28 THE BOOK OF SHRUBS 
remove a small portion of the least satisfactory and 
then add the leaf-mould and manure. Magnolias may 
be propagated by layering in the summer, which is the 
most simple method of increase, and cuttings of the half- 
ripened shoots with a small portion of the old wood at 
the base. They present a very attractive appearance 
arranged singly or in small groups on the lawn or along 
the front of the shrubbery. 
The most desirable of the shrubby species are Mag- 
nolia obovata, a handsome species about five feet high and 
bearing large tulip-shaped flowers, white on the inner 
and purple on the outer side, in April and May. MM. 
obovata purpurea has flowers larger in size and deeper in 
colour than those of the type. MM. parviflora, a distinct 
species, about six feet high, and bearing globular white 
flowers suffused with rose, in April and May. MM. 
stellata, a most valuable species growing from two to 
four feet high, and bearing in great profusion star-like 
fragrant flowers with numerous strap-shaped petals in 
March and April. This is the finest of all the white 
flowered shrubs blooming thus early in the year, and is 
very effective grown in beds. There is a beautiful 
variety with rose-pink flowers known as M. stellata rosea. 
M. Watsoni is a desirable Japanese species, it attains a 
height of about six feet, and bears at the tips of the 
young branches in June cream-white flowers, which are 
about six inches in diameter and highly fragrant. 
PHILADELPHUS OR Mock Orances,—The species and 
varieties of Philadelphus constitute a group of shrubs of 
immense value. They are all of moderate growth, 
elegant in character and free in blooming, and the 
flowers are produced during the summer months when 
there are but few hardy shrubs in bloom. They all 
thrive in any ordinary garden soil and require but little 
assistance from manurial matter, a top dressing of well- 
rotted stable or farmyard manure every second or third 
