SUBURBAN GARDENINa. 



327 



followed unless fresh soil is not readily obtainable ; 

 but the pots are always available, not omitting that 

 most necessary item of cleanliness, well scrubbing 

 the outside and inside of each pot before being again 

 used. Always preserve sufficient of the broken pots 

 to act as di-amage to me plants wnen being re- 

 potted, but see that these even are well cleansed 

 before use. After plants have been fresh potted bo 

 cautious in the use of the water-pot for some little 

 time, until signs are seen in the growth of the plant 

 that it is assimilating to itself the properties con- 

 tained in the new soil. 



SUITABLE SUBJECTS. 

 As a guide for those who are selecting material 

 wherewith to furnish their gardens, we purpose now 

 to give a selection of some of the best, hardiest, and 

 most suitable subjects to be employed. 



Shrubs and Trees — Of evergreen shrubs that 

 are valuable for their foliage alone, or combined 

 with the ornamental character of their flowers or 

 fruit, there are several genera from which to choose. 

 Some that we quote may be well-known kinds, but 

 in order to make the list more complete it is necessary 

 to mention them. Arbutus Unedo, the Strawberry 

 tree, in some few varieties, requires a rather shel- 

 tered position to attain to a fruit-bearing state. 

 Aucuba japonica maculata, the well-known old variety; 

 A.j'aponica vera nana, the green form of the same, 

 and both female varieties ; A. japonica maculata mas- 

 cnla, the male form of the old kind ; and A. japonica 

 riridis — ^both of these should be grown, but one plant 

 of each would be sufficient in a small garden in order 

 to fertilise the female varieties. Azara microphyUa, 

 somewhat like the old Cotoneastcr microphyUa, but 

 both are well worth growing as a foreground to 

 other shrubs. Berberis Darwinii, beautiful when in 

 flower; B. Aquifolium, also called Mahonia Agui- 

 folium, one of the best shrubs for a small garden, the 

 l)ronzy points of the young growths and leaves being 

 very useful in floral arrangements; £. stenophylla, 

 free-flowering. Buxus sempervirens, or the Box, is well 

 known, both the variegated and green forms being- 

 useful, whilst the dwarf kind, especially the varie- 

 gated form, is a very pretty shrub. Cerasus Lauro- 

 cerasHs, or the Common Laurel, needs no description, 

 but the Colchic or C. L. colchica should be chosen ; 

 the Portugal Laurel, Cerasus lusitanica, is, however, 

 the best in a small garden, aud the myrtle-leaved 

 kind of this, C. lusitanica myrtifolia, is even better 

 still. Daphne Lanreola^ the Spurge Laurel, and B. 

 dneorum., the Garlaud Flower, are capital additions to 

 the list. Euonymus japonicus in several varieties, but 

 the green-leaved and oldest variety is still one of the 

 most reliable. As to Hollies, there are several useful 



kinds of this valuable shrub. The common Green or 

 Ilex Aquifolium is one of the most serviceable ; 

 another kind with larger leaves is Ilex Hodginsii, 

 also very good ; the variegated kinds are more to l)e 

 recommended, not presenting such a sombre appear- 

 ance ; of these Ilex Aquifolium "Golden Queen" 

 and "Silver Queen" are two of the best to select. 

 Laurus nobilis, or the Sweet Bay, ought to be included 

 if only for the sake of the perfume of its leaves. 

 Ligustrum japonicum and L. coriaceum, the latter of 

 dense habit, are two of the best kinds of evergreen 

 Privet. Ruscus aculeatus, or Butcher's Broom, is 

 useful for planting in the worst of positions. Spar- 

 tium juncemn and Cytisus albus, the yellow and white 

 Spanish Brooms, are fast-growing and free-flowering 

 shrubs. Veronica Andersonii and other species are 

 well suited for the seaside, and in conjunction with 

 the Euonymus should be freely planted. 



Of the plants classified as " American," the 

 Rhododendron is in the front rank, and needs no 

 recommendation. Belonging to this section are also 

 found the Kalmia latifolia and the Pieris floribunda 

 (generally met with under the name of Andromeda 

 floribunda), both being beautiful additions in the 

 pure air of the country, but not satisfactory in 

 either case when brought into the vicinity of 

 fog and smoke. The hardy Azaleas may, how- 

 ever, be planted with prospects of satisfactory 

 progress being made. The varieties of Azalea 

 pontica are the hardiest, and therefore the most 

 to be recommended ; these will succeed where 

 others fail. Azalea mollis and its varieties should 

 not be chosen, being disposed to flower too early 

 in the season. 



Of deciduous trees and shrubs, i.e., those that an- 

 nually shed all their leaves, several kinds may be 

 enumerated. The variegated Maple, yegundofraxini- 

 folium, or Acer Kegundo, is a beautiful shrub, and 

 presents a first-rate appearance as a standard. "With 

 a slight protection afforded them there are several 

 recent introductions from Jai^an that are of a most 

 beautiful foliation. Their leaves are much laciniated, 

 and vary in the tints from pale green to a deep 

 bronze purple ; these species will without doubt 

 become most popular. Of the Birch, one at least 

 might be chosen if the grounds are of fair dimen- 

 sions ; one of the pendulous kinds would have a good 

 appearance. Catalpa syringa^folia could be used 

 instead of the Birch, its bold massive foliage and 

 beautiful spikes of flowers being very effective ; not 

 suited for a very small garden. The double-blossom 

 Cherry ; the scarlet and pink, with the white variet\' 

 of Hawthorn or May, are all most floriferous ; the 

 double kinds are preferable. The common Laburnum 

 and a few improved varieties are all useful in their 

 season. The Copper Beach should have a place, im- 



