FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS
The majority of English gardeners are slow to recognise the value of
the various flowering shrubs as an aid to the carrying out of design.
Our gardens, as a whole, are far too sombre, a result of planting
extensively with dark, close growing evergreens, which keep out the
light, and reduce our pleasure grounds to the verge of monotony.
Evergreens are well enough in their way, and in certain instances form
valuable screens to unsightly corners at all times of the year. But
their use has been overdone, and by their presence they are crowding
out a host of beautiful subjects, graceful and varied in their mode
of growth, and productive, also, of that most needed element in our
often saddening atmosphere—colour. Small gardens, especially, can ill
afford to be overplanted with laurel and privet, a form of encroachment
to which they are particularly liable. The majority of evergreens
are greedy feeders, and their hungry roots travel in all directions,
impoverishing the soil in the beds and borders, which, owing to lack of
space, have to be formed in their near vicinity. The prejudice which
exists against deciduous trees is in reality quite unfounded, as anyone
must realise who has taken the trouble to examine the structural beauty
of trees which shed their leaves. The exquisite tints of autumn, the
gradual revealing of hidden beauties in bark and stem as the summer
mantle is discarded, are sights we look for in vain in evergreens.
Summer and winter they hardly vary, and gardens in which stiffly
growing hollies, dusty yews, and straggling laurels monopolise nearly
all the space, are usually lacking in interest just when they should
be full of charm. If some of the old shrubberies filled with worn
out, decaying evergreens could be rooted up, letting in the air and
sunshine, how much better would it be. Their place might be taken by a
varied collection of graceful, deciduous trees and shrubs, which during
their flowering period would afford constant interest and pleasure. Of
course a garden from which evergreens were entirely banished, would
be bare and cheerless to a degree during the winter months. Besides,
the more tender plants would undoubtedly suffer, owing to the sudden
inlet of cold winds, from which they had previously been protected. As
shelter trees and wind breaks, evergreens are of the utmost utility,
and their value in this direction cannot be over-estimated. Judiciously
planted and used in moderation they are always pleasing, it is only by
constant repetition, and the formation of dense, gloomy thickets, that
the designer wearies us by their presence.
Granted, however, that evergreens have a certain value, there is no
reason why we should not aim at greater variety than is at present the
case. In addition to the ever present laurels, there are whole families
of Rhododendrons, Barberries, Olearia, Kalmia, certain of the Heaths,
Daphne in sheltered situations, Cotoneaster, and many others. These are
all beautiful at their flowering period, and at other times, by their
diversity of form and habit, will make a welcome change to the existing
conditions. I have felt it desirable to draw attention to the need
for further recognition of the flowering shrubs, both deciduous and
evergreen; they present so much variety and charm, and are, moreover,
adapted to such a variety of situations, that it seems unreasonable
to exclude them from our gardens. Another point in their favour is
the supply of decorative bloom which is obtainable from such free
flowering subjects as the various Quinces, Brooms, Weigela, Syringa,
and others. Whole branches of bud and blossom look exquisite when
lightly arranged in jars and vases, the Japanese methods being worthy
of imitation, so that in both garden and house endless possibilities
are presented to the modern gardener. In order to recall a few of the
best varieties, nearly all of which are hardy, I give a list of those
which have proved deserving of a place.
_Azalea._—These beautiful flowers should be grown much more
extensively. Not only during their flowering period, but in the full
glory of their autumn foliage, they are supremely lovely. An endless
number of varieties are available, the hardy Ghent Azaleas with a fine
range of colour being perhaps best for general purposes. _A. mollis_,
a dwarf Japanese variety, is useful for grouping in front of the
larger kinds. Those living in the south, or having gardens with sunny,
sheltered dells, may also plant _A. Indica_, which is a sub-evergreen.
Let no one be deterred from growing these beautiful shrubs under the
impression that they require peat; in ordinary garden soil they thrive
wonderfully, if protected from cold winds.
_Magnolia._—Beautiful flowering shrubs from China and Japan. _M.
conspicua_ bears a profusion of snowy blossoms early in May. A dwarf
growing variety with starry white flowers, _M. stellata_, should be
grown in sheltered corners. At Kew the effect of bold groups of Azaleas
and Magnolias in the open may be seen during the spring and early
summer months.
[Illustration: A GARDEN HOUSE]
_Rhododendrons_ form gardens in themselves, such is the variety of
habit and colouring which they display. Nevertheless they are often
overplanted, and when out of flower the banks of evergreen foliage
become monotonous. A better plan is to choose a few really good hybrid
varieties and group them carefully according to colour and period of
flowering, interspersing with shrubs of different growth to prevent
monotony. Almost every shade from white to deep crimson is to be found
in these showy flowers. Limestone soils are very prejudicial to their
welfare, but otherwise they succeed in a diversity of situations.
