230 SHRUBS FITTED FOR PLANTING IN BEDS. 
beaten or moss-covered rock peeping out from tliem occasionally, would communi- 
cate an air of rusticity which might be otherwise wanting, and which would be 
particularly desirable in tame, flat, or suburban districts. 
There is a small tribe of peat-loving plants, resembling Heaths, and which 
might very properly be associated with them, included in the genus Menziesia. 
They are seldom destitute of their pretty purplish blossoms, and can be cultivated 
with as much facility as Heaths. They are not, however, so freely inclined to 
spread, or to be compact in their growth ; and hence they are frequently benefited 
by a little pruning. The time for performing this is while they are yet small ; for 
it is about as fruitless to attempt to prune an old shrub into neatness, as to train 
an old climber that has never been interfered with, or to instruct an ignorant person 
in the decline of life. In all these instances, something may be accomplished, but 
it is far from being satisfactory. The pruning should be done early in the spring ; 
and the sacrifice of flowers for a year or two ought not to be considered an obstacle. 
Another elegant little shrub that thrives most perfectly in heath-soil, is the 
Epigcea repens. Planted thickly in a prepared bed of good heath-mould, it soon 
expands into a carpet, and bears a very large quantity of lovely white flowers in 
May and June. The blossoms are deliciously fragrant. We saw large beds of it 
in admirable order at Mr. "Waterer'*s, Knapp Hill, last season, and are convinced 
that it is very inadequately known or cultivated. When once established, it needs 
no additional management. 
The interesting family of Vinca^ although extensively used for carpeting shrub- 
beries, borders, and rockwork, are rarely if ever to be met with planted in detached 
beds ; and yet no plants are more suited for the purpose. It is commonly supposed, 
because they flourish so well in shady situations and beneath trees, that they will 
not bear exposure. Such an opinion is altogether wrong. They will thrive in 
almost any circumstances, and certainly succeed, to admiration, in some of the 
sunniest spots that could be found. The V. major is perhaps least adapted for 
beds, on account of its growing so rapidly ; but as it will endure any amount of 
pruning, this is scarcely an objection. In trimming its branches, they must not 
be cut off formally round the edges of the bed, as if the operation had been done 
with shears. The majority of them should be cut farther back than the rest, and 
a sufiicient number of young shoots be left to cover them, so that no stumps shall 
be apparent. These trifling matters appear insignificant in themselves ; though 
it is astonishing how they affect the aspect of a place. 
Vinca minor and its varieties, especially the variegated one, compose groups of 
the most interesting character. Each sort should be kept by itself; and the beds 
ought not to be large, while they will be much improved by being raised a good 
deal in the centre. Mr. Perry, of the Banbury Nursery, Oxon, has a variety of 
V. minor with double blue flowers, which are described to us as being like those of 
the double blue Hepatica. No doubt this plant would make an admirable one 
for planting in beds. 
