Prunus — Flowering Plum. 261 



fragrant. When at the best this is a most attractive shrub 

 or tree, and it is certain to become a favorite. It is 

 reasonably hardy in the Northern States, though it is well 

 to give it slight protection. The peach blossom is short- 

 lived, as are most fruit blossoms, and the wise planter 

 will have regard to this fact from the beginning. 



PRUNUS— Flowering Plum. 



P. maritima, known as the beach plum, is a somewhat 

 common shrub along the Atlantic seacoast, and is worthy 

 of more attention than it ordinarily receives. It is found 

 in several varieties differing little and in unimportant par- 

 ticulars. As seen growing among the sand-heaps along 

 the shores, it is often a mere straggling bush three to four 

 feet high, and without form or comeliness, but when trans- 

 ferred to better soils, and given proper care, it not infre- 

 quently rises to a height of eight feet. Under cultivation 

 it becomes a shapely and useful shrub, and is abundant in 

 fruitage, which by some is highly esteemed. The stem is 

 almost black, sometimes erect and sometimes prostrate, 

 and with ash-colored dots. The branches are stiff, often 

 dotted with orange, while the leaves are closely set, and 

 are covered with a soft down. The blossoms come in ad- 

 vance of the foliage, and, though having no especial 

 beauty, are interesting. 



The chief virtue of this plant, how^ever, is its adapta- 

 tion to inhospitable situations, and its power of endurance 

 where others fail. Whatever else may be said in its favor, 

 it stands pre-eminent as a nurse plant in the peculiar posi- 

 tions where it is able to thrive. In shore planting one 



