CHAPTER XXX

SHRUBS FOR SMALL GARDENS

It is possible in small gardens to grow many beautiful shrubs without constant cutting of the branches to keep them within set bounds. Those mentioned in the following list will grow in ordinary soil. Transplant during late autumn and early winter; and one golden rule to observe in the case of shrubs obtained from nurseries is to plant them in their permanent position as soon as possible after they are received, but should anything occur to prevent this, the roots must be well covered with soil till planting takes place. In winter large numbers of plants are sold at auction rooms, but though they may appear cheap, this is not always so, as there is no guide to the length of time they have been out of the ground, and in a dry atmosphere many of the smaller roots may have perished. Such plants take a long time to recover from the check. If trees or shrubs are bought at a local nursery, there is the great advantage of getting them in the ground again as soon as possible. The shrubs named are fully described elsewhere in this book.

_Aucubas_, 3 to 6 feet. Evergreen shrubs, some with variegated, others with plain green leaves. The male and female forms are separate. If the latter are fertilised, bright-red berries result.

_Azaleas_, 3 to 6 feet. For moist and peaty soil.

_Berberis Aquifolium_, 4 feet; _B. Darwinii_, 6 to 8 feet; _B. stenophylla_, 6 to 8 feet; _B. Thunbergi_, 2 to 3 feet; _B. vulgaris purpurea_, 5 to 6 feet (a purple-leaved variety of the Common Barberry).

_Cornus Spaethii_, 4 feet. This has rich golden foliage.

_Cotoneaster frigida_, 12 to 15 feet. A sturdy tree, with scarlet berries in autumn. _C. horizontalis_, 2 feet; _C. microphylla_, 3 feet; _C. Simonsii_, 5 to 8 feet.

_Cratægus Oxyacantha_ (Common Hawthorn). As a small tree this is delightful in small gardens, especially the double-flowered forms, of which the richest in colour is Paul's double crimson. As a contrast to this there is the double white.

_Cytisus albus_ (White Broom), 6 feet; _C. nigricans_, 4 feet; _C. præcox_ (Sulphur Broom), _C. scoparius_ (Common Broom), 6 feet; _C. s. andreanus_.

_Daphne Cneorum_ (Garland Flower), 1 foot; _D. Mezereum_ (the Mezereon), and the white variety _alba_.

_Deutzia crenata fl. pl._, 6 to 8 feet; _D. gracilis_, _D. hybrida_.

_Elæagnus pungens_, 6 feet. This is not so much planted as it should be; it is a rounded evergreen bush of great charm; flowers fragrant, November and December. There is a good variegated variety.

_Euonymus japonicus_, 4 to 8 feet; _E. radicans_, 1½ feet. The variegated variety is very popular.

_Forsythia suspensa_, 6 to 8 feet. A climbing shrub, but may be kept in bush form if pruned back hard after flowering. A mass of golden-yellow flowers in March or April.

_Genista hispanica_ (Spanish Furze), 2 feet; _G. sagittalis_.

_Hamamelis arborea_ (Japanese Witch Hazel), 6 to 10 feet; _H. zuccariniana_.

_Hedera_ (Ivy). It must not be forgotten that several varieties form bushes. These are known as Tree Ivies, and are invaluable in shady spots.

_Hibiscus syriacus_, 6 to 7 feet.

_Hydrangea Hortensia_ (Common Hydrangea), 4 to 8 feet; _H. paniculata grandiflora_, 4 to 8 feet. Pruned back hard before starting into growth in spring, this can be kept dwarf, and if liquid manure is given the heads of creamy-white flowers in early autumn are very fine.

_Hypericum calycinum_ (Rose of Sharon), 1 foot. Grows well under trees. _H. moserianum_, 2 feet.

_Ilex Aquifolium_ (Common Holly). A familiar and handsome evergreen tree. The best variegated varieties are Golden Queen, Handsworth Silver, and Silver Queen. _I. crenata_ (Japanese Holly).

_Jasminum nudiflorum_ (Winter-flowered Jasmine), Common White Jasmine. Both for walls or to ramble over some support.

_Kerria japonica_, 5 feet. This little-known shrub should be more grown; its yellow flowers are small but pretty. _Flore-pleno_ is a popular variety.

_Laburnum._

_Ligustrum ovalifolium aureum_ (Golden-leaved Privet), _L. sinense_ (Chinese Privet).

_Magnolia conspicua_ (Yulan), 10 to 30 feet; _M. Lennei_, 6 to 12 feet; _M. soulangeana_, 6 to 15 feet; _M. stellata_, 3 to 6 feet.

_Osmanthus ilicifolius atropurpeus._

_Philadelphus coronarius_ (Mock Orange), 8 to 12 feet; _P. grandiflorus_, 10 to 15 feet; _P. hybrids_.

