SOME BEAUTIFUL SHRUBS. 



359 



most imposing of the group, with immense foliage and flowers pure white 

 in colour. It should have a position sheltered from rough winds, which 

 are apt to lacerate the foliage. The Magnolias are not fastidious as to 

 soil, though a good heavy loam suits them best, and when planting they 

 should be placed in the permanent position, as they resent disturbance at 

 the roots. The Tulip Tree, which is a near relation of the Magnolias, 

 has the same objection to transplantation. M. conspicua and obovata 

 I have found transplant better than the others when of small or medium 

 size. 



Xanthoceras sorbifolia (fig. 123) is one of our most charming early 

 flowering shrubs, but it is not so frequently met with as one would 

 expect. A warm position should be chosen for it, and a rich deep loam 

 is the best soil. The flowers, which are white with a red blotch at the 

 base of each petal, somewhat recalling those of the horse-chestnut, are 

 produced in quantity just as the leaves are appearing, and it makes a very 

 handsome bush ten feet in height. The fruits are large and green looking 

 externally, like walnuts, and sometimes appear when the plant is still in 

 its infancy. 



The Spiraea genus contributes to our gardens an immense number of 

 beautiful flowering shrubs, some of which flower early in the spring, 

 while others do not blossom till the end of summer, so that it is possible 

 to have some of them in flower from March till October. Many of them 

 make excellent specimens, while others are specially well adapted for 

 planting in masses, and make fine groups of colour in the woodland or 

 semi-wild garden where sufficient space is available* 



There are a great many species and varieties and innumerable hybrids, 

 but few of the latter are of special note, and I propose giving a selection 

 only of the choicest. S. Thunbergii and S'. arguta are two of the earliest 

 to flower, both with pure white flowers in such quantity as almost to 

 hide the slender branches. S. prunifolia fl. pi. flowers in April, and 

 is one of the finest for planting in a group, as the autumn foliage is 

 of *a very -gorgeous deep red. S. japonica is a summer -flowering species, 

 red in colour, of which there are several excellent varieties. The best is 

 named ' Anthony Waterer,' which grows about two feet high, with 

 rich crimson flowers. Bumalda and ruberrima are also red, and alba 

 is a desirable white. None of these Spiraeas require much pruning, 

 it being only necessary occasionally to thin out the old wood which has 

 flowered. 



For massing purposes the most desirable are S. Douglasii and 

 S. Nobleana, each with red flowers, and S. canescens, with white flowers 

 and very elegant whip-like stems. These require pruning late in every 

 spring down to the very ground to produce the most satisfactory results. 

 For single specimens, where they have sufficient room to fully develop, 

 the following should be grown : S. Aitchisoni and S. Lindleyana, both 

 large growers with white and cream inflorescences, S. ariaefolia or 

 discolor, bracteata, a Japanese species and one of the very best, S. confusa, 

 and S. Van Houttei. 



All the Buddleias make good-sized specimens, and everyone is familiar 

 with that old garden favourite B. globosa, with its little balls of golden 

 flowers. Some varieties of B. variabilis of recent introduction are 



