46 



SPRING EFFECTS ON THE LA WN. 



M. Lennei, however, is later in flowering, the latest of 

 the Chinese magnolias, if we except perhaps the bloom of 

 M. pv/rpurea and its variety gracilis^ which come about the 

 same time. Lervnei has the inner surface of its petal slightly 

 tinted with red, but the outer side is solid, rich, royal 

 purple. The flower itself is large, larger than those of any 

 of the hardy magnolias, if we except possibly t/ripetala, and, 

 of course, the enormous petals of M. macrophylla. 



The lawn planter must not neglect the attractions of M. 

 gracilis. It is, indeed, a variety of M. purpurea, an Asiatic 



magnolia, by no means hardy 

 in America, but its seedling, 

 gracilis, is hardier. M. gra- 

 cilis displays on its petals the 

 deepest purple o£ the family. 

 It is, moreover, a low shrub 

 like M. Hallea/na (stellata) 

 with a comparatively slender 

 and more elegant growth. 



Few hardy j^lants possess 

 more noble ornamental quali- 

 ties than Asiatic magnolias, 

 but it must be conceded that 

 while young they are some- 

 what more liable to injury from 

 sudden changes in winter and early spring than some other 

 plants. This is a weakness truly, but such excellence is 

 surely worthy of a little protection for a few years and 

 frequent transplanting in the nursery before permanent 

 setting out, in order to secure the fibrous roots necessary to 

 successful removal. 



JAPANESE MAGNOLIA. 

 (magnolia stellata. ) 



