ON TREES AND SHRUBS 



411 



elsewhere, is one of the most beautiful of weeping trees, while 

 the cardinal and yellow-barked \Villows add colour to the 

 landscape, especially in winter. S. alba is another handsome 

 tree, and S. fragilis is deserving of extended culture. S. 

 elegaiitissima, S. purpirea and its varieties, S. viridis, S. rubra, 

 S. aurita, S. daphiioides, S. petiolaris, S. lanata, S. Smithiana, 

 S. rosjnari?iifoiia, S. incana, S. cordata, S. phylicifolia and its 

 varieties, and S. nigi'icans, are good kinds. 



Sambucus (Elders). — Amongst these there are some useful 

 ornamental plants, and where shrubs with golden-coloured foliage 

 are desired, S. nigra foliis-aiireis (Golden Elder) should be noted. 

 The brightest colour is brought out w^hen it is planted in a 

 rather dry soil and on a bank sloping to the south. In order 

 to encourage young and vigorous shoots, hard pruning should be 

 adopted in spring. S. Ji. variegata has its foliage striped wdth 

 silvery-grey, which colour it unfortunately loses if planted under 

 the shade of tall-growing trees ; like the last-named it is 

 improved by severe pruning. S. n. laciniata (Parsley-leaved) 

 and S. racemosa (referred to under " Berry-bearing Shrubs ") are 

 handsome, too. 6^. r. plumosa and S. r. temiifolia are very 

 attractive shrubs of graceful outline. S. glauca has foliage 

 somewhat similar to S. nigra ; in its native habitat it grows into 

 a tall tree, and when laden wnth its glaucous-coloured berries is 

 very distinct. It fruits in a very young state. 



Shepherdia argentea should be included amongst a list of 

 choice shrubs or small trees. It is a North American subject, 

 grows to a height of about 15ft., and thrives best in a rich, well- 

 drained soil. Its leaves are narrow and silvery on both sides. 

 The small yellow^ flowers appear in April, and the bright red 

 fruits in September. A useful shrub for small gardens. 



Spartiuai junceum (Spanish or Rush Broom) deserves special 

 mention on account of the ease with which it grows in dry gravelly 

 soils, where many shrubs would only eke out an existence. It 

 is of fairly rapid growth, assuming a bush 8ft. or so high, and 

 producing the best effects when planted in a mass, as individual 

 plants are of rather ungainly habit; but w^hen massed this 

 defect is not noticed. It is an abundant and continuous 

 blossomer, and its pea-shaped sweet-scented flowers are very 

 conspicuous, as they are borne after the majority of trees and 

 shrubs have displayed their floral treasures. 



Spir^as. — The shrubby Spiraeas are valuable dwarf shrubs. 

 All the kinds here mentioned are of easy culture and very 

 showy. Although they thrive in sandy soil, one composed of 

 good loam and leaf-mould answers best. They do not give 

 satisfaction planted under the shade of tall-growing trees : while, 

 on the other hand, it is unwise to expose them to the full sun. 

 as the flowers are apt to become scorched and to fade early, besides 



