GARDENS NEAR THE SEA 



pausing before the spiraeas, a group that, from early- 

 May until the autumn, shows some representative 

 member in bloom. In May, even before its leaves 

 have opened, the pendulous branches of Spiraea Van 

 Houttei are crowded with blossoms which give it the 

 appearance of a colossal snowball. S. Thunbergii 

 also loosens its white flowers early in May and holds 

 its distinction throughout the season by its unusually 

 light, fine foliage. The well-known, upright bridal 

 wreath, S. prunijolia, than which there is no fairer 

 shrub, comes into abundant bloom in late May. When 

 landscape effects are desired or shrubbery borders 

 are to be planted, the spiraeas are seldom overlooked, 

 for they are capable of helping out many designs. 

 S. opulifolia aurea serves as a plant of golden leafage 

 to give cheer to somber looking masses of foliage, 

 besides being in itself a highly attractive individual. 



The type opulifolia is one of the notable June- 

 blooming spiraeas: S. Billardi shows its upright, steeple- 

 shaped spikes of pink flowers in late June, when one 

 begins to regret the passing of the flowering shrubs. 



It is Anthony Waterer, <S. Bumalda, however, 

 that, standing upright, produces its flat, soft crimson 

 flower heads throughout the summer. At Shelter 

 Island, the Anthony Waterer is in full bloom about 

 the fourth of July, and there I have seen it regarded, 

 not with the formal admiration that usually falls to 

 a shrub, but as a veritable picking garden. This 

 was in a large estate to which the owners returned 

 too late in the season to give personal direction to 

 the gardener. He, it seemed, had a special fondness 



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