BEAUTIFUL FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS. 



5 



sufficient to meet the demand. We have some evidence of the change 

 that has taken place, in the magnificent collections in pots that are 

 annually shown at the spring exhibitions of the Royal Horticultural 

 Society. 



It might be said that in mild seasons trees and shrubs bearing 

 attractive flowers may be had in bloom the winter through ; and 

 certainly some of those blooming during the winter are of much interest 

 and considerable beauty. It would be interesting to refer to them, but 

 to do this would occupy more time than is at my disposal. Moreover 

 my object is not to show how an arboretum should be planted to ensure 

 an adequate representation of kinds bearing attractive flowers, or to 

 advise on the furnishing of gardens in which both climatic and soil 

 conditions are especially favourable. What I am anxious to do is to 

 direct attention to the more beautiful kinds that can be successfully 

 cultivated under ordinary conditions and that produce their wealth of 

 bloom at a time when the garden can be fully enjoyed even by those 

 whose constitution is not of the strongest. 



It will be convenient to commence by directing attention to the 

 common almond (Amygdalus communis), one of the most beautiful of 

 the spring- flowering trees, blooming at the end of March or early in 

 April, according to the season and locality. There are several varieties, 

 but the most desirable are the form with double pink flowers, and 

 macrocarpa, which has large single light-pink flowers. The varieties of 

 the sweet almond [Amygdalus dulcis) have much to recommend them, 

 particularly imrpurea and pe?idula, the former having deep rose-pink 

 flowers and the latter being remarkable for its graceful habit of growth. 

 Their near relatives, the double-flowered peaches, are not quite so 

 vigorous as the almonds, but this is no disadvantage, and they can be 

 planted in prominent positions in small shrubberies or in beds on the 

 lawn, without any apprehension as to their size quickly becoming too great 

 for their allotted space. The crimson, rose, and white are the best forms 

 for general planting. 



The almonds and peaches are followed very closely by the magnolias, 

 and these are so beautiful, and so admirably adapted for gardens of all 

 sizes, that I could wish to be able to say, in the words of Wordsworth, 

 of all gardens — 



The magnolia spread 

 High as a cloud, high overhead. 



The magnolias are of such exceptional beauty in the garden that 

 they should be planted by the dozen instead of in twos and threes. 

 There are hundreds of gardens of considerable size in which they are 

 wholly unrepresented, and very few appear to have been planted until 

 comparatively late in the last century, for it is quite exceptional to meet 

 with large specimens. The first to bloom is Magnolia stellata, an 

 extremely beautiful species introduced from Japan about thirty years 

 ago, and forming a neat bush ranging from three to five feet high. The 

 flowers are starlike, with strap-shaped petals, pure white, and produced 

 in great abundance during April. There is a variety (M. stellata 

 rosea) with rose-pink flowers, and both this and the type should be 



