146 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



succeed well in moist positions, and are ornamental whether in or out of leaf. The 

 common elder (Sambucus nigra) is too coarse for pleasure grounds, but the golden 

 form (S. nigra aurea) is one of the best deciduous shrubs for giving an immediate 

 effect, cutting it away when choicer shrubs require more room. This, also the gold 

 and silver variegated kinds, and the cut-leaved elder, grow well in exposed and 

 smoky districts. The Golden Elder and purple hazel, or filbert (Corylus avellana 

 atropurpurea), associate well, as at Swanmore Park, Hants, and in many other gardens 

 and pleasure-grounds. 



Where weeping trees are appreciated the Japanese pagoda tree (Sophora japonica 

 pendula) ought certainly to be planted. It should have a well-drained position, and 

 succeeds best in sandy loam. The weeping ash, elm, lime, and willow are suitable 

 for lawns when appropriate positions can be found for them. Mention has been 

 made of the ordinary lime and elms as being good for avenues and screens. For the 

 same purpose Populus tremula (the Aspen) is excellent ; it succeeds well in 

 gravelly and sandy soil, also in towns— even in the middle of London, as may be 

 seen in the Shaftesbury Avenue, between Charing Cross and Oxford Street. The 

 three last-named are too large for small pleasure-grounds. 



TREES AND SHRUBS FOR WALLS. 



Bare walls and fences are not nearly so much in evidence as they were only a 

 few years ago. Draped with climbing and other plants suitable for the purpose, 

 and which cannot be so well grown elsewhere, they are worthy adjuncts to a well- 

 arranged garden, and the wonder is that the ornamentation of houses and divisional 

 walls and fences in the manner indicated should not have, broadly speaking, received 

 the attention that the subject certainly deserves. We have only to contrast the 

 bare walls of a portion of the front of a house, represented on the next page, with those 

 that have been clothed with a judicious assortment of plants, to strengthen our 

 conviction, if strengthening is needed, that many owners of houses, or persons in. 

 charge of gardens, have too long neglected their opportunities. Architects and 

 builders doubtless object to having much of their good work obscured, but, as before 

 hinted, bricks and mortar are not in the ascendant nowadays, and greenery is 

 preferred to glare. The one great hindrance to this form of house and wall decorations, 

 is the fact that the majority of the plants used for the purpose stand in need of 



