May 5, 189?. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
327 
S PRING has now burst upon us with all its beauty. Deciduous 
trees and shrubs are rapidly unfolding their leaves, and the 
various tints of green cannot fail to interest the most callous 
observer. Evergreen plants, too, are throwing off their character¬ 
istic sombre appearance, assuming in many cases a more pleasing 
garb in the shape of beautiful flowers. Then, again, thousands 
of fruit trees are becoming laden with blossom, which, combined 
with the myriads of flowers of the undergrowth, form charming 
pictures in the landscape. 
There is a multitude of flowering trees and shrubs, and the 
majority of them bloom in May and June. The present moment 
is, therefore, a fitting time for reflection on their utility. Do 
gardeners, as a rule, give the matter sufficient attention ? I think 
not, and possibly a few other readers may agree with me. There 
are undoubtedly notable exceptions, but sweeping as the statement 
may appear, it cm be truthfully said that in numbers of gardens, 
pleasure grounds, and parks in this country the flowering trees and 
shrubs are sadly neglected. In other words, they are left to take 
care of themselves. A typical shrubbery in any garden will corro¬ 
borate this assertion. No systematic method of pruning or top¬ 
dressing is adopted, and the result is weU known. Pruning 
flowering shrubs in the proper manner appears, unfortunately, 
to be an unknown operation to many persons. They either leave 
the bushes alone or cut off the young shoots, which would have 
produced flowers had they been retained. To be fair, however, 
this system is more frequently adopted in public gardens than 
private establishments. It is done to give the shrubs a so-called 
“ neat ” appearance. 
Then as regards planting, who will deny that the best of the 
flowering trees and shrubs are oftentimes found struggling for 
existence in a mixed and crowded shrubbery ? This can be seen 
in almost any garden. Gardeners and others responsible for the 
embellishment of pleasure grounds should study the matter more 
closely. There are numerous shrubs of a compact habit—such as 
the Weigelas—that might with advantage be planted in groups in 
beds on the lawn, and the same applies to various trees. Their 
beauty is then seen to the fullest advantage, instead of, as is too 
often the case, “ hid under a bushel.” Many examples of neglect 
in this direction might be given, but as space is valuable a brief 
review of some of the best of the innumerable flowering trees 
and shrubs must suffice, and it may be of service to young 
readers. 
Among flowering trees the Magnolias occupy a prominent 
position, and are deserving of extended culture. When in full 
bloom they are really beautiful. Take, for example, M. conspicua, 
commonly known as the Yulan. Possibly one of the finest speci¬ 
mens of this grand tree in the country is in the grounds at Gunners- 
bury House, Acton, and when covered with its pure white Water 
Lily-like flowers it forms quite a picture, as was fully evidenced by 
the photograph of it shown by Mr. Hudson at a recent meeting of 
the Royal Horticultural Society. The tree in question is about 
30 feet in height, and as much through the branches. Would that 
a similar specimen adorned every lawn in the warmer parts of 
England. There are several varieties of this species, some of which 
bear tinted flowers, but all are very effective. M. stellata is of 
dwarfer growth, and the flowers are much smaller, but they are 
No. 619.— VOL. XXIV., Third Sebies. 
none the less beautiful. This, too, makes a charming display 
during April and May, as also would the rose-coloured form recently 
exhibited at the Drill Hall by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons. There 
are other Magnolias, including the beautiful M. Lennd, which are 
highly effective in spring. 
Common as it is, the Laburnum is always welcome with its 
lovely golden racemes, which make such a fine show during the 
early days of summer. There are several varieties of this, how¬ 
ever—for instance, Parkesi, Giganteum, and Watereri—which are 
much better than the type. The Thorns, too, must be regarded as 
being among the most beautiful flowering trees, and should be 
extensively planted in pleasure grounds and parks. Bold clumps 
of them are highly imposing during May and June, and a few 
specimens of the choicer kinds, such as Paul’s Double Scarlet and 
Multiplex (double white) are worthy of a place on the lawn. The 
same may justly be said of the Snowy Mespilus, which is a gem 
among flowering trees. It should, however, be given a sunny 
position in order that the wood may become well ripened, without 
which there will be but little bloom. The numerous Cherries, 
double and single, are also well known for their attractiveness at 
this time of the year, but they are rarely planted with sufficient 
discretion for ornamental purposes in gardens. 
For early flowering the various Almonds are exceedingly useful, 
and during February frequently make a most charming display. 
There are many varieties of them with double and single flowers, 
but being tolerably well known it is needless to individualise them. 
One variety, however, is deserving of notice on account of its early 
flowering, and that is Amygdalus Davidiana alba. Flowering 
branches of this were shown by Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons at the 
February meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, and again 
in March, when it was certificated. The Rose Acacia (Robinia 
hispida) is another beautiful flowering tree, the long racemes of 
rose-pink flowers being very effective. It makes a choice lawn 
tree, as also does R. viscosa. Both, however, do best in a rather 
sheltered position. .As specimen trees the white and red-flowered 
Horse Chestnuts are perhaps unrivalled, and it is a wonder that 
they are not more extensively planted in ornamental grounds. 
Many of the fruit trees, such as Apples and Pears, are noteworthy 
for their attractiveness, and should certainly be more conspicuous 
in pleasure grounds than they are at present. 
With regard to flowering shrubs these are even more numerous 
than the trees, and being dwarfer in growth they are better 
adapted for grouping in small gardens. Rhododendrons are too 
well known to need a lengthy dissertation here, though it may be 
said that where a suitable place can be found they should be 
extensively planted. They are undoubtedly the be?t of flowering 
shrubs, and being evergreen are valuable as screens all the year 
round. Performing clumps on the lawn the Ghent Azaleas are 
exceedingly useful, and on the margins of shrubberies, too, these 
might be extensively planted. Then, for hardiness and making a 
brilliant display of bloom in May few shrubs can surpass the 
Weigelas, which are familiar to most gardeners. These, perhaps, 
are the best flowering shrubs that can be planted in suburban 
gardens, where if given a sunny position they will flower profusely. 
The red flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) is another capital 
shrub for town gardens, and being of a hardy and robust constitu¬ 
tion it will also thrive well in almost any soil or position. There is 
a variety of this named atro-rubens, which should be planted on 
choice shrubberies in preference to the type, and as a companion 
to it the white-flowered variety album h well worth planting. 
When liberally treated the Guelder Rose (Viburnum Opulus) is 
very effective with its white blossoms, which resemble drooping 
snowballs. Viburnum plicatum, a Japanese species, is more hardy 
than is generally supposed, and should certainly be found amongst 
all choice shrubs. The Lilacs are well known for their.beauty, as 
also is the Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius), which grows 
into a handsome bush when given proper attention. Many people 
No. 2275.—VoL. LXXXVI., Old Series. 
