EMBELLISHMENTS. 



377 



grown as standards, is wonderfully brilliant, when they are 

 in full bloom. Perhaps the situation where they are display- 

 ed to the greatest advantage is, in the centre of small round, 

 oval, or square beds in the flower-garden, where the remain- 

 der of the plants composing the bed are of dwarfish growth, 

 so as not to hide the stem and head of the tree-roses. 



There are, unfortunately, but few evergreen shrubs that 

 will endure the protracted cold of the winters of the north- 

 ern states. The fine Hollies, Portugal Laurels, Laurusti- 

 nuses, etc. which are the glory of English gardens in au- 

 tumn and winter, are not hardy enough to endure the depress- 

 ed temperature often degrees below zero. South of Phila- 

 delphia, these beautiful exotic evergreens may be acclimated 

 with good success, and will add astonishingly to the interest 

 of the shrubbery and grounds in winter. 



Besides the Balsam firs, and the Spruce firs, the Arbor 

 Vitas, and other evergreen trees which we have described in 

 the previous pages of this volume, the following hardy spe- 

 cies of evergreen shrubs may be introduced with advantage 

 in the pleasure-ground groups, viz : — 



Rhododendron, maximum, the American rose bay or big Laurel ; 

 white and pink, several varieties. 



Kalmia latifolia, the common Laurel ; several colours. 



Juniperus suecia, the Swedish Juniper, 



Juniperis communis, the Irish Juniper. 



Buxus arbarescens, the common Tree-box, the Gold striped Tree- 

 box, and the Silver striped Tree-box. 



Ilex opaca, the American Holly. 



Craiegus pyracantha, the Evergreen Thorn. 



The Conservatory or the Green-House is an elegant and 

 delightful appendage to the villa or mansion, when there is 

 a taste for plants among the difierent members of a family. 

 Those who have not enjoyed it, can hardly imagine the 



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