_Prunus._ This genus includes the Almonds, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches, Plums, and Laurels. The best are the Almond, Double-flowered Gean (_P. Avium fl. pl._), _P. davidiana_, _P. japonica_ (_P. sinensis_), _P. Laurocerasus_ (Common Laurel), _P. lusitanica_ (Portugal Laurel), _P. persica_ (the Peach), _P. pseudo-cerasus_, _P. triloba_, 6 to 12 feet.

_Pyrus Aucuparia_ (Mountain Ash or Rowan tree). _P. floribunda_, _P. japonica_ (_Cydonia japonica_), _P. Maulei_, _P. spectabilis fl. pl._

_Rhododendrons._ Excellent where soil and surroundings are suitable.

_Rhodotypus kerrioides_, 4 to 6 feet.

_Rhus Cotinus_ (Venetian Sumach, Wig Tree, Smoke Bush), 5 to 8 feet; _R. glabra_, 6 to 12 feet; _R. typhina_, 8 to 15 feet.

_Ribes aureum_ (Golden-flowered Currant), 4 to 6 feet; _R. sanguineum_, 4 to 6 feet.

_Robinia hispida_ (Rose Acacia), 8 to 12 feet. A delightful tree; rosy flower clusters in early summer, but very brittle. Must not be in wind-swept corners. _R. Pseudacacia elegans_ (False Acacia), 20 feet; the Common False Acacia is too large for small gardens.

_Rubus deliciosus_, 5 to 6 feet.

_Skimmia Fortunei_ and _S. japonica_, 2 to 4 feet. Two neat little evergreen shrubs, with bright-crimson berries in winter. Cool, moist soil.

_Spartium junceum_ (Spanish Broom).

_Spiræa arguta_, 4 to 5 feet; _S. ariæfolia_, 8 to 10 feet, very beautiful; _S. Douglasi_, 6 feet; _S. japonica_ (_S. callosa_) and varieties (see tables); _S. media_, 4 feet; _S. prunifolia fl. pl._, 6 to 8 feet; _S. Thunbergi_, 4 to 5 feet.

_Symphoricarpus racemosus_ (Snowberry), 5 to 6 feet. The variegated variety of the Common Snowberry is pretty.

_Syringa vulgaris_ (Lilac), 8 to 12 feet.

_Ulex europæus fl. pl._ (Double-flowered Furze or Gorse), 4 to 6 feet. Beautiful in hot and dry soil.

_Viburnum Opulus sterile_ (Guelder Rose or Snowball tree), _V. plicatum_, 5 to 6 feet.

_Vinca major_ (Periwinkle), 6 inches to 1 foot. A little creeping shrub, delightful for a rough bank, and will thrive under trees better than most shrubby plants. The pretty blue flowers appear for a long time. There is a variety with prettily variegated leaves. _V. minor_, another species, is smaller altogether. There are deep-blue and white varieties.

_Weigelas_, 6 to 8 feet. Excellent shrubs for small gardens.

SHRUBS FOR TOWN GARDENS

From the preceding list of shrubs for small gardens a selection suitable for towns is appended. Many things refuse to live in the smoky and confined air of towns. This is particularly noticeable in the case of evergreens; the pores become choked with sooty deposit, and the plant consequently soon fails, whereas many of those whose leaves are removed annually are not so seriously affected. Conifers are generally a failure. This is a small list, but only small gardens are under consideration.

Aucubas. Berberis Aquifolium. Berberis stenophylla. Cotoneasters, especially C. frigida, which is, however, a small tree. Cratægus Oxyacantha (Hawthorn) and varieties. Cratægus Pyracantha (Fire Thorn); C. Lælandi. Daphne Mezereum. Euonymus japonicus. Forsythia. Genista hispanica. Hedera (Ivy). Hibiscus syriacus. Jasminum officinale. Kerria japonica. Laburnum. Ligustrum ovalifolium elegantissimum (Golden-leaved Privet). Magnolia stellata, M. conspicua. Osmanthus ilicifolius. Philadelphus (Mock Orange). Privet. Prunus Amygdalus (Almond). Prunus Avium flore-pleno (Double-flowered Gean). Prunus Laurocerasus (Laurel). Prunus Persica (Peach). Prunus pseudo-cerasus. Pyrus Aucuparia (Mountain Ash). Pyrus floribunda. Pyrus japonica and varieties. Rhus typhina (Sumach). Ribes aureum. Ribes sanguineum and varieties. Robinia Pseudacacia and varieties. Spartium junceum. Spiræa arguta. Spiræa japonica and varieties. Symphoricarpus racemosus (Snowberry). Symphoricarpus vulgaris. Syringa vulgaris (Lilac) and varieties. Viburnum plicatum (Chinese Guelder Rose). Weigela rosea and varieties.