70 JUNE EFFECTS ON THE LA WN. 



already learning that a little protection by planting in the 

 lee of other trees, and a practical consideration of the pedi- 

 gree of the variety used, considered with regard to the more 

 or less hardy nature of its ancestors, will secure general 

 results of the most satisfactory chai-acter. Azalea nudi- 

 flora is a good example of this genuine American plant 

 of the azalea type. 



In this connection, however, I must not fail to offer meet 

 tribute to the excellent beauty of the common laiirel of 

 the American woods, Kalmia latifolia. While its flowers, 

 perhaps, are not as splendid in form and mass as those of the 

 rhododendron, nor as varied and subtle in coloring as those 

 of the hardy azalea, the curious, quaint construction of its 

 flower-cup is yet quite as distinguished in its way for its 

 exquisite daintiness and charming symmetry. It surpasses 

 the rhododendron, moreover, in hardiness, and possesses the 

 attraction of comparatively large evergreen leaves, which 

 the deciduous hardy azalea does not possess. When grown 

 in the nursery, i. e., transplanted now and then, the Kalmia 

 latifolia may be readily moved at any age, but to tear old 

 plants from their native haunts in woodland nooks and 

 plant them successfully on the lawn, has been repeatedly 

 proved to be a difficult operation. 



As we give our attention moi-e closely to deciduous 

 shrubs, we are impressed by the number of specially note- 

 worthy genera that distinguish themselves in June either by 

 their foliage oi- theii- flowers. What a lovely group, for 

 instance, are the various June-blooming spireas. 



There were, as we remember, fine spring-flowering spi- 

 reas like S. Thunbergii, but how lovely, also, are June- 



