138 
ON PLANTING SHOWY SHRUBS IN MASSES. 
Kalmia latifolia is another excellent plant for growing in a mass, since, in 
good seasons, the entire surface of each specimen will be clothed with flowers, and 
thus a robe of delicate, wax-like bloom will be spread over the whole bed for a 
considerable period. 
For the purity and snowy whiteness of its numberless blossoms, and the 
compactness of its habitude, the Leucothoe (Andromeda) floribunda is likewise a 
valuable thing for small beds. Amongst a number of darker and warmer-coloured 
masses, it would give a lovely relief ; and, even by itself, its own dark green 
foliage, and the bright verdure of a lawn, would sufficiently throw out the 
whiteness of its inflorescence. 
Several Heaths, and various American plants which do not occasion much 
display when planted singly in the borders, acquire an astonishing degree of 
interest if placed in masses, so that the specimens can run into each other. Such 
is the power of the sun on most species of this class during the hot summer months, 
that they can seldom gain sufficient strength to resist his prejudicial influence 
when they are standing alone. But as soon as they are collected into masses, they 
speedily unite their branches so efficiently that no amount of drought or solar heat 
seems afterwards to harm them. 
For a proof of this fact, from analogy, which any one may examine and test by 
an hour's observation, we would refer to moorland tracts or rocky hills where peat 
abounds, but where the heath and other plants do not altogether cover the ground. 
Patches of dififerent Heaths, or of the pretty Vaccinium or Oxycoccos^ from two to 
four feet in diameter, may be seen flourishing in the greatest luxuriance ; while 
smaller pieces, composed of only one or two plants, have been withering and dying 
during the past month. Obviously, the grouping of the specimens has protected 
them from the injuries of exposure, and given them their peculiarly healthy cand 
beautiful appearance. 
Beds of roses are so universal, that we need but just glance at them with the 
view of establishing the propriety of grouping flowering shrubs. Where the 
situation will admit of it, and a higher refinement is not desired, a few clumps of 
Lilacs would make a glorious feature in a pleasure-garden, garlanded with their 
handsome flowers in the month of May. A bed of dwarf Honeysuckles, also, 
pruned into bushes, would be an enchanting object. Masses of Fuchsias, moreover, 
will soon, we trust, be as common as gardens themselves and the love of flowers ; 
for they are some of the most elegant of our summer embellishments, and almost 
as hardy as the Hydrangea. The latter plant is a splendid thing for grouping ; 
its large heads of flowers being so well fitted for giving breadth of efi*ect. 
Probably one of the showiest of all plants for placing in masses, and one which 
is so peculiarly attractive on account of the earliness of its flowers, is the Ribes 
sanguineum. We were vividly reminded of this on witnessing a quantity of it 
planted as a hedge in one of our largest provincial nurseries. Tims treated, its 
showiness was perfectly dazzling, and we were compelled to acknowledge that we 