Numbers of hybrid kinds are catalogued, and it is an easy matter to
choose a dozen or so really desirable varieties.
_Cytisus._—Broom. The Common Broom (_C. Scoparius_) is by no means
to be excluded from our gardens, where its cheerful presence in the
semi-wild parts is very welcome. Among cultivated varieties the
beautiful white form _C. albus_ is very graceful, with its long dark
green sprays covered with snowy flowers. _C. Andreanus_ is similar in
form to the common variety, but the yellow flowers are richly marked
with blotches of reddish chestnut.
_Prunus._—This is a large family containing the flowering Plums,
Almonds, Peaches, and Cherries. Almost all are beautiful, with their
soft masses of rosy pink and white flowers borne on branching twigs
and sprays. The Japanese Cherry (_P. pseudo-Cerasus_), which the Japs
will tramp for miles to see in all its beauty, has many good double
varieties, one of the best being _Cerasus Watereri_. _P. Padus_,
the Bird Cherry, should, in its double form, certainly be included
among the garden trees. Then there is the Double Chinese Plum (_P.
japonica_), with delicate pink and white flowers borne on slender
shoots. _P. Lauro-Ceraus_, the Cherry Laurel, a fine evergreen, which
requires plenty of space, and should not be crowded in among more
delicate growers. The common Almond (_P. amygdalus_) is well-known,
especially in town gardens, its beautiful pink flowers being produced
early in the season. In spite of its general use in our gardens we
could ill spare the Portugal Laurel (_P. lusitanica_), it is a noble
evergreen, and worthy in many cases of better treatment. A beautiful
little dwarf shrub is _P. triloba fl. pl._, with large blush flowers,
changing with age to pure white. It is worth almost any consideration
to secure a small representative collection of this family for our
gardens. _P. pissardi._
_Pyrus (Cydonia) Japonica._—A well-known shrub, producing a profusion
of vivid scarlet blossoms over an extended period. The fruit, which
appears in autumn, is of considerable size. A variety _alba_, with
white flowers, should also be grown.
_Philadelphus._—Mock Orange. Well-known old-fashioned shrubs, the
syringa of the cottage gardens. They deserve an open, sunny position,
when they will form really handsome bushes, covered with a wealth of
sweetly scented blossoms. _P. coronarius_ is the common variety, and in
the same section we have _aureus_ with golden leaves; _primulæflorus_
with double white flowers; and _nanus_, a dwarf form, which, however,
is a shy bloomer. _P. grandiflorus_ has much finer flowers than
_coronarius_, and is but slightly scented, an advantage when the
branches are used for indoor decoration, the common form being almost
too powerful in a room. _P. microphyllus_ is an excellent dwarf
variety, forming a compact bush about 3 feet high.
_Viburnum._—Guelder Rose. The beautiful snowball-like flowers of this
shrub are extremely ornamental, and it deserves a worthy place in the
garden. _Sterile_, the cultivated form of the native _V. opulus_, grows
to a good height, and may be planted well back in the mixed shrubbery.
_V. plicatum_ is somewhat different in habit, producing continuous
sprays of large, white blossoms.
_Stuartia._—A deciduous shrub bearing flowers something like the
_Camellia_. _S. pseudo-Camellia_ has creamy-white blossoms with yellow
stamens. _S. virginica_ forms a handsome bush, the flowers the same
colour as the foregoing, with the addition of blood red stamens.
_Ribes._—Flowering Currant. Too well-known to need description. In
addition to the common variety _R. sanguinea_, the Buffalo Currant (_R.
aureum_), with yellow flowers, and the double form _flore-pleno_, which
blooms later than the type, should also be grown.
_Syringa._—Lilac. Grouped in bold masses, the Lilac family is
a charming one in the garden. A sheltered corner devoted to a
representative collection, or a good hedge formed of several varieties,
is the way in which they should be grown. A straggling bush, hemmed
in by coarse evergreens, is a poor way of displaying so charming a
flower. The following are worthy of notice: _S. chinensis_, with rich
violet flowers; _S. japonica_, with large creamy-coloured flowers; and
_S. persica_, the Persian Lilac, a much smaller kind, which looks well
planted in the foreground of large groups. The flowers are pale mauve.
The white variety, _Marie Lagrange_, is very handsome.
_Choisya Ternata._—Mexican Orange-flower. Not quite hardy, but worth
a sheltered position, on account of its shining evergreen foliage and
abundance of pure white flowers. It is a good plant for warm seaside
districts.
