PRUNING HARDY SHRUBS. 



31 



Hydrangeas, of which there are now many sorts, may be pruned 

 in early spring to keep the plants shapely. 



Ceanothus. — ^The majority of these beautiful flowering shrubs 

 are worthy a place in all collections, and though generally treated 

 as wall plants, except in the very coldest parts of the country they 

 should always be included, as they make fine bushes and produce 

 an abundance of flower at various times of the summer, and blue- 

 flowering shrubs are not too plentiful. They answer well to pruning, 

 which should always be performed after flowering. 



Samhucus. — ^To keep these at all within bounds severe annual 

 pruning must be resorted to, and is best carried out during the last 

 week in March. 



The pretty Spanish Broom, Spartium junceum, of Southern Europe, 

 though somewhat common, is worthy of inclusion in every collection, 

 as it is an especially beautiful decorative subject when cut. Pruning 

 should be done in the spring. 



Rhodotypos kerrioides, from China and Japan, is one of our most 

 continuous flowering shrubs, and is seldom out of flower throughout 

 the summer. This should have plenty of Hght and air, and very Httle 

 pruning is needed beyond taking out some of the strongest growths 

 to keep the bush in shape. 



Poientillas. — ^The shrubby forms of Potentilla rank amongst our 

 most beautiful dwarf flowering shrubs, and if allowed plenty of 

 room, light, and air, need very little pruning, except the occasional 

 shortening back of the strongest growths, which should be done just 

 before growth commences in spring. 



The Rhamnus only require cutting into shape in the spring. 



Stephanandra Tanakae and S. flexuosa, natives of Japan, are 

 charming subjects and answer well to pruning, and if from any cause 

 they are in an unsatisfactory condition they may be pruned well to 

 the ground, after which strong growth will be produced. The beautiful 

 brown colour of the wood in winter renders these most attractive 

 subjects. 



spiraea. — ^The various species of this large family of shrubby 

 Spiraeas do not by any means all require the same methods of treatment 

 in pruning. 



The variety of S. japonica, known as callosa, should be pruned 

 hard during the winter months, and the same may be said of S. Douglasii, 

 S. hypericifolia, S. salicifoUa, and S. chamaedrifolia, whereas such 

 beautiful plants as S. discolor, S. arguta, S. bracteata, S. media, S, 

 Henryi, S. Thunbergii, and 5. Wilsonii simply require pruning at 

 intervals to keep the plants shapely and within bounds. Such strong- 

 growing varieties as S. arborea, S. Lindleyana, S. sorbifolia, and 5. 

 Aitchisoni require pretty severe pruning about the last week in March. 



Rhus or Sumachs are grown principally for their intense colouring 

 in the autumn. All the varieties known to me are certainly worthy 

 of cultivation. If grown in groups or beds and cut down to the 

 ground annually many of them create charming effects, but pruning 



