130 LITTLE GARDENS 
A few shrubs are represented in both evergreen and deciduous 
classes. Such is the case with Magnolias. It is difficult to imagine 
anything more beautiful than a good specimen plant of the ever- 
green large flowered Magnolia (M. grandiflora) growing up the sunny 
side of a house. The Yulan (M. conspicua) is a deciduous kind ; in 
late April and May it produces an abundance of snowy white 
flowers. Magnolias should be given sheltered situations. 
Such plants as Rhododendrons and Azaleas, in fact, all hardy peat 
loving shrubs, are commonly known as American plants ; the term, 
however, is misleading. 
When to Plant Shrubs.—Some plants are seen at their best 
in isolated positions. This is especially the case with many conifers, 
and for this reason they should be planted apart from other shrubs. 
For instance, Lawson’s Cypress (Cupressus Lawsoniana), which is so 
handsome as a specimen plant upon the Jawn, loses all charm when 
planted in a mixed shrubbery. The season for planting varies with 
different kinds of shrubs; as a general rule, however, it is safe to 
transplant deciduous kinds any time when they are not in leaf, that 
is to say, between September and March. Autumn planting is 
preferable. It is best to plant evergreens in early September, or 
to defer the operation until May, although by taking great care 
planting may be done between these months. Evergreen Oaks are 
best transplanted in May, and Hollies in April. The work must 
not be carried out in frosty weather. Avoid deep planting. A 
useful guide in planting may be taken from the ground mark, which 
clearly shows the depth at which the plant was growing previously. 
Vine soil is worked among the roots at planting time and trodden 
firmly down. After planting, especially if the soil is at all light or 
dry, a thorough soaking of water should be given. 
Special Likes and Dislikes.—A few shrubs are particular as 
to soil. Rhododendrons and allied plants show a dislike to chalky 
soil. In fact, it is really not worth while trying to grow these 
plants in soils which contain much-lime or chalk. A compost 
consisting of equal parts of peat and sand suits very well, although 
Rhododendrons do not object to a good loam, especially if it con- 
tains leaf soil. Magnolias, which are best planted in September, 
prefer a mixture of leaf mould and peat, although they succeed on 
a deep loam overlying a gravelly subsoil. The Tamarisk and Sea 
Holly are well suited for seaside gardens, and Willows, of which 
there are many ornamental and low growing kinds, flourish in wet 
soils. As shrubs for undergrowth to trees, the low growing St. 
John’s Wort, Periwinkle, and Mahonia, and others to which reference 
has already been made, are suitable. These are most accommodating 
plants. If carefully planted most shrubs will soon take care of 
themselves, but at the same time the influence of soil and 
situation has a very marked effect upon the results. It is by no 
means uncommon for a certain shrub, the Mexican Orange (Choisya 
ternata) for example. to flourish in one garden whilst perhaps 