_Cotoneaster._—Rockspray. Hardy and easily grown rock-shrubs. _C.
buxifolia_ forms a good-sized bush, the flowers white, and produced
abundantly. _C. microphylla_ is useful for walls or sloping banks in
the rock garden, where there is a bare space which needs covering. The
Cotoneasters are evergreen, and in winter are rendered bright and showy
by clusters of scarlet or crimson berries.
_Forsythia._—Golden Bell. Dwarf growing subjects, of exceedingly
graceful habit. _F. suspensa_ is the best known, and the long trailing
branches, covered with golden blossoms, look especially well hanging
over a bank or low wall. _F. viridissima_ is more compact than the
foregoing, and likes a position fully exposed to the sun.
_Deutzia._—The hardy outdoor kinds are _crenata_ and _flore-pleno_,
both with white flowers, those of the latter being faintly tinged with
pink. The slender stems and clustering racemes of flowers render this a
delightful shrub.
_Kalmia._—Mountain Laurel. Charming evergreen shrubs from North
America. The waxy flowers are produced in clusters, the colour being a
delicate rose. _K. latifolia_ is the best, and will thrive in garden
soil in which there is a slight admixture of peat. On limestone soils
they are seldom a success.
_Berberis._—Barberry. The best of the group is _B. Darwinii_, an
evergreen variety with showy orange flowers. _B. vulgaris_, the Common
Barberry, is more beautiful in fruit than in flower, a charming
companion being _B. Thunbergii_, with bright scarlet berries, and
foliage turning to a rich tint in autumn. The _Mahonias_ are also
included under this head, of which the common variety, _M. aquifolium_,
should be in every collection. Its copper-coloured leaves, bright
yellow flowers and purple berries, afford a good contrast to other
plants in the shrubbery.
_Weigela._—Bush Honeysuckle. Charming groups of these shrubs may be
formed on the edges of lawns and other suitable places. There are
many varieties, nearly all beautiful, their autumn foliage being
particularly well coloured. _W. rosea_ is the form generally met with,
but it is hardly so deserving as _W. grandiflora_, or _anabilis_, as
it is often known. There is a fine golden-leaved kind, _W. Looymansi
aurea_, which may be grown if space can be found.
_Rhus._—Sumach. More quaint, perhaps, than beautiful, but worth
planting, if only for their truly gorgeous foliage during the fall of
the leaf. The Venetian Sumach (_R. cotinus_) is one of the best.
_Tamarix._—Tamarisk. Excellent shrubs for seaside gardens. The flowers
of _T. gallica_ are white, tinged with pink, and the small spikes look
exceedingly well among the feathery leaves.
_Spiræa_.—Shrubby Meadow Sweet. A large family numbering many
delightful varieties. It is useless crowding these Spiræas among a
tangle of rampant evergreens, as their graceful beauty is lost and they
are soon destroyed. Well-defined clumps on lawn margins show them at
their best. _S. ariæfolia_, the Spray Bush, is very lovely with its
panicles of white flowers. _S. japonica_, with clusters of pink flowers
borne on slender stems, is another good kind; and the improved variety,
Anthony Waterer, with blossoms of a rich crimson hue, is most striking.
The Plume Meadow Sweet (_S. Lindleyana_) is a large and handsome kind,
which requires a fairly warm position, when its beautiful foliage is
particularly attractive.
_Hydrangea Paniculata Grandiflora._—Plumed Hydrangea. During the autumn
this is one of the handsomest plants in the shrubbery. Under good
culture it produces enormous clusters of white flowers, the whole bush
being often covered with a profusion of bloom.
_Kerria Japonica._—There are few cottage gardens without a bush of
old-fashioned Jew’s Mallow. The long shoots are wreathed with small
golden blossoms. There is a variegated form of the single variety,
which is dwarfer than the commonly grown _flore-plena_.
There is hardly a plant in the above list which is not really
beautiful, and fully deserving a place in the garden. But space cannot
be found for even half of them, still less for many more which I have
not mentioned, if the old-fashioned shrubbery is to still monopolise
all the available ground. By all means let us have a few evergreens
to clothe our gardens during their winter nakedness, but in spring
and summer the beautiful flowering trees and shrubs should be there
to brighten with their blossomed sprays the corners where now sombre,
dusty foliage forms the only relief. If many desirable names have
been omitted, it is because space cannot possibly be found for all,
or perhaps that they lack the hardiness which is one of the first
points which must be considered when introducing new varieties. In
warm, sheltered spots, such as occur in Devon and Cornwall, there is
no end to the really beautiful trees and shrubs which may be grown.
Here fuchsias and members of the magnolia family will thrive and bloom
freely, but in less favoured localities we must content ourselves with
more hardy subjects, of which there are numbers from which to make a
choice.