232 SHRUBS FITTED FOR PLANTING IN BEDS. 
cause them to produce fresh roots, as to induce them to throw out branches Uberally 
from the exposed portions, and to conceal the parts that are devoid of shoots. 
One of the prettiest and most valuable of all shrubs for small beds is the 
Daphne Cneorum. The beautiful deep pink hue of its blossoms, their odour — which 
is so universally grateful, and the profusion in which they are borne both during 
the spring and autumn months, make it a general favourite. Besides, it is an 
evergreen, of good habit, and very dwarf. But it is usually found hard to cultivate, 
and often dies in some positions. The fact is, that, coming from mountainous 
regions, it will not thrive in confined spots, nor where the earth is of a clayey or 
adhesive nature, nor amongst other shrubs or plants. It ought to be grown in a 
separate bed, the soil of which should be made ready before planting, and consist 
of two-thirds light loam from a meadow, and the remainder open heath-mould. 
The bed should be above the level of the surrounding grass or paths, and in a 
position where it can receive plenty of sun and air without being liable to cutting 
winds. If a few of the shoots are kept layered, and one or two of the plants thus 
obtained be planted at times near the stools of the old specimens, which are apt to 
become bare, it will entirely cover the soil of a bed, each plant occupying a 
diameter of from two to three feet. Sometimes the stems do not become bare in 
the middle of the plant ; and then, of course, they will not need the aid of young- 
ones. The plants will remain perfect for several years ; and when they show 
symptoms of decay, all the branches should be layered, and these, in the following- 
season, be taken up, and shifted to a fresh place, or re-planted in the same bed, 
filled with new soil. 
Polygala ChamcBhuxus is another neat dwarf shrub, and though not so showy 
as the last-named, produces an immense quantity of its pretty yellow and white 
blossoms, and is an evergreen. It should be treated as the former ; only it is not 
desirable that the specimens should grow into each other, because they are seen to 
greatest advantage when alone. They ought, therefore, to be planted rather more 
than two feet apart. Being very diminutive in height, it is only fitted for beds of 
limited dimensions, and succeeds in any open situation, with the same soil as that 
prescribed for Daphne Cneorum. 
For further aiding to fill beds that require very low-growing shrubs, Berheris 
empetrifolia is a charming little plant. It is commonly reserved for rockwork, of 
which it is an excellent ornament, but need not be restricted to such a locality. 
In any dry open bed, exposed to the sun and sheltered from cold winds, it will 
flourish well with a light loamy earth. Its nature is somewhat trailing, and it 
does not rise many inches above the ground, extending laterally a foot or eighteen 
inches on either side. It suffers greatly if subjected to excessive dampness in 
winter, or severe drought during summer, and is healthiest in circumstances wherein 
both are provided against. The deep yellow blossoms have a very lively aspect 
when expanded, and the plant blooms both liberally and for a great length of 
time, afterwards bearing a handsome berry. The berries, however, seldom ripen 
