2i 8 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



great time the Lead Plant has been in cultivation it is far from common 

 in gardens. A. fruticosa (False Indigo), a well-known deciduous shrub, 

 is more common than the last-named species. It is vigorous and grows 

 half a dozen feet high when planted in sandy soil, and produces purplish- 

 blue flowers in rather short spikes during summer. This shrub flowers 

 more freely when cut back every year, as the blossom produced on young 

 growths is much finer than that on neglected bushes. 



Andromeda polifolia (The Marsh Rosemary) is a pretty shrub when 

 seen at its best, but it is not suitable for every garden. There is an 

 idea that this low-growing evergreen shrub seldom develops more than 

 fifteen inches, succeeeding only in peaty soil. This is a mistake, because 

 it flourishes and flowers profusely in loamy soil provided lime is absent 

 and the soil moist. Its wiry shoots, bright green leaves, and its pale 

 pink flowers borne in racemes are distinct, enduring, and very beautiful. 

 The varieties, major and angustifolia, are practically described by their 

 varietal names. 



Aralia chinenis (syn. Dimorphanthus mandschuricus) is a Chinese 

 tree introduced to this country upwards of sixty years ago. In a deci- 

 duous state its long, spiny, branchless stems are by no means attractive ; 

 but during the growing season, and in autumn when bearing its huge 

 terminal panicles of small cream- white flowers, it is very effective, and 

 has quite a tropical look. It is quite hardy and flourishes in poor soils. 

 The varieties albo-marginata and aureo-marginata have silver and golden 

 variegated leaves respectively. Both form handsome plants. The 

 Angelica tree (A. spinosa) was introduced from Virginia more than 

 two hundred years ago, and like the last-named it blooms in autumn, 

 in fact its cream-coloured flowers may be frequently seen as late as the 

 middle of October, and even after that time. To see the full beauty of 

 this plant it should be allowed plenty of room and generous treatment. 



The Arbutuses (Strawberry Trees) are delightful subjects for the 

 garden, especially if the soil is peaty, moist, well-drained, and the posi- 

 tion screened from the north and east. Not only are they valued for 

 their flowers, but also for their berries. The strawberry-like fruit of A. 

 Unedo is very showy, and as the white bell-shaped flowers are borne at 

 the same time the effect of a good-sized tree is very telling when suit- 

 ably placed. A. Unedo, the most frequently planted kind, is of moderate 

 growth, rarely developing more than twenty feet in height, with bright 

 green leaves, forming a round-headed, well-balanced tree. It can be 

 well recommended for planting on the outskirts of the lawn and near 

 the sea-coast. It flowers in autumn. Several varieties differing from 

 the type have been raised, and are now in gardens. They differ either 

 in habit of growth, size, or colour of flowers, and are fairly described 

 by their varietal names. For instance, A. U. querdfolia has leaves 

 not unlike those of some oaks. The variety microphylla is not only small 

 in growth, but its deep green leaves are the smallest of all the Arbutuses. 

 It is of slow growth and a serviceable evergreen shrub for small gardens. 

 The variety rubra, also known as A. Croomii, is of more than ordinary 

 merit. It grows freely and has large handsome leaves, while the young 



