40 THE BOOK OF SHRUBS 
(4. Davidiana rubra) with pink flowers are of excep- 
tional value both for grouping on the lawn and for 
planting singly or in twos and threes in the shrubbery. 
They attain a stature similar to that of the almonds and 
are equally as early in contributing of their floral wealth 
which is very great, the branches being literally en- 
wreathed in blossom. The Double-flowered Peach 
(A. persica flore pleno) and its varieties are smaller in 
growth than the foregoing and if anything more effective 
as the flowers are much larger and some deeper in 
colour. The forms with crimson, brilliant carmine (4. 
persica magnifica) rose and white flowers are the most 
desirable. These are all of moderate stature and are 
well suited for lawn groups; when planted in the 
shrubbery care must be taken to prevent their being 
injured by more robust growing subjects. 
CataLpas.—There are few more beautiful flowering 
deciduous trees than C. bignonioides (syn. C. syringsephia) 
which under ordinary conditions attains a height of 
about twenty-five feet, with a spread of branches about 
equal to its height. The general aspect of the tree is 
extremely elegant, the leaves are large and handsome, 
and the flowers are somewhat tubular, an inch or so in 
diameter, white marked in the throat, with purple and 
yellow and borne in spikes that resemble those of the 
horse chestnut. It blooms in July and August accord- 
ing to the season and district, and is when in flower 
very attractive. Unfortunately this species is not quite 
hardy in northern latitudes and on cold heavy soils, and 
where it does not succeed C. speciosa should be sub- 
stituted. The latter is not quite so beautiful but it is 
hardier and very similar in character and in the colour 
of the flowers. Prominent positions with sufficient room 
for the spread of the branches should be selected for the 
catalpas. 
Cerasus.—The double-flowered cherries are so 
