84 BOOK OF OLD-FASHIONED FLOWERS 



species of Styrax. The dense, bright foliage, the 

 sweetly-scented, snow-white bells, and the general habit 

 of the tree render Styrax obassia one of the most valuable 

 constituents of a garden. Japan, too, has given us a 

 number of Maples which afford a feast of colour unrivalled 

 by any other group of trees in the world. They are 

 worth trying in any mild or protected situation, though 

 they should be planted on a small, experimental scale at 

 first as they do not thrive everywhere. They seem to 

 like partial shade and a north aspect. Those who have 

 mild and weather-favoured situations may glory in the 

 fragrant and — when well grown — handsome Magnolias, 

 though with these again success is not to be fore-counted 

 a certainty. But few are so badly placed but they may 

 grow the Lilacs, Laburnums, Hawthorns, Guelder Roses, 

 Spiraeas, Dogwoods, Weeping Birches, Weeping 

 Willows, and Flowering Currants. As decorative as 

 most, however, and more useful than any, of the shrubs 

 and trees worth growing in a garden, are the apples and 

 pears, medlars and quinces, plums and cherries whose 

 flowers and fruits have always impressed the traveller as 

 a beautiful feature of English landscape. 



Beneath the shade of deciduous trees there are many 

 plants which will live healthy and flowery lives. In the 

 spring we have for such situations the great array of 

 bulbs, together with many of the Primroses, Sweet Wood- 

 ruff", Hepaticas, Hellebores, Fair maids of France, Doroni- 

 cums, and other early bloomers ; and, even when the 

 trees are in full leaf, we may enjoy, if the soil be but 

 properly prepared, such pleasant flowers as those of the 

 Martagon Lily and Lilium speciosum. Campanulas, both 

 dwarf and tall, Foxgloves, Knot weeds, and Columbines; 

 whilst ferns of many kinds, together with several of the 

 Saxifrages and Megaseas, and such plants as Acanthus 

 mollis and the herbaceous Geranium, all help to produce 

 the pleasant effect which is yielded by the draping of the 



