390 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



must not disdain it, for it is an evergreen, is compact in growth, 

 has fairly ornamental foliage, will grow almost anywhere, and 

 blooms in winter and spring. There is nothing strikingly beauti- 

 ful about the flowers, but if cut with foliage attached to the stems 

 they are by no means bad material for vases in winter. We have 

 not met the soil yet in which the Laurustinus refuses to grow. 



Lovers of Heaths are probably familiar with Erica carnea, and 

 perhaps with E. mediterranea also. These are early bloomers, 

 and have a charm of their own. They are not any-soil plants, of 

 course. They do not care for stiff, damp land. They like a light 

 sandy soil. Given that, they are beautiful and happy. 



Veronicas have a good many admirers. They are not very 

 early bloomers, but are often in flower before the end of the spring 

 quarter. They are evergreens most of them, at all events and 

 grow in close bushes. Very few shrubs are more easily pleased in 

 the way of soil. 



Kalmia latifolia is an evergreen with pretty blush flowers which 

 is growing steadily in popularity, and, indeed, is getting its full 

 share of the increased favour which flowering shrubs generally are 

 receiving in these days. 



A few shrubs that are not very well known to the general body 

 of amateurs, but are highly esteemed for their grace and beauty by 

 the cognoscenti, are Andromeda polifolia, a pretty, pink-flowered 

 evergreen that thrives best with peat in the soil ; Exochorda 

 grandiflora, commonly called the Pearl Bush, with charming white 

 flowers; Halesia tetraptera, the Snowdrop Tree, an exquisite shrub 

 with lovely white flowers ; Amelanchier canadensis, a deciduous 

 shrub with white flowers ; and Rubus deliciosus, also deciduous, 

 and with white blossoms. 



The last spring-blooming shrubs that we need mention are two 

 species of Viburnum, one being Opulus, the Guelder Rose, and 

 the other plicatum. With all respect to those who elevate the 

 former into the position of a prime favourite among flowering 



