314 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
April 36, 1894. 
of a markot gardener who made himself famous, and of a pro¬ 
sperous farmer (for there is one left) may be worth reference at 
this juncture.—E xperientia docet. 
FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS. 
Beautiful as are the hardy flowers of which Mr. S. Arnott 
wrote in such an interesting manner at page 293 of your last issue, 
they yet require a something to assist them in showing their 
beauty to the best advantage, and this may be found among the 
trees and shrubs. By the direct contrast the superb beauty of 
either class is greatly enhanced, and the garden which contains 
both will command more admiration than that which contains 
either alone. There is not such a diversity of form and coloura¬ 
tion to be found amongst trees and shrubs of these notes as is the 
case with hardy flowering plants, but as no garden of any 
pretensions is entirely destitute of them, mention will be made 
of those in flower at the present moment, and those which will 
reach the zenith of attractiveness in a short time. 
Let us commence with flowering trees. And what more 
beautiful can be found than the Laburnum with its pendent 
racemes of yellow flowers ? Thriving alike in town and country 
gardens, it deserves all its popularity. During the late spring and 
early summer months all the varieties are charming, not to say 
magnificent. In contrast to these are the Chestnuts, which, planted 
as single specimens, have an imposing appearance. Doubtless 
many readers of the Journal have seen the avenue of these noble 
trees in Bushy Park, and those who have not should seize the first 
opportunity of doing so. Then, too, there is the Yulan Tree, 
Magnolia conspicua, now in full bloom and presenting a perfect 
picture with its white, deliciously scented flowers. Another 
Magnolia of great beauty, and flowering somewhat later than 
M. conspicua, is M. Lenne. It is certainly deserving of far more 
attention than is at present accorded it, as is also the chastely 
beautiful M. stellata, of which the flowers are much smaller than 
the foregoing, the plant, too, being of a much dwarfer habit. 
In a selection of flowering trees the Thorns must be given a 
high place, especially such varieties as Paul’s Double Scarlet and 
the double white Multiplex, both of which being, when established, 
among the choicest ornaments of the garden. The Snowy Mes- 
pilus (Amelanchier botryapium) is admirably named, for when in 
full flower the tree appears to be covered with flakes of driven 
snow. The Cherries are rich in variety and utility, both the 
double and single forms being worthv of prominent positions. For 
blooming during February and March the Almonds may be named. 
The rose-pink racemes of Robinia hispida find favour with many 
gardeners, as also do the purple flowers of the curious Judas Tree. 
The Siberian Crab, presenting as it does when in fruit such a 
glorious sight, should have far more attention devoted to it. 
Rich in beauty as are the flowering trees, the shrubs are far 
more extensive and diversified, and one scarcely knows when 
writing of them with what to commence or where a finish may 
safely be made. Perhaps no plants are greater favourites than 
Rhododendrons, and it is well within bounds to assert that they 
are the most useful of our flowering shrubs. They are so well 
known, and their high qualities so thoroughly recognised, as to 
render detailed mention in these notes superfluous, suffice it to say 
that where possible they should be planted. Of the highest utility 
are the Weigelas, which for ensuring a bright display during May 
are almost unsurpassed. Such varieties as W. rosea and amabilis 
are splendid when planted in clumps or as hedges, in which form 
they may be seen at Swanmore Park. No shrubbery is complete 
without a few Lilacs to emit their sweet fragrance and afford an 
abundance of ever welcome cut bloom. The Guelder Rose 
(Viburnum opulus) must ever remain a favourite, as also must the 
Mock Oranges, the best of which are Gordonianus and grandi- 
florus, though the common coronarius is by no means to be 
despised. The Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) flourishing 
in almost any soil is very beautiful, especially when some of the 
more intensely coloured forms are planted. 
The useful white Deutzia crenata flore pleno is, when clothed 
with blossom, a beautiful sight, and the same may be said of 
Prunus sinensis fl.-pl., which in addition to its utility in the garden, 
is extremely floriferous when forced. The Spirasa family affords 
an almost endless supply of useful plants for the border, but 
worthy of cultivation in every garden are S. prunifolia fl. pi., with 
its arching branches covered with bloom ; S. ariaefolia, white ; 
S. confusa, S. Thunbergi, S. palmata, and S. aruncus, frequently 
called the Goat’s Beard. The sweetly scented Daphne Mezereum 
and its white form should be largely grown, as also should 
D. cneorum majus, a dwarf growing variety of exceptional beauty. 
Cydonia japonica, when well grown, as it may be seen in scores of 
gardens, is strikingly beautiful, and the old fashioned Kerria 
japonica fl.-pl. is not to be despised. Berberises, too, afford some 
splendid objects for the shrubbery, one of the best being B. Beali 
with its richly perfumed blossoms ; B. stenophylla and B. Darwini 
are also most useful. The Forsythias, with their rich golden 
yellow flowers, are very beautiful, F. intermedia and F. suspensa 
being amongst the best. Amongst the varieties of Pyrus are some 
beautiful flowers, and a plant not seen often enough is Exochorda 
grandiflora. In favourable positions the Brooms are exceedingly 
effective, and the orange coloured flowers of Buddlea globosa 
might with advantage be seen more frequently than is the case at 
present. 
