CHAPTER XI 

 Hardy Shrubs 



ABELIA (Rock Abelia). This is one of the most pleasing and 

 satisfactory of all flowering shrubs. It is not reliably hardy north 

 of Washington, but for the Southern States it is equally as desirable 

 as the Crape Myrtle (LagerstrcEmia). Abelia chinensis is one of the 

 very best for planting in cemeteries. Where the weather is not too 

 severe it is evergreen; grows only to a moderate height and bears 

 white flowers in great abundance. It blooms from Midsummer till 

 frost. The flowers are usually to be seen on the plants up to the end 

 of November. 



Propagation. It propagates freely from cuttings put in during 

 October and November. Select them from the tips of the shoots; 

 make them about 4 inches in length, put them close together in boxes 

 of sand; place in the coolest house and shade from bright sunshine. 

 By the beginning of January the batch should be gone over, as by 

 that time many of the cuttings will have rooted. Those which have 

 a sufficient number of roots may be put in thumb pots in the usual 

 way, but in cases where only one or two roots appear the plants are 

 best placed in the sides of the pots, as in that position they make 

 roots more freely than when in the center. In a short time they 

 will have made growth enough to be shifted into 3-inch pots, and 

 before the time comes when the houses are crowded with Spring 

 stock they may be transferred to the coldframe. 



ACER (Japanese Maples). The species A. palmatum, A. 

 japonicum and A. Sieholdianum are Japanese Maples. They have 

 very handsomely cut leaves, and especially during Spring and early 

 Summer they are very highly colored. The specimens usually seen 

 are from 3 to 8 feet high. The species from which the varieties 

 have sprung attain a height of 20 feet. All of them are very hardy, 

 and should be planted in sunny positions so that they have freedom 

 to develop into symmetrical specimens. They should not be planted 

 in shade, or even partial shade, on account of losing their color early 

 in the season. 



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