DECIDUOUS FLOWERING SHRUBS 17 
CytTisus or Brooms.—The Brooms, of which six or 
seven kinds are wondrously effective, are of much value 
in the creation of garden scenery, and should be freely 
planted, more especially in gardens extending over a large 
area. They all agree in having erect or decumbent 
slender shoots of a deep green tone, and pea-shaped 
flowers ; but they differ materially in stature and in the 
size and colour of the flowers. They may for the most 
part be readily raised from seeds sown early in the spring 
in the open border, or in an unheated frame, the latter 
course of procedure being necessary only when the 
supply of seeds is small and it is desired to raise the 
largest number of plants possible. The choice kinds may 
be increased by grafting them on the commoner species, 
and such handsome decumbent forms as Cytisus kewense 
and C. purpureus have an attractive appearance when 
grafted on the common laburnum about six feet from 
the ground. All the Brooms thrive on a light, sandy 
soil, and are therefore of great value for planting on dry 
banks of sand or chalk, where but few other shrubs 
would thrive. They produce the finest effect when 
arranged in groups of from three to twelve plants, 
according to the area of the garden and the size of the 
border or other space in which they are to be planted. 
As the Brooms have a tendency to become bare at the 
lower part after a few years’ growth, it is desirable to 
maintain a succession of young plants to replace the old 
specimens as they become unsightly. 
The most beautiful of those available for planting in 
the garden are—C. albus, or the White Spanish Broom, 
is a slender growing shrub, reaching a height of five or 
six feet before it becomes bare at the base, and bears its 
small white flowers at the end of May or early in June, 
and in such great profusion that the slender growths are 
enwreathed in flowers. C. ardoini, a distinct species of 
decumbent growth, and not exceeding six inches high. 
B 