From the plants above mentioned a suitable selection may well 
be made for the small garden, in a large one all should be seen. 
Some attention with regard to mulching and pruning greatly 
enhance the beauty and utility of all flowering trees and shrubs. 
—R. H. R. 
APRIL NOTES FROM AN IRISH GARDEN. 
Faint patches, daily spreading, of delicate tints amongst the 
trees herald the return of spring with all its varied train of fresh 
young life. Bunches of Kingcups (Caltha palustris) brighten up 
“the river’s brim,” whilst the vivid green sword-blades of the 
common Iris cleave the icy cold water. Amongst the numerous 
family is any more beautiful than this water Flag when decked 
with its canary yellow blossoms, unusually abundant last year ? 
Unfolding leaves of the Beech are but yet fleecy flakes of the 
palest green, and to-day— 
“ The soft west wind is so light in its play. 
It scarcely moves a leaf on the spray.” 
Sycamores were the first to don their bronzy hued garments. 
Blossoms of the Ash litter the walks, bringing forth the remark 
from the sweeper, “ them’s dirty bastes.” Squirrels are busy aloft 
in the Chestnuts, doing a little pruning on their own account 
amongst the tender tops. Later on they will peep over the garden 
wall and do some thinning to the Apricots. Many flowering shrubs 
interspersed through the evergreens add a charm to the pleasure 
grounds. From now this department increases in interest and 
beauty until the climax is reached with the flowering of the hybrid 
Rhododendrons. After that, one notices a gap which summer 
cannot fill. But I am anticipating, so turn into the garden which 
is a combination of the utile et dulce, where from tbis time the 
flower basket is as often filled as the vegetable basket. 
Pears and Plums have given the garden the appearance of a 
huge bridal bouquet, now giving way to the softer tints of the 
Apple blossom. Patches of bright colour enliven the herbaceous 
borders, but the Lilies of Lent have waxed and waned ; blown are 
the huge trumpets of the family, nought but the humbler types 
remaining. The varieties of Iris germanica in a warm dry position 
on a border are unusually luxuriant and bristling with buds. 
Iris Ksempferi, to which another border, cool and moist, is devoted, 
has come through the winter well, protected only by last year’s 
foliage. A good patch of Myosotis dissitiflora is a charming 
medley of pink and blue, and a bright corner of many colours is 
that occupied by Dean’s Hybrid Primroses ; any day last winter a 
pretty posy could be gathered from them. A long line of the 
ordinary Primrose, common though it be, does not look out of place 
under a row of Currant bushes, and the plants are seldom without 
flowers in the severest winter weather. One wonders why the 
simple flower furnishes so many letters to the papers. I have 
before in the Journal of Horticulture brought Genista scoparia 
Andreana under notice ; its charming blossoms now open under the 
shelter of a warm wall, again deserve a passing recognition. 
Doronicums make a brave display ; these large golden Daisies are 
appreciated dished up in a bowl of wet sand on the dinner table. 
For dishing in a different form very good is that constant little 
friend, Ellam’s Cabbage ; a fine breadth is now at its best, and 
looks what it is—clean, succulent, and tender. I almost agree with 
Paddy, who said, “ A dish of spring Cabbage is the finest thing I 
ever ate,” though a neighbour’s suggestion of improvement in the 
way of bacon elicited the response, “ Ah, I nivir tried that ! ” 
The story, if true, had its sorrowful side. Summer Cabbages are 
to me fraught with unpleasant reflections, caused by the brood of 
the butterfly, another of our enemies. Whatever satisfaction 
ensues from dishing up one’s foes, the revenge is not sweet. 
Broccolis are hurrying in altogether, many as large as a fashionable 
bouquet, but not the better for that. The recent rains have 
brought on the Asparagus ; we cut above the soil, green, tender, 
and juicy. A lady once remarked to me, “We like to eat it all,” 
and I think this was a common sense view of this esteemed 
vegetable. Bleached woody stems may fill a dish best, but it is 
