250 HARDY SHRUBS. 



KCELREUTER1 A PANICULATA is one of the very best small sized decidu- 

 ous trees iu cultivation such as florists are of ten called upon to suggest 

 for small gardens and in places unsuitable or too small for the develop- 

 ment of forest trees. The Kcelreuteria was certainly not named by any- 

 one having its popularity in view, as 1 am inclined to think the long 

 name is responsible for the plant not being more common. There isn't 

 a sufficiently taking popular name under which the species is known. 

 The leaves are compound ; the flowers yellow, in immense panicles, well 

 above the leaves ; they are produced in June and July. The seed, which 

 is somewhat like that of the Canna, if sown in the Fall will germinate 

 the folio wing Spring. Stock is also got up readily from root cuttinga. 



LABURNUM ALPINUM (Scotch Laburnum; This is the hardiest species. 

 Where it does well it is a most beautiful shrub or email tree. The flow- 

 ers are bright yellow , in long racemes, Propagated by seeds. 



LAGERSTROEMIA INDICA (Crape Myrtle) Northern nurserymen, as 

 a rule, do not handle this plant, owing to its being tender in the North. 

 However, it is hardy enough to stand zero weather; but when the mer- 

 cury gets much lower the plant Is apt to be killed to the ground. In 

 the Southern States the Crape Myrtle is perhaps the best known of all 

 the flowering shrubs, as there are few, if any, which exceed In beauty a 

 well-developed specimen in full bloom. The flowers are bright pink and 

 are arranged in immense heads, even on one year-old plants from seed. 

 Large specimens grown in tubs, and kept in a cool greenhouse, can be 

 made to flower two or three times during the year by cutting back the 

 flowering branches. L. 1. alba has pure white flowers, others are bright 

 and pale shades of purple, rose and red. It is hardy in this section and 

 is successfully grown much further North with a slight protection dur- 

 ing Winter, for if the roots are protected with a covering of leaves, or 

 rough litter, they will sprout vigorously and bloom profusely before the 

 Summer passes. It is best propagated from seed, as all the colors come 

 true. Sow in boxes about the latter part of September, on very firm 

 soil, covering the seeds with finely sifted peaty soil. They will germinate 

 in Spring, and If liberally treated some of them will bloom the same 

 season. Young plants are always much more tender than those three 

 years old and upward. 



LAURUS NOBILIS (Bay Tree) In sheltered situations this well-known 

 shrub occasionally survives the Winters in this section. It sometimes 

 makes growths 6 feet long in a single season ; these are necessarily soft 

 and ill-prepared to stand severe weather. During the winter of 1898 

 1899 every plant was killed to the ground. Large specimen plants 

 grown as standards and pyramids are imported for decorative pur- 

 poses. They may be had in good condition for several years by atten 

 tion to watering and keepiner them indoors when there is danger from 

 frosts. Owing to their restricted root room there is little danger of 

 their growing out of shape. 



LIGUSTRUM (Privet) In this section L. japonicum is a very deferable 

 evergreen species with large leaves. During very severe Winters the 

 outer branches suffer considerably. L. ibota and L. lucidum are 

 very attractive-looking shrubs when in flower. L. ovalifolium is the 

 so-called California privet ; much used as a hedge plant. The European 

 privet, L. vulgare, has small flowers and foliage. This and L. ibota are 

 the hardiest of the species. There is a form of L. vulgare with glaucous 

 leaves, the margins of which are bordered with white. The deciduous 

 species are among the easiest shrubs to root from dormant cuttings. 

 These may be put in as soon as the leaves fall. The usual practice is to 

 make cuttings about 10 inches long, tie in bundles and bury in Band, 



