FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 77 
of flowering, interspersing with shrubs of different growth 
to prevent monotony. Almost every shade from white 
to deep crimson is to be found in these showy flowers, 
Limestone soils are very prejudicial to their welfare, but 
otherwise they succeed in a diversity of situations. 
Numbers of hybrid kinds are catalogued, and it is an 
easy matter to choose a dozen or so really desirable 
varieties. 
Cytisus.—Broom. The Common Broom (C. Scoparius) 
is by no means to be excluded from our gardens, where 
its cheerful presence in the semi-wild parts is very 
welcome. Among cultivated varieties the beautiful 
white form C. a/bus is very graceful, with its long dark 
green sprays covered with snowy flowers. C. Andreanus 
is similar in form to the common variety, but the yellow 
flowers are richly marked with blotches of reddish 
chestnut. 
Prunus.—This is a large family containing the flower- 
ing Plums, Almonds, Peaches, and Cherries. Almost 
all are beautiful, with their soft masses of rosy pink and 
white flowers borne on branching twigs and sprays. 
The Japanese Cherry (P. pseudo-Cerasus), which the Japs 
will tramp for miles to see in all its beauty, has many 
good double varieties, one of the best being Cerasus 
Watereri. P. Padus, the Bird Cherry, should, in its 
double form, certainly be included among the garden 
trees. Then there is the Double Chinese Plum 
(P. japonica), with delicate pink and white flowers 
borne on slender shoots. P. Lauro-Ceraus, the Cherry 
Laurel, a fine evergreen, which requires plenty of space, 
and should not be crowded in among more delicate 
growers. The common Almond (P. amygdalus) is well- 
known, especially in town gardens, its beautiful pink 
flowers being produced early in the season. In spite of 
its general use in our gardens we could ill spare the 
Portugal Laurel (P. /usitanica), it is a noble evergreen, 
