104 PRACTICAL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS 



ORNAMENTAL AND FLOWERING TREES AND 



SHRUBS 



One can hardly imagine a garden of any size which does not contain 

 a flowering or ornamental tree or shrub of some kind or another. 

 And yet until comparatively recent years the cultivation of this 

 particular class of plants was more or less neglected, while a vast 

 amount of time and labour was spent on that gaudy and ephemeral 

 work known as ' carpet-bedding.' Fortunately, a more rational and 

 natural view of plants in general is now taken, and there is no part of 

 a garden which is not eminently suitable for the cultivation of some 

 plant or another, either native or exotic, and whether tree, shrub or herb. 



In the British Islands we are of course confined to the cultivation 

 of those kinds of trees and shrubs which are natives of temperate 

 climates like our own, but a perusal of the list given below will show that 

 there are already a very considerable number which can be grown suc- 

 cessfully in various parts of the kingdom. They come from all parts of 

 the world, from China and Japan, North and South America, Europe, Asia 

 and New Zealand, and with few exceptions they adapt themselves to our 

 climate vnth the greatest ease. A visit to Kew Gardens at any season 

 of the year will give some idea of the great beauty and variety of the 

 trees and shrubs which may be used to beautify the landscape. 



Planting for Effect. — The arguments used in favour of massing 

 herbaceous plants in borders apply with equal force to the planting of 

 flowering shrubs, but not to large trees. The latter, on account of their 

 size, are best planted in advantageous positions so that they will give 

 the best possible effect to the landscape. Shrubs, on the other hand, 

 which grow from two or three to ten or twelve feet high — like Dog- 

 woods, Forsythias, Cotoneasters, Diervillas, Mock Orange, Viburnums, 

 Andromedas, Azaleas, Ehododendrons, Barberries, Ceanothus, Daboecia, 

 Deutzias, Ericas, Spiraeas &c. — may be grown in masses on the lawn, 

 in the pleasure ground, or wilder parts of the garden. 



In what is usually called the ' shrubbery ' many choice shrubs are 

 spoiled and distorted by being crammed in anyhow, as if the chief object 

 of the planter was to hide the ground altogether, and prevent any 

 chance of the plant's natural development. They are pushed away in 

 holes and corners under large overhanging trees, and often smothered 

 with the vigorous-growing Snowberry (p. 481), and when by chance 

 they survive, they only manage to stretch forth a lean and almost leaf- 

 less branch to obtain a little sunshine. 



