grandiflora, also white-flowered, is a large 

 and very fine species. The suburbanist cannot afford to overlook 

 the Magnolias. There is nothing in the least like them among 

 hardy shrubs. They may be grown in the open or on walls, but 

 they do not care for cold, exposed, wind-swept places. 



Lilacs are great favourites, and every amateur likes to have 

 one or two bushes in the garden, for the sake of the delicious 

 fragrance of the large clusters of bloom. With time they will 

 grow into trees, but they do not move very fast, except in particu- 

 larly rich soil. They are hardy plants, and will stand a considerable 

 amount of buffeting. Perhaps the ideal soil for them is a light, 

 fertile loam, but they will thrive in heavier as well as lighter 

 land if it is well drained. The common Lilac satisfies most people, 



