SHRUBS FOR PLANTING 



for Anthony Waterer, either because of its hardiness 

 in that situation or because of its generous offering 

 of flowers. It was planted in beds as one might 

 treat roses, made into hedges, where, indeed, it was 

 very effective (page 77), and used extensively wherever 

 there was excuse. The children of the place looked 

 upon it as a flowering plant and treated it with the 

 familiarity that they would extend to Joe Pye weed. 

 They gathered large bouquets of it, made it into 

 wreaths, and fairly reveled in its abundance. In the 

 dining room it was used for a decoration, and also to 

 fill large vases on the veranda. How these shrubs 

 eventually weathered the season, I never knew. They 

 were, at least, saved from the period of ugliness this 

 species undergoes when the flower heads are faded. 



Many, indeed, are the shrubs of late April and May 

 that open, bloom, and pass before the entrance of 

 June. But they are not forgotten, for frequently they 

 have relatives, as has been mentioned, that keep their 

 families in remembrance throughout the season. 



The opening of the Weigelias is a sign of June, 

 although in seasons of advanced growth they scarcely 

 wait until then before letting free their masses of flowers. 

 With its long sprays covered with blossoms, Weigelia 

 rosea suggests a huge bouquet intensified against an 

 early summer sky. It is much used among shrubbery 

 and also as a single specimen. 



Until a year ago, I had a pricking prejudice against 

 this group of shrubs, thinking their foliage coarse 

 and their trumpet-shaped flowers of no special attrac- 

 tion. But one day I passed through several towns 



[65] 



