THE JOYOUS ART OF GARDENING 



into an indistinguishable greenery, are in evidence the whole 

 time. Like the actors in a Chinese theatre, they do not leave 

 the stage when their lines are said. It is not only the color 

 that counts. There are other qualities and characteristics quite 

 as important; the habit counts, the foliage counts, whether 

 the shrub combines well with its fellows or is dissimilar counts. 

 Wherefore, with a smooth-shaven lawn and a position near 

 the house, a more poUshed character is necessary in the shrubs, 

 and especially an all-the-year-around interestingness. 



Here again the low-growing trees are exceedingly desirable. 

 Among the best for planting at close range are the magnolias — 

 Soulangeana conspicua and S. Lenni. These are graceful and 

 interesting when not in bloom, charming in their winter buds 

 and gorgeous in April and May. There is nothing lovelier 

 for a close-range planting than Magnolia conspicuU with, at 

 its feet, Scilla and crocus spreading out into the grass. An- 

 other magnolia, M. stellata, is one of the loveliest, but it does not 

 group well — it is compact and symmetrical in habit, and is 

 better planted by itself or against a hedge of dark evergreens. 

 The Comus florida, the red-flowering variety or the white, 

 combines well, if low-branched and not "trimmed up" with 

 others of the Cornus, C. Amomum, C. candidissima. With the 

 lilacs, plant Exochorda, which is very graceful and follows just 

 after their glory is departed. Combine Forsythia viridissima 

 with Spiraea Thunbergii; Forsythia suspensa with Spiroea van 

 Huttei or Deutzia gracilis. Rose-colored or crimson weigelia 

 can be put with the first group; the forsythia has finished 

 blooming before it appears, and in habit it is not unlike. 



For the north side, rhododendrons, which are best by them- 

 selves, or, if combined, they should be with Ghent azaleas or 

 the native A. calendulcecea, which follows. Auratum lihes thrive 

 well in the bed with rhododendrons. Andromeda floribunda 



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