FLOWERING SHRUBS 45 



The hortensis type have large trusses of large blooms varying 

 from white to pink and is met with everywhere. We have seen most 

 imposing displays where they have been grouped together in suitable 

 surroundings, but mostly they are grown solus, either in tubs or in 

 some conspicuous spot in the garden. There is no better decorative 

 subject among all our hardy shrubs nor one which carries its flowers 

 through so long a period. Practically it lasts right through the 

 summer and until the cold autumnal nights and mornings brings its 

 course to an end. As a matter of fact the market man must know 

 that in one form or another it can be had in bloom eight or nine 

 months in the year, from the early forced pot plants in March until 

 late in October. This proves it to be a most useful and valuable 

 subject to the trade. 



The propagation is by cuttings, the tops of the current year's 

 wood being most suitable. Our own method is to strike them singly, 

 in small pots, taking the cuttings about the end of August and stand- 

 ing them in a close cold frame, keeping them sprinkled and well 

 shaded. 



MAGNOLIA (EARLY FLOWERING) 



Eastern Asia has poured many treasures into our nurseries, but 

 nothing much more imposing or chastely beautiful than the early 

 flowering magnolias, with their large wax-like chalices of white and 

 tinted shade. 



There are several varieties and numerous hybrids with no startling 

 divergence between them, but all alike beautiful. " Kobus " in its 

 native habitat, Japan, grows into an exceedingly large tree 70 to 100 

 feet in height and not much less in its spread of branches. To see 

 such a tree in bloom, with thousands of glittering white cups about 

 4 inches across, must be worth seeing, for we can scarcely imagine 

 what it is like. The variety is well known in our nurseries and gar- 

 dens. The variety " Conspicua " has equally large blooms, " Camp- 

 belli " perhaps larger, its beauty enhanced by the crimson reverse 

 of its petals. " Stellata " is one of the very best, a profuse bloomer 

 and delicately scented. Most of these are the better for the pro- 

 tection of evergreen trees as they bloom early and the frost quickly 

 injures their delicate petals. Propagation may be by seeds, especially 

 of species, but that of varieties by layers or by grafting on to stocks 



