Shrubs 



( 335 ) 



Shrubs 



leaved shrubs, although all require judgment in 

 planting. The Aucuba is the best large-growing 

 shrub for planting under trees. It will thrive 

 where nothing else will. 



The question of planting is one which ought to 

 be well considered. The soil should be trenched 

 or bustard trenched, and it- ought to consist largely 

 of good loam, with leaf soil or peat as required for 

 thi! bulk of the shrubs. It should be allowed to 

 settle before planting. The best time for this 

 operation is about October in the case of the 

 deciduous shrubs, but evergreens may be planted 

 with safety in most districts from August to 

 October, and from April to June. The best 

 months are largely to be learned from experi- 

 ence in one's own district, but in places where 

 drying winds prevail in late spring, autumn plant- 

 ing is by far the best for most subjects. 



The question of arrangement is a troublesome 

 one, in order to avoid the mistake of stiffness 

 wit limit falling into the fault of absolute want of 

 pleasing effect caused by a disorderly mass. A 

 Shrubbery should in general have the tallest 

 subjects at the back, and ought to form a gradual 

 slope towards the front, broken, however, by a few 

 light, shrubs at irregular intervals, or even by 

 standards introduced here and there. 



In placing the shrubs in their stations it may be 

 said that a monotonous arrangement, consisting of 

 a frequent repetition of the same species at a 

 regular distance from each other, should as a rule 

 be a vi 'i'led, and planting in groups generally pro- 

 duces a better effect than that given by single 

 specimens here and there. 



Unless the owner can afford to wait until the 

 shrubs attain a good size, it is better to plant 

 more than there will be space for, afterwards 

 removing the surplus. Where the owner is un- 

 willing or unable to be at the expense of this, the 

 \acnnt spaces between the permanent shrubs may 

 be sown with annuals or planted with some of the 

 cheaper and more robust herbaceous plants. All 

 shrubs which might be disturbed by high winds 

 and this includes all but a few dwarf ones ought 

 to be firmly staked and properly fastened to the 

 stake's so that they cannot move, and also in such 

 a way that the bark will not become chafed by 

 friction with the ties. Shrubberies ought not to 

 be beneath the drip of trees. The eventual height 

 and width of the plants must be taken into 

 consideration. 



The pruning of shrubs is essential, and the 

 directions under PRUNING (which see) will give an 

 idea of the best course to follow. 



SHRUBS. 



A shrub may be defined as a low plant with a 

 woody stem, but this definition is hardly broad 

 enough, inasmuch as climbers with such stems are 

 generally included with shrubs. According to 

 some authorities a plant is not a shrub unless it is 

 leee ilian 12' or 15' in height, except it is a climber. 

 In practice the term " shrub " is, however, loosely 

 applied, and sub-shrubs are often included with 

 them in gardening language. 



They are very numerous, and include genera and 

 species which require stove or greenhouse treat- 

 ment, as well as those which are hardy or half- 

 hardy. It is more convenient, however, only to 

 name in the following lists those which are gener 

 ally hardy throughout the three kingdoms, and 



Mirnblry Phil- (Diantlius fruticosus). 



which can thus be used in the formation of a 

 shrubbery. The following lists name only some of 

 the most useful genera, and details of the species 

 will be found under the respective titles. 



Selection of Leading Genera : 



Ih'ri/l mills : 



For tv'tisidi-: 



Atriplex Halimus. 

 Baccharis halimifolia. 

 Berberis. in variety. 

 Ceaiiothns ant<?ricami8. 

 Cistus ladaniferus. 

 Clematis Flammula. 

 Coronilla Emerus. 

 Cotoneaster. 

 < 'rata'gus. 



Cupressus lawsoniana. 

 Cvtisus scoparius. 

 Kla-agnus. 

 Ephedra. 

 F.scallonia. 



Euonymus japonicus and 



eiu*opa i u8. 

 Halimodendron argente- 



urn. 



Hedera Helix. 

 Hippoplme rlmmnoides. 

 Ilex Aquifoliimi. 

 Juniperus cominunis. 

 Laburnum. 

 Leycesteria formosa. 

 Lonicera. 

 Lycium. 

 Olearia. 



