GOOD TREES AND SHRUBS 237 



(Andromeda japonicd) blossoms early, its pure white, pendulous 

 racemes appearing in great profusion on medium-sized plants. Of this 

 there is an attractive variegated variety, with well-defined silver leaves. 

 It is not so vigorous as the type, and is well worth a place in the rock- 

 garden. The white Lily of the Valley-like flowers of P. floribunda, also 

 known as Andromeda floribunda, appear in spring in terminal racemes. 

 It is so easily grown that it is employed extensively for the greenhouse 

 during winter. P. formosa (Awlromeda formosa), from the Himalayas, 

 is a glorious white-flowered shrub, but hardy only in the warmer parts 

 of the British Isles. 



Piptanthus nepalensis. The so-called evergreen Laburnum is 

 only a half -evergreen ; it loses a great number of its trifoliate glossy 

 green leaves every winter. North of the Trent it succeeds best against 

 a wall, and produces in June terminal racemes of yellow pea-shaped 

 flowers. Ordinary soil suits it so long as it is sweet and well drained 

 and the position beyond the reach of cold winds. 



Platanus acerifolia (Tlie Popular Plane Tree) is undoubtedly the 

 best of all hardy trees for planting in towns, as it makes headway in 

 places where many other things would merely exist. The variety Sutt- 

 neri is not quite so vigorous, but an exceptionally pretty silver-leaved 

 Plane, P. orientalis (Oriental Plane) and P. cuneata, are good kinds too. 

 The Plane is much planted in the streets of cities. 



Polygala Chamsebuxus (The Box-leaved Milkwort) is a neat ever- 

 green creeping shrub, six inches high and quite at home in the rock- 

 garden. Its fragrant creamy-white flowers are borne in short racemes 

 in spring. P. c. purpurea is an excellent companion to the type, from 

 which it differs by reason of its reddish-purple flowers. 



Pterocarya caucasica (The Caucasian Walnut) is a beautiful de- 

 ciduous tree of dense branching habit, with long leaves composed of 

 numerous deep green leaflets. Planted in moist soil it usually grows 

 between twenty feet and thirty feet high. 



PrumiS. There are in this family some of the most charming of 

 hardy spring-flowering trees and shrubs. The genus Prunus, according 

 to the latest botanical classification, includes the Almonds, Peaches, 

 Apricots, Cherries, and Plums. Here is a wealth of material for the 

 amateur gardener, and as some of them blossom at a season when flowers 

 out of doors are very scarce and welcome, they should be used freely. 

 Remember that those mentioned here are deciduous, and the flowers 

 appear while the trees are leafless, for which reason discretion should be 

 used at planting time to see that they are in association with suitable 

 evergreens so as to bring out their full beauty. Protection from cutting 

 winds is essential. P. amygdalus (the common Almond) is happy in 

 suburban gardens and flourishes in town squares. It is a much-branched 

 tree, and in early March known by its delicate pink blossoms. Of this 

 there are several beautiful varieties, amongst which are Amara (Bitter 

 Almond), flowers white, flushed with rose ; dulcis (Sweet Almond), 

 flowers before the last named ; flore pleno, flowers double, rose-pink ; 

 macrocarpa, flowers very large, pale pink ; persicoides, flowers, rose-pink, 

 borne early. P. nana is a delightful little shrub for the shrubbery border 



