DECIDUOUS SHRUBS 111 



Almost as popular and well known as the white-flower- 

 ing dogwoods, the forsythias always constitute, where- 

 ever they grow, one of the most conspicuous effects on 

 the lawn. Their yellow flowers grow in great, close-set 

 masses. Forsythia fortunii has the most effective foliage, 

 because it is larger and more characteristic and satisfac- 

 tory, and blends better with other shrubs. 



An effective Japanese shrub is elseagnus umbellata, 

 and its companion, E. longipes. It is a great, rampant- 

 growing plant of picturesque shape, and has leaves with 

 silvery undersides, and small yellow flowers followed by 

 bright-red fruit. Elaeagnus hortensis has beautiful sil- 

 very, grayish-green foliage, but its habit is less vigorous 

 than that of the two species first named. 



Euonymuses are a little stiff and tree-like to serve the 

 purpose of a shrub, but they have a fine bark and habit 

 of growth, and their numerous, curiously shaped red 

 seed-vessels make a striking feature in the landscape on 

 a sunny autumn day. To these attractions are added, in 

 the case of some species, a rich fall coloring, that is well 

 illustrated in euonymus latifolius, E. atropurpureus, and 

 E. alatus. The green of the euonymus leaf often ex- 

 hibits a fine bluish-purple hue. 



It is not the intention, however, of the author to advo- 

 cate purple and golden-leaved kinds of any shrub or tree, 

 notwithstanding the fact that they are universally pop- 

 ular. Viewed individually, such plants are undoubtedly 

 beautiful, and have their value for those who may desire 

 to multiply their specimen plants ; but for the landscape 

 they present, as it seems to the author, a quality that 

 is not desirable in the group, because it is essentially 

 scenic, as opposed to the natural, in the striking glow 

 and glitter of its display on the lawn. 



