332 List of Shrubs 
Cassandra (Chamzedaphne). C. calyculata Don. (13), Leatherleaf, is 
a thoroughly hardy and pretty dwarf of the north temperate zone; with 
leathery foliage, rusty brown beneath, and nearly evergreen, attractive 
by virtue of its very early, small white flowers (April, May) covering 
the branches, in one-sided racemes from the axils of the leaves. It is 
useful for borders, and adapted to boggy land and to watersides. 
Clethra. C. calnifolia Linn. (14), Sweet Pepperbush (improperly White 
Alder), so called from the fragrance of its flower, is one of the finest 
native (from Maine to Florida) small shrubs (two to four feet); with 
slender, straight stems, not much branched, light green, downy bark, 
becoming purple, with bright, glossy, large leaves, and laige, creamy- 
white, showy, and fragrant flowers in racemes or spikes, terminal and 
from the axils of the leaves, which continue blooming from July to Octo- 
ber, when nearly all others have ceased flowering. Although a plant 
of the swamps and moist places, it grows well in dry, poor places, and 
is shade-enduring. It is especially adapted for massing in borders and 
in semi-refined plantations. 
The more southern (Madeira) evergreen species, C. acuminata Michx. 
(15), which sometimes assumes tree form, has no superior points, nor 
has the European, C. arborea Ait. (16). 
Kalmia. Laurel. A genus of five species, all American, low to high, 
shrubs, highly ornamental by reason of their glossy, evergreen foliage 
and very large, showy flowers. They are especially effective when 
massed. They are very hardy and frugal, very shade-enduring, and 
easily propagated. They can be readily secured from the woods. 
* K. latifolia Linn. (17), Mountain Laurel, Calico Bush, is the 
largest of the genus (fifteen to twenty feet), although it sometimes 
grows to a height of forty feet with a diameter of eighteen inches. It 
thrives from Canada to Georgia. It is the most elegant and attrac- 
tive of the genus, with dark-tufted, leathery foliage, which is broad and 
persistent; and beautiful flowers (May, July), of many shades, from 
pure white to rich rose color, in prolific terminal heads. Several vari 
eties vary in color. 
K. angustifolia Linn. (18), Sheep Laurel, very hardy, with purple 
crimson flowers (June, July), and — 
K. glauca Ait. (19) (polifolia), Swamp Laurel, with lilac, purple, 
earlier flowers (May, June), are both dwarfs (one to three feet), and 
both are like a still lower (six to eight inches) variety of the first, nana, 
fit for borders and small clumps. 
